BAYOU VISTA, TX - A police officer who decides to become the chief of a small burg police department should get ready for the flack and politics that goes with the job. I could never understand why a professional police officer would want to work for a bunch of volunteer city councilpeople anyway.
First off, what do they know about policing? What do they know about the law in general? Most of them know little or nothing unless they happen to be a lawyer.
Take Bayou Vista for example. Here is a city that encompasses about one-half mile of territory. I know people with backyards that big. Bayou Vista had about 1600 property owners in 2000. I don't know if they all lived there or what part of that number may be absentee owners who come there on weekends and during summertime.
Anyway, Bayou Vista is not a thriving metropolitan city and villages like this normally hire a policeman that has retired from somewhere else as their police chief. That way they get a seasoned, experienced lawman or lawlady for little money because that person already has a retirement pension from his or her previous job. So, it's a bargain for the little town and usually it's not a high stress job for the chief.
Unless of course you've got one or two volunteer city councilpersons who, for one reason or the other, aren't big fans of cops. Let's say you're a small town councilperson and you bring a couple of criminals into the community to work for you as laborers. Let's say, since these crooks are homeless and from another far away state, you move them into your upscale home, your neighbors unaware that these crooks have become their new neighbors.
Now, let's say that while you're away, your new roommates start prowling around the neighborhood, going into your neighbors backyards, getting fresh with your neighbor's wife and soliciting for drugs. Let's say your neighbors wife is scared to death when this happens and tells her husband and the police.
What would you do if you were the chief of the 3-officer police department when you find out that these two creeps were cozy with the mayor pro-tem. Should you just let it go, ignore the activities of these no-goods, tell the lady and her husband, "sorry, they live with the mayor pro-tem, we can't bother them." Of course not.
So, if you're a cop or the chief, you track these worthless humans down and book them into the Gean Leonard Hotel over in Galveston, soon to become the Freddie Poor Resort. As soon as that happens the top blows off city hall.
It turns out that the mayor pro-tem was previously one of three council members who slashed the salaries of everyone on the police department and some other city employees. No one has figured out the reason for these cuts yet, because there was no shortage of city funds. In fact, Bayou Vista is doing quite well financially. Why these three Muskateers when on a pay slashing rampage is still questioned by many in Bayou Vista.
But here's what happened after the police arrested the mayor pro-tem's new room-mates. The mayor pro-tem, screamed to the press that the cops are retaliating. They're getting even because of the pay cuts is the cry. Of course that makes headlines in the local press and at least one Houston TV station is likely to pick it up.
The people in Bayou Vista know the truth. Most of them are very upset over the treatment of their police officers, and most of them voted against this mayor pro-tem the first time he ran for city council. But what do others think when they read that the police chief and city officials are squabbling?
Bayou Vista is considered an up-scale neighborhood. The homes are on canals, most homeowners own their own boats, they drive late model cars and drink fine wine and champaign. Do they want their mayor pro-tem bringing low-life crooks into their village so he can have cheap labor for his private business?
We think not. We think the mayor pro-tem should be arrested for harboring a fugitive because one of his new room-mates was a fugitive from New Mexico.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Stress Factor Zooms High At Galveston PD
Things aren't all peaches and cream at the Galveston Police Department in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, and it's taking it's toll on the rank and file.
Cops are stressed out. They are having to share cars. One car to three or four detectives. Taking turns, waiting in line to use a car to go out on an investigation or follow-up.
Cell phones. Many officers have no cell phones. Those lost in the storm were not replaced.
"Our budget has been so seriously slashed we are hardly able to function," said one veteran cop. Officers are jumping ship. They're fed up and the one's that are eligible for pensions are taking their money and going to other jobs. In November a high-ranking member of the command staff will retire and take the police chief job at Santa Fe ISD. A veteran sergeant in charge of the Training Division is dragging up for a position at Alvin Community College. That's just two that we know of. The Galveston Police Department, traditionally low on manpower, does not announce when cops leave, but they do announce when they graduate a new cadet class. It's Catch-22 at Galveston, the swinging door syndrome.
