You may have heard about the British woman who was shot and killed by police recently. She was waving a "toy" gun around ...
Story:
They're so realistic, the U.S. military uses them for simulation training, but they're all the rage during adolescent play.
Toy guns that are marketed to "make you feel like you're 'packing' the real thing," airsoft guns are also fast becoming a problem - actually mistaken for the real thing - and have many fearing big problems could follow these small-pellet shooting guns.
Airsoft guns are BB-style toy guns that use plastic pellets actually much larger - so less likely to break skin upon impact - than regular BBs. They're sold, over the Internet and in retail stores in some states, in many models, including pistols and rifles, that look just like the real thing.
An alarming concern is when the toy guns are mistaken for the real thing in dangerous situations.
Last month, a Framingham teenager fleeing police tossed an airsoft gun on the ground during chase, and police thought it was an actual weapon. No one was injured. Earlier this month, police nearly shot a teenage boy in California when they found him and two others playing with the toy guns on an elementary school playground, according to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
Source
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
A typical robbery
An arch typical robbery really ...
On your way home after a night out; a secluded area (a short-cut); two perpetrators; a weapon; being asked a question by the goons; trying to escape/fight back.
And: Do you think you would be able to see the knife? The answer would most probably be no, I'm afraid.
Story:
A 22-year-old man was walking home from a pub in Lea just after midnight on Tuesday when he was approached by two men.
As he cut through a ginnel (walkway) between two streets, the men asked him for "a light" and then for his mobile phone. When the man told them he did not have either, one of the men started feeling his pockets.
The victim pushed him away but was then punched in the stomach by one of the men. The two men ran away and the victim decided to chase them - but then realised his stomach was wet.
When he looked down there was a cut to his stomach which hospital staff said could have been made by a craft knife, police said.
The man was taken to the a hospital but his wounds were not considered serious and he was released at 3 a.m.
Source
On your way home after a night out; a secluded area (a short-cut); two perpetrators; a weapon; being asked a question by the goons; trying to escape/fight back.
And: Do you think you would be able to see the knife? The answer would most probably be no, I'm afraid.
Story:
A 22-year-old man was walking home from a pub in Lea just after midnight on Tuesday when he was approached by two men.
As he cut through a ginnel (walkway) between two streets, the men asked him for "a light" and then for his mobile phone. When the man told them he did not have either, one of the men started feeling his pockets.
The victim pushed him away but was then punched in the stomach by one of the men. The two men ran away and the victim decided to chase them - but then realised his stomach was wet.
When he looked down there was a cut to his stomach which hospital staff said could have been made by a craft knife, police said.
The man was taken to the a hospital but his wounds were not considered serious and he was released at 3 a.m.
Source
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Murder charge
Seems to me this is a reasonable law paragraph.
I'd also like to pay my respect to this woman for fighting back.
Story:
Police say a 30-year-old Cleveland man has been charged with murder in the death of his friend, 25, who was killed while the pair participated in a break-in.
The two men reportedly broke into a woman's house early Wednesday and assaulted her. The 20-year-old woman told police that the intruder punched her repeatedly and that she fought back by stabbing him with a kitchen knife. She said that the older man stood in the doorway of the kitchen and prevented another female resident from helping her fight off the intruder.
The 30-year-old then drove the stabbed man to a hospital, where he later died. The doctors were told that the man had injured himself while breaking through a door, the report said. Doctors believed the wounds were from a stabbing and contacted police.
Even if the defendant didn't directly cause the death, Ohio law allows prosecutors to file a murder charge against an accomplice to a crime in which someone dies.
Source
I'd also like to pay my respect to this woman for fighting back.
Story:
Police say a 30-year-old Cleveland man has been charged with murder in the death of his friend, 25, who was killed while the pair participated in a break-in.
The two men reportedly broke into a woman's house early Wednesday and assaulted her. The 20-year-old woman told police that the intruder punched her repeatedly and that she fought back by stabbing him with a kitchen knife. She said that the older man stood in the doorway of the kitchen and prevented another female resident from helping her fight off the intruder.
The 30-year-old then drove the stabbed man to a hospital, where he later died. The doctors were told that the man had injured himself while breaking through a door, the report said. Doctors believed the wounds were from a stabbing and contacted police.
Even if the defendant didn't directly cause the death, Ohio law allows prosecutors to file a murder charge against an accomplice to a crime in which someone dies.
Source
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
"A controlled, mature way"
A controlled, mature way ...?
I do have to ask what an out-of-control, immature way would be. On second thoughts, maybe I wouldn't want to know.
