Gun bounty program gets first arrest

[Hazcat]

Just a point.  I don't live in that hood.  It is about 70 blocks south of me.

[MikeBjerum]

Just a point.  I don't live in that hood.  It is about 70 blocks south of me.

Sorry ... Just assumed that any hood with you was a bad one 

[Hazcat]

Sorry ... Just assumed that any hood with you was a bad one 

Nope, VERY peaceful.  (you know "armed citizenry is a ....) 

[Fatman]

Personally I oppose the idea of getting Citizens into the habit of ratting on one another, that's the sort of thing they required in the old USSR.

...and Germany, and every other heavy-handed regime.

[CJS3]

Personally I oppose the idea of getting Citizens into the habit of ratting on one another, that's the sort of thing they required in the old USSR.

That's what the various "Crime Stoppers" programs are all about. This is the first time I've read of one that had a graduated scale for the object of the reward.

The only problem is that if you don't help to pick up the trash in your neighborhood, you end up with a trashy neighborhood. "For evil to succeed, good must do nothing." Edmund Burke

If they are doing nothing, why would you consider them to be good "men"?

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

If they are doing nothing, why would you consider them to be good "men"?

More like scared men. Remember we're dealing with gang members, most of whom live around the block. The police, as well all know, can't protect you. Being a witness isn't very healthy. I'm not sure what the solution is, a good neighborhood watch and lots of police bike/slash foot patrlos will help, but is more counterisnurgency then anything else.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

More like scared men. Remember we're dealing with gang members, most of whom live around the block. The police, as well all know, can't protect you. Being a witness isn't very healthy. I'm not sure what the solution is, a good neighborhood watch and lots of police bike/slash foot patrlos will help, but is more counterisnurgency then anything else.
FQ13

Again, I agree but then we get into the whole militarized police subject. While both are good tools for combating the REAL sources of violent crime, we should always be alert to the potential for abuse. There really is no way to have total individual liberty for the law abiding and still allow the Police to do their jobs effectively. The Patriot Act is a good example, while it could  be an effective tool for our intelligence agencies it contains frightening precedents and potential for abuse.

[fightingquaker13]

Again, I agree but then we get into the whole militarized police subject. While both are good tools for combating the REAL sources of violent crime, we should always be alert to the potential for abuse. There really is no way to have total individual liberty for the law abiding and still allow the Police to do their jobs effectively. The Patriot Act is a good example, while it could  be an effective tool for our intelligence agencies it contains frightening precedents and potential for abuse.

Let me clarify. I anti-militarized police (except for special teams) for all the obvious reasons. What I meant was the hearts and minds approach. The neighborbood cop walking the beat that people know. Likewise he learns them, who's supposed to be where and when, who's just got a bad attitude or drinks too much and who's trouble. It lets the ciizens see someone who's not the enemy, who will stop and chat to the storeowners etc, not just ride around in the radio car. The trouble with this is money.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

Let me clarify. I anti-militarized police (except for special teams) for all the obvious reasons. What I meant was the hearts and minds approach. The neighborbood cop walking the beat that people know. Likewise he learns them, who's supposed to be where and when, who's just got a bad attitude or drinks too much and who's trouble. It lets the ciizens see someone who's not the enemy, who will stop and chat to the storeowners etc, not just ride around in the radio car. The trouble with this is money.
FQ13

Yes, need more people to cover the same area at the slower (walking) speed which means more wages, insurance, gear etc.
We have one area here in town where there is a lot of crime. It is an area of multi family housing, about half is low income. One of the actions that has been taken is to give an unmarried Police officer a free apartment in the area which has interfered with some of the drug dealing that was going on there and also puts that familiar face in the neighborhood. The same thing was done with some success in Rochester. (A city I used to live in south of here)

[brosometal]

Just a point.  I don't live in that hood.  It is about 70 blocks south of me.

I am living up to my avatar.  I was doing a job in your neck of the woods and didn't even get your address for a lawn job.

I would like to apologize for denying you access to my winning personallity.  Next trip to Pinellas will require a stop by with a six pack or something of the like.