It's one year into the future . . .
I awakened to my usual morning cup of coffee and decided to check my email. Yep, there it is - the daily email from Cyber-Posse alerting me to any criminal activity within a certain distance of my home. I selected 4 blocks because I know I can go to the website and look at the bigger picture if I want. It appears there have been a few car break-ins involving cars parked on the street. It looks like we need to be on the lookout for a late model, green, Z-71, Chevy pickup, occupied by a male white and a male black. Since this Cyber-Posse system was started by newly elected Sheriff John Harvey, things have gotten much safer and I've actually met my neighbors. Before, I didn't want to know who they were, now we exchange information and help watch out for the neighborhood together. Things are getting much better already.
It was less than a month ago that we were having those breakins and were alerted by the Cyber-Posse system. Several of us had purchased webcams and pointed them out toward the street like Sheriff Harvey suggested. When we got the news about the breakins we were able to pull up the video and the Sheriff's office arrested a man who had just gotten out of prison a week earlier. They found all the stuff he had stolen in his apartment, plus some drugs and a gun. I understand he is now residing in one of Sheriff Harvey's tent compounds while awaiting trial. I feel a lot safer now that crime is starting to abate!
I really like the emails I'm getting from Cyber-Posse about the warrants in my area too. I never would have known that the kid across the street was involved in drugs, but there it is big and bold, a warrant for possession with intent to sell. I'm firing off an email right now to the Cyber-Posse system to let them know what kind of car he drives and where he hangs out. I've already got a webcam snapshot of his car that I'll send along. I know he shoots pool at that bar down the street every afternoon and he also works doing yard work for that lawn company that started up last year - "Luttrell's Cutting and Edging". Now that's a company that knows how to cut!
Read additional chapterettes at Cyber-Posse
Friday, June 30, 2006
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Isn't it Embarrassing?
What if you were suddenly elected Sheriff and you had no experience in law enforcement? What would you do when you were being interviewed about law enforcement questions? Would you fake it, or defer those questions to commanders who had been in the field and risen through the ranks? How about letting your public information officer teach classes to the public on how to prevent crime? Wouldn't you leave that to people who were qualified?
Well the above scenario has been played out right before our eyes over the last four years. Mark Luttrell won the race and promptly started fielding interviews as though he had ever made an arrest. After three years of "faking it", he rose to speak in a Compstats meeting and asked the room full of commanders "what authority do we have to make arrests in Bartlett?" When I called him on this one (on the Mike Fleming show), he lied and said he never said that. While I don't expect any of the commanders at the SCSO to lay their head on a chopping block by telling the truth about what was said, I did happen to ask a retired lieutenant, who was pointman for the Fugitive Bureau in the aforementioned meeting, if he remembered the event. Former Green Bay Packer, professional football player and retired SCSO Lt., Francis "Bubba" Winkler, was that man. He said he was there and he thought it was the "dumbest" thing he had ever heard. I recorded our interview and it is available for your listening pleasure here
Well the above scenario has been played out right before our eyes over the last four years. Mark Luttrell won the race and promptly started fielding interviews as though he had ever made an arrest. After three years of "faking it", he rose to speak in a Compstats meeting and asked the room full of commanders "what authority do we have to make arrests in Bartlett?" When I called him on this one (on the Mike Fleming show), he lied and said he never said that. While I don't expect any of the commanders at the SCSO to lay their head on a chopping block by telling the truth about what was said, I did happen to ask a retired lieutenant, who was pointman for the Fugitive Bureau in the aforementioned meeting, if he remembered the event. Former Green Bay Packer, professional football player and retired SCSO Lt., Francis "Bubba" Winkler, was that man. He said he was there and he thought it was the "dumbest" thing he had ever heard. I recorded our interview and it is available for your listening pleasure here
Captain without a ship
Captain Bobby Simmons is in charge of nothing at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office today. He has been in this status since running afoul of Sheriff Mark Luttrell last month. It seems Captain Simmons didn't say "yessuh boss" when he should have and now, instead of having a department vehicle and being assigned to the detective bureau, he has been assigned to oversee nothing. Initially, he was told to turn his car in and drive to the substation where he would be assigned to the (commander's whipping post) report center. This position was phased out last week and was previously commanded by Inspector Judy Hughes, another whipping post denizen. Captain Simmons bumped Inspector Hughes out of the slot because he is the current employee in the Sheriff's sights. Captain Simmons says he has been told verbally that he is to be over the garage, but even though he has asked for his assignment in writing, nothing has arrived in the mail. Until then, he is in limbo, because if it isn't in writing, it doesn't exist. Apparently, the chiefs are reluctant to document their error. Until, they wake up and quit playing politics, Captain Simmons' considerable law enforcement experience will have to be wasted on pushing paper at the garage.
