Who Watches The Watchers

New York firefighter makes fake 911 calls to rob empty firehouses

"A New York firefighter is accused of making fake 911 calls to dispatch firefighters so he can raid the unmanned firehouses in Queens and Staten Island for money left behind, according to WNBC. Joseph Keene allegedly made three false 911 calls about made-up fires and is accused of nabbing more than $1,900 in cash during May and June. Keene made two false calls in which he reported smelling gas and a third which reported a sparking transformer. Keene is also charged with stealing $50 from a colleague’s locker at the Randall’s Island facility where he worked and stealing $100 from a Queens facility he sneaked into." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew York firefighter makes fake 911 calls to rob empty firehouses

Is The Safety Of The State Really Worth More Than The Truth?

"The federal government was created by the Founding Fathers, begrudgingly, to serve one primary purpose: The defense of individual liberty. But what happens when the federal government no longer pursues this function? What happens when the government becomes the very enemy it was designed to defend us against? Has it not then violated the charter that made it legal in the first place? And if so, should it not then be exposed and disbanded as a broken tool, a useless piece of hardware that no longer does any good for the people overall?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIs The Safety Of The State Really Worth More Than The Truth?

Valet-parked cars at airport searched under TSA regulations

"If security feels it is necessary to search some cars in the name of safety, why not search all of them? Laurie Iacuzza walked to her waiting car at the Greater Rochester International Airport after returning from a trip and that's when she found it -- a notice saying her car was inspected after she left for her flight. She said, 'I was furious. They never mentioned it to me when I booked the valet or when I picked up the car or when I dropped it off.' Iacuzza's car was inspected by valet attendants on orders from the TSA. But why only valet parked cars?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingValet-parked cars at airport searched under TSA regulations

For NSA chief, terrorist threat drives passion to ‘collect it all,’ observers say

"'Rather than look for a single needle in the haystack, his approach was, ‘Let’s collect the whole haystack,'' said one former senior U.S. intelligence official who tracked the plan’s implementation. 'Collect it all, tag it, store it. . . . And whatever it is you want, you go searching for it.' Alexander, 61, has quietly presided over a revolution in the government’s ability to scoop up information in the name of national security. And, as he did in Iraq, Alexander has pushed hard for everything he can get: tools, resources and the legal authority to collect and store vast quantities of raw information on American and foreign communications." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFor NSA chief, terrorist threat drives passion to ‘collect it all,’ observers say

Police corporal jailed after assaulting, illegally arresting pedestrian

"A pedestrian walking by was called over by Palermo and asked why she was walking by his traffic stop. He then asked for the woman’s identification. When the woman insisted she had done nothing wrong Palermo slammed her against the Prius; then onto the concrete driveway near his patrol car. Palermo arrested the woman for obstruction. Upon further investigation supervisors found the woman had lost two teeth and suffered a concussion during the illegal arrest. Palermo was arrested for aggravated assault by a public servant. The woman is currently being treated for her injuries and could require further surgery, according to the affidavit." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice corporal jailed after assaulting, illegally arresting pedestrian

ACLU Report Exposes Extent Of License Plate Surveillance

"The ACLU documents show the devices also give police the ability to look back in the past and perform a 'convoy' search to find vehicles that frequently travel together. A 'cross search' allows officers to create a list of vehicles that drove past a set of particular locations and times. This would, for example, isolate individuals that may be regular attendees at a political rallies or meetings. The ACLU report warned that this powerful tracking ability opens the door to abuse. The report found that US law enforcement agencies rarely place any limits on the use of ALPR. A New York police department says the use 'is only limited by the officer's imagination.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingACLU Report Exposes Extent Of License Plate Surveillance

School board members among 109 New Jerseyans faking income for free school meal program

"New Jersey state Comptroller Matthew Boxer announced on Wednesday that 109 public employees, spouses and family members will be prosecuted on fraud charges after a state investigation found they lied about their incomes to qualify for a free school lunch program. Boxer did not identify the employees, but mentioned that 40 of them worked for school districts, including six board members. The 109 cheaters hid a combined $13 million in underreported income to claim their children qualified for participation in the National School Lunch Program, which offers free or discounted breakfasts and lunches for children from lower-income families." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSchool board members among 109 New Jerseyans faking income for free school meal program

Pennsylvania Court Upholds Seatbelt Roadblocks

"Motorists traveling along a highway in Pennsylvania can be stopped at roadblocks specifically set up just to issue seatbelt citations. A three-judge panel of the superior court on Friday endorsed the practice of using federal grants to set up seatbelt checkpoints statewide on high-volume roadways. Even though failure to wear a seatbelt cannot justify a traffic stop under Pennsylvania law, the court asserted that the seatbelt roadblock was lawful because it met the state supreme court criteria for holding a drunk-driving checkpoint." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPennsylvania Court Upholds Seatbelt Roadblocks

Arizona cop arrested for pointing gun at store clerk while drunk

"Pima County Sheriff’s deputies say a 23-year-old off-duty police officer was drunk when he pointed his gun at a convenience store clerk for no apparent reason on Tuesday. According to KVOA, surveillance video showed Kyle James McCartin and a companion entering Giant gas station in Tucson on Tuesday at around 3 a.m. Both men appeared to be wearing bullet-proof vests, but no other clothing on their upper bodies. In the video, McCartin was seen smiling and pointing his handgun at the clerk at least two times. Tucson Police said on Tuesday that McCartin had been fired after a brief investigation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingArizona cop arrested for pointing gun at store clerk while drunk

Nevada Supreme Court Overturns Traffic Stop From Questionable Cop

"The Nevada Supreme Court on Wednesday threw out a traffic stop performed by a state trooper caught lying in a job application in a way that 'would have been enough to result in his termination.' As he ran a check on Beckman's license and registration, Trooper Pickers told his partner that he suspected criminal activity because there were fingerprints on the trunk of Beckman's car. He asked for a drug dog to be sent out. Before Beckman could leave, Trooper Pickers asked him whether he could search his vehicle. Beckman refused, so he was told he was no longer free to leave and that he would have to wait for the drug dog to arrive." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNevada Supreme Court Overturns Traffic Stop From Questionable Cop