Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Philly's "Kensington Strangler" Suspect Arrested
Just after an announcement that there was a huge break in the case, Philadelphia Police arrested a subject named Antonio Rodriguez, and identified him as the one and only suspect in the case. As of early Tuesday morning, he has not yet been charged. Apparently, DNA from at least one of the crime scenes is a match for Rodriguez's. More coverage on Philly.com or click here.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Cop Killer Arrested.
Once again, a brutal reminder of the realities of Law Enforcement. Not yet one month into the new year, and already six police officers have lost their lives in the line of duty. Two of those officers are from the region.
My best wishes go to the family of Officer Matlosz, and to the Law Enforcement Community at large.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Thank You Mr. Carroll
In this officer's opinion, Chester County has been served well for the last several years. From the arsons, murders, and political mess in Coatesville, to the ousting of criminal politicians, to the decisive decisions when it comes to police involved shootings, I commend Mr. Carroll. His successor will have big shoes to fill.
And I wish him good luck with his next job, hopefully as a Judge.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
How Hard do Cops Work?
After reading in The Daily Local about a "home invasion" robbery and sexual assault that occurred this week in West Chester, I figured the reader comments online would be terrific. Reading the comments on after headlining stories is always high in entertainment value for me. Recently, nationwide, public sector workers, police included, have come under fire. Financially, times are tough for many state and municipal governments. Employee benefits, including pay, pensions, and health care, have been criticized. Regardless of current contract agreements, some municipalities have cut benefits. Most everyday people don't lose any sleep for the cops, firefighters, and teachers whose benefits are dwindling. Everyday people think, "If I don't have benefits this good, why should they?" To an extent, they have a point. But when politics fuels municipalities' decisions at the expense of the public servant, I cry foul. When contracts are broken because it will save money that could be saved elsewhere, without violating legal agreements, I cry foul. When the heads of government make financial decisions to save their own rear ends, at the expense of the citizens and in spite of the public servants, I cry foul.
That brings me to my point. Early this week, a terrible crime was reported to the West Chester Police. Unlike most terrible crimes in West Chester, this one was reported n by the Daily Local. After reading the print-edition, I rushed to my computer to read online reader comments. The comments were typical. One reader sarcastically commented that he was "sure they're (the cops) giving it (the investigation their all." The commenting reader was pointing to the fact that Borough Council unilaterally agreed to violate the police contract and change officer health benefits without first proving the benefits are comparable to the existing benefits. But does he really think that police officers would NOT investigate a serious crime? Would cops hold the citizens hostage because of a disagreement with the politicians? I can't believe they would. In fact, the politicians know this. They know that their police officers are professional, and that the police officers care enough to protect and serve, regardless of how Borough Council treats them. Perhaps the council takes advantage of this.
Then there are the readers who compare cops and firemen to private sector workers. These readers don't have government pensions; they can't retire after 30 years (or 25 or whatever) years of service with a "guaranteed" pension. These readers may have taken a pay-cut, or gone two or three years without a raise. But, in the end, the fact is, they also don't run into burning buildings. They don't breath noxious gasses. Their families don't worry about them being shot, stabbed or burned to death in the regular course of their duties at work. They don't have to respond to your neighbors house, when the drunk husband is holding his pregnant wife at knife-point. They don't have to wear a ballistic vest because of the inherent danger of their job. When the markets were at an all-time high, and private sector employees saw lavish raises and huge bonuses, cops and firefighters took home their two or three or four percent raise, just like they did for the last dozen years and just like they expect to do for the next dozen years. Cops and firefighters expected that the deal they signed on for would stand, regardless of what happened to the private sector. The fact is, these cops and firefighters are NOT in the private sector. Moreover, these cops and firefighters knew this when they signed on. They knew there were inherent risks. But, they also knew there were some rewards for their risk. Three percent raises, decent health-care, pensions, and the honoring of contracts are what cops and firefighters signed on for. It's what they expect. It's what they work hard for.
I ramble, but to be continued...
That brings me to my point. Early this week, a terrible crime was reported to the West Chester Police. Unlike most terrible crimes in West Chester, this one was reported n by the Daily Local. After reading the print-edition, I rushed to my computer to read online reader comments. The comments were typical. One reader sarcastically commented that he was "sure they're (the cops) giving it (the investigation their all." The commenting reader was pointing to the fact that Borough Council unilaterally agreed to violate the police contract and change officer health benefits without first proving the benefits are comparable to the existing benefits. But does he really think that police officers would NOT investigate a serious crime? Would cops hold the citizens hostage because of a disagreement with the politicians? I can't believe they would. In fact, the politicians know this. They know that their police officers are professional, and that the police officers care enough to protect and serve, regardless of how Borough Council treats them. Perhaps the council takes advantage of this.
