If I could get Kimber SISs for 6 bills each, I'll take a dozen, and find someone who could engrave out the SWAT markings.
LAPD launches probe into alleged resale of weapons by SWAT officers - Los Angeles Times
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Interesting Tattoo
Greg Feustal forwarded this to me, I'd never seen one like it. It is a Latin King tat, which aren't uncommon at all, but it is in UV ink, so it isn't visible under normal lighting. I have no idea of how common they are. Fortunately a lot more good guys are carrying UV lights for ID checking and forensic work. UV lights are also a lot easier to find and less expensive, I believe Photon even makes a version for looking for scorpions at night. (BTW, if you haven't seen a scorpion at night under UV light, it's pretty cool. If you are working where they are indigenous, get a UV filter for a flashlight or a UV flood, you'll enjoy it. Other people, maybe not.)
We may want to be more cognizant of UV lights as possible criminal tools for use in avoiding detection powders, manufacturing false IDs, and who knows, maybe someone will scrawl confidential info on themselves in UV ink and use it for nefarious purposes. I *think* that some drugs will also fluoresce, but it isn't my field, and I don't think it's replaced a chemical field test for anything.
Now I can finally get that full-back tat I've always wanted, and a couple others, but only if other colors are available.
We may want to be more cognizant of UV lights as possible criminal tools for use in avoiding detection powders, manufacturing false IDs, and who knows, maybe someone will scrawl confidential info on themselves in UV ink and use it for nefarious purposes. I *think* that some drugs will also fluoresce, but it isn't my field, and I don't think it's replaced a chemical field test for anything.
Now I can finally get that full-back tat I've always wanted, and a couple others, but only if other colors are available.
TRAFFIC - Wildlife Trade News - South Africa rhino toll tops 500 in 2013
The Princess of Power is back from a month at Cape Town, where she interned at various hospitals, clinics, and agencies as a child-life specialist, doing enrichment programs for medically challenged kids. She has amazing photos from around the area, that I need to post up somehow. She was not involved at all with rhino poaching, but did get to visit one of their National Parks, complete with penguins and baboons, and spend a night at a animal reserve.
TRAFFIC - Wildlife Trade News - South Africa rhino toll tops 500 in 2013
TRAFFIC - Wildlife Trade News - South Africa rhino toll tops 500 in 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Skill Set: Snakes : The Tactical Wire
I have had this guy's book buried next to the reading station for years. When I saw the title, I thought "No, we really don't need an article on how to wipe out natural vermin and small animal control," and was pleasantly disappointed. Now if we could just get people to quit the bullshit "wolf/sheepdog" schtick
Skill Set: Snakes : The Tactical Wire
Skill Set: Snakes : The Tactical Wire
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
The Case For Needle Decompression | The Officer Survival Initiative
Talking about sticking needles/airpipes into people
The Case For Needle Decompression | The Officer Survival Initiative
The Case For Needle Decompression | The Officer Survival Initiative
Around the Water Cooler: Great Ammunition Drought of 2013 : The Tactical Wire
I don't usually agree with this guy's opinions, but this I think is very close to spot-on. I was in a huge retailer's last week and they had .22 in stock, didn't pay much attention to centerfire. They also had well over a dozen ARs/AKs, including a SCAR Heavy, at what I think was MSRP. Thirty round Pmags were in abundance, but I didn't note the gen, nor did they have many with windows (I believe they were Gen 3, possibly 2). There were quite a few from other manufacturers also. What was really notable was that they were all out on the shop floor, and not in an underground vault behind the counter.
Around the Water Cooler: Great Ammunition Drought of 2013 : The Tactical Wire
Around the Water Cooler: Great Ammunition Drought of 2013 : The Tactical Wire
Metro Police officer dies during rescue of stranded hiker - Las Vegas Sun News
Metro Police officer dies during rescue of stranded hiker - Las Vegas Sun News
"In the past year, Metro’s SAR team has performed 150 rescues, saving 173 people total, according to department data. Of those rescues, 130 involved a helicopter.
“There are risks associated with (helicopter rescues) just like in many aspects of our profession,” Gillespie said. “Today one of those risks rose its ugly head, and I lost one of my officers.”'
"In the past year, Metro’s SAR team has performed 150 rescues, saving 173 people total, according to department data. Of those rescues, 130 involved a helicopter.
