MPD's Galactic Crime Probes Ready to Deploy!

This week we will begin deployment of the first five License Plate Reader cars (LPR). The cars you see in the pictures below are our own design. Initially, the LPR vendors recommended we outfit each car with four fixed, magnet mounted cameras, at a cost of around $12,000.00 each. The officers would have had to run cables through the back windows, and reposition the cameras etc. Our development team, which consists of my brother, Major Jim Harvey, Lt Ken Shackleford and myself decided we wanted a camera mounted on a pan tilt system, which could be controlled from inside the car (a good cop never gets cold, hungry or wet). We think we have designed the optimal system for law enforcement. I would not be surprised if we won another award next year on this one. Starting next week, we should be getting 10-12 cars per week on the streets, which will allow us to have over 70 of these cars working by January 1.

Here are some pictures of the cars being outfitted:

Culture of Corruption

I recently received a copy of the letter officer Ian Seivewright wrote just before taking his own life. He hadn't been with the Sheriff's Office very long, only a few years. He had no way of knowing what to expect, or how to respond to what was happening. If you aren't prepared to deal with the "system", you will definitely have problems. When an officer first hires in, they expect all the leadership to be the best officers, and that they will be honest and trustworthy. I only wish it were so at the SCSO.

From the letter, it seems Ian had called out for help on several occassions, but nobody cared enough to listen, or maybe the ones who could help didn't think it was in there best interest.

The sheriff claimed he was going to rid the SCSO of the "culture of corruption" when he first took office, back in 2002. As I recall, that was his mantra. There was a culture of corruption at the SCSO and he was going to clean house and make everything better.

Ian Seivewright tried to enlist Mark's support several times, according to the letter I have. It seems there are also several recordings Ian made over the past several years. I would hope whoever has them would get them to the news media and the news media would air them. Here's an excerpt of Ian's letter where he tells about how he felt Mark covered up for people who were on his team:

"So Then I called The Shelby County Sheriff, Mark Luttrell, and spoke with him three different times. He told me that he was going to get to the bottom of it, which he did…..made it go away, that is one hell of a SHERIFF OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!! LOL, Right!!!!! I hope that the recording of are meeting in his office and twice on the phone don’t come out to show the line of s__t he was talking. "

Ian never really had a chance. He wasn't on the "A team", so if there was a situation between him and one of those who was connected, he would be odd man out. This is how it works at the SCSO. Ian spoke of how the administration deals with someone they want to shut up. Here's another quote from his letter on that subject:

"I know that while everyone is reading this the Sheriff’s Dept is looking hard for something to discredit me, LOL. Guess what nothing there except stories that you better make up quick. I have had 1 (one) Write-Up and 1 (one) day no pay for the deer. I hope they are working hard to make up some. So I come out of the class in the top 3, I was #1 or #2 on the list of highest stats for the shift except for the last few months. I have had perfect attendance for several years except when I hurt my ankle off-duty. So why do I get over looked on internal jobs that get posted. That’s right I’m not connected and I called out the Chief son for misconduct. More Misconduct would be reported if it wasn’t that everyone knows that they will have a hard time the rest of their career. They see what happens if you do the right thing.
"

Ian was right. They tried to pull the same stuff on me when I ran against Luttrell for Sheriff as a write in. Mark was also right, the culture of corruption needs to be fixed. However, if you are a part of that culture, you cannot fix it. I am right too. It's time for a new Sheriff.

More to follow....

Now they say the report is wrong

A few days after my last blog posting about the 3000 inmates being given early release, I got an email saying TDOC said the news reports were wrong. As usual, we are not getting the truth. We also haven't seen a new report with clarifications on how many inmates are being given early release, or what type crimes these inmates are guilty of. Some say they think it's a good idea to release "non violent drug users." I say, we don't have people in prison who only have a charge that is equal to non-violent drug use, it is more likely that they were drug dealers, who didn't happen to have an associated charge that was violent in nature. Here's some even more disturbing data from TDOC: (click to see the report - release trends....)

As was seen in the 2001 report, recidivism rates vary dramatically by type of release.
♦ Felons released to parole:
♦ 23% 1-year failure rate: of 2,962 releases in 2002, 686 returned within one year;
♦ 41% 2-year failure rate: of 3,193 releases in 2001, 1,314 returned within two years;
♦ 50% 3-year failure rate: of 3,998 releases in 2000, 1,984 returned within three years.
♦ Felons released to probation:
♦ 30% 1-year failure rate: of 5,607 releases in 2002, 1,674 returned within one year;
♦ 44% 2-year failure rate: of 5,228 releases in 2001, 2,289 returned within two years;
♦ 49% 3-year failure rate: of 5,436 releases in 2000, 2,684 returned within three years.
♦ Felons released to expiration of sentence:
♦ 8% 1-year failure rate: of 4,408 releases in 2002, 336 returned within one year;
♦ 18% 2-year failure rate: of 4,025 releases in 2001, 722 returned within two years;
♦ 24% 3-year failure rate: of 3,981 releases in 2000, 966 returned within three years.

If you have data that says you are twice as likely to recommit crimes if you are given probation or parole, than if you serve your full sentence, why would the state give anyone probation or parole? The data says you can predict a failure rate of 50%, within the first three years of being released, if the prisoner doesn't serve out the full term of their sentence, but only 25% if the prisoner is incarcerated for the full term of the sentence.

I'm from the government, and other insanities....