Shortly after Ike, Chrysler Motor Company gave the city 10 new Dodge pickup trucks. The police department, which lost about 13 vehicles in the storm, got one. That's why we see two cops in every car and that's why detectives have to take turns using a car.
Don't mention the demise of the Criminal Identification Divison. The CSI's, as they are referred to nowadays, are doing other things. The street cops are taking fingerprints and photographs of their own scenes, processing their own crime scenes. Where are the CSI's? Everywhere. Wherever they need a warm body they slip someone in until the leak stops.
You won't hear any upper echelon city talkers saying anything about the serious situation at the PD. It's hush, hush. They want you to believe that everything is hunky doorie. They especially want the few tourist who still come here to think they're safe. Tourist bucks is about the only source of income left to support this town and the police are way down the list when they hand out those bucks.
Cops are stressed out. They are having to share cars. One car to three or four detectives. Taking turns, waiting in line to use a car to go out on an investigation or follow-up.
Cell phones. Many officers have no cell phones. Those lost in the storm were not replaced.
"Our budget has been so seriously slashed we are hardly able to function," said one veteran cop. Officers are jumping ship. They're fed up and the one's that are eligible for pensions are taking their money and going to other jobs. In November a high-ranking member of the command staff will retire and take the police chief job at Santa Fe ISD. A veteran sergeant in charge of the Training Division is dragging up for a position at Alvin Community College. That's just two that we know of. The Galveston Police Department, traditionally low on manpower, does not announce when cops leave, but they do announce when they graduate a new cadet class. It's Catch-22 at Galveston, the swinging door syndrome.
Shortly after Ike, Chrysler Motor Company gave the city 10 new Dodge pickup trucks. The police department, which lost about 13 vehicles in the storm, got one. That's why we see two cops in every car and that's why detectives have to take turns using a car.
Don't mention the demise of the Criminal Identification Divison. The CSI's, as they are referred to nowadays, are doing other things. The street cops are taking fingerprints and photographs of their own scenes, processing their own crime scenes. Where are the CSI's? Everywhere. Wherever they need a warm body they slip someone in until the leak stops.
You won't hear any upper echelon city talkers saying anything about the serious situation at the PD. It's hush, hush. They want you to believe that everything is hunky doorie. They especially want the few tourist who still come here to think they're safe. Tourist bucks is about the only source of income left to support this town and the police are way down the list when they hand out those bucks.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The Con Is On and Ike Victims Are Paying
People who own property in the Hurricane Ike area are being ripped off and screwed day after day, by not only the hundreds of storm chasers who have invaded, but even by some local companies who live and work right here among us.
Here's one example. I contracted with a couple of local carpenter, roofer, and everything else types who are locals. The deal was that I would buy the materials and pay them $200 a day for three days to rebuild my utility room which was washed out by the tidal surge.
So I gave them a check payable to the lumber yard and they got the material. They brought it to my house where they worked about two hours and said, "see ya tomorrow."
When tomorrow came I got a phone call. I can't remember what their reason was but they weren't coming that day. Same thing the next day. One reason after another. They showed up about three days later, worked a few hours and left. "See ya tomorrow," again their parting words. Tomorrow another phone call and another reason why they wouldn't be here to finish the job.
This went on for two weeks before the three day job was finally completed. I will say that the final product was a good one. They did a good job, but it took two weeks to do the job they said they would do in three days. In the meantime, other things I wanted to do were put on hold pending completion of the utility room.
A week or so after they finished the utility room they came back wanting to do another rebuilding project downstairs. OK, I said, same deal. I pay for the materials and pay you for the labor. Sure, they said, $400 a day labor for two men. What! That's twice what you charged me for the utility room job.
The guy had already forgotten what he charged me and tried to bump the price. In fact, he tried to double it. When I reminded him what he charged me for the first job he said, "Oh, you got me, you're right, it's $200 a day."
