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NJ Port Authority selling helicopters to save money www.privateofficer.com
New Jersey July 16 2010
Citing tough economic times and a lack of need, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says it is permanently grounding its helicopter unit and selling the two choppers that have patrolled the skies above the port region for years.
The move will save about $4 million a year, officials said, adding that helicopters from New York and New Jersey police departments could be called upon in emergencies.
“We have taken a look at this issue over time and conducted analyses that show the helicopters are not integral to (the Port Authority Police Department) or facility operations,” Stephen Sigmund, the bi-state agency’s chief spokesman, said in a statement today. “This year we are facing continued declines in revenues from an ongoing economic downturn, at the same time the region’s needs continue to grow and the Port Authority is increasingly called on to meet those needs, so it just no longer makes sense to spend upwards of $4 million a year operating these helicopters.”
Sigmund said the move does not require board approval.
An in-house analysis of the Port Authority’s Airborne Services unit that examined operations from August 2008 through April 2009 found that among the 258 flights during that period, “228 flights (89 percent) were for police patrol and surveillance with no unusual incidents reported.”
The remaining 30 flights included tours of Port Authority facilities for non-agency personnel, missing persons searches, security sweeps for VIP arrivals, business trips, training, photo shoots and memorial flyovers.
More coverage:
• Many non-PATH Port Authority employees work without contracts, officials cite financial limits
• Port Authority to relocate offices to N.J. during budget crunch
• Despite budget crunch, more Port Authority employees make six figures, report says
• Bayonne Bridge height fixes could cost millions, Port Authority’s revenue fades
The helicopter unit is part of the Port Authority Police Department, and is based at Teterboro Airport in Bergen County. It includes a pair of Sikorsky S-76 helicopters, one purchased new in 2003, and valued at $6.3 million, and a 1984 model that could fetch between $1.9 million and $2.9 million, according to the agency analysis. Apart from the police officers who ride the helicopters, the unit has three pilots, three mechanics, two maintenance supervisors and an operations agent. Salaries and other expenses in 2009 totaled $3.8 million last year.
Paul Nunziato, president of the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association, criticized the move as one more example of the agency’s putting cost concerns ahead of public safety. Nunziato has repeatedly criticized the agency for what he calls dangerously low staffing levels at Hudson River crossings and other facilities.
He said basing a decision to dissolve the helicopter unit on a lack of incidents reported during patrols made no sense.
“Isn’t half of the reason to have the patrol to deter crime?” Nunziato asked.
But Sigmund said the NJ Transit and Metropolitan Transit Authority police departments do not have helicopter units. In the event a helicopter is needed, he said, “police departments including the NYPD, New Jersey State Police and the city of Newark have helicopters that we can call on if needed to respond in an emergency.”
Sgt. Stephen Jones, a State Police spokesman, concurred.
“We have been flying homeland security mission flights over many of the critical infrastructure sites in our state, including the bridges, tunnels and airports,” Jones said. “And we’ll continue to do that and to work with the Port Authority on a variety of different missions.”
The State Police has nine helicopters at three locations, including Somerset Airport in Bedminster, a 15-minute flight from the Newark waterfront, said Sgt. Paul Approvato, the unit’s assistant bureau chief.
Last night, the PBA sent letters signed by Nunziato to the governors of both states to protest the shutdown, requesting the Port Authority police superintendent “be granted authority over these issues with responsibility directly to the Board of Commissioners.”
Source:NJ.com
Elderly Ga. couple die after being stuck in elevator www.privateofficer.com
An elderly couple from St. Simmons Island, GA have died after being trapped in their elevator in their home in coastal Georgia. Glen County Police Matt Doering said.
The Chief says that investigators found no signs of fowl play.
An Autopsy will be performed at the state crime lab in Savannah to determine the cause of death.
Police found the bodies of Sherwood Wadsworth, 90 and Caroline, 89 his wife after a newspaper carrier called 911 because the papers had been piling up together.
The police had to break into the house. There appeared to be no signs of fowl play but they noticed an odor coming from the elevator door and found the Wadsworth trapped inside. Authorities say it appears that the couple had been dead for atleast 4 days.
L.A. County security officers call for better benefits www.privateofficer.com
Los Angeles County security officers – the first responders who protect county hospitals, medical facilities, courthouses and social service buildings – on Tuesday called for quality jobs and stronger security at the County Board of Supervisors Meeting.
During public comment, county security officers testified about the importance prioritizing safety and security and on the public cost of security jobs with low pay, no sick pay and no healthcare.