The Commercial Appeal had a story last Friday about the state releasing 3000 inmates back into the community before their time was finished. The story said they were releasing non-violent drug USERS. I don't think so. Since when do we send drug USERS to prison. If a person isn't charged with extreme stuff, they don't go to prison. Most likely, they are talking about "non-violent" drug offenders, as in drug dealers who haven't been "charged" with trying to kill anyone. Even so, we have data that says after three years 50% of those released on probation or parole return to prison. If they stay in prison until the expiration of their sentence, they are 50% less likely to repeat, as only 24% return to prison.

If it is true that people are half as likely to return to prison, why would anyone want to release any of these folks before the expiration of their sentence? Oh, I forgot, it's the government.

Repeat Offenders - It's On Like a NeckBone!

Take a look at some of the stories on "Repeat Offenders" from the past few years. And, here is News Channel 3's first volley on this issue -

It's heartening to see some of my work coming to fruition. I've been ranting and raving about our dysfunctional system for the past several years, and now the media is finally picking up on it. So far, most of the television stations have done stories on the problem, Mike Fleming and I did a "Thug of the Week" radio spot for over a year, and the CA is going to do an exhaustive story on repeaters and crime, in Shelby County, some time this fall. Senator Mark Norris and Representative Curry Todd got the Administrative Office of the Tennessee Supreme Court involved and I am working with them and the Criminal Court Clerk's Office on crunching the data.

I think the repeater issue is getting out there and is on the minds of the news media, the citizens, the cops and hopefully the judges, judicial commissioners, the AG's office will take a closer look at these Urban Terrorists before allowing them back on the streets. I'm not saying people who have only been arrested a few times should not have a bond, but those who have been arrested 10 or more times should be sitting on cold steel, contemplating the error of their ways.

Yes, it IS a BIG deal!

Director Godwin sent me an email one day last month with a request that I take a look at some software he had seen at the Chief's conference. I took a look and was shocked at what I saw. The software he wanted me to review is what we announced today for our joint effort with CrimeStoppers. Heretofore, we never had the capability of asking a tipster follow-up questions. Once they got off the phone, if they didn't call back and give more information, we didn't get any more info.



This issue has been resolved by tipsoft's application. Now, when a tipster sends a tip via the web, email or texting, their tip is sent to a clearing-house in Canada (think untouchable by US lawyers), then the tip is transmitted to the RTCC. Officers can send a message back to the tipster when they decide more information is needed. This will allow us to solve crimes in a more timely manner, and since our information will be much better, we will solve more crimes.



I was already in the middle of writing an application for tracking CrimeStopper tips and the disposition of each tip, but now ther is no need. Not only does tipsoft's application handle our needs, it makes this two way, anonymous communication possible. We have already made enhancements to the tipsoft software and made suggestions for other future enhancements.



This is just another example of the MPD pushing the envelope and thereby making the city safer!



Here's the link to the new webpage http://memphis.crimestoppersweb.com

And now. . . The Award Winning MPD Real Time Crime Center!

Dallas, TX 5-18-2009
The Memphis Police Department won the top award for "excellence in law enforcement and information technology" at the 33rd annual IACP Conference in Dallas Texas. Director Godwin said, "we believe we are developing cutting edge technology at the MPD that will prove to be a model for the nation. From our video surveillance, to Blue Crush, to the Real Time Crime Center, to license plate reader technology and beyond, we are pushing the envelope and extending technology, thereby making us much more effective."

Director Larry Godwin, flanked on the left by RTCC System Manager John Harvey,Sgt. Ken Shackleford and on the right by Dr Richard Janikowski, Technology Manager - Major Jim Harvey

Click to enlarge photo
The Memphis Police Department received the top honor for excellence in law enforcement and information technology from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, after all contestants entries were reviewed! This award is the result of the hard work of the men and women of the MPD, the director's leadership and vision, the department's Information Technology staff, and the Real Time Crime Center, plus Dr Janikowski and his associates from the University of Memphis. Detractors say Blue Crush is just a publicity stunt, but that just isn't true. Call it what you like, but "Blue Crush" is simply a business approach to law enforcement. Determine where your problems are, then deploy your resources accordingly.

What is not being reported, is the impact of the MPD on crime in the city of Memphis and even the surrounding areas. The city of Memphis is getting better every day, as it relates to crime, while the metro area is not. Many of our citizens don't know of the good work and the success we've had fighting crime, because the news media has not been reporting this. What has been reported is that the city of Memphis is the 2nd most dangerous city in America. The facts show that the metro area is 2nd, and Memphis has fallen from 6th (three years ago) to 14th. The media, including Forbes Magazine, has been applying the metro area statistics to the city of Memphis. This does nothing for the image of Memphis, and it also dishonors the work we have done.

Here are the facts:
Memphis:

2006 Crime Ranking 6th
2007 Crime Ranking 8th
2008 Crime Ranking 14th
2009 Crime Ranking ?









Here is the Metro Area Map - A Nine County Area which includes Tipton, Fayette, and Shelby in Tennessee, Crittenden in Arkansas, and Tate, Tunica, Desoto and Marshall counties in Mississippi. This includes reported crimes in Covington, Millington,Arlington,Bartlett,Germantown, Collierville, Sommerville, Olive Branch, Horn Lake, Southaven, West Memphis, etc. I think those areas are having an uptick in crime due to Blue Crush pushing them out of Memphis. Additionally, the MPD is showing a year-to-date reduction of almost 10%.

