Category Archives: Media

ThinBlueFlorida on Facebook

Posted on January 17, 2015 by Randall

I finally decided to join the last decade and start a Facebook page for ThinBlueFlorida.com.  I am doing this in hopes of providing some quick photos and show floor updates for you during SHOT Show 2015. The Facebook page will have a bit of its own original content.  I will also be putting up links to some of my more popular or personal favorite archived articles from ThinBlueFlorida, in case you missed them or have just joined us here.  If you are at SHOT Show this year, send me a Facebook message or an email and we can find time to say hello. My flight to McCarran leaves early tomorrow.  … Continue reading →

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Florida First Responder Appreciation Week

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Randall

This came in from the Capitol this week.  It would be a good time to appreciate the sacrifices that all law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMT’s make each day they put on their uniforms to protect the citizens of the State of Florida.  None of these jobs are easy and each has its own inherent rewards and risks.   Take time out next week to thank someone who pins on a badge.  I know I will. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott issued the following proclamation recognizing January 5-9 as Florida First Responder Appreciation Week: FLORIDA FIRST RESPONDER APPRECIATION WEEK WHEREAS, Tarpon Springs Police Officer Charles Kondek and Leon County … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Misc., Politics | Leave a comment

…and the Hits Just Keep on Coming…

Posted on December 6, 2014 by Randall

I have about reached my mainstream media saturation point in the last couple of weeks, what with the Ferguson grand jury, the NYPD “chokehold” grand jury, the NYPD stairwell shooting, the Arizona “pill bottle” shooting, and the Cleveland shootings (take your pick). So much bad information is floating around the Internet and airwaves that it hangs like a toxic smog over L.A.  Law enforcement is seeing a backlash perhaps more insidious than one we saw during the Rodney King incident in 1992. In 1992, we had rioting, but it was isolated to Los Angeles.  Today, we are seeing demonstrations against the police across the nation.  It saddened me that protesting … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Misc. | 2 Comments

Ferguson Story Twisted by the Media Bias

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Randall

With 24-hour news cycle focused firmly on the events in Ferguson since the findings of the grand jury, I would like to discuss the media coverage.  In my opinion, the mainstream media spins itself in the direction of solid ratings and the truth be damned.  It has been disappointing to see the public misled by faulty journalism. Nearly three months after the shooting, I am still hearing about the slow police response to the crime scene.  Four hours for that poor suspect to lie in the street was “an injustice.”  Having investigated many major crime scenes, I can tell you that the photography, examination, and forensic collection at a death … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Misc. | 3 Comments

FBI Publishes Latest Active Shooter Study

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Randall

The FBI published its 2014 Active Shooter Incidents Report this week.  It collated information from a total of 160 ASI’s from the years 2000 through 2013.  In the introduction, it noted that the selection of ASI’s can be subjective and that the aggregate seeks to add “clarity and data of value” for a basic assessment.  The 2014 report adds 33 incidents, as well as 17 from 2013, to the prior bulletin from January of this year. From 2000 to 2013, the 160 incidents resulted in 1,043 casualties:  458 killed and 557 wounded.  The average number of ASI’s per calendar year was 11.4.  The first seven years of the study showed … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Misc., Officer Safety | 1 Comment

Militarization of the Police–A Cop’s View

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Randall

I get a little miffed at the argument that the police are becoming “too militarized.”  Detractors say that law enforcement has no need for the equipment that the U.S. Government has been distributing from its arsenal of aged or obsolete equipment.  This controversial military equipment comes mainly in two flavors:  weaponry or protection. As to weaponry, we are talking rifles.  My agency just took possession of two dozen older Colt M-16s from the Department of Defense at a very low price per unit.  Before the naysayers get in an uproar, understand that we already have more authorized fully automatic rifles for our SWAT team.  Our street officers also field semi-automatic … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Politics, Street, SWAT | 8 Comments

Marion County Sheriff Employs Crime Kiosks

Posted on July 12, 2014 by Randall

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has unveiled a new method for distributing criminal information to the community in the form of stand-alone kiosks.  Modernizing a concept used by Sheriff Chris Blair decades ago when he was a detective, a trio of video screens mounted in a secure housing shows crime alerts, Amber and Silver alerts, missing persons, sexual predators, and public service announcements to citizens within minutes of their posting. The kiosks are connected to the Internet and information is uploaded to them by crime analysts.  In addition to general crime trends, bulletins can be surgically sent to selected kiosks where it is determined the criminals or threats are specific … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida Companies, Media, Technology | Leave a comment