Middle-class paranoia anyone? I mean, here's a woman who will not let her daughter, 18 (!) years old, walk to school - less than a minute away. And based on what, a few unfortunate incidents?
Story:
After a series of reported sexual assaults and an abduction attempt on high school students last month, life in this quiet South Pasadena community is getting back to normal - with modifications.
"Just because we are an affluent, middle-class neighborhood, we're still surrounded by all sorts of things," said Karen Gilbert, who said the community has been responding to the threats "in a controlled, mature way."
Gilbert no longer lets her 18-year-old daughter walk to school, which she said is less than a minute away from their home.
Source
I do have to ask what an out-of-control, immature way would be. On second thoughts, maybe I wouldn't want to know.
Middle-class paranoia anyone? I mean, here's a woman who will not let her daughter, 18 (!) years old, walk to school - less than a minute away. And based on what, a few unfortunate incidents?
Story:
After a series of reported sexual assaults and an abduction attempt on high school students last month, life in this quiet South Pasadena community is getting back to normal - with modifications.
"Just because we are an affluent, middle-class neighborhood, we're still surrounded by all sorts of things," said Karen Gilbert, who said the community has been responding to the threats "in a controlled, mature way."
Gilbert no longer lets her 18-year-old daughter walk to school, which she said is less than a minute away from their home.
Source
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Gotta have music
"I can't work out without music."
Some people are never gonna learn until it hits home. Even then, many can't see that they could have done things differently ...
Story:
Wisconsin -- She didn't hear her attacker running up behind her. The 18-year-old woman was listening to her iPod as she rollerbladed along the Janesville bike trail the afternoon of May 24.
She didn't pay much attention to the man she saw sitting on a bench, smoking a cigarette. But a few moments later, he blindsided her with a blow to the head.
Knocked to the ground, she kicked and waved her arms at the assailant. He fled, and she skated home to report the assault.
Another teenager, Rachel, rollerblades the trail every morning. She's not apprehensive because she uses the path in daylight, usually with a friend.
The teenager said she can't carry a cell phone because her skating outfit has no pockets. She also listens to music while skating.
When it was pointed out that the woman attacked was skating alone in daylight without a phone and listening to music, she replied: "I can't work out without music. Where else am I going to work out? I don't enjoy the road."
Source
Some people are never gonna learn until it hits home. Even then, many can't see that they could have done things differently ...
Story:
Wisconsin -- She didn't hear her attacker running up behind her. The 18-year-old woman was listening to her iPod as she rollerbladed along the Janesville bike trail the afternoon of May 24.
She didn't pay much attention to the man she saw sitting on a bench, smoking a cigarette. But a few moments later, he blindsided her with a blow to the head.
Knocked to the ground, she kicked and waved her arms at the assailant. He fled, and she skated home to report the assault.
Another teenager, Rachel, rollerblades the trail every morning. She's not apprehensive because she uses the path in daylight, usually with a friend.
The teenager said she can't carry a cell phone because her skating outfit has no pockets. She also listens to music while skating.
When it was pointed out that the woman attacked was skating alone in daylight without a phone and listening to music, she replied: "I can't work out without music. Where else am I going to work out? I don't enjoy the road."
Source
Saturday, June 16, 2007
A bargain
Negotiating with a robber? Sure, why not - as long as you're able to assess the dangers involved, it is absolutely possible at times.
It is of course far better to let a robber have your money without any resistance what so ever. After all, you still have the most important stuff - your life; plus your keys, vital papers, drivers licence, and bank cards.
Story:
Brooklyn, New York -- Two women were attacked at gunpoint in separate subway station incidents just days - and blocks - apart, police said.
One victim managed to bargain her assailant down, and the other held onto her belongings, but suffered a terrible beating.
On May 27, a thug with a silver semi-automatic gun robbed a woman leaving a G-train station at 11 p.m. She stepped off a Queens-bound train and was headed up the stairs, out of the station, when she was attacked.
The man in front of her suddenly wheeled around and pointed the shiny 9mm gun in her face. "Give me your purse," the man said. But the woman stalled, asking, "Can I just give you my wallet?"
When he agreed, she actually pulled out cash from her billfold and handed over the greenbacks - a total of $165.
"Now walk down the stairs," the robber instructed. She complied, turning and heading back down into the station.
Source
It is of course far better to let a robber have your money without any resistance what so ever. After all, you still have the most important stuff - your life; plus your keys, vital papers, drivers licence, and bank cards.
Story:
Brooklyn, New York -- Two women were attacked at gunpoint in separate subway station incidents just days - and blocks - apart, police said.