Click this link to see the report
Metro Area Map - 2nd Most Dangerous Metro Area
Metro Area Map - 2nd Most Dangerous Metro Area



















Click this link to see the City Ranking Report
Memphis Map - 14th Most Dangerous and falling
Memphis Map - 14th Most Dangerous and falling

















The MPD is leading the way in fighting crime through the increased use and development of technology. We expect to fall much farther in the "Most Dangerous Cities" ranking this
November, as we continue pursuing excellence in what we do!

Memphis Police Department - A Success Story and a Model for Law Enforcement

More to follow, after tomorrow's press release!!

As always - Click the Image for a Larger View

ALPR Car Success Stories

The MPD's LPR camera cars are working. Here is just one of the success stories. I have edited the officers report narrative.


On 04/30/09 at 20:44 hours, officers responded to Recovery/Foreign with Arrest. The Reporting Officer advised while running the LPR (license plate reader) car at Jackson and Buchanan the defendant was driving a stolen Veh. #1: Toyota Camry with TN tag XXXXXXX. Officer's got behind the def who went E/B Vernon and bailed out of the vehicle in front of 3409 Vernon. Officers caught the defendant, after a short foot chase at Vernon and National, where he was taken into custody without further incident. Dispatch advised the Veh. #1: Toyota Camry was signal w(stolen) out of Millington TN R&I#0904000095MI NIC#V972681319. Officer J Johnson 4414 notified station b who notified Millington PD. The defendant also had a warrant for burglary to M/V warrant#08033621, and a suspended license for failure to satisfy citation 120304 . The defendant was transported to 201 Poplar felony response for further investigation.

We're Number 14! We're NOT Number 2

Click on any of these images to view in a larger frame.
As you can see, Memphis has a population of over 670,000, and the Metro area is almost twice that size.








Here are snapshots of the pertinent portions of the CQ Press reports that Forbes has misquoted:












Here is the crime report for the most dangerouse cities in the US:
http://os.cqpress.com/citycrime/CityCrime2008_Rank_Rev.pdf

And here is the crime report for the Metro areas in the US:
http://os.cqpress.com/citycrime/metroCrime2008_Rank_Rev.pdf

I was dismayed to see the CA and every other Memphis news outlet reporting the mis-information that came from Forbes Magazine. It said Memphis was ranked the 2nd most dangerous city in the US, but the fact is; they were misquoting the report. The report (from CQ Press) actually shows the metro area as 2nd most dangerous. That encompasses nine counties, which happen to include Memphis. If you look at the most dangerous cities list, Memphis is ranked 14th, which is a precipitous fall from being number 6 in 2006 and number 8 in 2007 and we are cautiosly optimistic that we will fall even further when the numbers come in this November. As of this morning, our daily tracking showed we are down 10% (year to date) over last year and almost 15% ytd over 2006.

I'm not saying 14th is where we want to be, but it does the officers of the Memphis Police Department a terrible disservice to report that their work is having no effect. Crime is down 10%, in Memphis, year to date, and that is also not being reported. How about correcting the story and reporting that we have made great strides in interdicting crime in Memphis with the same vigor you have mis-reported the facts? The MPD is doing a great job at taking criminals off the streets. The courts, judges and legislature could do much, much more to help keep them off the streets, but they chose not to. The judges hand out bonds on people who have been arrested 10,20,30 or more times as though they were first offenders. The legislature claims there is a "fiscal note" on every piece of anti-crime legislation, using numbers they have pulled from a hat, and the prosecutors appear to be going along with these low bonds.

The MPD has been working about as hard, and smart as we know how, and it appears our work has paid off, even if the media doesn't want to report it. We will continue to test new systems, keep what works, and discard what doesn't. We are pushing the envelope on technology and it is making a difference. I'll more to say about that in the upcoming weeks, when several of us make a trip to Dallas to accept an international award for excellence in Information Technology and Law Enforcement!

The Republicans have always talked about being tough on crime, but their actions belie their words. They will not be passing anything significant this year. It looks to me like all the legislature is of the same party . . . chickens!

Not a Revolving Door, More like a Photon Accelerator

My chief sent an email this week that showed a guy who had been arrested 17 times, mostly for burglary. I glanced down at the name and bells started ringing.

My old friend, William Fletcher, was back in jail. I first encountered William when I was assigned to the detective bureau of the SCSO, back in 2002. I was going over offense reports when I saw one that said a m/w had been seen carrying a neighbor's lawn mower to his car, a red, ford, taurus, license number xxx-xxx (I can't remember the details of the car or tag). I ran the tag and found out it was a rental car and had been rented to Mr Fletcher's mother. I called the neighbors on both sides of his mom's house and found out his name, and that he had been arrested numerous times, and would probably be good for several burglaries. By the time I visited Mr Fletcher, I had compiled a pretty thick folder on him.

I knocked on the door and asked him to come outside to talk to me. Once he was outside, I led him back to my cruiser, which was parked behind a red ford, taurus bearing license number xxx-xxx and proceeded to ask him if he knew anything about the theft of a lawnmower. He said no, he didn't know anything about it. I said, "well, let me read you something" and proceeded to read the narrative about a neighbor seeing a m/w taking a lawnmower and putting it in the trunk of a red, ford, taurus bearing license number xxx-xxx. William didn't look too good. I said, "do you think might remember something now?" William said, "do you have a light?"

Long story - short. William confessed to 100 burglaries and since I was moving out of the bureau to go to Information Systems, he started working with another detective who used him to bust some fencing operations and pawn shops. William knew the system and he was working it to his benefit. He has been arrested several more times since I arrested him, yet he always seems to skate on by the punishment. Even now, after 18 arrests, he only needs 1,500.00 to get out of jail because somebody has set his bond at 15,000.00. That's right, 10% gets you out, and if he gets out, guess what he will be doing? Yep, stealing your stuff and doing dope.