By the time I got through dealing with these guys I was so paranoid I stuttered. I didn't fall off the turnip truck, I know when someone is trying to screw me and these guys were out to give me a royal screwing. They won't be back on my property.
Then a fence man came. "Yes sir Mr. Porter I'm going to give you a special deal. The insurance companies are paying $27 a linear foot for fences and I'm gonna build you a new one for $22." Great, that sounded fair to me. About a week later I called him back and asked if he could come remeasure because I wanted to extend the bounds of my fence taking in more of my yard than I had originally planned. "Sure," he said, "no problem." He never showed up and I never even got a phone call from him.
Here's the game that these guys are playing with all of us. It's like the airlines that double book then bump you when everyone shows up for the flight and they don't have enough seats. These guys are booking jobs on top of jobs. Then they run from one to the other doing a little work on each one and stringing everyone out. A couple hours at my house, run to the next one and work a couple of hours, then to the next one. The job you were told would be a two day job takes two weeks. Plus, they are asking for draws (partial cash payments) on each job to keep their heads above water. Sound familiar?
The lady at the post office told me that she hired an electrician to fix her house so she could get her electricity turned back on after Ike. He gave her a price, she said okay, but when the job was complete the price was considerably more than what he quoted. At no time during the job did he mention to her that there was some additional work or material needed. He just slapped her with a bigger bill than what he quoted.
Well guess what friend. If you sign a work order authorizing one of these jerks to work on your house, you've given him the right to take a builders lien on your home, and these characters will do it. It's all about money. They didn't drive here from out of state to be your friends or to do anyone a favor. When they leave here, they'll be off to another disaster area where they can screw someone else.
These unscrupulous locals that are bilking us can be dealt with. If you have a run-in with any of these types, let us know. We'll give them some free advertising.
Here's one example. I contracted with a couple of local carpenter, roofer, and everything else types who are locals. The deal was that I would buy the materials and pay them $200 a day for three days to rebuild my utility room which was washed out by the tidal surge.
So I gave them a check payable to the lumber yard and they got the material. They brought it to my house where they worked about two hours and said, "see ya tomorrow."
When tomorrow came I got a phone call. I can't remember what their reason was but they weren't coming that day. Same thing the next day. One reason after another. They showed up about three days later, worked a few hours and left. "See ya tomorrow," again their parting words. Tomorrow another phone call and another reason why they wouldn't be here to finish the job.
This went on for two weeks before the three day job was finally completed. I will say that the final product was a good one. They did a good job, but it took two weeks to do the job they said they would do in three days. In the meantime, other things I wanted to do were put on hold pending completion of the utility room.
A week or so after they finished the utility room they came back wanting to do another rebuilding project downstairs. OK, I said, same deal. I pay for the materials and pay you for the labor. Sure, they said, $400 a day labor for two men. What! That's twice what you charged me for the utility room job.
The guy had already forgotten what he charged me and tried to bump the price. In fact, he tried to double it. When I reminded him what he charged me for the first job he said, "Oh, you got me, you're right, it's $200 a day."
By the time I got through dealing with these guys I was so paranoid I stuttered. I didn't fall off the turnip truck, I know when someone is trying to screw me and these guys were out to give me a royal screwing. They won't be back on my property.
Then a fence man came. "Yes sir Mr. Porter I'm going to give you a special deal. The insurance companies are paying $27 a linear foot for fences and I'm gonna build you a new one for $22." Great, that sounded fair to me. About a week later I called him back and asked if he could come remeasure because I wanted to extend the bounds of my fence taking in more of my yard than I had originally planned. "Sure," he said, "no problem." He never showed up and I never even got a phone call from him.
Here's the game that these guys are playing with all of us. It's like the airlines that double book then bump you when everyone shows up for the flight and they don't have enough seats. These guys are booking jobs on top of jobs. Then they run from one to the other doing a little work on each one and stringing everyone out. A couple hours at my house, run to the next one and work a couple of hours, then to the next one. The job you were told would be a two day job takes two weeks. Plus, they are asking for draws (partial cash payments) on each job to keep their heads above water. Sound familiar?