Meanwhile back to Inspector Hughes. . . She was transferred to the courts, but somehow she is still being punished, because she reports to an office out near the Corrections Center. The closest court to her would be one in either Bartlett or Germantown, neither of which has anything to do with the Sheriff's Office.
It is my understanding that Captain Simmons and Inspector Hughes have been in contact with an attorney, especially after Burlington RR V. White was handed down last month!
Luttrell ran on a platform of "time for change", but as you can see, he fits in very well with the good old boy network. This is the same pathetic treatment deputies have been subjected to since at least 1975, when I hired in. When will a Sheriff learn that they don't own the SCSO? When will Mark let the officers who know what it means to be a cop do their jobs without his pettiness getting in the way of fighting crime?
Meanwhile back to Inspector Hughes. . . She was transferred to the courts, but somehow she is still being punished, because she reports to an office out near the Corrections Center. The closest court to her would be one in either Bartlett or Germantown, neither of which has anything to do with the Sheriff's Office.
It is my understanding that Captain Simmons and Inspector Hughes have been in contact with an attorney, especially after Burlington RR V. White was handed down last month!
Luttrell ran on a platform of "time for change", but as you can see, he fits in very well with the good old boy network. This is the same pathetic treatment deputies have been subjected to since at least 1975, when I hired in. When will a Sheriff learn that they don't own the SCSO? When will Mark let the officers who know what it means to be a cop do their jobs without his pettiness getting in the way of fighting crime?
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Illegal aliens in the MidSouth
Press Release
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Memphis, TN
Contact John Harvey
For Immediate Release:
Today, Sheriff’s candidate John Harvey said if elected he would move to identify and arrest any illegal aliens within the jurisdiction of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. Mark Luttrell has said there is nothing the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office can do about illegal aliens. John Harvey disputed this saying, “there is legal precedent for a local Sheriff to enlist the support of the Federal government for training of selected officers utilizing a new program being offered by ICE. This past February, a Sheriff in Mecklenberg County, North Carolina began working with I.C.E. officials to federalize some of his officers so they actually become an extension of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. Illegal immigrants are costing the citizens of Shelby County millions of dollars and Hispanic gangs (filled with illegal aliens) are becoming more dangerous. We must do what we have sworn to do, and that is to protect our citizens and enforce the laws of the United States.”
Related Information sources:
Link Information: http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nc09_myrick/immigrationprogramfeddep020606.html
From U.S. Representative Sue Myrick’s website:
http://www.myrick.house.gov/hot_topics_immigration_issues.shtml
New Immigration Program will allow Mecklenburg County Sheriff Deputies to Detain and Remove Illegal Aliens
On February 6, 2006, Representative Sue Myrick, Mecklenburg County (NC) Sheriff Jim Pendergraph, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Jeffrey S. Jordan announced at a press conference a new program that will federalize ten Mecklenburg County Deputies so that they can help ICE detain and remove illegal aliens. This groundbreaking program is the first of its kind to be implemented by a Sheriff’s office east of the Mississippi. “This new program changes how North Carolina responds to illegal aliens,” said Rep. Myrick. “We have a shortage of federal agents to deal with illegal aliens in our state, and this program provides us with some much needed back up. My hope is that every county in North Carolina sees what we are doing here and applies to set up a similar program with ICE.”
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Memphis, TN
Contact John Harvey
For Immediate Release:
Today, Sheriff’s candidate John Harvey said if elected he would move to identify and arrest any illegal aliens within the jurisdiction of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. Mark Luttrell has said there is nothing the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office can do about illegal aliens. John Harvey disputed this saying, “there is legal precedent for a local Sheriff to enlist the support of the Federal government for training of selected officers utilizing a new program being offered by ICE. This past February, a Sheriff in Mecklenberg County, North Carolina began working with I.C.E. officials to federalize some of his officers so they actually become an extension of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. Illegal immigrants are costing the citizens of Shelby County millions of dollars and Hispanic gangs (filled with illegal aliens) are becoming more dangerous. We must do what we have sworn to do, and that is to protect our citizens and enforce the laws of the United States.”