Here's the honest-to-God truth. We don't really need tougher laws, we need tougher judges and magistrates. The law says they can consider past history in setting bond, yet they continue to unleash these terrorists on us. The sad thing is this isn't the most egregious case. Look back on my previous posts and check out the guy who had been arrested 38 times and was given as $25,000.00 bond by Germantown. He made bond within hours of being jailed, and is due in Criminal Court in May for cooking his own meth. To these magistrates and judges I say may your handiwork result in your own destruction!

10 strikes and you are done!

We've all heard about California's 3 strikes law. It is sooooo harsh. Three felony convictions and that's it. Well, here in Tennessee, we have 449 strikes and "that was a nice try, swing away some more." Our most arrested thug reached 449 arrests before he succumbed to lifestyle and ceased to exist. Now that our legislature is in the hands of the Republicans, surely something will be done to stop these "urban terrorists" from roaming our streets. Yeah right! Personally, I can't see much difference in the Republicans and the Democrats. Neither party is concerned about citizen safety. They are more concerned with "fiscal notes", which are attached to any legislation, using numbers that are pulled out of the air, than they are about your safety. What is the cost of allowing these miscreants to roam the streets? How many people have to be robbed, raped, bludgeoned and/or murdered before something is done that stops this and stops it now?

This year, there are several "tough" anti-crime bills in the legislature, and most have been sent to sub committees where they can die. They want us to think they are doing something because they are going to enhance the punishment for aggravated burglary. They might as well go ahead and make it apply only to burglaries where the criminal is left handed, and perpetrates the crime on any Thursday, between 5:00 and 5:01pm, on any leap year!

How about a bill that says, if you are convicted 10 times you are no longer going to be free. (We have to start with 10 because there are thousands) Just like New York state, our thugs will see the light when some are sentenced to life in prison with no parole and flee to Arkansas, Mississippi, and other more criminal friendly places.


Here's another in a long line of cases that is guaranteed to tick you off, if you are a law abiding, tax paying, stand up citizen. Last weekend our new License Plate Reader car was used to detect a felon, namely Irby Kimble. Irby was arrested in Frayser on a Germantown warrant for identity theft, fraud and theft of property $1,000 to $10,000. He was transferred to Germantown PD officers and they took him to their jail where he was given a $25,000 bond. So, for $2,500.00 he got out within a few hours. Well, everyone deserves a bond, right? NOT! This guy is also due in Shelby County Criminal court in May for manufacturing Meth and other drug charges. He has been arrested 38 times for things like aggravated burglary, robbery, aggravated assault, carrying a pistol, and on and on and on. Someone needs to explain to me why the judges haven't looked at this thug's record and denied bond. Is there anyone who thinks this guy isn't cooking dope, burglarizing and robbing people if he is free? Is anyone listening? Are you mad as hell yet! Am I a voice in the wilderness? Contact your representatives and tell them how you feel, if you want to help fight this insanity!


Click to Enlarge Photos
















I created a webpage that is linked off the Real Time Crime Center to help you find your representatives and senators - https://kiosk.memphispolice.org/cyberwatch/MPD_Legislative_Email.htm

ALPR Cameras in Memphis

We did a press conference on the new ALPR camera cars today and things went well. They went so well, I think tomorrow you will see the "true power of the force." I'm just going to post this guy's picture today, and you can watch tne news for the follow up tomorrow.....

When Is Enough -ENOUGH?

We've been talking about repeat offenders, or I have been, for several years now. The question I would like answered is this, at what point do we say a person can no longer be allowed to roam freely among the productive people? Do you think there is any chance that a person with 10,20,30 or more arrests will change their ways? I seriously doubt it. I don't mind giving people a few, or even 10 strikes, but I think anything more should make them become "property" of the state! I know, that seems harsh to some, but there has to be a line in the sand that cannot be crossed. Where do you think it should be, or should we continue giving them "one more last-last chance?

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Snow and crime apparently don't mix. This morning I received my daily update on crime stats from our analysts and it drove home the point that snow is a good thing!

Part I crimes were down 40 percent - for 1 day, over the same time last year, and 45% since 2006! Actually, we're doing much better driving crime down, and I know we'll never have a sustained decrease like this, but over several years we will have a continued decrease in crime.

Blue Crush, RTCC, CyberWatch, citizen watch groups, etc all have a hand in driving these numbers down. Be sure to watch for my report on the LPR cars and what we are doing with them over the next few weeks. We are 13 days away from launching the first "Stalker"!

MPD Crime Probe Stikes Back

Well, it's no longer the "Death Star". I guess that is a little too politically incorrect, so we will have to give these LPR (License Plate Reader) cars a different monicker. I'm thinking Crime Probe, in keeping with the Star Wars theme. Last night, Sgt Ken Shackelford and I were out in one of the prototype probes near Poplar and Highland. We were watching cars go by and listening to the audible alerts - whenever a tag was read. The license plate is checked to see if the vehicl has been reported as stolen, then we check the local MVR (motor vehicle records) table for a match, then warrants, sex offenders, etc. etc. etc.

If we get a match on the tag, but the tag has expired, we get an audible alert. We get a different alert when a sex offender is possibly detected, another on a possible warrant, and . . . I think you get the picture. The sound we really want to hear, though, is a siren. When that happens, the name on the warrant and the name on the car have a match, and so it went last night. While listening to the computer sound like a Jack in the Box, as the cars went by, we heard the siren.