The lady at the post office told me that she hired an electrician to fix her house so she could get her electricity turned back on after Ike. He gave her a price, she said okay, but when the job was complete the price was considerably more than what he quoted. At no time during the job did he mention to her that there was some additional work or material needed. He just slapped her with a bigger bill than what he quoted.
Well guess what friend. If you sign a work order authorizing one of these jerks to work on your house, you've given him the right to take a builders lien on your home, and these characters will do it. It's all about money. They didn't drive here from out of state to be your friends or to do anyone a favor. When they leave here, they'll be off to another disaster area where they can screw someone else.
These unscrupulous locals that are bilking us can be dealt with. If you have a run-in with any of these types, let us know. We'll give them some free advertising.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Who Cares Who Is On Police Review Board?
GALVESTON - In a November 2, 2008 story in the Galveston County Daily News, reporter Leigh Jones writes about the continuing saga of the so-called civilian review board.
Seems one of the persons appointed to serve on the board has had his share of problems with the police department in the distant past. The rules say if one is a convicted felon he or she may not be a member of the review board.
A search of police records does not indicate that Leon Phillips, II, the person in question, has ever been convicted of a felony. In fact, we haven't found that he has even been convicted of a misdemeanor. We didn't check the traffic courts, but who cares.
The police department says it is still checking. In the computer age that should only take seconds, but in this case it's taking longer.
We say, who cares? Put Leon Phillips on the so-called civilian review board which actually is a 'police review board.' They prefer to call it a 'civilian review board' so it won't seem they are doing what they are actually doing, reviewing the police. But since the members of the board are civilians, they use that to soften the blow to the police and those who oppose police review boards.
Let Leon Phillips on the board. Everyone knows Leon Phillips. Everyone knows that Leon Phillips would probably be against the police in most instances. He is a longtime community activist, his opinions on most things, including the police, are widely known, and most of his opinions are taken with a grain of salt.
Bear in mind, this police review board only reviews police cases that are referred to them by the police chief, then they make recommendations to him on what action to take with the case. The chief need not do what they recommend and the other members of the review board need not agree with Phillips.
So who cares if he's on the board. Record or no record, at least everyone will know what to expect from him. It's good to know who your enemies are.
Seems one of the persons appointed to serve on the board has had his share of problems with the police department in the distant past. The rules say if one is a convicted felon he or she may not be a member of the review board.
A search of police records does not indicate that Leon Phillips, II, the person in question, has ever been convicted of a felony. In fact, we haven't found that he has even been convicted of a misdemeanor. We didn't check the traffic courts, but who cares.
The police department says it is still checking. In the computer age that should only take seconds, but in this case it's taking longer.
We say, who cares? Put Leon Phillips on the so-called civilian review board which actually is a 'police review board.' They prefer to call it a 'civilian review board' so it won't seem they are doing what they are actually doing, reviewing the police. But since the members of the board are civilians, they use that to soften the blow to the police and those who oppose police review boards.
Let Leon Phillips on the board. Everyone knows Leon Phillips. Everyone knows that Leon Phillips would probably be against the police in most instances. He is a longtime community activist, his opinions on most things, including the police, are widely known, and most of his opinions are taken with a grain of salt.
Bear in mind, this police review board only reviews police cases that are referred to them by the police chief, then they make recommendations to him on what action to take with the case. The chief need not do what they recommend and the other members of the review board need not agree with Phillips.
So who cares if he's on the board. Record or no record, at least everyone will know what to expect from him. It's good to know who your enemies are.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Sob Story For The Crooks
November 1, 2008
GALVESTON - The headline in the local Saturday morning paper read, "Man accused of shooting at cop recounts arrest." It's the second sob story within a week about a local thug that had another, not unusual, run-in with local cops. Two days ago the same paper interviewed the wife of this character who naturally accused police of beating her poor, defenceless husband.
