http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/crime/ en-us Sun, 3 Jan 2010 22:48:44 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420233/posts Even as Saginaw lost more than 10 percent of it citizens — more than 7,000 moved away since 2000 — violent crime continues to climb, up more than 50 percent in 2008 compared with 2000, FBI statistics show. The annual violent crime statistics stretching back to 2000 expose the troubles. Occurrences of murder, non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault comprise the categories the FBI uses to gauge a city’s proclivity to violence. MLive http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420233/posts#comment Sun, 3 Jan 2010 22:48:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420231/posts In October, after a Chicago youth was brutally murdered, Rev. Jesse Jackson penned an opinion piece in the Chicago Sun Times in which he called for federal "civil rights intervention" in the Windy City. The beating death of 16-year-old Derrion Albert and other youth violence, Jackson declared, was a result of "systematic injustice" in Chicago's poorer neighborhoods attributable at least in part, according to Jackson, to everything from predatory lending schemes aimed at poor residents to the fact that not enough federal stimulus money was earmarked for minority businesses. Jackson's op-ed was an extreme example of a sort of thinking... Real Clear Markets http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420231/posts#comment Sun, 3 Jan 2010 22:43:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2420133/posts EDITOR'S NOTE: Below is Part One of Carrie Fatigante’s six-part series about the still-unsolved mystery surrounding the death of Jarret Austin Clark, a young Oklahoma man, only days after his high school graduation. Bob McCarty Writes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2420133/posts#comment Sun, 3 Jan 2010 19:48:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420053/posts Video report. euronews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420053/posts#comment Sun, 3 Jan 2010 17:34:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419993/posts The city's bodegas and barbershops are secretly selling kids as young as 14 an illegal and potent mix of fruit punch and alcohol, a Daily News investigation found. "Nutcrackers," and a frozen version called the "Nemo," sell for $5 or $10 a cup - an easy buzz for teens who like the sweet taste and the cheap price. "They are poppin'. They get you sauced," said Shaquel, a 15-year-old who declined to give his last name. A News reporter was able to buy the blend of punch and vodka, white rum or tequila at five shops in upper Manhattan and... New York Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419993/posts#comment Sun, 3 Jan 2010 15:37:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419895/posts I can't help but wonder how drug-war proponents explain the violence in Mexico that has killed some 6,000 people in the last year and 16,000 after Mexican President Calderon, with the full encouragement of U.S. officials, deployed 50,000 Mexican troops and federal police three years ago to wage war against the drug dealers. Taking a cue from the war on terrorism, I think some drug-war proponents might argue the following: "The violence in Mexico, including the killing of scores of federal police officers, has nothing to do with the illegality of drugs. It's all because the drug trade attracts a... Campaign for Liberty http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419895/posts#comment Sun, 3 Jan 2010 11:32:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419604/posts John Hempton of Bronte Capital has an eye that quickly spots financial chicanery. He has been regularly reporting on the Joe Biden brother and son activities at 650 Fifth Ave in NYC. The Sydney Morning Herald has a nice story on how he busted open the hedge fund Trio, as a scam. Economic Policy Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419604/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 18:34:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419591/posts President Obama has been named to a "Top 10" list he'd likely be grateful to avoid: Judicial Watch's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians," for 2009. "The Obama White House believes," said the report from the organization that monitors government for corruption, and sues when it chooses, "it can violate the privacy rights of American citizens without any legal consequences or accountability." The report released yesterday said Obama joined the likes of Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.; Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner; Attorney General Eric Holder; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa.; and Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., on the list. "Even... World Net Daily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419591/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 18:13:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2419330/posts In Mexico the narco insurgents scored a record number of kills in 2009 as reported by Mario Gonzalez and Dave Alsup for CNN: Mexico ended 2009 with a record number of drug-related deaths, greatly surpassing the then-record tally reached in 2008, unofficial counts indicate. The government has not released official figures, but national media say 7,600 Mexicans lost their lives in the war on drugs in 2009. Mexican President Felipe Calderon said earlier this year that 6,500 Mexicans died in drug violence in 2008. * * * Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas, leads all other Mexican... Friends of Ours http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2419330/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 04:09:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419131/posts The number of murders in unincorporated Orange County and Orlando plummeted by roughly 38 percent last year — a striking