Monthly Archives: October 2014

Lone Wolves Are a New Threat

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Randall

With this year’s terrorist attacks on the British soldier in Woolrich, England, the Canadian soldiers run down by an extremist, the shootings at the Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Canadian Parliament, and the hatchet attack on four New York City Police Department officers last week, we can assume that radical Islamists are targeting uniformed soldiers and police officers.  There is yet another cause for vigilance when working behind the badge. The calls from the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS) and Islamic extremists to attack Infidels (that’s us) have inspired emboldened fundamentalist, or “lone wolf,” attacks on the symbolic warriors of Western values.  Law enforcement and Military … Continue reading →

Posted in Officer Safety, Street | Leave a comment

An Officer’s Opinion of Florida Amendment 2–Medical Marijuana

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Randall

With the upcoming general election looming, I thought I would weigh in on 2014 Florida Constitutional Amendment 2, Use of Marijuana Under Certain Medical Conditions, from a law enforcement officer’s perspective.  I have read the full language of the amendment, as well as the ballot language.  They are included at the end of the article if you wish to peruse them. Frankly, I am alarmed that under Article X, Section 29 (a) Public Policy sections (1), (2), and (3), all patients, personal caregivers, physicians, and marijuana treatment centers will be free from any criminal or civil liability under Florida law as it relates to the amendment.  Of the seventeen states … Continue reading →

Posted in Medical, Misc., Politics | 2 Comments

New ActivEdge Card Reader Defeats Skimmers

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Randall

Diebold Inc.’s new ActivEdge™ Secure Card Reader is one attempt to stop identity theft at the terminal.  ActivEdge reads the credit/debit card via an internal motorized head that moves along the top edge of the card, which is inserted lengthwise in.  Diebold says the ActivEdge will: • Prevent External Skimming devices from reading card data by requiring long-edge card insertion.• Mitigate Internal Skimming through modification of the card reader with an encrypting read head.• Eliminate capture and tracking of card data via USB Sniffing by encrypting communication to the CPU.• Deter full Card Reader Substitution by pairing each ActivEdge™ card reader to a specific terminal. ActivEdge prevents the card being scanned during its … Continue reading →

Posted in Detectives, Technology | Leave a comment

Dogs Win on K9 Fight Night!

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Randall

As a former police dog handler, last Wednesday’s White House intruder incident made me both proud and angry.  K9 Hurricane and K9 Jordan performed their duties well.  The suspect, whom I won’t name out of thorough disdain, pissed me off with his disrespectful stunt. In the widely shown video, Jordan takes a pretty hard front kick to the head from the suspect.  Hurricane is punched repeatedly.  The dogs stay in the fight until the Secret Service uniforms arrive.  This fast-paced perimeter protection is perfect for the dogs’ talents. The speed, tenaciousness, and ferocity of the Belgian Malinois make them ideal as security assets for open areas such as the White … Continue reading →

Posted in K9 | Tagged | Leave a comment

New Rifle, Old Friends

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Randall

It was a nice fall day and although I had taken some time off from work, I rolled out of the vacation sack early to put on some OD BDU’s and boots to join the SWAT guys for a range qualification day.  I got a kitchen pass from the Missus!  Man, reliving old times. When I came off the road and into detectives, I gave up my AR-15 to an ex-SWAT guy working Midnight Shift.  I figured he needed it more than I did.  I still have my Remington 870 with rifled sights, SpeedFeed stock, and Surefire foregrip light in the trunk of my unmarked.  While the shotgun is nice, … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, SWAT | 2 Comments

New Aimpoint Carbine Optic for your AR-15

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Randall

Aimpoint, Inc. is introducing a carbine-specific red dot optic for the modern sporting rifle, a.k.a. the AR-15.  Unlike some optics, this one co-witnesses with your AR’s iron sights for reliable performance.  I have my own (different brand) optic set up this way on my personal rifle.  Batteries be damned! The price point of the Aimpoint ACO is very tempting.  Details are below. Randall Chantilly, VA, October 20, 2014 – Aimpoint, the originator and worldwide leader in electronic red dot sighting technology, has announced the introduction of a new sight designed specifically for modern sporting rifles such as the AR-15. This new product, known as the Aimpoint Carbine Optic (ACO), expands … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Technology | Leave a comment

BulletSafe Vest Vs. .50 AE Desert Eagle

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Randall

I met Tom Nardone, owner of BulletSafe Body Armor, at SHOT Show earlier this year.  I wrote an article about BulletSafe’s extremely cost effective $299.00 Level IIIA body armor for BlueSheepdog.com (BulletSafe on BlueSheepdog).  Above is a video of this vest taking on a .50 Action Express caliber from a Desert Eagle.  The .50 AE can be loaded very hot.  The bullet used here is a Magnum Research 350 grain JSP. Ballistics101.com states the specs for the Magnum Research .50 AE in 350 grain put it at 1,270 FPS, delivering 1,253 FPE at the muzzle.  While this is far below the punch given by the .454 Casull, .460 S&W Magnum, … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Protective Armor | Tagged | Leave a comment