The stories are dramatic and they may sell one or two papers, but they are one-sided and don't come close to telling what happened the morning officer Chad Powers had occassion to try to stop Courtney Terrell Jones a few minutues after midnight and he sped away when he saw the red lights in his rear view mirror. Typical criminal reaction. It's the 'deer in the headlights' syndrome.
We know what really happened that morning and we know what the police did in the follow-up investigation. This is the side-of-the-story that the public does not hear about because the police are bound by the rules-of-evidence. They can't sit out on the front porch and blab to some reporter because they must later go to court and make their case. It's one thing to tell some sob story to a reporter, and it's another to prove it in court. The police are about proving it in court.
The paper has reported over and over that police have "accused" Jones of shooting at the officer. They have not. The police have never said he shot at anyone, and so far he has not been charged with shooting at the officer or anyone else. There was a statement made by a police captain that Powers, "Thought he heard a gunshot." That's it. He didn't say the officer saw Jones with a gun, or saw Jones shoot a gun, or even saw the flash of a gun. So where does the press come up with the statement that the police accused him of shooting at the officer? It's drama, it's spin, it's selling papers, and it's inflaming a situation for a police department that is already beat and battered by a hurricane and another recent press beating over the Bradon Backe hullabaloo at a swank seawall hotel club.
The point is, when these type stories are reported, people should take them with a grain of salt until all the facts come out. Police are always restricted in what they can and cannot say about these cases, but the media can allege anything by spin or inuendo.
So far Jones has been charged with evading arrest. He has not been accused of shooting at the police. That charge would be Assault To Murder A Police Officer, a much more serious charge than Evading Arrest. And when police 'accuse' someone of something, unlike the press, they have to be able to back it up in court.
One can support the local paper by buying a copy for a buck, but supporting your local police doesn't come from the pocketbook.
GALVESTON - The headline in the local Saturday morning paper read, "Man accused of shooting at cop recounts arrest." It's the second sob story within a week about a local thug that had another, not unusual, run-in with local cops. Two days ago the same paper interviewed the wife of this character who naturally accused police of beating her poor, defenceless husband.
The stories are dramatic and they may sell one or two papers, but they are one-sided and don't come close to telling what happened the morning officer Chad Powers had occassion to try to stop Courtney Terrell Jones a few minutues after midnight and he sped away when he saw the red lights in his rear view mirror. Typical criminal reaction. It's the 'deer in the headlights' syndrome.
We know what really happened that morning and we know what the police did in the follow-up investigation. This is the side-of-the-story that the public does not hear about because the police are bound by the rules-of-evidence. They can't sit out on the front porch and blab to some reporter because they must later go to court and make their case. It's one thing to tell some sob story to a reporter, and it's another to prove it in court. The police are about proving it in court.
The paper has reported over and over that police have "accused" Jones of shooting at the officer. They have not. The police have never said he shot at anyone, and so far he has not been charged with shooting at the officer or anyone else. There was a statement made by a police captain that Powers, "Thought he heard a gunshot." That's it. He didn't say the officer saw Jones with a gun, or saw Jones shoot a gun, or even saw the flash of a gun. So where does the press come up with the statement that the police accused him of shooting at the officer? It's drama, it's spin, it's selling papers, and it's inflaming a situation for a police department that is already beat and battered by a hurricane and another recent press beating over the Bradon Backe hullabaloo at a swank seawall hotel club.
The point is, when these type stories are reported, people should take them with a grain of salt until all the facts come out. Police are always restricted in what they can and cannot say about these cases, but the media can allege anything by spin or inuendo.
So far Jones has been charged with evading arrest. He has not been accused of shooting at the police. That charge would be Assault To Murder A Police Officer, a much more serious charge than Evading Arrest. And when police 'accuse' someone of something, unlike the press, they have to be able to back it up in court.
One can support the local paper by buying a copy for a buck, but supporting your local police doesn't come from the pocketbook.
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