I'll bet Terrence Jones has been as nervous as a mouse in a lions den since 2005, when OCU did a Knock and Talk at his mother's house and found a bunch of marijuanna. A warrant for his arrest was obtained, but he has not been arrested since then. Imagine his surprise when we blocked his car in and Shack put him under arrest! He was a little anxious, until he was placed in the back seat of the squad car and I informed him he was now Notorious - not so B.I.G. I told Terrence that he was THE first arrest generated by the LPR/ MPD Crime Probe. His eyes brightened as he pondered the meaning of his newfound infamy. Terrence had a stack of CDs in his hand, which he said were cut by his "little buddy". I suggested he get him to do a wrap on being the first arrestee of the MPD Crime Probes. Coming soon to a record stow near you!

A word of warning to the people of Memphis and Shelby County - keep your tags up to date and avoid the fines and court costs! The MPD will be putting over 100 Probes on the street this year.


We have deployed a "skycop" trailer in the Poplar Plaza shopping center because Blue Crush data indicated a problem with cars being broken into at that location. The RTCC is monitoring the cameras as I type.

Help the MPD with your Graphical Skills

Okay, I admit it. My strong suite is not doing graphics, it is dealing with data. That means I need help on the graphical side. I need some better looking icons for our maps to denote the following:

Burglars
Parolees
Sex Offenders
Warrants
Felons
Scofflaws
Gangsters

I created the icon below and I think it looks ok, but I would much rather have someone volunteer to do some custom icons for the MPD's maps. If anyone out there woujld like to volunteer their talents . . . I would love to take advantage of your skills. I've always heard the "form follows function". Well, the functionality is there, but I think the form could be better. Anyone interested in helping?

Murder, Robbery, Burglary, Drugs, and Probation

What do murder, robbery, burglary, drugs and probation have in common? Please continue reading . . .

A friend of mine, who operates under the nom de plume of Wintermute, brought my attention to my current Thug of the Week. It seems Tim Smith is trying to find himself. This must be the case because, he's not really sure who he is. Over the 39 times he's been arrested, he has forgotten his own name on several occasions.

He has given the following names:
KENNEDY,TIMOTHY
CLARK,DONALD
HARRIS,DARRYL
KENNEDY,JEROME
KENNEDY,WAYNE
LEACH,CEDRIC
LEACH,WAYNE
SMITH,TIM
DOE,JOHN
SMITH,DAEELY
SMITH,DARRLY
TATE,DARRELL
CHUM,ROBERT
KENNEDY,DEWAYNE
ANDERSON,DARRYL

Tim's latest arrest, unfortunately for him, involves a person who has some notoriety. Gail Jones Carson, is a fairly high profile person in this city and she had the good sense to have a security system installed at her home when Tim or what's his name, came calling. The arrest affidavit says Tim, we'll go ahead and just call him Tim, was found standing in front of 2906 Shady Vista, wearing the same clothes as they viewed in Ms Carson's security system. This bolsters my theory that most of these burglars live within 1.5 mile of their victims. Tim lives .8 miles according to Google.

In a previous life, I used to direct the effort for the midnight shift of the SCSO's Fugitive Bureau, and we spent many hours in this area, particularly in Tim's apartment complex.

View Larger Map

Ok, so the point is this, these thugs thrive on chaos, and our "justice" system assists them in this endeavor. Consider this - prior to this arrest, Tim was arrested in 2007 and held to state on the following charges (all on one arrest) AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
BURGLARY - MOTOR VEHICLE
THEFT OF PROPERTY $10000-$60000
INTENTIONALLY EVADE ARREST IN AUTO
RECKLESS DRIVING
LEAVE SCENE OF ACCIDENT INV DEATH
THEFT OF PROPERTY $500 OR LESS

I don't know what happened on the case, but after it went to Criminal Court he entered a guilty plea and got five years probation. That's right, five years probation, with all seven of the charges rolled into one, as far as the sentence goes. Now, that is a stiff sentence. I mean, five whole years! If that won't keep you on the straight and narrow, I don't know what will!

Here are the charges he has had in Criminal Court and the dispositions:
Charge Indictno Agency Dispcode
THEFT OF PROPERTY OVER $500 W9400209 MP GP
THEFT OF PROPERTY OVER $500 W9300474 MP GR
THEFT OF PROPERTY OVER $500 W9300474 MP GP
SEL/DEL/DIST IMITATION CSUB I 00329 MP GP
BURGLARY 98 04581 MP AT
BURGLARY 98 04581 MP AF
MANUF/DEL/SELL C/S 95 01318 MP GP
THEFT OF PROPERTY OVER $500 94 01157 MP GP
CRIMINAL ATTEMPT FELONY 93 07569 SO GP
ROBBERY 90 07721 MP GP
MANUF/DEL/SELL CONTROLLED SUBS 90 02375 MP NP
BURGLARY II 86 05326 SO GP
ROBBERY 86 04608 MP GP
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 86 02139 SO GR
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 86 02139 SO GP
GRAND LARCENY 85 00555 MP GP
THEFT OF PROPERTY $10000-$60000 07 06880 MP NP
THEFT OF PROPERTY $10000-$60000 07 06880 MP GP
CRIM ATT-SECOND DEGREE MURDER 05 06799 MP NP
CRIM ATT-SECOND DEGREE MURDER 05 06799 MP GP
THEFT OF PROPERTY $1000-$10000 05 05420 NP
THEFT OF PROPERTY $1000-$10000 05 05420 GP
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 02 02718 MP NP
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 02 02718 MP GP


How could anyone hand down such an injustice? This guy should have never had the opportunity to commit this latest crime, because he should have been in the pen! Maybe the judge was concerned about overcrowding the prisons? I don't know about that, but I do know something has got to give. Now is the time to get upset about this so called "justice system". It's anything but justice. The good citizens of Memphis and the surrounding area deserve a better deal than this. Those of us who strive to be good citizens, paying our ridiculous share of taxes, and trying to raise our kids deserve a safe place to dwell. Allowing these thugs to roam the streets, even though they are on "probation", is just wrong.