change after more than three record-breaking years of deadly violence. The Orange County Sheriff's Office investigated 44 slayings last year, down 40 percent from 2008 Florida Department of Law Enforcement figures. Murders in Orlando slid by about 35 percent. Experts, locals and police credit crime-fighting strategies and federal initiatives launched during the past few years to combat the mid-decade surge in crime. "I think it has to do with law enforcement doing a good job," said Professor Jay Corzine, a... Orlando Sentinel http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419131/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 20:48:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2418849/posts EVERETT, Wash. -- How's this for a date from hell? A woman seduces you, leaves you naked and takes off with your valuables, including your car. Police say that's just what Ashley Dawson did to an unsuspecting man. The alleged victim, Andrew Scarbrough, says it appears he went looking for love in all the wrong places, including the Internet. He hoped he'd found love when he met a woman on MySpace. The two met in person, and they went back to his place. He says they began to get intimate, and shedding their clothes. That's when things went wrong in... 2news.tv http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2418849/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 07:22:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418583/posts They advanced to the Church of Scientology's highest spiritual level, to "Operating Thetan VIII," a vaunted realm said to endow extraordinary powers of perception and force of will.(edit)Isene left first, a decision that emboldened Leavitt, who inspired Katz. Such departures are rare among the church's elite group of OT VIIIs, who are held up as role models in Scientology. The three each told the St. Petersburg Times that they had spent decades and hundreds of thousands of dollars to reach the church's spiritual pinnacle. (edit)The three OT VIIIs said they want reform of leadership. They pointed to the revelations... The Saint Petersburg Times (Florida) / Tampa Bay.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418583/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:31:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2418496/posts Britain: ten years after declaring virtually all types of firearms illegals and disarming its law abiding subjects, the socialist government of the UK is facing reality: Culture of violence: Gun crime goes up by 89% in a decade Transsylvania Phoenix http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2418496/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:27:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2417246/posts Charlie Sheen's wife told police the actor pinned her on a bed, put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her in a Christmas Day fight in Aspen that began when she said she wanted a divorce.Charlie Sheen told police he "became very upset with this threat (of divorce) because of prior experiences." He went through a bitter divorce and custody battle with his previous wife, actress Denise Richards.Police say Charlie Sheen surrendered a folding knife with a 4-inch blade. Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2417246/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:14:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416902/posts Pastors, police plead for tip on NLR killing Salvation Army slaying reward at $10,000 JACOB QUINN SANDERS ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Pastors, police and politicians begged and pleaded Monday for information about the unsolved Christmas Eve killing of a Salvation Army major in North Little Rock’s Baring Cross neighborhood. “I’m asking the community to start snitching,” said the Rev. Benny Johnson, founder of the Little Rock-based group Stop the Violence, during an afternoon news conference at the Salvation Army Corps and Community Center at 1505 W. 18th St. where Philip Wise was shot just after 4 p.m. on Dec. 24. The longer... Arkansas Democrat Gazette (subscription may be required) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416902/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:11:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2416722/posts A 55-year-old St. Paul man remains jailed after his 18th arrest on drunken driving charges. The State Patrol says he crashed his car on Highway 61 and Interstate 494 in Newport around 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Capt. Matt Langer says the man's blood alcohol concentration was about 0.16 percent, double the legal limit of 0.08 percent. The man's car was seized and he was taken to the Washington County Jail. He was denied bail and is due in court Monday. Langer says the driver has 17 previous DWI convictions. The last one was nine years ago. KSTP-TV (ABC Affiliate in Minneapolis/St Paul) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2416722/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:25:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416492/posts The LAPD is struggling to fill vacancies in gang units as a financial disclosure rule meant to fight corruption has been received by many rank-and-file cops as an insult -- and a deal-breaker when it comes to working the tough gangland assignments. After years of contentious battles with police union representatives over the issue, Los Angeles Police Department officials pushed through a policy in April that requires gang officers to disclose details of their personal finances. Intended to help supervisors catch cops who are taking bribes or to identify officers in financial straits who might be tempted to stray, the... Los Angeles Times / latimes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416492/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:30:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416447/posts A straphanger recorded a brutal fistfight on the 6 train that left a woman bleeding