Then there are the readers who compare cops and firemen to private sector workers. These readers don't have government pensions; they can't retire after 30 years (or 25 or whatever) years of service with a "guaranteed" pension. These readers may have taken a pay-cut, or gone two or three years without a raise. But, in the end, the fact is, they also don't run into burning buildings. They don't breath noxious gasses. Their families don't worry about them being shot, stabbed or burned to death in the regular course of their duties at work. They don't have to respond to your neighbors house, when the drunk husband is holding his pregnant wife at knife-point. They don't have to wear a ballistic vest because of the inherent danger of their job. When the markets were at an all-time high, and private sector employees saw lavish raises and huge bonuses, cops and firefighters took home their two or three or four percent raise, just like they did for the last dozen years and just like they expect to do for the next dozen years. Cops and firefighters expected that the deal they signed on for would stand, regardless of what happened to the private sector. The fact is, these cops and firefighters are NOT in the private sector. Moreover, these cops and firefighters knew this when they signed on. They knew there were inherent risks. But, they also knew there were some rewards for their risk. Three percent raises, decent health-care, pensions, and the honoring of contracts are what cops and firefighters signed on for. It's what they expect. It's what they work hard for.
I ramble, but to be continued...
West Chester Borough Auctioning old Equipment
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| this beauty could be yours at municibic.com |
Monday, January 3, 2011
Follow-Up, Two for One
Darryl Moore was the suspect who shot at two Philadelphia Police Officers on New year's Eve. He was killed by return fire from the officers. Investigators soon determined that he was the same loser who shot a security guard in the neck just two weeks ago in Philadelphia.
Countless millions of taxpayer dollars have been saved by this criminal being killed.
Countless millions of taxpayer dollars have been saved by this criminal being killed.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Police Officers Shot Overnight in Philadelphia
The horrible results are in. Last year, 162 Police Officers were killed in the line of duty. Eight of these deaths were in the Tri-State area. And already this year, there has been an officer murdered. In Ohio, Clark County Deputy Sheriff Suzanne Hopper was shot and killed by an assailant while photographing a crime scene. My sincerest thoughts are with the family and friends of Deputy Hopper.
Turning to the streets of Philadelphia...Two Philadelphia Police Officers were shot and wounded during a traffic stop on New Year's eve. Philadelphia Police Officers Adam O'Donnell and Ivan Centeno were shot at the intersection of Walnut Street and Frazier Street, in the city. They had stopped a motorist for a traffic violation when the motorist opened fire. Officers returned fire and, fortunately, killed the attacker before being killed themselves. Both officers have since been released from the hospital. (info from Philly.com, click here)
In a climate when the most recent police stories have been about budget cuts, lay-offs, concessions, furloughs, and tax hikes, this story is a chilling reminder of some certain truths:
1) A price cannot be placed on a police officer's life.
2) Municipalities are in the business of decreasing the size of police departments or decreasing the benefits to police officers. This is dangerous business. Visit The Officer Down Memorial Page and then tell me we should lay-off cops or take away their benefits.
3) Politicians who make these awefull decisions go to sleep at night in their warm beds. They are comforted by luxuries.
4) Wives, husbands and families of police officers go to sleep at night worrying and wondering. They go to sleep hoping they're awoken by the sight or smell of their loved one, not by a phone call from a hospital, or worse.
Happy new year readers.
Turning to the streets of Philadelphia...Two Philadelphia Police Officers were shot and wounded during a traffic stop on New Year's eve. Philadelphia Police Officers Adam O'Donnell and Ivan Centeno were shot at the intersection of Walnut Street and Frazier Street, in the city. They had stopped a motorist for a traffic violation when the motorist opened fire. Officers returned fire and, fortunately, killed the attacker before being killed themselves. Both officers have since been released from the hospital. (info from Philly.com, click here)
In a climate when the most recent police stories have been about budget cuts, lay-offs, concessions, furloughs, and tax hikes, this story is a chilling reminder of some certain truths:
1) A price cannot be placed on a police officer's life.
2) Municipalities are in the business of decreasing the size of police departments or decreasing the benefits to police officers. This is dangerous business. Visit The Officer Down Memorial Page and then tell me we should lay-off cops or take away their benefits.
3) Politicians who make these awefull decisions go to sleep at night in their warm beds. They are comforted by luxuries.
4) Wives, husbands and families of police officers go to sleep at night worrying and wondering. They go to sleep hoping they're awoken by the sight or smell of their loved one, not by a phone call from a hospital, or worse.
Happy new year readers.
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