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4 Dead when boat capsized in Louisiana Gulf waters www.privateofficer.com
Einck said 33-year-old Heath Dowsey of Alabama was the only survivor. Einck said three of those who died were from Alabama: Randy Dowsey, the survivor’s father; Wayne Dowsey, the survivor’s uncle; and a woman, Kerri Burns. Einck said officials had earlier misidentified Wayne Dowsey as the father and Randy Dowsey as the uncle.
Einck said Kenny Mock of Metairie, La., also died. The Coast Guard had initially said his last name was Mac, but Einck said the man’s name appeared as “Mock” on his driver’s license.
Authorities say that they are still investigating.
TN. police force using Toyota Priuses for patrols www.privateofficer.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. Feb 14 2011– The White Bluff Police Department has purchased four Toyota Priuses for its officers.
“They work very well,” said Assistant Chief Michael Holman. “They have the energy and power we need to stop speeders and respond to emergency calls.”
The Prius can travel up to 50 miles on a single gallon of gas. The fuel efficiency is expected to save White Bluff taxpayers about $50,000 over the next five years.
“What we’re saving in fuel is paying for the vehicles, and getting them on the road,” Holman said.
He also said the interior room is similar to the Ford Crown Victoria that his officers are used to, “We had some skeptics in our department, but after they drove theirs they were impressed.”
“I think you’ll see more agencies look at alternatives,” he said. “I’ve been to several meetings where I’ve seen other departments using hybrid vehicles.”
The New York Police Department is among those turning to hybrid cars.
Sammy’s bouncer charged with assault-battery www.privateofficer.com
The victim told deputies he was hit repeatedly while detained by bouncers at Sammy’s, according to the report.
There was a brief altercation between the victim and the bouncer, according to the report. After the victim was detained by bouncers, the bouncer continued to strike the victim.
Video surveillance evidence supported the victim’s claims, according to the report.
Police departments reach out to hire laid off Newark officers www.privateofficer.com
NEWARK NJ Feb 14 2011 — Anneesah Jones didn’t always want to be a cop, but once she got a taste of it she was hooked.
A graduate of Seton Hall and a former teacher, the Newark native joined the city’s police department in 2008 and thought she’d have a long and satisfying career.
Instead, Jones was among 163 police officers laid off in November. Today she hoped to get a second chance at police work, even if it means moving halfway across the country.
“It’s a good move if there’s nothing here,” Jones said after finishing a written exam for employment with the Atlanta Police Department.
Since December, the union that represents Newark’s rank and file has been hosting recruitment sessions for city police departments as far west as Colorado and as far south as Georgia. With municipalities outside of Newark expanding their police budgets, the trained officers are getting some attention.
“It’s always best when you can get a cop who’s trained in police work,” said Sgt. Shad Hutchins of the Atlanta police. Hutchins led a recruitment team today that administered tests to more than a dozen laid off Newark officers at the Fraternal Order of Police lodge on Rector Street. “We really want to help because there’s a brotherhood of police.”
Mayor Cory Booker has said cities around the country are trimming police budgets, but Hutchins said that’s not the case in Atlanta.
“With the growth of the City of Atlanta, we need to protect the public,” he said, adding Mayor Kasim Reed wants to add 750 officers over his four-year term, which began in last year.
“We’re looking to attract 300 new officers” this year, Hutchins said. Atlanta has about 1,800 officers for a population of roughly 550,000.
The Georgia city is not the only one looking to pick up laid off officers. According to union vice president James Stewart, departments from Raleigh, N.C., Nashville, Tenn., Aurora, Colo., and Alexandria, Va., have recruited or plan to recruit Newark police. Other New Jersey towns, like Union and Bloomfield, also are picking up Newark officers.
“We all live in the same country, but we can’t help guys here — and other departments are chomping at the bit,” said Stewart, who has spearheaded the recruitment effort. “This is just a way to give our guys jobs.”
Most of the officers laid off are in their early to mid-20s. In Atlanta, successful recruits will be earning roughly the same salaries they had in Newark while enjoying a significantly lower cost of living, Hutchins said.
For Jones, the move is worth it if she can be a cop again.
“I’ll definitely miss it” she said of Newark. “But one door closes and another one opens.”
Source:NJ.com
Georgia father now charged with stabbing his children to death www.privateofficer.com
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA Feb 14 2011– Gwinnett County Police have arrested the father who claimed that another man stabbed and killed two of his sons on Wednesday night inside their Lawrenceville home.
Elvis Garcia-Nelasko was booked into the Gwinnett County jail on Saturday morning and charged with two counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault.
At the same time, police dropped murder charges against Antonio Cardenas-Rico, the 28-year-old boyfriend of the children’s mother.
Garcia initially told police that he was also wounded in the violent attack that left two of his sons dead and another son critically wounded.
One-year-old Edward Garcia and 3-year-old Bradley Garcia were killed. Bradley’s twin brother was flown to a children’s hospital in Atlanta in critical condition. Garcia was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center in serious condition.
Earlier this week, police charged Cardenas-Rico with the murders at 1110 Bridle Path Drive. Even though the murder chargers against Cardenas-Rico have been dropped, he remains in jail on drug and immigration charges.
Neighbors told 11Alive News the children’s father ran across the street to a neighbor’s house to call 911 at around 6:30 p.m.
Police said he told 911 there were two children dead in his home. When police arrived, they found all three kids in the basement. Their mother and sister were not home during the attack and were not hurt.
Investigators said Rico, the first man arrested, reportedly threatened to kill the children’s father just eight days earlier.
On Feb. 2, Garcia told Gwinnett County police that he got a phone call from a man investigators now identify as Antonio Cardenas-Rico.
According to police reports, Garcia talked to police twice that day, in fear for his life. Over the phone, “Mr. Garcia stated that the suspect said ‘I will kill you’,” according to the police report narrative.
The Feb. 2 report goes on: “Mr. Garcia stated the suspect is upset because Mr. Garcia and ex-girlfriend are feuding over the children.”
Garcia’s attorney, Christopher Taylor, issued a statement on Friday: “Our hearts are forever broken, and we are left without words to describe the horrible tragedy that has entered our lives. We loved Bradley and Edward with all our hearts and we are trying our best to cope with this situation. We still cannot understand or explain this tragedy. Our prayers are with Joshua, who is fighting for his life, and we ask everyone to remember him in your prayers. His life is in God’s hands now and we trust in God’s will.”
Source:NEWS11
Security officer injured trying to rescue fire victims www.privateofficer.com
Chicago IL February 14 2011 — Two women were injured in a fire at a Chicago Housing Authority high-rise Saturday according to authorities.
A fire was reported at the Lincoln Perry apartment building on the third floor of the nine-story highrise .
According to the fire department, one of the victims is a 52 year-old resident who suffered smoke inhalation while the other victim is a 24 year-old security guard at the building who tried to rescue the tenants.
Neither of their injuries appeared to be life threatening.
The fire was contained to a single apartment. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The names of the fire victims have not been released.