“There are risks associated with (helicopter rescues) just like in many aspects of our profession,” Gillespie said. “Today one of those risks rose its ugly head, and I lost one of my officers.”'
Police Officer David Vanbuskirk, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada
Police Officer David Vanbuskirk, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada
Apparently fell during a hoist or line haul...
Apparently fell during a hoist or line haul...
Visitor Drowns In River At Kittatinny Point (NPS Digest)
Visitor Drowns In River At Kittatinny Point (NPS Digest)
I don't know that it is factually accurate, but I've been told that swimming areas and pools are the highest liability areas in recreation management.
I don't know that it is factually accurate, but I've been told that swimming areas and pools are the highest liability areas in recreation management.
Man Seriously Injured In Cliff Jumping Incident (NPS Digest)
Man Seriously Injured In Cliff Jumping Incident (NPS Digest)
...Gibbs and Henthorne established a landing zone in a nearby hayfield and marshaled in a medevac helicopter from Air Evac. Prior to loading the man into the helicopter, he began presenting with a tension pneumothorax, and a NorthArk paramedic conducted a needle thoracostomy to decompress his chest. Once loaded onto the medevac ship, the man was air lifted to the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Hospital in Little Rock...
Apparently the medics did the procedure, and I don't know what policies or regulations apply, but this may have been one of those rare opportunities to actually use that dull, garden-hose sized needle/shank/piece of conduit that they want us to carry in our IFAK/blow-out kits. "I saw Three Kings, I can do it."
The little old lady at Remington who sharpens the front of 870 receivers has a side job dulling large-bore needles.
...Gibbs and Henthorne established a landing zone in a nearby hayfield and marshaled in a medevac helicopter from Air Evac. Prior to loading the man into the helicopter, he began presenting with a tension pneumothorax, and a NorthArk paramedic conducted a needle thoracostomy to decompress his chest. Once loaded onto the medevac ship, the man was air lifted to the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Hospital in Little Rock...
Apparently the medics did the procedure, and I don't know what policies or regulations apply, but this may have been one of those rare opportunities to actually use that dull, garden-hose sized needle/shank/piece of conduit that they want us to carry in our IFAK/blow-out kits. "I saw Three Kings, I can do it."
The little old lady at Remington who sharpens the front of 870 receivers has a side job dulling large-bore needles.
Climber Killed In Fall On Mount Olympus (NPS Digest)
Climber Killed In Fall On Mount Olympus (NPS Digest)
Early on the morning of Saturday, July 20th, park dispatch received a report that a climber had been seriously injured in a fall on Mount Olympus. A short time later, the park received word that other climbers, including a paramedic, had reached the man and determined that he’d died of his injuries.
The 28-year-old man was on the east face of the summit peak on Mount Olympus when the accident occurred. The fall was witnessed by members of another climbing group that was on the mountain at the time.
Rangers were flown via helicopter to Snow Dome on Mount Olympus and climbed through melting and challenging snow conditions to reach and recover the climber’s body. It was airlifted out to Port Angeles that evening.
Early on the morning of Saturday, July 20th, park dispatch received a report that a climber had been seriously injured in a fall on Mount Olympus. A short time later, the park received word that other climbers, including a paramedic, had reached the man and determined that he’d died of his injuries.
The 28-year-old man was on the east face of the summit peak on Mount Olympus when the accident occurred. The fall was witnessed by members of another climbing group that was on the mountain at the time.
Rangers were flown via helicopter to Snow Dome on Mount Olympus and climbed through melting and challenging snow conditions to reach and recover the climber’s body. It was airlifted out to Port Angeles that evening.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Report: US Marshals lose track of thousands of two-way radios | Fox News
I'm pretty sure that "lose track" is different from "lost." But what do I know? I've driven off with portables sitting on my roof. Twice. Both were saved.
Report: US Marshals lose track of thousands of two-way radios | Fox News
Report: US Marshals lose track of thousands of two-way radios | Fox News
Gun Homicide Rate Down 49% Since 1993 Peak; Public Unaware | Pew Social & Demographic Trends
Interesting study that Ive only glanced at. I pretty much think that large percentages of people on both sides of whatever the gun issue is have been pretty butt-headed, maybe some actual data would be something else to ignore. Strangely enough, the Pew Foundation and a lot of the resources and references cited are typically though of as being pinko commie leftist gay democrat libtard 5th columnists. How about that.