One victim managed to bargain her assailant down, and the other held onto her belongings, but suffered a terrible beating.
On May 27, a thug with a silver semi-automatic gun robbed a woman leaving a G-train station at 11 p.m. She stepped off a Queens-bound train and was headed up the stairs, out of the station, when she was attacked.
The man in front of her suddenly wheeled around and pointed the shiny 9mm gun in her face. "Give me your purse," the man said. But the woman stalled, asking, "Can I just give you my wallet?"
When he agreed, she actually pulled out cash from her billfold and handed over the greenbacks - a total of $165.
"Now walk down the stairs," the robber instructed. She complied, turning and heading back down into the station.
Source
Friday, June 15, 2007
'Car-go'
... Or car-do ("the way of the car") :-)
Anyhow - a car is a great and versatile self-defense tool!
Story:
UK -- A shopper has told the Old Bailey how she used her car to scare off a man who attacked a 39-year-old housewife. The man is accused of committing the attack four days before allegedly knifing a teenager in Orpington.
On September 26, the woman noticed a man following the victim in a car park. The woman told the jury she had first seen the man loitering by a car park ticket machine near a shopping center.
When she reached her car on the floor below, she noticed the man was following the other shopper. She then heard screams. The court heard the victim had been knocked to the ground and the attacker was on top of her.
The woman then started sounding the horn of her car and shouting at the man. She told the jury the attacker then stood up and looked at her before slowly walking away. She said: "He stopped doing what he was doing and began to walk away. Initially it was quite slow, which I found quite strange considering what he had just done. He seemed quite cool and calm."
Jurors have already been told the suspect is a loner obsessed with Internet porn, including sites which celebrate rape and other forms of sexual violence. The prosecutor told the court the hospital worker spent hours downloading sick stories and pictures from the Internet.
Source
Anyhow - a car is a great and versatile self-defense tool!
Story:
UK -- A shopper has told the Old Bailey how she used her car to scare off a man who attacked a 39-year-old housewife. The man is accused of committing the attack four days before allegedly knifing a teenager in Orpington.
On September 26, the woman noticed a man following the victim in a car park. The woman told the jury she had first seen the man loitering by a car park ticket machine near a shopping center.
When she reached her car on the floor below, she noticed the man was following the other shopper. She then heard screams. The court heard the victim had been knocked to the ground and the attacker was on top of her.
The woman then started sounding the horn of her car and shouting at the man. She told the jury the attacker then stood up and looked at her before slowly walking away. She said: "He stopped doing what he was doing and began to walk away. Initially it was quite slow, which I found quite strange considering what he had just done. He seemed quite cool and calm."
Jurors have already been told the suspect is a loner obsessed with Internet porn, including sites which celebrate rape and other forms of sexual violence. The prosecutor told the court the hospital worker spent hours downloading sick stories and pictures from the Internet.
Source
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Offenders are getting younger
California -- Courts have seen the number of sex offense cases involving juvenile offenders rise dramatically in recent years, an Associated Press review of national statistics found, and treatment professionals say the offenders are getting younger and the crimes more violent.
Some psychologists blame the increase - 40 percent over two decades - on a society saturated with sex and violence and the fact that many of the accused were themselves victims of adult sexual predators. Others say there aren't more children committing such crimes, there is simply more awareness, better reporting and a general hysteria about sex offenders.
The number of children under 18 accused of forcible rape, violent and nonviolent sex offenses has steadily risen, from 24,100 children in 1985 to 33,800 in 2004, the AP's analysis found. Violent offenses include attempted rape and sexual assault, while nonviolent offenses including fondling, statutory rape and prostitution.
Source
Some psychologists blame the increase - 40 percent over two decades - on a society saturated with sex and violence and the fact that many of the accused were themselves victims of adult sexual predators. Others say there aren't more children committing such crimes, there is simply more awareness, better reporting and a general hysteria about sex offenders.
The number of children under 18 accused of forcible rape, violent and nonviolent sex offenses has steadily risen, from 24,100 children in 1985 to 33,800 in 2004, the AP's analysis found. Violent offenses include attempted rape and sexual assault, while nonviolent offenses including fondling, statutory rape and prostitution.
Source
Monday, June 11, 2007
Full moon fever
Maybe there is something to it after all?
And perhaps we should all be alert when a full moon falls on a payday?
Story:
UK -- Police in Brighton are to put on extra patrols on nights when there is a full moon to combat an increase in violence.
It follows research by the Sussex force which concluded there was a rise in violent incidents when the moon was full - and also on paydays.
