Friday Follies...
Welcome to the "Pre-Memorial Day" edition, and we've got some interesting things out there this morning.
Today, I'm going to focus on what Memorial Day means to those who live in MY part of the city, which differs greatly from the TRADITIONAL meaning of Memorial Day. And I will cover that on Monday, so stay tuned then, okay?
I hold Memorial Day in reverence...and with good reason, but you'll find that out.
First though, some "must see" TV...
*** I spent some "quality time" watching the latest installment of "Police Women of _____" on TLC (9PM - check local times).
If you recall, the past seasons were posted in Broward Co., FL, and then Maricopa Co., AZ.
THIS season is closer to "Americana", as it were, taking place in Memphis, Tennessee.
And it looks to be a very "interesting" season.
There are two black officers and two white officers on patrol, and I have to say that one of the black female officers had me laughing my ass off when she busted this one black male on a tip that had been submitted to their local Crimestoppers.
Seems the perp's "partner" was ALSO wanted for a outstanding felony warrant, and the officer stated as she was driving from the scene:
"It's like hitting a bargain at the mall...buy one, get one free!"
Here's a link for a preview of what you're missing:
http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/police-women-of-memphis/
Now, if you do watch this show, you'll have a pretty good idea of what it's like in and around MY (and Phil Marx's) part of Fort Wayne, and what I get to see and hear on most any day, especially after 11AM...!
(they ALL act the exact same way...amazing!)
*** Next up, it looks like our very own FWPD will be getting some new "signage" for their vehicles.
(what exactly was wrong with the OLD decals anyway?)
(( New cars, markings for Fort Wayne Police Department's 71 new Impalas will sport fresh decal design, state-of-the-art technology.
By Aaron Organ
This 2010 Chevy Impala is just one of the 71 new squad cars being added to the FWPD fleet over the next few weeks.
The cars sport a new, more reflective decal design and more high-tech equipment inside for efficiency.
(photo by By Kevin Leininger of The News-Sentinel)
A new wave of Fort Wayne Police Department squad cars will be moving onto city streets within the month, and the new decal is only the beginning.
Seventy-one 2010 Chevrolet Impalas will replace outdated squad cars up for retirement over the next four weeks as part of the department's annual new car purchase. New, though, this year will be a fresh, bold decal that Police Chief Rusty York said will serve as a symbol of new times.
"We thought it was time to bring our markings up," said York. "We think it's a very sharp, professional look, that is somewhat based on (the) horizontal stripe look we had before, but modernized and enhanced."
The department's logo had been in use since the late 1970s, when York and Deputy Chief Marty Bender ushered in a change from the old, steel gray Chryslers to vehicles that are white, which add considerably more visibility.
These new models will be head and shoulders above that, with materials in the logos that are 50 percent more reflective than past models.
A finished model is on display in front of police headquarters at 1320 E. Creighton Ave. The remaining unmarked cars are sitting in the department's bullpen.
York said the department is waiting on the arrival of lights, sirens and other equipment before the cars will be decaled and unleashed.
The new-look cars will be part of the police department's effort to put what could be described as mobile offices onto the streets.
This summer, York said the department's fleet will be equipped with in-car computers, GPS, wireless fingerprint database scanners, digital video and audio and scanners and printers so officers can more efficiently write accident reports and traffic tickets and scan driver's licenses and registrations.
The department's cars, York said, will be state-of-the-art.
"Over the summer, we'll become one of the most technically advanced police departments in the nation, as far as how these cars are equipped," said York. "There's no department that will have more than we'll have, certainly."
The upgrades will be funded primarily by grants and funds the department received over the years, York said.
York said the department's fleet will be a mixture of cars with both the old and new designs for likely five years, as the cars are gradually replaced. One swift replacement of the entire fleet is cost-prohibitive. ))
Well, now...state-of-the-art, huh?
Wonder WHICH state that refers to?
Don't want to be a wet blanket on this, but when officers are having SO many problems (now) with their computers (crashing), air-cards and the Spillman system, it makes one wonder HOW effective all this tech can be, if it's NOT working as designed, and ALL the time, right?
Refer to my blog post back on 5 April 2010 (To Tech Or Not To Tech...), if you need a refresher course, kids.
Granted the new decals LOOK nice, but I have to wonder about Chief York's technocratic stance.
So the CARS will be the most technically-advanced cars in the nation...what about the officers and THEIR safety?
Will THAT be "state-of-the-art" as well, Rus?
Or will we have the "same old" riding around in techno-mobiles?
Oh, and by the way, all this fancy-ass tech CAN be brought to a screeching HALT by some dumbass running a red light while talking on a cell phone (with a meth lab in the back seat)...right, chief? Just wanted you to know that.
(Besides, only Bill O'Reilly is "Bold and Fresh" - NOT police car logos)
Will all this fancy stuff make law ENFORCEMENT better?
Will the police arrive SOONER?
(when SECONDS count, the police are MINUTES away - that's why you arm up and defend YOURSELF first)
Maybe this grant money COULD have been better spent on some DECIBEL METERS, so you could catch those FOUR-HUNDRED (or more) boomcars that drive JUST through MY neighborhood...now THAT is proper application of technology, don'cha think?
Consider the amount of money being pissed away by missing ALL those citations.
Ever hear about the BOOMERANG system, chief?
Here''s the "411" on that in case you haven't:
http://defense-update.com/products/b/Boomerang.htm
Be REAL nice to have a few of these for the "Badlands" (down here) when you have ALL those signal 113s (shots fired) going off after dark.
It can also detect boomcars, bub...not too shabby, huh?
Aw, yeah...technology HAS it's place, and when properly deployed in the right scenario, helps to no small end.
Maybe the chief will wise up...someday. Or we could just get a new chief.
We can but hope...for either.
Lastly, about Memorial Day in our part of town...
Well, we're already hearing fireworks going off (or was that some idiot with a 9mm flexing his alpha-male testosterone again?), so we know the "locals" got those.
To these "people", it's not a day to remember anything, except where they left their stash...or their "gat".
They couldn't care less about ANY sacrifice made by ANY American serviceman OR woman...and that's rather pathetic.
It was THEIR unselfish devotion to duty and country that allows them to act like an idiot.
Unfortunately, there are "downsides" to FREEDOM and LIBERTY.
And these people exemplify this.
They fly NO flag, do not acknowledge the solemnity of the day, nor will they attend any service.
They will but do what they do BEST...PAR-TAY!!!!
Booze will flow, fireworks will be set off all over the place, drugs will be smoked, snorted or ingested, guns will go off, and maybe the body count will be zero....maybe.
Children will run wild (like that ever changes), because whatever is passing for a "parent" can't be bothered with discipline or limits as to what the kids will be up (which is usually no damn good).
To them...it's just another day to be LOUD...and annoying...and bothersome.
Well, we could take another ride on the "Po Me" carousel, but why bother.
This weekend means SO much more to SO many people.
People who STILL care...the ones that through it all, gave a damn.
People like US...
Have yourselves a great weekend, and we'll see you all right here bright and early MONDAY for a tribute to Memorial Day and those who sacrifice so that others may live.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and, as always...
Stay safe out there, America.