Related Information sources:
Link Information: http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nc09_myrick/immigrationprogramfeddep020606.html
From U.S. Representative Sue Myrick’s website:
http://www.myrick.house.gov/hot_topics_immigration_issues.shtml
New Immigration Program will allow Mecklenburg County Sheriff Deputies to Detain and Remove Illegal Aliens
On February 6, 2006, Representative Sue Myrick, Mecklenburg County (NC) Sheriff Jim Pendergraph, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Jeffrey S. Jordan announced at a press conference a new program that will federalize ten Mecklenburg County Deputies so that they can help ICE detain and remove illegal aliens. This groundbreaking program is the first of its kind to be implemented by a Sheriff’s office east of the Mississippi. “This new program changes how North Carolina responds to illegal aliens,” said Rep. Myrick. “We have a shortage of federal agents to deal with illegal aliens in our state, and this program provides us with some much needed back up. My hope is that every county in North Carolina sees what we are doing here and applies to set up a similar program with ICE.”
Friday, June 23, 2006
Luttrell harassing Employees
In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling on "hostile work environment", it appears maybe the Sheriff's Office may get a "review" for some of it's, nah let's call it like it is. Mark Luttrell may get a review for some of his shenanigans.
Touting himself as an excellent manager, he has issued the proclamation that all square pegs will be plugged into square holes. No law enforcement personnel are supposed to be assigned to non enforcement duties.
Well, the Report Center was closed down last week, and Capt Bobby Simmons was left with no assignment. It seems he has run afoul of Sheriff Luttrell and is being given the "treatment". I spoke with him a few days ago and asked where he had been assigned. He says the latest he has been told was that he would be reviewing work orders at the garage. Yep, I'd say he needs to look at the latest Supreme Court ruling in Burlington RR V. White. Here's an excerpt:
"Applying the standard to the facts of this case, there was a sufficient evidentiary basis to support the jury's verdict on White's retaliation claim. Contrary to Burlington's claim, a reassignment of duties can constitute retaliatory discrimination where both the former and present duties fall within the same job description. Almost every job category involves some duties that are less desirable than others. That is presumably why the EEOC has consistently recognized retaliatory work assignments as forbidden retaliation. Here, the jury had considerable evidence that the track laborer duties were more arduous and dirtier than the forklift operator position, and that the latter position was considered a better job by male employees who resented White for occupying it. Based on this record, a jury could reasonably conclude that the reassignment would have been materially adverse to a reasonable employee. Burlington also argues that the 37-day suspension without pay lacked statutory significance because White was reinstated with backpay. The significance of the congressional judgment that victims of intentional discrimination can recover compensatory and punitive damages to make them whole would be undermined if employers could avoid liability in these circumstances. Any insufficient evidence claim is unconvincing. White received backpay, but many reasonable employees would find a month without pay a serious hardship. White described her physical and emotional hardship to the jury, noting that she obtained medical treatment for emotional distress. An indefinite suspension without pay could well act as a deterrent to the filing of a discrimination complaint, even if the suspended employee eventually receives backpay. Thus, the jury's conclusion that the suspension was materially adverse was reasonable."
This also would apply to a certain female inspector at the Sheriff's Office who was moved after she filed an EEOC complaint. I believe she may have a couple of attorneys salivating at the opportunity to file the suit for her!
You know, come to think of it, I was moved from the Computer Section to the midnight shift of the Fugitive Bureau after it was common knowledge that I intended to run for Sheriff. There were three lieutenants assigned to the Bureau at the same time and I was put on the midnight shift and given the oldest equipment and worst office. (Non perks are a subliminal way of establishing the pecking order at the SCSO). I think I'll have to speak with an attorney on this one myself.
Touting himself as an excellent manager, he has issued the proclamation that all square pegs will be plugged into square holes. No law enforcement personnel are supposed to be assigned to non enforcement duties.
Well, the Report Center was closed down last week, and Capt Bobby Simmons was left with no assignment. It seems he has run afoul of Sheriff Luttrell and is being given the "treatment". I spoke with him a few days ago and asked where he had been assigned. He says the latest he has been told was that he would be reviewing work orders at the garage. Yep, I'd say he needs to look at the latest Supreme Court ruling in Burlington RR V. White. Here's an excerpt:
"Applying the standard to the facts of this case, there was a sufficient evidentiary basis to support the jury's verdict on White's retaliation claim. Contrary to Burlington's claim, a reassignment of duties can constitute retaliatory discrimination where both the former and present duties fall within the same job description. Almost every job category involves some duties that are less desirable than others. That is presumably why the EEOC has consistently recognized retaliatory work assignments as forbidden retaliation. Here, the jury had considerable evidence that the track laborer duties were more arduous and dirtier than the forklift operator position, and that the latter position was considered a better job by male employees who resented White for occupying it. Based on this record, a jury could reasonably conclude that the reassignment would have been materially adverse to a reasonable employee. Burlington also argues that the 37-day suspension without pay lacked statutory significance because White was reinstated with backpay. The significance of the congressional judgment that victims of intentional discrimination can recover compensatory and punitive damages to make them whole would be undermined if employers could avoid liability in these circumstances. Any insufficient evidence claim is unconvincing. White received backpay, but many reasonable employees would find a month without pay a serious hardship. White described her physical and emotional hardship to the jury, noting that she obtained medical treatment for emotional distress. An indefinite suspension without pay could well act as a deterrent to the filing of a discrimination complaint, even if the suspended employee eventually receives backpay. Thus, the jury's conclusion that the suspension was materially adverse was reasonable."