profusely from the face. It's unclear exactly when or why the fight broke out, but the nasty spat — which goes on for about 3 minutes and spills out of the train car and into a station — was apparently uploaded and removed from YouTube on Dec 25 before being posted on the Daily Motion website on Dec. 26. (Update: It's now been removed from Daily Motion, but someone uploaded it to YouTube again, where it will probably stay for another few hours.) The graphic... Gothamist http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416447/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:36:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416330/posts ‘Work is not done,’ widow says Wife of Salvation Army pastor speaks of prayer for his killer EVIN DEMIREL ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Leading a Sunday service in the building where her husband was shot and killed in a Christmas Eve robbery attempt, Salvation Army Major Cindy Wise said her mission to minister to the people in North Little Rock’s Baring Cross neighborhood has not changed. “I believe I have peace today because I know the work is not done here yet,” Wise told nearly 50 people on Sunday. Standing before the congregation in her navy blue uniform, she said she will... www.ardemgaz.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416330/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:44:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414852/posts Salvation Army major shot dead in front of 3 children By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette A Salvation Army major was fatally shot in front of his three children Thursday afternoon as he walked into the the organization's community center in North Little Rock, authorities said. Around 4 p.m., two black men dressed in black approached Philip Wise, 40, of Maumelle outside the community center at 1505 W. 18th St., Pulaski County Coroner Garland Camper said. Wise’ children — ages 4, 6, and 8 — were walking with him when the men came up to them, police said. His wife, Cindy, also... Arkansas Democrat Gazette (subscription required) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414852/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 06:38:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415737/posts One of Palm Beach's most famous residents was forced off a flight Saturday afternoon after the Palm Beach County Sheriff's office says she became belligerent and aggrevated towards other passengers, including children. Ivana Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump, was on Delta flight 2377 headed to New York when law enforcement says they had to physically remove her from the flight. According to the Sheriff's Department, the pilot told them he got a call of a disturbance in first class after the plane pushed back from the gate at Palm Beach International and was headed towards the runway. The pilot... wpbf.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415737/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:12:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415584/posts <p>The mother of the man who fathered former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's grandson is set to serve out most of her three-year drug sentence under home confinement.</p> <p>Sherry Johnston was released from Alaska's only women's prison on Monday and is wearing an ankle-monitoring device at her home, attorney Rex Butler said Thursday.</p> New York Times (AP) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415584/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:19:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415297/posts Quite a promise. More than a promise, it is a formula for smaller government. In my last edition, Safer Streets 101: Only you have the power, I pointed out that only you can make things happen and turn around the idea of bigger government. David Codrea mentioned taking a new person shooting. It's very good advice for several reasons. You learn more about liberty and your sovereignty from gun owners than you ever will from your public servants, including so-called educators. You'll learn more about civics, more about due process, and more about sovereignty from gun owners than from so-called... LA Gun Rights Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415297/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 14:51:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415177/posts BELLEVUE, Wash., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A ten percent drop in murders during the first six months of this year at a time when gun sales were up dramatically is more proof that there is no correlation between gun ownership and violent crime, the Second Amendment Foundation said today. The FBI released data Monday that shows murders dropped by 10 percent from the same period in 2008. Meanwhile, according to data released by the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) shows that during the first six months of this year, gun sales were up. January 2009 background checks... PR Newswire http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415177/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 02:50:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415163/posts In January 2009, retired Gen. Mauro Tello Quiñones took command of a police unit charged with combating drug-related violence in the popular Mexican tourist destination of Cancún. The assignment lasted just one week. In early February, Tello and two aides were kidnapped and killed. Before murdering Tello, the assailants broke his arms and legs and tortured him for hours. The incident provoked shock across Mexico, with the governor of Quintana Roo state calling it "truly horrible." Even by the standards of the violent drug war that has consumed Mexico of late, this crime stood out for its brazenness and brutality.... World Politics Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415163/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 02:05:40 GMT