Deadly Force Policy Change in Miami Beach

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Randall

The Miami Beach Police Department is poised to change its deadly force policy to now prohibit an officer from discharging his or her firearm at a vehicle unless an occupant displays a weapon–not to include the car–or shoots at them.  This move stems from a 2011 incident involving officers shooting at a motorist who tried to run over five Miami Beach police officers. That driver, Raymond Herisse, was shot by officers of both the Miami Beach and Hialeah police departments after his violent behavior during Urban Beach Week.  Herisse died at the scene.  A video of the end of the incident went viral.  The last Miami Beach Police Department shooting … Continue reading →

Posted in Defensive Tactics, Officer Safety, Politics, Street, SWAT, Tactics, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Mil-Spec Monkey/Tactical Tailor Adapt Pack

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Randall

I am sitting in Denver International Airport as I compose this, fresh out of a crowded TSA maelstrom, and awaiting my flight home.  I came out here several days ago to visit family in the Mile High City.  A new backpack had been sitting in my garage and I thought that a travel trip for its maiden voyage would wring out its versatility.  The carrier in question is a new Mil-Spec Monkey/Tactical Tailor Adapt Pack. The Monkey contracted with Tactical Tailor to build a lightweight, multifunctional backpack for either military, LE, or hard-use civilian demands.  The MSM Adapt Pack can be configured as a traditional two strap backpack, one strap … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Tactical Bags | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Florida K9 Dog Killed in the Line of Duty

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Randall

A St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office K9 dog was killed in the line of duty early Tuesday morning, presumably drowned by a suspect.  K9 Deputy Farrah Ashe and her partner Baron were in pursuit of Brandon Bernard Allison, who fled from a disturbance, when the dog team came to a fence. Dep. Ashe hoisted Baron over the obstacle and Baron continued without her while she scaled the fence. As Dep. Ashe tried to catch up with the dog, she heard shouting ahead in the darkness.  Dep. Ashe found K9 Baron dead in the shallow water of a swampy area.  Allison was gone and a manhunt ensued.  Allison turned himself in … Continue reading →

Posted in K9, Street | 1 Comment

Ruger Adds 9mm to LCR Lineup

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Randall

For you back-up revolver carriers, Sturm, Ruger & Company is introducing a 9mm version of their popular LCR platform.  If you like having a secondary firearm chambered in the same caliber as your on-duty pistol, then this one may be your ideal belly gun. The Ruger LCR has rightly gained a solid following based upon its light weight, smooth cammed trigger pull, and reliable functioning.  A 9mm round ups the foot pounds of energy delivered on target when compared to its .38 Special +P variation, though both still lag behind the .357 Magnum. Sharing the same 400 stainless steel monolithic frame of the .357 model, the 9mm LCR will come … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty, Street | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Stormdrane’s Venom Mochibag

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Randall

It should come as no surprise that The Original Mochibrand would call upon Stormdrane to collaborate on a custom drawstring backpack.  Stormdrane is a wizard at conjuring eye-pleasing and functional ropecraft.  His website has been in my blogroll since I started.  I am pretty sure that somewhere he has a magical staff bearing a paracord chain sinnet wrap secured by a Turk’s head knot above and below. Mochibrand, aka Mochibag, has been in the drawstring backpack business since 2009.  Their mission was to upscale the simple bag into a premium carryall with such features as their trademarked Channel-Anchored Drawstrings, Easy Pull-Open Handles, and a True Side-Seam Zip Pockets. Stormdrane’s limited … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc., Tactical Bags | Leave a comment

Where’s Waldo–PD?

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Randall

Waldo, FL has been a speedtrap for the fifty-odd years I’ve been knocking around the Sunshine State.  Its main drags, U.S. 301 and State Road 24, have six different speed limits within the 2.15 square land miles of the city.  The Waldo Police Department  wrote over 12,000 tickets last year, which translated to about a third of the city’s revenue.  Surprised the police were replaced with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office this week?  Well, I kinda am. This terrifying little town has uncaringly hammered travelers for decades.  Nothing changed.  AAA had officially rated Waldo as speedtrap for years.  They didn’t care.  The Media had been at the Gates regularly.  Ho … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Misc. | 2 Comments

UV Paqlite Scout Pack

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Randall

Everyone should have an Uncle Vernon.  UV Paclite Company was founded by a father and daughter team who named their business after a wise old role model and protector of the family.  Uncle Vernon inspired generations of his kin to venture into the outdoors with safety in mind.  These lightweight, no-fail glowing “pack lights” echo his teachings. UV Paqlite sells products featuring natural strontium aluminate crystals that absorb, store, and reproduce light without the use of batteries, chemical reactions, or radioactive elements.  The company says their large crystals are environmentally friendly and non-toxic.  These glowing objects provide utility as nightlights, equipment markers, and safety beacons. For fun, I ordered a … Continue reading →

Posted in Flashlights, Street, Tactical Bags | 1 Comment