A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "Research carried out by us has shown a correlation between violent incidents and full moons. From my experience, over 19 years of being a police officer, undoubtedly on full moons, we do seem to get people with, sort of, stranger behaviour - more fractious, argumentative."
Past research into the phenomenon includes a study by Professor Michal Zimecki, of the Polish Academy of Sciences, who argued that a full moon could affect criminal activity and health.
In 1998, a three-month psychological study of 1,200 inmates at Armley jail in Leeds discovered a rise in violent incidents during the days either side of a full moon.
Source
And perhaps we should all be alert when a full moon falls on a payday?
Story:
UK -- Police in Brighton are to put on extra patrols on nights when there is a full moon to combat an increase in violence.
It follows research by the Sussex force which concluded there was a rise in violent incidents when the moon was full - and also on paydays.
A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "Research carried out by us has shown a correlation between violent incidents and full moons. From my experience, over 19 years of being a police officer, undoubtedly on full moons, we do seem to get people with, sort of, stranger behaviour - more fractious, argumentative."
Past research into the phenomenon includes a study by Professor Michal Zimecki, of the Polish Academy of Sciences, who argued that a full moon could affect criminal activity and health.
In 1998, a three-month psychological study of 1,200 inmates at Armley jail in Leeds discovered a rise in violent incidents during the days either side of a full moon.
Source
Sunday, June 10, 2007
A different beat
Yep, more music stuff :-)
This may seem like a strange thing - using slower "old and boring" music to get rid of unwanted individuals. However, it is nothing new - and it works!
Any good bouncer/doorman, bartender, DJ or band will tell you how the music may directly affect the mood.
In places I have worked, music has been used as a way to end fights, alert the bouncers, turn away unwanted individuals and reduce the level of "aggression". So yes - the Cliff thing is still good :-)
Story:
UK -- A traditional funfair has discovered a novel way of scaring off gangs of hoodies - by playing Cliff Richard records.
The travelling steam fair was plagued by gangs of yobs who used to intimidate customers, until they accidentally discovered the hoodie repelling properties of Sir Cliff.
Now the fair uses the records the keep gangs of teenagers at bay, and have also discovered that the music actually attracts a new breed of customers - even if they are mainly old ladies.
A representative said: "We cater mainly for families, but we had a lot of young teenage gangs of hoodies around looking intimidating and putting all the families off, and they never spent any money either. They just scared good customers away."
"We usually play a lot of original 50s rock and roll, but the other day I accidentally put on a Cliff Richard B side called Travelling Light. All the hoodies pulled horrible faces and walked off."
"The next time, we tried it again, and it worked, so we bought a few more. The slow ones like Living Doll and The Young Ones are the most effective. Summer Holiday worked as well, but we try to stick to ones from the 50s to keep the feel of the fair authentic."
"We don't play them all the time because it wouldn't be fair on the staff - it's only when we feel the hoodies are starting to outnumber the families. We play some of the older records, and that gets rid of them."
Source
This may seem like a strange thing - using slower "old and boring" music to get rid of unwanted individuals. However, it is nothing new - and it works!
Any good bouncer/doorman, bartender, DJ or band will tell you how the music may directly affect the mood.
In places I have worked, music has been used as a way to end fights, alert the bouncers, turn away unwanted individuals and reduce the level of "aggression". So yes - the Cliff thing is still good :-)
Story:
UK -- A traditional funfair has discovered a novel way of scaring off gangs of hoodies - by playing Cliff Richard records.
The travelling steam fair was plagued by gangs of yobs who used to intimidate customers, until they accidentally discovered the hoodie repelling properties of Sir Cliff.
Now the fair uses the records the keep gangs of teenagers at bay, and have also discovered that the music actually attracts a new breed of customers - even if they are mainly old ladies.
A representative said: "We cater mainly for families, but we had a lot of young teenage gangs of hoodies around looking intimidating and putting all the families off, and they never spent any money either. They just scared good customers away."
"We usually play a lot of original 50s rock and roll, but the other day I accidentally put on a Cliff Richard B side called Travelling Light. All the hoodies pulled horrible faces and walked off."
"The next time, we tried it again, and it worked, so we bought a few more. The slow ones like Living Doll and The Young Ones are the most effective. Summer Holiday worked as well, but we try to stick to ones from the 50s to keep the feel of the fair authentic."
"We don't play them all the time because it wouldn't be fair on the staff - it's only when we feel the hoodies are starting to outnumber the families. We play some of the older records, and that gets rid of them."
