Have a Safe and Happy Halloween #Gadflyin for Treats

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Supersonic Safety Research and The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper want to wish everyone a safe and Happy Halloween.

And don't let the Zombies eat your brain. :^).   

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Words I Still Hear My Academy Instructor Saying

It is Sunday, so short and sweet.  From time to time I will post things my academy instructor said that still echo in my head.  These will usually be short, but may not always be sweet.  :)

"I'd rather have my gun and not need it, then need it and not have it."

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Crime Stoppers is a Never Ending Pursuit

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Pi Sam Is Playing It Again with a post on Crime Stoppers.  If you are on Facebook you should look for Crime Stopper pages for your area so you will be kept up-to-date with what is going on where you live.

Here are links to some of these Facebook pages: 

Crime Stopers of Michigan  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crime-Stoppers-of-Michigan/156886104365720
Crime Stoppers Windsor/Essex Canada    https://www.facebook.com/CrimeSolve?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser
Crime Stoppers Honolulu   https://www.facebook.com/CrimestoppersHonolulu?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser
Montana Crime Stoppers    https://www.facebook.com/pages/MT-Crimestoppers/100475236667226?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser
North East Florida Crime Stoppers    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crime-Stoppers-of-North-East-Florida/126685158644?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser

And now we Play It Again Sam:

 

Crime Stoppers

Supersonic Safety Research is proud to support law enforcement and their efforts to keep us safe.

For those who live in Michigan here is the link to Crime Stoppers of Michigan.

 http://www.1800speakup.org/

 What is Crime Stoppers of Michigan?  It is an international crime fighting organization that seeks tips from the public on crimes.  Here is their mission statement:

The mission of Crime Stoppers is to empower people to make their neighborhoods, schools, and businesses safer through anonymous reporting of crime.

 Link here to see the Crime Stoppers of Michigan brochure:

http://1800speakup.org/docs/CrimeStoppers_English.pdf 

We will post Crime Stopper links for other states as we gather them. 

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Geeked Over New Favorite Computer Peripherals

I recently had to replace my printer/copier/scanner, and after much thought and debate I decided to get a laser printer and separate scanner.  My previous printer was an inkjet, but I rarely printed photos or color copies and wasn't impressed with the photos anyway.  I find the laser to be more economical and the new scanner works great.  What did I finally settle on?  A Brother HL-2230 printer and a Canon Lide110.  So far I am happy with both and I got a good deal on both.

  

When You Gotta Go...Bathroom Etiquette On-The-Job

Here is a topic that rarely gets discussed in training - what to do when you got to go. Well, that all depends on where you are and who you are.  The following articles gives you some answers and also some things to think about.  http://policelink.monster.com/training/articles/146960-bathroom-issues-for-law-enforcement I would also, read some of the comments below the article for more info and to get your mind thinking.  Some advice from personal experience - if you place your keepers properly you can keep your duty belt on, but it does take some practice.  If you think this post and article are silly then you have never been 'on-the-job'.

 As the article says: " Follow cowboy logic: don’t wait until you have to go, go when you have the chance!"

Ever been on surveillance, a fixed post, directing traffic and all you can think about is....

Porta Potty

Missing in Michigan Ribbons and Bracelets - Remember Them All

One more post about Missing in Michigan, as you can tell from all the posts this event really had an effect on me.  Below I have posted a picture our friend Gurwin wearing his Missing in Michigan bracelet (though he has it as a headband) and ribbon.  Those of you who follow our other blog The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper  http://gadflyinvestigates.blogspot.com/ are familiar with Gurwin and his love of  #Gadflyin with Sam and me.  Gurwin accompanied us to the Missing in Michigan event and is proud to support their efforts by wearing the Missing in Michigan bracelet and ribbon.  Like me he LOVES the ribbon.  The design of the ribbon was based on the POW bracelets from the '70 - each ribbon has the name of a person in Michigan that is missing, their hometown and the year they went missing.  It is sad to think of this person and wonder where they are, what happened to them and think of the people that love them.  It was also sad that there were not enough people at the event for all of the ribbons - everyone deserves to be remembered, so please take a moment to remember all those who are MISSING!

New Detroit Police Vehicle

Detroit Police Dodge Charger

I was at Buddy's Pizza in Detroit and was happy to see one of the new Detroit Police vehicles up close and personal.  God Bless the Detroit business community who stepped up and donated $8 MILLION to purchase new Police cars and new ambulances.  The new Police cars are a mix of Dodge Chargers ( what I saw), Ford Interceptors and Chevy Caprices.  Read more about it here:

http://www.freep.com/article/20130822/NEWS01/308220056/

Watch the parade of vehicles here:

Detroit Police Dodge Charger

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Hurt? In a Hurry? Head Over to a Minute Clinic