How to Destroy a Police Agency

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Randall

If you have not been following the dismal events at the Lakeland, FL Police Department, you should.  The bra-shaking incident, alleged falsification of official documents, a destructive on-going sex scandal, and the loss of confidence by 10th Circuit State Attorney Jerry Hill have made for a public relations train-wreck for this police agency. Lakeland Police Chief Lisa Womack was even caught admitting that the department sometimes plays “cat and mouse” with the news media over public records requests, a statement which prompted the Lakeland Ledger to delve further into that issue. Today, it was disclosed that the sex scandal involving 10 officers and a civilian crime analyst had burgeoned to … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Misc. | 1 Comment

AG’s Office Announces State Officers of the Year

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Randall

Press release from the Attorney General’s Office: TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Attorney General Pam Bondi today named St. Petersburg Police Department Sergeant Karl Lounge and St. Petersburg Police Department Officer Douglas Weaver the Attorney General’s 2012 Law Enforcement Officers of the Year. Sergeant Lounge and Officer Weaver were joined by seven fellow officers from around the state at a ceremony recognizing them for their dedication to law enforcement and public safety. “Each nominee is a hero who selflessly serves their communities,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondi. “I am proud to name Sergeant Lounge and Officer Weaver as the 2012 Law Enforcement Officers of the Year. Their courage in the face of danger and … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Officer Down, Politics, SWAT | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

NASGW Expo Coverage at GHG

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Randall

Richard from GunsHolstersandGear.com is over at the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers Expo and Meeting in Orlando.  The NASGW Expo is an exposition of hunting, sporting goods, and shooting sports equipment and accessories by wholesalers, manufacturers, and independent sales representatives. Follow the coverage here:  GHG NASGW   Randall

Posted in Media, Misc., SHOT Show | Tagged | 1 Comment

New Memorial To Fallen St. Petersburg Police Officers

Posted on October 14, 2012 by Randall

I had the honor of attending yesterday’s unveiling of the new memorial dedicated to fallen St. Petersburg police officers.  A few hundred citizens, law enforcement officers, and dignitaries stood in solemn tribute to the fifteen officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty protecting and serving the citizens of St. Petersburg since 1903.  The memorial proudly stands near the bay in Demens Landing, the waterfront park dedicated to city founder, Peter Demens. A piper from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office began the proceedings with Amazing Grace.  Speakers included St. Pete Mayor Bill Foster, Councilwoman Leslie Curran, representatives of the non-profit Heroes of the St. Pete Police foundation, … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Misc., Officer Down | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Georgia K9 Dog Dies From Severe Neglect

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Randall

I am absolutely sickened by this story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about Warwick, GA Police K9 Sasha, who died of neglect in her Chevrolet Tahoe while her “handler” was on a three day vacation. K9 Sasha, a 10 year old Dutch Shepherd, had been given to the Warwick PD by the Miami, FL Police Department about two years ago.  She was a trained narcotics detector dog with many finds both in Florida and in Georgia. Click the link above if you want to read the details of her death.  I really do not feel like printing them here. As a former Police K9 Handler, I had nothing but outrage in … Continue reading →

Posted in K9, Media | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Rob Pincus on “Irresponsible Open Carry Activism” and the Second Amendment

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Randall

Rob Pincus is a former law enforcement officer, SWAT member, and world-renowned firearms and personal defense trainer.  Below was his response to what he sees as a threat to open carry and gun rights, in general.  I agree with his viewpoint. He asked Grant Cunningham to post this on his blog, and Mr. Cunningham gave me the go-ahead to reprint here.  I think it relevant,  in light of the obnoxious behavior by the wanna-be activists against Oregon cops that went viral last week… Irresponsible Open Carry Activism Jeopardizes The RKBA Guns should be carried for personal defense, not Activism. The best way to do that 99% of the time is … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Defensive Tactics, Legal, Media | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

NYPD Officers Forced Into Difficult Shooting Scenario

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Randall

My headline was not the one I read on a mainstream media news website.  It said something like, “NYPD Shoots Nine Bystanders Before Killing Suspect.”  Considering  that in a crowd of people, the two officers shot sixteen bullets and hit a gun-wielding homicide suspect nine times at center of mass, I’d say my headline is closer to reality. The suspect, Jeffrey Johnson, is seen at the top center of the video walking toward the left and carrying a briefcase.  Officers Craig Matthews and Robert Sinishtaj enter from the top right.  Johnson was walking from the scene where he had just shot a co-worker five times in the head with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Officer Safety, Street | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Florida Highway Patrol Responds to FDLE Report

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Randall

The Florida Highway Patrol has come out swinging against the highly critical report published by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in April regarding the series of fatal crashes on the I-75 stretch of Paynes Prairie.  Mainstream media outlets bludgeoned the FHP over what the press saw as mistakes in the Patrol’s smoke/fog response on January 29, 2012.  Six crashes involved 24 vehicles, resulting in 11 deaths and 46 reported injuries. In the wake of mounting criticism and 13 wrongful death lawsuits against it, the FHP investigated and published its own report of the incident response, which involved not only the FHP, but the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police … Continue reading →

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