Source
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Love - karaoke style
Hah! These karaoke torture chambers is definitely doing some strange things to our brains - bad voodoo :-)
Story:
A man tried to administer chloroform his girlfriend in front of a roomful of people, in order to take her home and talk her out of a break-up.
The 25-year-old man went to a karaoke parlor on November 12, with his 20-year-old girlfriend and two relatives' children. When his girlfriend was singing, he suddenly placed a chloroform towel on her nose and tried to intoxicate her.
She fought him off and alerted police. The man later explained that his girlfriend wanted to break up. He intended to take her home and have a good talk with her: "because he loves her too much".
Source
Story:
A man tried to administer chloroform his girlfriend in front of a roomful of people, in order to take her home and talk her out of a break-up.
The 25-year-old man went to a karaoke parlor on November 12, with his 20-year-old girlfriend and two relatives' children. When his girlfriend was singing, he suddenly placed a chloroform towel on her nose and tried to intoxicate her.
She fought him off and alerted police. The man later explained that his girlfriend wanted to break up. He intended to take her home and have a good talk with her: "because he loves her too much".
Source
Friday, June 08, 2007
Bad karaoke
As far as music goes, karaoke is probably the worst thing known to man. The only thing that comes close on the "shit-O-meter" is elevator and telephone on-hold music. Oh, boy!
Fair enough - I have heard karaoke singers that actually can sing. But the rest ... Mama mia!
Consequently, I can kind of understand the security dude her, even though killing the "artist" is taking your statement too far by any ones standard.
And just contemplate this line: "Deaths and violence are not uncommon in Philippine karaoke bars." Ouch! Must be lots of really bad singers over there. Or maybe some really aggressive music criticisers?
Story:
In a Philippine karaoke bar, a man has been shot dead by a security guard for singing out of tune.
The 29-year-old man was halfway through his song on Tuesday night in a bar in San Mateo town, east of Manila, when a 43-year-old security guard yelled that he was out of tune.
When the performer ignored his comments and continued singing, the guard pulled out his revolver and shot him in the chest. The victim died instantly according to police.
Source
Fair enough - I have heard karaoke singers that actually can sing. But the rest ... Mama mia!
Consequently, I can kind of understand the security dude her, even though killing the "artist" is taking your statement too far by any ones standard.
And just contemplate this line: "Deaths and violence are not uncommon in Philippine karaoke bars." Ouch! Must be lots of really bad singers over there. Or maybe some really aggressive music criticisers?
Story:
In a Philippine karaoke bar, a man has been shot dead by a security guard for singing out of tune.
The 29-year-old man was halfway through his song on Tuesday night in a bar in San Mateo town, east of Manila, when a 43-year-old security guard yelled that he was out of tune.
When the performer ignored his comments and continued singing, the guard pulled out his revolver and shot him in the chest. The victim died instantly according to police.
Source
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Knife rampage
Just in case you ever wondered just how dangerous weapon a knife can be ...
Story:
A man armed with 50cm knife killed nine people, including six children, and wounded 17 others in a drunken rampage in a central Philippine province on Saturday morning, police said.
Source
Story:
A man armed with 50cm knife killed nine people, including six children, and wounded 17 others in a drunken rampage in a central Philippine province on Saturday morning, police said.
Source
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Flower power
An armed robber proved no match for a 71-year-old woman's water hose Tuesday afternoon. The Wilmington woman scared off a would-be robber by spraying him with a water hose and screaming for help in the backyard of her Forest Hills home.
Police said the woman was unloading flowers from her van in front of her home when she noticed a man walking near her yard bend down and get something out of his shoe.
The woman took her flowers to her backyard and began watering them and when she looked up she saw a man in her backyard pointing a gun at her. After seeing the gun, she turned the hose on the man and began to scream, police said. The man ran away.
Source
Police said the woman was unloading flowers from her van in front of her home when she noticed a man walking near her yard bend down and get something out of his shoe.
The woman took her flowers to her backyard and began watering them and when she looked up she saw a man in her backyard pointing a gun at her. After seeing the gun, she turned the hose on the man and began to scream, police said. The man ran away.
Source
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Robbery folded
And here's how it unfolded...
In April, two men walked into a postal annex in Portland, Oregon. One of the men was wielding a folding pocket knife, and announced a robbery.
Seconds later, the employees began laughing ... the man with the knife couldn't get the blade out with his thumbnail, so the pair fled.
In April, two men walked into a postal annex in Portland, Oregon. One of the men was wielding a folding pocket knife, and announced a robbery.
Seconds later, the employees began laughing ... the man with the knife couldn't get the blade out with his thumbnail, so the pair fled.
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