This also would apply to a certain female inspector at the Sheriff's Office who was moved after she filed an EEOC complaint. I believe she may have a couple of attorneys salivating at the opportunity to file the suit for her!
You know, come to think of it, I was moved from the Computer Section to the midnight shift of the Fugitive Bureau after it was common knowledge that I intended to run for Sheriff. There were three lieutenants assigned to the Bureau at the same time and I was put on the midnight shift and given the oldest equipment and worst office. (Non perks are a subliminal way of establishing the pecking order at the SCSO). I think I'll have to speak with an attorney on this one myself.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Help a Cop's Kid
I received an email from a fellow gang member tonight (mpd cop) about trying to raise some money to help his daughter. I have been blessed by having had three healthy kids and they never really had any significant injuries; other than the time Zach swallowed a key and $1,000.00 later, he was ok. I can only imagine how he must feel, wondering about his child's future. She has been a diabetic since childhood and just this past year, the family learned she has lymphoma (cancer).
Officer Mann, by all accounts, is a very good officer (officer of the year - 2005) and he loves his family. I think any help would be most appreciated by the Mann family. They have a website where you can donate.
Here is Tom's email:
My 9 year old daughter has had diabetes since she was 17 months old and ever since she was 2 1/2 yrs. old we have had a walk team wlaking for juvenile diabetes "sarah's bad boys". you know every year we have numerous fundraisers. sometimes good and sometimes bad. this year is very important to me for her sake because in january sarah was diagnosed with hodgkin's lymphoma a form of cancer.
so i want to have the best year ever for her october 7, 2006 our annual walk to cure diabetes. we have a web site that people can go to and click on a link that will take them to our official juvenile diabetes research foundation walk team page where people can make a donation - www.sarahsbadboys.com
Officer Mann, by all accounts, is a very good officer (officer of the year - 2005) and he loves his family. I think any help would be most appreciated by the Mann family. They have a website where you can donate.
Here is Tom's email:
My 9 year old daughter has had diabetes since she was 17 months old and ever since she was 2 1/2 yrs. old we have had a walk team wlaking for juvenile diabetes "sarah's bad boys". you know every year we have numerous fundraisers. sometimes good and sometimes bad. this year is very important to me for her sake because in january sarah was diagnosed with hodgkin's lymphoma a form of cancer.
so i want to have the best year ever for her october 7, 2006 our annual walk to cure diabetes. we have a web site that people can go to and click on a link that will take them to our official juvenile diabetes research foundation walk team page where people can make a donation - www.sarahsbadboys.com
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Cyber-Posse - A new concept in Crime Fighting
I have been working on this concept for the past four years, but I could never get anyone at the Sheriff's Office to listen. So, I have basically started a website for the purpose of making the public aware of what could be done to effectively and inexpensively fight crime. I have just registered the domain www.cyber-posse.com but that won't be available for a few days. Until then you can access it via - http://www.shelbynet.com/cyber-posse or just click on the Cyber-Posse Logo.
Feel free to give me feedback on the concepts. I sincerely believe crime could be impacted significantly if my concept were put into action. It's a white paper in the works, and it's time has come.
John
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Webcam Army
I've been thinking about a way the average citizen could help fight crime beyond being a nosy neighbor. One thought is for web savvy citizens to purchase webcams and point them toward the street. I can see a registry where anyone could hit the webcam on a street and view what's there. If a citizen is having problems with drug dealers and gang bangers doing their deeds in the middle of the street, they could point the webcam that way and send me an email. I'll see to it that the police get the link to the webcam. I would also be amenable to hosting the camera registry until I could get someone at the MPD to take it over.
Thoughts anyone?
John
Thoughts anyone?
John
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