Gun Homicide Rate Down 49% Since 1993 Peak; Public Unaware | Pew Social & Demographic Trends
Gun Homicide Rate Down 49% Since 1993 Peak; Public Unaware | Pew Social & Demographic Trends
Monday, July 22, 2013
NPS Digest- Incidents
Just go through them yourself, it sounds like things have been busy. Note the number of lightning strike related injuries, I dont recall seeing that many in a shortish period of time. Our last batch of storms had a lot of air to ground strikes.
NPS Digest- Incidents
NPS Digest- Incidents
Deter, disrupt, interdict « Coast Guard Compass
HITRON has to be one of the coolest military acronyms ever. At least one company prints a target depicting an outboard motor. I probably shouldn't practice at bass tournaments.
Deter, disrupt, interdict « Coast Guard Compass
Deter, disrupt, interdict « Coast Guard Compass
Mayhem
Storm blew out our power on Friday, and my phone is still out. Critical or sensitive emails/message should be resent.
Rise of the Warrior Cop - WSJ.com
Rise of the Warrior Cop - WSJ.com
Radley Balko wrote a nearly identical piece for the Cato Institute a number of years ago. His whole position seems based on instances that have gone badly, or where other people felt that LE's actions were inappropriate. There have been bad cases in the past, there maybe some today, and there will be some in the future.
Balko also has a fundamental misunderstanding of what "militarization" means and the history of policing. The "good old days" coincidentally happen to be before the SCOTUS rulings that we are used to operating under currently. We are considerably less "militarized" than we have ever been: any department with a DARE dog costume moldering in the basement knows this.
We likely have too many SWAT teams, in terms of training and realistic needs assessments, but the core concept is sound.
Radley Balko wrote a nearly identical piece for the Cato Institute a number of years ago. His whole position seems based on instances that have gone badly, or where other people felt that LE's actions were inappropriate. There have been bad cases in the past, there maybe some today, and there will be some in the future.
Balko also has a fundamental misunderstanding of what "militarization" means and the history of policing. The "good old days" coincidentally happen to be before the SCOTUS rulings that we are used to operating under currently. We are considerably less "militarized" than we have ever been: any department with a DARE dog costume moldering in the basement knows this.
We likely have too many SWAT teams, in terms of training and realistic needs assessments, but the core concept is sound.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Station Washington: Protecting the nation’s capital « Coast Guard Compass
Once again, people who found a way to make a career doing what many people would pay to do. Though I dimly recall an episode in DC or maybe NYC where they decided do do some sort of drill without telling anybody, and people thought there was an Al Qaeda submarine in the Potomac or something.
Station Washington: Protecting the nation’s capital « Coast Guard Compass
Station Washington: Protecting the nation’s capital « Coast Guard Compass
Monday, July 15, 2013
CBP Drone Surveillance for Other Agencies Up Eight-Fold
CBP Drone Surveillance for Other Agencies Up Eight-Fold
This isn't bad. Drones are pricey, but nothing like helicopters, and have a lot of advantages over piloted fixed-wing aircraft. I'd rather see them being used for SAR missions, wildfire surveys, video feeds from critical incidents, or criminal surveillance, than sitting in a hanger, or trundling up and down the border looking for transient agricultural workers. Then there's the safety factor. I don't think anyone has ever been killed or injured in a drone crash, not even on the ground.
This isn't bad. Drones are pricey, but nothing like helicopters, and have a lot of advantages over piloted fixed-wing aircraft. I'd rather see them being used for SAR missions, wildfire surveys, video feeds from critical incidents, or criminal surveillance, than sitting in a hanger, or trundling up and down the border looking for transient agricultural workers. Then there's the safety factor. I don't think anyone has ever been killed or injured in a drone crash, not even on the ground.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Homicide Victim’s Body Found In Park (NPS Digest)
Homicide Victim’s Body Found In Park (NPS Digest)
Four visitors who’d stopped just inside the park’s west entrance to take photographs early on the afternoon of July 2nd spotted a body about ten feet from the road.
The victim was subsequently identified as a 49-year-old Grand Junction woman, and the coroner ruled the death a homicide. A suspect was identified and taken into custody. The killing is being jointly investigated by the park and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.