“Without health insurance, county security officers like me depend on public programs and emergency rooms for healthcare, said Eliazar Witron, a county security officer. “The Los Angeles Times has reported routine serious overcrowding in the emergency room where I work. Supervisors say that is a major concern – but the county contributes to its own problem when it allows more than 1,000 security officers and our families to work without healthcare.”
“Public safety and security should be a top priority in Los Angeles County,” said county security officer Gloria Salgado, responding to a July 8th La Opinion article in which a Supervisor’s office said the county chooses security companies “at the lowest price.” “The county might save a little but taxpayers, security officers and public pay the true cost. When county security officers do not have health insurance, we use emergency rooms and public programs for healthcare – that costs taxpayers $2.6 million every year.”
“Supervisors have tried to stay out of this fight but you can no longer ignore us,” said Witron. “Security is the county’s responsibility and county security officers who have low pay and no healthcare are a county problem. If you truly stand for safety, security and good jobs, then you need to stand with the county security officers who keep you safe.”
“We urge you to get serious about security and provide the resources we need to best serve the county,” said Salgado.
Outside the board of supervisors meeting, county security officers demonstrated, waving banners, chanting and engaging in street theatre.
Source: The Downey Patriot
Rapper charged with assaulting nightclub security www.privateofficer.com
Boise ID July 16 2010 Bay Area rapper Too Short was arrested and charged with three counts of misdemeanor battery Thursday morning (July 15) stemming from an incident in an Idaho nightclub.
According to police records, the 44-year-old MC (real name: Todd Shaw) was released after posting bail and is scheduled to return to court August 4.
Another man was also charged in the incident, which the Idaho Statesman is reporting as a fight with security workers who attempted to stop the rapper and his associate from inviting underage women to the backstage area.
Short performed at the Boise Knitting Factory on Wednesday night as part of a lineup that also included E-40 and Mack 10.
After his performance, the rapper and his associate, who was charged with two counts of battery, reportedly were involved in a tussle with club security, eyewitnesses told police, after the gentlemen warned Too Short about his behavior. Police were called to the scene and took the two men into custody. If Too Short is found guilty of all charges, he could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
As of press time, Too Short nor a representative for the rapper could be reached for comment.
Security manager charged with sexually assaulting child www.privateofficer.com
Marysville CA July 16 2010
A private security firm official was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl, according to Yuba City police.
Daniel Rodriguez Garza, 46, was booked into Sutter County Jail, where he was being held Thursday without bail. His occupation was listed on a booking sheet as regional manager of DWB Protective Services.
Garza was arrested at 7:10 p.m. at El Margarita Road and Spirit Way on a probable cause warrant for lewd and lascivious conduct with the child, two counts of sexual penetration and possession of child pornography, said police Cmdr. Jeremy Garcia.
The alleged offenses have no connection to River Valley High School, which is near the arrest site, he said.
Police began in investigation June 30, shortly after the alleged incident occurred at Garza’s residence in the 1600 block of Hunter Way, said Garcia.
The victim was visiting the residence and is not related to Garza, he said.
DWB Protective Services is at 584 Franklin Ave. in Yuba City. A woman who answered the listed number there Thursday afternoon did not identify herself and declined comment on the arrest.
Garza was interviewed by USA Today in December 2007 after the Appeal-Democrat reported he used a Taser in the parking lot of the Yuba City Walmart store to subdue an alleged carjacker.
DC police stage mass drug arrests seizing money, drugs, weapons www.priuvateofficer.com
July 16 2010 Armed with 46 arrest warrants, more than 200 police and drug enforcement officers rounded up hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of narcotics in a citywide drug bust Thursday.
Law enforcement officers also issued 21 search warrants, seized seven guns and confiscated more than $200,000 worth of narcotics, which included cocaine, PCP, marijuana and Oxycotin, said officials from the D.C. police and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration at a news conference at the Kennedy Recreation Center in Northwest Washington.
The operation targeted Trinidad and the area around Rosedale Street in Northeast and Seventh and O streets in Northwest, said D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier.
At least two of the arrests made Thursday are connected to recent shootings, Lanier said, adding that “significant progress” has been made in many of the investigations related to the bust.
“The arrests and the people we targeted are involved in drug distribution and much of the violence that surrounds that drug distribution,” she said.
The bust, which involved about 240 officers, began about 5 a.m. Thursday and was expected to continue throughout the day.
Police recruit charged with DUI, stolen gun www.privateofficer.com
Eric Reese of Montville Drive in Westwood was arrested at the Fay Apartments at 2:12 a.m. His arrest report states that he was believed to be a threat.
Reese’s attorney told Judge Melissa Powers that his client was all set to go to the police academy in three weeks.
“Well, hopefully you can wrap this all up before then,” Powers told Reece.
Reece was let out of jail without having to post bond.