Please join our fight to change the laws so the miscreants who abound will be sequested in a "safe" place, like prison! Follow this blog and contact your representatives. Here is a link to a webpage that will let you find your representative, senator and the governor. Please be sure to let them know we cannot tolerate the same old, same old. It's time to modify these criminals behavior, or warehouse them.

Don't Help the Thieves

Christmas is a wonderful time of year with gifts given and received. However, many people like to think we still live in those halcyon days of old. Remember when you could leave the door unlocked, and the keys in the ignition, and after Christmas, you could put the trash out on the curb, including the boxes your new 50" flat screen TV came in? Well, maybe we didn't have flat screen TVs, but boxes the loot came in anyway.

Guess what, those days are over. DO NOT put those boxes on the curb, or anywhere else that might let someone see what you got. If you put them out there, you might as well put up a sign telling all burglars to come and get it!

Now that the shopping has been done, you might be returning things to the store. Yep, street survival 101, says don't keep packages in the car, keep them in the trunk. Also, don't keep anything in the car a thief might want to take. Leaving change in the console is also not a good idea. A crack addict sees that as something he can accumulate and finally by another rock. What does he care about your broken window and the $500.00 deductible? Keep the interior of your car extremely clean! Heeding this advice can save you a lot of misery.

Oh well, be safe and maybe you can have a . . . Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Help Me FIght Election Crime

I am announcing my application to the Republican Senators and Representatives of the Shelby Delegation to be appointed to the Shelby County Election Commission. Personally, I don’t believe the Election Commission should be a partisan commission, but it is what it is. In a perfect world, people would step up and do the right thing, irrespective of any factors other than doing what is right.

If appointed to the election commission, I pledge to make every effort to ensure the right thing gets done, without regard to party. Many of you may know about some of the things I’ve been involved in with the election commission, starting with finding the felonious voters, non-resident voters and finally the deceased voters in the Terry Roland v Ophelia Ford race a few years ago. I have also worked with the Commercial Appeal and other news agencies to get the information before the public, after finding improprieties with the voting process. Finally, I have been analyzing the voter database and for several years, cross checking it against the Social Security Death Index by using a program I wrote. I’ve also uncovered several people who appear to have voted more than once, and many other irregularities, then reported them to the news, and the administrator of elections. I have never gotten a reply from the administrator, and to my knowledge, neither has the news media.

I believe I am uniquely qualified to be a member of the Election Commission because of my background in computers, databases, and my 31 plus years in law enforcement, not to mention my history with the voter database and the EC. I retired from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office a couple of years ago as a Lieutenant, field commander, in the Fugitive Bureau. I also worked the detective bureau and most other areas of the department as well as the Attorney General’s office for six years, as a criminal investigator. I started the MIS bureau at the SCSO (Management Information Systems), headed the Research and Development bureau and worked for several years in the Information Systems bureau. While working in the IS bureau, Microsoft did a case study on my (W.A.S.P.) program - touting the cost savings and efficiency of the program. I also developed the jail website, the warrant website and the A.L.E.R.T. program, which has achieved national acclaim.

I understand the position is paid $1,000.00 per month which, if appointed, I pledge to donate to charity. I am not in this to make money, just to make a difference. I appreciate your consideration in this matter.

Please join the group at Facebook and let the members of the Shelby Delegation know your feelings.


Sincerely,

John Harvey

Google helping Law Enforcement

Google has released Google Streetview for Memphis recently. They are currently photographing the entire county, which will take a while. Even so, I've already added it into our "Kiosk" at the Memphis Police Department. Officers who are working up a warrant will be able to pull the address up and see what the neighborhood looks like, intersecting streets, houses on either side of the target address, etc. This is going to be a great tool for cops!

Here is an example of what I'm talking about. Double click the image and then see how you can turn the picture 360 degrees, or move down the street, etc.:

3600 Tutwiler Ave, Memphis, TN 38122


View Larger Map

Help us Fight Crime

Director Godwin has penned a letter to the public asking for help in letting the legislature know that we need laws passed that can help keep criminals off the streets. I created a webpage that will let you click one hyperlink and it will pull your email client up with the entire house and senate emails, or just the shelby delegation's emails. All you have to do then, is tell them how you feel about crime in our community and urge them to pass strong legislation.

Here's the link to the webpage - https://kiosk.memphispolice.org/cyberwatch/openletter.htm

He's a One Man Crime Wave

Click to enlarge each of the images:








Today's thug of the week is a walking, talking, one-man, crime wave. James Lee is a m/w who lives in the "Nutbush" area of Memphis. He is also a member of the "Dirty Dozen" gang and has been arrested over 40 times. He has entered a guilty plea in 20 cases, mostly for burglaries.

He was last arrested on 10/2/08 on a bench warrant, then was "held to state" on October 8th, and got out of jail on a $25,000.00 bond. I presented this guy to the commanders of the MPD this morning in the TRAC meeting, and I must say they all agreed with me. This guy has shown a propensity for being a burglar in the past - numerous times - yet he gets a $25k bond? Given his record, he should have gotten no bond, because now he is out, and do you think he might be doing burglaries to pay his lawyer and repay whoever loaned him money for his bond?