There is no evidence the crime occurred in the monument and the body was most likely dumped in the area where it was found.
Four visitors who’d stopped just inside the park’s west entrance to take photographs early on the afternoon of July 2nd spotted a body about ten feet from the road.
The victim was subsequently identified as a 49-year-old Grand Junction woman, and the coroner ruled the death a homicide. A suspect was identified and taken into custody. The killing is being jointly investigated by the park and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.
There is no evidence the crime occurred in the monument and the body was most likely dumped in the area where it was found.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Today's Sickly Sweet Video
Baby loggerhead turtles - Bonaire from Nathalia Castro on Vimeo.
I'm pretty sure that in the States helping them out like that would be a felony. I'd still do it. They have a survival rate of like 2%
Suicide Victim Found At Parkway Overlook (NPS Digest)
Suicide Victim Found At Parkway Overlook (NPS Digest)
On Friday, July 5th, a 58-year-old Asheville woman was found slumped over in her car at the Glassmine Falls Overlook. Upon investigation, she was found to have a self inflicted gunshot wound to her chest. Notes inside the vehicle indicated she was having issues with depression.
On Friday, July 5th, a 58-year-old Asheville woman was found slumped over in her car at the Glassmine Falls Overlook. Upon investigation, she was found to have a self inflicted gunshot wound to her chest. Notes inside the vehicle indicated she was having issues with depression.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
AR Mags
It almost looks like companies have either caught up with demand for magazines, or people have returned to their senses and realized that 300 magazines is probably enough for the zombie apocalypse. And seeing as how the last PMags I bought were at exactly the same price as they were pre-panic, I feel for the people who were paying more than retail, by a couple thousand percent.
One of the benefits, or maybe not, of this mass stupidity, is that maybe we'll start to appreciate the 20 round magazines a little more. Once I realized that I wasn't working in Afghanistan and that suppressive fire wasn't really appropriate for domestic law enforcement, I became a big fan of the smaller mags, which I think have some real benefits:
One of the benefits, or maybe not, of this mass stupidity, is that maybe we'll start to appreciate the 20 round magazines a little more. Once I realized that I wasn't working in Afghanistan and that suppressive fire wasn't really appropriate for domestic law enforcement, I became a big fan of the smaller mags, which I think have some real benefits:
- It's a minor one, but they are pocketable. I know that we all have more nylon than we could ever need, but in an ambush or active killer scenario I likely won't have the opportunity to pull all my ninja jammies out of the trunk. I may have a cool go-bag, but I probably haven't practiced dragging it over the console and MDT, along with the rifle, while bolting from the car. I also probably didn't go to the range and practice reloads out of it, because I have my neat-o chest rig for that. But I'm positive that I'll have my pants on, and can easily palm 4- 6 mags to stuff in every opening I can find as I'm heading for cover
- They sleek up the carbine. I can actually go prone if I want to. When slung, there is that much less mag to catch on stuff. I can shoot from off angles. I can maneuver through tight places.
- While I've got 33% less ammo in the rifle, give or take, I'm not certain that it makes much difference. I need to concentrate on firing as few rounds as possible, and making sure that they are hits.
- Even downloaded a round, depending on feedramps, 19 rounds in the gun and 2 extras are 57 rounds. Two more mags puts us at 95 rounds. That's a lot of misses.
- So, for "normal" policing, I 'm OK with a total of 5 20-rounders
- Don't expect me to start giving away my 30's though. If I'm carrying different loads, one of the easiest ways to tell them apart is by using distinctive magazines. And in winter, wearing gloves, the thirties are far easier to handle
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Missing Plane And Pilot Found In High Country (NPS Digest)
Missing Plane And Pilot Found In High Country (NPS Digest)
A single engine plane that was reported missing over the park last December has been located. The plane, which was largely intact, was spotted by a park visitor near Vogelsang High Sierra Camp on Saturday, July 6th. The Vogelsang area is in the park’s rugged high country.
Rangers hiked to the location of the plane on Sunday on Sunday and found the remains of Nicol Wilson, the plane’s pilot. He has been positively identified....
A single engine plane that was reported missing over the park last December has been located. The plane, which was largely intact, was spotted by a park visitor near Vogelsang High Sierra Camp on Saturday, July 6th. The Vogelsang area is in the park’s rugged high country.