The other day I'm working in the yard cutting up old stockade fence sections (makes excellent kindling), and a rusty nail goes through my fingernail deep into my finger.  It is bleeding pretty good and I go in the house clean it up, put on some peroxide to disinfect and a couple of band aids.  I realize I haven't had a tetanus shot in over 10 years, so I figure I should go get one ASAP.  I know I won't be able to get a doctors appointment right away and who wants to wait in the emergency room for hours?  So, I go online to see what is available through my health insurance and they list these Minute Clinics that are located at some CVS Stores.  Punch in my zip code and there is one nearby.  I head on over, fill out some stuff on a computer, wait a couple of minutes and am brought in.  I fill out some paperwork and present my insurance card and ID.  I get my tetanus shot and a flu shot and because they are a participating provider for my insurance I pay nothing.
These Minute Clinics are great, they are open 7 days a week and are staffed by a nurse practitioner and physician assistants.  They offer a wide range of services and accept many insurers.  Here is the link to their web site which has all the information you probably need to know about them.
I am sure that I will utilize their services again as it is a quick affordable alternative for various medical services.

http://www.minuteclinic.com/ 

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When Good Men Take Action...

It is Sunday, so I'll keep it short and sweet.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."  Edmund Burke

Facts, Distortions and Conclusions Playing Again

It is Saturday and time for Play It Again PI Sam.  Today's replay reminds us to not distort the Facts.  Good advice whether you are a Private Investigator or Law Enforcement Officer. You can apply this advice to many situations - use the Facts to support your opinion and you will win many an argument, not to mention your opinion will be respected. Playing again for your information is...

Facts, Distortion and Conclusions

Do NOT distort the facts.  Coloring the facts so they paint the picture you want is unethical.  Stay objective and let the facts speak for themselves.  If you need to draw a conclusion, base it on the facts.  Be clear in what is fact and what is opinion.  Use the facts to substantiate your opinion.
If you do all this Sgt. Friday will be proud. :^

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Yup, it is Friday and you know what that means....Friday Favorites!  Today's favorites are based on the Andy Griffith Show.  It is one of my all-time favorite sitcoms.  I often say, "Everything I need to know about life I learned from The Andy Griffith Show."  Honestly, there are many episodes that offer valuable basic lessons on various topics in life.  Yesterday I blogged about the use of discretion for law enforcement officers and linked an Andy Griffith Show that I believe illustrates that.  A black and white sitcom from the early 60's, with some classic characters, simpler times, timeless basic life lessons and often quite funny.  Herewith, some of my 'Favorite Things' - The Andy Griffith Show.
1- The Andy Griffith Show DVD 1st season
2- The Andy Griffith Show DVD complete
3- The Andy Griffith Show book
4- WWAD Andy? - What Would Andy Do? T-shirt
5- I'd Rather Be Watching The Andy Griffith Show license plate frame
6- Fife Security Agency - tin sign (this one is my absolute favorite)

Do You know What Discretion Is? Would You Know How to Use It?

One of the first things you learn as a law enforcement officer is that situations are not black and white, they more often fall into varying shades of gray.  In the course of the day you may stop 2 different people for the exact same infraction, but you only give one a ticket and the other gets a verbal warning.  Why?  Discretion.  Say you make a traffic stop for someone who rolled through a stop sign and the person is in tears on their way home from work because they just got the call their dad passed away,  Do you write them a ticket?  Or do you use your discretion and offer your condolences and make sure they get home safely?
There is the letter of the law and the spirit of the law and a good cop knows the difference - they know how and when to use discretion.
Watch this episode of The Andy Griffith Show and see Deputy Barney Fife follow the letter of the law and then Sheriff Andy follow the spirit of the law as he dismisses cases saying "seeing as...".   That's discretion.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xxxfdm_andy-griffith-s01e20-andy-saves-barneys-morale_shortfilms

Can Murder and Death Be Funny and a Mystery at the Same Time?

Just watched the movie "Murder by Death" - a murder mystery satire by Neil Simon from 1976.  It features an all-star cast:  Eileen Brennan, Truman Capote, James Coco, Peter Falk, Alec Guiness, Elsa Lanchester, David Niven, Peter Sellers, Maggie Smith, Nancy Walker, Estelle Winwood, James Cromwell and Richard Narita.  Spoofing well known fictional sleuths and their side kicks as they try to solve a bizarre murder mystery.  This is just silly fun that I totally enjoyed.  See if you can figure out whodunit.

 

Missing in Michigan + Beth Holloway + Resources and Programs

To wrap up my commentary on Missing in Michigan I'm going to talk about The Natalee Holloway Resource Center and the Full Circle Safety Plan.  The Natalee Holloway Resource Center is part of  the National Museum of Crime & Punishment  located in Washington DC.   The Resource Center is educational and informational, and provides information and resources to assist families during the critical first 72 hours when someone goes missing.  Learn more about The Natalee Holloway Resource Center here:

http://www.crimemuseum.org/NHRC/

They also have a Facebook page:

Natalee Holloway Resource Center 

Beth Holloway at Missing in Michigan

Beth Holloway Talked about the Full Circle Safety Plan, which basically reminds young people to bring their plans 360 degrees when going out.  We always plan where we are going and who we are going with, but what may be more important is planning the end of the outing.