Raindogblue

Halloween

 

 

I had the holiday off. 27 children and 19 adults graced my house. I say on the porch, light on, spooky music on the iPad, and handed out M+M's, Milkways, and Snickers. For the young boy across the street, I was the first person he had ever Trick or Treated......

 

 

 

When You Defund the Police: Homicide

 

With two shot and killed in the Alphabet District, the city has broken its record for homicides. In 2016, they city had 20 homicides. In 2019, there were 36. We are now at 71 with over two months to go. 

 

 

 

Prevention

 

Off Beggars and 2nd, dealing with the debris of mope who failed a mugging and took his rage by smashing an e-scooter into a parked Kia.

Two men park next to the smashed car. They look at me, the damaged car, and their parking spot. The passenger steps out with a concerned look on his face. After the last 18 months, I waiting for him to flip me off, tell me to quit my job, or yell all cops are bastards. I take a breath, a waive him over. 

He says, "This doesn't seem like the safest place to park our car. "

You're right. This is one of the least safe places in the city. 

"Is there a safer place we can park, we are staying at an Airbnb nearby?"

I point to ten story parking garage a block away. 

That is the safest garage nrearby. Their security does regular patrols. Where ever you park, leave nothing in your car. Nothing. 

What year is your Subaru?

"A 2008."

If you're going to park in the city, I recommend a steering wheel locking device like a club. Older Subarus are one the most stolen cars in the city.

"How do they start the without keys?"

They crack the ignition cylinder.

"Thank you for being so frank with me." 

You're welcome. 

He jumps back in the car and he and his friend leave the lot. 

 

Blessings

 

Thankfully, I have made it to another weekend. I was not spit on. No one bit me. A tweaker did not ram and total my car. I made it home, on time, three nights this week.  And more importantly, I have good co-workers, a good family, and a good wife. 

 

 

Not Nice

 

Betty is spinning, babbling about her children being in a toilet. 

 

I listen. Give concern. 

 

That sounds terrible. Where are your children?

 

She says, “Let me show you!”

 

She walks up and knocks the hat off my head. 

 

 try to de-escalate. That’s not nice. 

 

Then, leans forward and rushes up. Baring her teeth, she bites at my cheek.  The chomp is inches from my face. 

 

I could punch her. I could taser her, but I go with the least amount of force.  As I take her left arm to spin her and direct her away, I say, Don’t Bite Me or……

 

She bites again, missing, as I push her shoulder away from me. 

 

Betty barks, “Watch what I do now!”

 

Before she can bite again, I change tactics. From an escort hold, to arm bar, I push her shoulder down using her arm as a lever. Her shoulder is the fulcrum. 

 

I ease her down, put her arm behind back and pin her to the ground until 1066 and his trainee arrive. 

 

 

Recoveries

 

77 percent of all stolen cars are recovered within 30 days. 

 

 

Top Five Stolens for the Year: By the Numbers

 

 

Honda Accord: 4900

Honda Civic: 4486

Subaru Legacy: 2929

Honda CRV: 1949

Subaru Impreza: 1148

 

 

 

When You Defund the Police: Shootings

 

In 2019, the city had 388 shootings

Last year, the year of chaos, we had 891.

As of last week, this year, the city has topped 1000.

 

 

 

When You Defund the Police: Murder by Numbers

 

From September 2018 to 2019, the city had 42 homicides,

From September 2020 to 2021, the were 87.

 

 

Consequences, Part II

 

Ralph Boyd asked an excellent question in the comments. 

 

"Then does a future non-appearance lead to a warrant that is enforceable?"

 

Answer:

 

 Failing to Appear at the criminal citation date, the court issues a Cite-in-Lieu of custody warrant, meaning the wanted person, when next arrested, recieves another criminal summons telling them to appear at a future court date. If they fail to appear at that court date, another Cite-in-Lieu warrant is issued and so on.....