This is a big reason we have such a problem in Memphis. Bonds get set on people who have no business being unleashed on the public. Unfortunately, there is a schedule in the TCA that suggests how much bail should be for certain things. Maybe we need to tie that amount to the number of offenses, so that it costs 10,000 per previous conviction, plus the new charge. This guy would have a bail of about 180,000.00 and I think that would keep him on the cold steel of the jail cell.

40-11-118. Execution and deposit — Bail set no higher than necessary — Factors considered — Bonds and sureties. —


(a) Any defendant for whom bail has been set may execute the bail bond and deposit with the clerk of the court before which the proceeding is pending a sum of money in cash equal to the amount of the bail. Upon depositing this sum, the defendant shall be released from custody subject to the conditions of the bail bond. Bail shall be set as low as the court determines is necessary to reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant as required.

(b) In determining the amount of bail necessary to reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant while at the same time protecting the safety of the public, the magistrate shall consider the following:

(1) The defendant's length of residence in the community;

(2) The defendant's employment status and history and financial condition;

(3) The defendant's family ties and relationships;

(4) The defendant's reputation, character and mental condition;

(5) The defendant's prior criminal record, record of appearance at court proceedings, record of flight to avoid prosecution or failure to appear at court proceedings;

(6) The nature of the offense and the apparent probability of conviction and the likely sentence;

(7) The defendant's prior criminal record and the likelihood that because of that record the defendant will pose a risk of danger to the community;

(8) The identity of responsible members of the community who will vouch for the defendant's reliability; however, no member of the community may vouch for more than two (2) defendants at any time while charges are still pending or a forfeiture is outstanding; and

(9) Any other factors indicating the defendant's ties to the community or bearing on the risk of the defendant's willful failure to appear.

(c) (1) Whenever a court's judgment includes the requirement that the defendant pay a fine or cost, the court may require that the payment of the fine or cost be secured by surety bond or other appropriate undertaking if such defendant has a history of past due fines and costs. A parent, guardian or other responsible party may be permitted to act as surety in order to guarantee the payment of the fine or cost.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, unless the surety executes a bond or agreement which specifically makes the surety liable for the fine, cost, or restitution, no surety shall be held liable for the fine, cost or restitution without the surety's consent.

Serious Criminals - Not Necessarily Homeless

This week's Thug is the real deal. He has been arrested 20 times, for such things as aggravated burglary, burglary,theft of property 10k-60k,aggravated assault,etc. He is also on parole for aggravated burglary, has warrants (aggravated burglary, etc) out for his arrest and is a member of the gangster disciples. Yep, another stellar example for kids in the neighborhood.

Ronnie Stewart (rni 275650), aka Ronnie Taylor, aka "pick a name", is on the run from the law, and his last known address, according to the warrant is 4098 Knosha, but I think that address is actually 4098 Kenosha, which is just south of American Way, and west of Perkins. Hey, isn't that close to Mike Fleming's radio station?

If anyone should run across this fugitive, don't try to be the police, unless you are the police. You could get hurt. Call the MPD at 545-2677(COPS), or the SCSO's Fugitive Squad at 545-5620, or send me an email with the information. You can also go to the RTCC webpage and follow the links to the SCSO's warrants page.



Here's a link to a google map showing Ronnie's address:

View Larger Map

She Works Hard for the Money. . .

This week we feature one of our local business people,who operates under many names. Our spotlight is shining on a lady with an entrepreneurial spirit, which few possess.

The following is a list of her many (35) names:
CAROLYN LAURY
COTTON DEBRA
DOE JANE
JOHNSON CAROLYN
JOHNSON DEBORAH
JOHNSON DEBRA
JOHNSON SHELIA
JONES DEBORAH
JONES DEBRA
JONES SANDRA
JONES SHIRLEY
LARLAURYCAROLYN
LARRY CAROLYN
LARUY CAROLYN
LAURY BRENDA
LAURY CAROLINE
LAURY CAROLYN
LAURY CARROL
LAURY DEMETRICE
LAURYON DEBRA
LIGGINS CAROLYN
LOURY CAROLYN
MILLER CAROL
MILLER CAROLYN
MILLER DEBRA
MILLER DEMETRICE
MILLER FELEICA
MILLER SHIRLEY
MOORE CAROLYN
PRICE PATRICIA
SMITH CAROLYN
SMITH DEBRA
TAYLOR SANDRA
CHOCOLATE
SWEET CHOCOLATE


Carolyn has dabbled in many aspects of industry such as travel, entertainment, and pharmaceutical sales, plus many others, which has made her infamous. She has been highlighted here for her accomplishments in the recent past. Over the pjuast 12 months, Carolyn has been arrested 5 times. Over the past 24 years, she has been booked into the jail 157 times (140 arrests). Today, she is back on the street because her case was adjudicated nolle prosequi (no prosecution). Hmmm, I did see where she didn't fully execute a contract in the affidavit, and the officer made an offer of money, which doesn't help the case,but she was behaving in a manner consistent with a prostitute, and she does have a long history of prostitution. It seems to me, a reasonable man would conclude; if you walk like a prostitute, act like a prostitute, flag cars like a prostitute, you ARE a prostitute. However, there are things in the law that must be satisfied, and it appears some things were left dangling on this case. Funny thing though, even though the officers didn't get a conviction, Carolyn did spend 21 days in jail, which is more than most!