Rangers hiked to the location of the plane on Sunday on Sunday and found the remains of Nicol Wilson, the plane’s pilot. He has been positively identified....
Employee Pleads Guilty To Theft Of Government Property (NPS Digest)
Students never comprehend the amount of gasoline stolen from all levels of government, and I'll bet that internal theft at refineries, storage facilities, transportation hubs where rail, barge and truck tankers could be tapped and finally, end dispensers, goes into the billions. Exciting to investigate? No, about equal to the misuse of a .gov postage meter for thrills. Big impact? Bigger than most LEOs, or civilians, ever think about.
Employee Pleads Guilty To Theft Of Government Property (NPS Digest)
Employee Pleads Guilty To Theft Of Government Property (NPS Digest)
Remote Control Madness
http://www.c3vlink.com/#vLinkInAction
I can't work my phone OR my TV remote, so if they think I could use this "quickly and easily" they need a better grade of drugs. What I want is one big blue beacon with 4 bulbs that rotate sort of slowly, 2 amber lights on the rear deck, and headlight flashers. Most importantly, I want the prisoner compartment made into a shower stall so I can flip a switch and delouse/lysol or decontaminate prisoners, or flip another switch and dump OC and live piranhas on them. Would that be too much to ask for?
I can't work my phone OR my TV remote, so if they think I could use this "quickly and easily" they need a better grade of drugs. What I want is one big blue beacon with 4 bulbs that rotate sort of slowly, 2 amber lights on the rear deck, and headlight flashers. Most importantly, I want the prisoner compartment made into a shower stall so I can flip a switch and delouse/lysol or decontaminate prisoners, or flip another switch and dump OC and live piranhas on them. Would that be too much to ask for?
Three, Two, One…CRASH! | Armed with Science
Three, Two, One…CRASH! | Armed with Science
Timely, but they knew that. IIRC the UH60 Blackhawk is built with crew seats that "collapse" on shock absorbers during impact, reducing the forces transferred to the crew's bodies. I don't know if the same applies to airliner seats, but having looked at the framework while trying to get my feet situated under the seat in front of me, I bet they crumple. Really crumple, really fast, though the photos from inside the cabin of the Asiana aircraft don't look that bad.
Required reading for investigators of anything, but written for transportation incident investigators is:
The Field Guide to Understanding Human Error, by Sydney Dekker
If I was designing a basic investigator training program in any field, it would be required reading, so that we could learn to recognize how people screw up, including ourselves.
Timely, but they knew that. IIRC the UH60 Blackhawk is built with crew seats that "collapse" on shock absorbers during impact, reducing the forces transferred to the crew's bodies. I don't know if the same applies to airliner seats, but having looked at the framework while trying to get my feet situated under the seat in front of me, I bet they crumple. Really crumple, really fast, though the photos from inside the cabin of the Asiana aircraft don't look that bad.
Required reading for investigators of anything, but written for transportation incident investigators is:
The Field Guide to Understanding Human Error, by Sydney Dekker
If I was designing a basic investigator training program in any field, it would be required reading, so that we could learn to recognize how people screw up, including ourselves.
Monday, July 8, 2013
I'm Sort Of Back, If You Thought I Was Gone
After
graduating a class, the annual FLETC pilgrimage, a couple bouts of
illness, my annual post-Academy summer week of making up all the Doctors
appointments I've missed over the previous year, getting my daughter,
the Princess of Power, off to a month in Africa, and a million other
things, I'm finally back to attempting to try and maybe get something
like a normal schedule back.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Another MAFFS Drop
Neat video, watch for the shadow. If your aircraft's shadow keeps getting larger and larger and never starts decreasing in size, that's a clue that you day is going to end badly. There is no way to disable certain warning systems, otherwise somebody will flip the breaker, forget to reset it, and soon you are skidding down a runway on the aircraft's belly wondering who will hire you after this..
National Interagency Fire Center
National Interagency Fire Center
"Our sincere thoughts and condolences lie with the family and friends of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew from Prescott, Arizona. Nineteen of these firefighters passed away while battling the Yarnell Hill Fire."
"Our sincere thoughts and condolences lie with the family and friends of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew from Prescott, Arizona. Nineteen of these firefighters passed away while battling the Yarnell Hill Fire."
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