For your edification, here are the charges and number of arrests for Carolyn:

Arrests Charge
44 PEDESTRIAN SOLICITING RIDE/BUSINE
22 CRIMINAL TRESPASS
10 FAIL TO APPEAR FOR BOOKING/PROCES
8 DISORDERLY CONDUCT
5 DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUS/REV/CAN
5 OBSTRUCT HIGHWAY OR PASSAGEWAY
5 PROSTITUTION M
4 POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
3 NO DRIVER LICENSE
3 THEFT OF PROPERTY $500 OR LESS
2 CRIMINAL LITTERING
2 MANUF/DEL/SELL/COCAINE
2 PROSTITUTION NEAR CHURCH/SCHOOL
2 ROBBERY
2 SHOPLIFTING M
2 THEFT OF MERCHANDISE $500 OR LESS
1 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
1 AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL TRESPASS
1 ASSAULT-THREAT BODILY HARM
1 BURGLARY - MOTOR VEHICLE
1 CONTEMPT OF COURT-GENERAL LAW
1 DISREGARDING RED LIGHT C
1 DISTURBANCE OF PEACE
1 DRIVING U/INFLUENCE INTOX/DRUGS
1 EVADING ARREST
1 INDECENT EXPOSURE M
1 MALICIOUS MISCHIEF
1 PASSING BAD CHECKS $500 OR LESS
1 PEDESTRIAN WALKING UPON ROADWAY
1 POSS CONT SUB W/I TO MANUF/DEL/SE
1 POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANC
1 PROSTITUTION
1 PROSTITUTION C
1 PUBLIC INTOXICATION
1 THEFT OF PROPERTY OVER $500

140 Arrests

To read more about Carolyn Laury, go to http://jssi.co.shelby.tn.us/ and search for arrests by rni, using rni number 54005.

I Always Wanted to be . . . A Parking Lot Attendant

Kenneth Jones, RNI# 3403, is another one of our local celebrities, who has been arrested 117 times, five this year. I think Ken maybe doesn't quite understand though. He appears to have a deep desire to be a parking lot attendant, because I think, he thinks all you have to do is stand there and people will give you money.

The last two times he has been arrested, that's exactly what Kenny was doing. He was taking money from people, giving them directions on where to park, and generally being a "good will ambassador" for Memphis. However, one minor problem has surfaced. KJ doesn't work for or own the parking lots. In June when he got arrested, he was captured by the MPD's Real Time Crime Center cameras, and arrested. This last time, he was observed by an officer who was patrolling the area.

Surely, someone out there can come up with the funds to help "Special K" get a bus ride to San Fran!

This week we "honor" one, Jerrard Butler, rni#102570. Jerrard has visited 201 Poplar, as a guest, at least 108 times - 5 times this year.



News Flash - Nashville is getting into the game

Let's send them to San Francisco

For years, I've heard that San Francisco, CA is a great place to be if you are "homeless", a wino, an illegal alien, etc. Since we have so many thugs roaming the streets of Memphis, maybe we should cut our losses and purchase these guys and gals a bus ticket to SF, with the proviso they never return.

Here's what Greyhound Bus lines says it will cost, per person:

Fare Type Qty Passenger Each Total
Refundable Fare
Availability of this fare is limited, only 4 left at this time. 1
Adult
$220.00
$220.00
Non-refundable
Availability of this fare is limited, only 4 left at this time. 1
Adult
$197.00
$197.00


I'm betting we could get a volume discount, and I'll even buy the flowers for their hair!

I knew a man Bojangles, and he danced for you. . .

For those who aren't familiar with the story of Mr Bogangles






Who knew. I thought Mr. Bojangles was an old black guy, who drank a bit, according to the lyrics of Jerry Jeff Walker. Well, it seems we've got the guy from the parallel universe - a white Mr Bogangles. He has also been called John Doe, "Skippy", and a litany of misspellings of his real name - Jimmy Naramore.

Jimmy, rni# 4984, has been booked into the county jail 108 times. His charges are mainly misdemeanors, like public drunk, public intoxication (isn't that the same), disorderly conduct, criminal tresspass, pedestrian soliciting a ride or business, carrying a knife, obstructing a highway, failure to appear, dui, reckless endangerment, vandalism under 500, and even criminal littering! Well he also has a couple of felonies too - grand larceny, agg burglary and agg assault. It appears this time, he was arrested on a warrant for failure to do right.

Thug of the Week - FrankTerryKibryJoeDonFinbyMooreKirby

This week we "honor" another Thug who has transcended the magic number of 100 jail bookings. His first name is Frank,Terry, Kibry, Joe, Don, Finby, Moore or Kirby. His last name is Moore, Kirby, Doe, John, etc. I guess the salient point is this - his rni number is 20149. On his last escapade, FrankTerryKibryJoeDonFinbyMooreKirby went into a store, created a stir, was asked to leave, refused, had to be escorted out, and on the way, kicked the glass out of the front door of the store. Nice guy, huh. FrankTerryKibryJoeDonFinbyMooreKirby has been booked 108 times for similar stuff. Most of FrankTerryKibryJoeDonFinbyMooreKirby's charges have been for public drunk, criminal trespass and such, but he's also done aggravated criminal trespass, aggravated assault, dui, etc. FrankTerryKibryJoeDonFinbyMooreKirby looks like another candidate for the maximum sentence a judge could give. Anyone care to adopt his case? All you have to do is track his progress via the Clerk's website - http://jssi.co.shelby.tn.us/ . Select the option to search for arrests by RNI, then let us know when a disposition is rendered. Some might even want to go down to court and watch the court proceedings.