Monday Musings...

It's a fairly FRIGID morning here in the Heartland...with puh-lenty of COLD to go around. And today's temps won't even get above freezing, in case you were wondering. The good news is that the roads and streets are relatively CLEAR of precip, but caution still needs to be exercized for standing water that HAS frozen.
Aside from that, another typical Monday in January, folks.
So, pull up a chair, pour some hot cocoa, tea, or coffee, and let's take a look-see at what's been going on this past weekend.
*** First up, Allen County's (and Fort Wayne's) FIRST HOMICIDE of the new year...

I would be very surprised if we did NOT hit close to THIRTY...AGAIN here in the Summit City.

Trends over the last several years seems to back me up on that much.
Unless a SEVERE (and comprehensive) change of policy is forthcoming from both law-enforcement AND society regarding gangs, drugs and guns (only those ILLEGAL GUNS, mind you), we'll be settling in to similar statistics for the next few years.
So, let's start this year's "Dead Pool" , and take a look at victim number one, shall we?

To start with, here's the story of the latest shooting which occurred Friday night.

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130112/LOCAL07/130119859/1043/LOCAL07

Man stumbles into a Sunoco station at Hanna and Lewis Sts. around 2100 hrs. Friday night and asks for help , as he was suffering from a gunshot wound. He died over the weekend.

No motive and no suspects in the shooting.

Could have been as simple as a robbery gone south...
Here is a followup story in today's paper:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130114/LOCAL07/301149982
And a previous related story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130113/LOCAL07/301139914/1043/LOCAL07

Now, as "always", we seem to have yet another GREAT GUY shot dead...apparently for NO good reason...AGAIN.
But, we have to look at what REALLY makes someone "great" in the eyes of some, while perhaps not so much in the eyes of others.
Let's take a look at the rap sheet for the recently-deceased Mr. Ryan Dwayne Turner, age 45, and then YOU can decide the level of "greatness":
=====RAP SHEET=====
02D04-8901-IF-001709 Turner, Ryan D 01/25/1989
Allen Superior Court 4 IF - Infraction
Decided INADEQUATE MUFFLER
02D04-8902-IF-004235 Turner, Ryan D 02/27/1989
Allen Superior Court 5 IF - Infraction
Decided EXCEED MAX LAWFUL SPEEDS
02D04-8908-IF-018905 Turner, Ryan D 08/10/1989
Allen Superior Court 6 IF - Infraction
Decided UNSAFE MOVE LANE TO LANE
FAILURE WEAR SAFETY BELT
02D04-9003-IF-007885 Turner, Ryan D 03/21/1990
Allen Superior Court 5 IF - Infraction
Decided EXCEED MAX LAWFUL SPEEDS
02D04-9110-CM-030009 Turner, Ryan D 10/04/1991
Allen Superior Court 4 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided CRIMINAL CONVERSION
02D04-9209-IF-024364 Turner, Ryan D 09/18/1992
Allen Superior Court 4 IF - Infraction
Decided NO OPR'S LIC. WHEN REQ'D
EXCEED MAX LAWFUL SPEEDS
02D04-9309-IF-021677 Turner, Ryan D 09/02/1993
Allen Superior Court 4 IF - Infraction
Decided OPERATE WHILE SUSP (INFR)
FAILURE WEAR SAFETY BELT
02D04-9312-MC-027189 Turner, Ryan D 12/02/1993
Allen Superior Court 5 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal
Decided P.C. BATTERY
02D04-9312-CF-000970 Turner, Ryan D 12/07/1993
Allen Superior Court 5 CF - Criminal Felony
Decided AGGRAVATED BATTERY
CRIMINAL RECKLESSNESS
02D04-9803-MC-000493 Turner, Ryan D 03/27/1998
Allen Superior Court 5 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal
Decided P.C. POSSESSION OF COCAINE
P.C. CARRY HDGUN W/O PRMT
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA
OPERATING WHILE INTOXICATED
02D04-9804-CF-000174 Turner, Ryan D 04/01/1998
Allen Superior Court 4 CF - Criminal Felony
Decided CARRYING A HANDGUN WITHOUT A LICENSE
POSSESSION OF COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
OPERATING A VEHICLE WHILE INTOXICATED
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA HASH OIL OR HASHISH
02D04-0106-MC-000866 Turner, Ryan D 06/14/2001
Allen Superior Court 6 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal
Decided P.C. OPER WHILE INTOX/SERIOUS INJURY
UNSAFE START
EXPIRED PLATE
02C01-0106-DF-000208 Turner, Ryan D 06/19/2001
Allen Circuit Court DF - CL D Felony or lesser charge
Decided OWI: PART I(A) AND PART I(B)
=====ADDRESSES=====
4130 Hanna St
Ft Wayne, IN 46806
Allen County Jail
417 S Calhoun St
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
3808 Robinwood
Fort Wayne IN 46806
4211 Werling Dr.
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
===========================
Now HOW great is THAT, hmm?
Still, he "could" have been turning his life around.
Some folks DO learn from their mistakes.
On the other hand, the "family" connected to Turner in the story involving Ms Rothgeb paints a picture of (likely) gang involvement, because two OTHER deaths by shooting happened not that long ago, so the apples never fall from the tree in that aspect, right?
Tina Rothgeb, the fiancee of Turner, and the mother of Paul Ward III and his cousin, who were shot in a car back on 7 December 2012, states that Turner was there for her when she needed it. They also attended the Kentucky Derby 8 times, so they must have KNOWN each other for a long while.
Again, there is SO much here that is NOT being said, as well as so much we CAN DEDUCE from common sense.
Rothgeb believes Turner was "at the wrong place at the wrong time", and I agree.
Yet, one can never rule out mitigating circumstances in the ghettohood.

Damn near ANYPLACE down here after dark can be the WRONG PLACE, as long as the police presence is stretched as thin as it already is.

But, if the city and it's "leaders" gave a damn, we might not be having this conversation, right?
And, if Community-Oriented Policing worked in an area where the "community" didn't act on it's OWN behalf, thanks to a sub-culture that all but shuns law-enforcement, we definitely wouldn't be at the place we find ourselves now...would we?
Time to rethink policy and perhaps consider more PROBLEM-Oriented Policing, if for no other reason than the fact that you have a lot more PROBLEMS down here than COMMUNITIES...simple as that.
Moving along...
*** The man who robbed the BP station at S. Anthony and Tillman as well as a woman he followed from another gas station to a parking lot and also robbed, was caught after a police pursuit.
And what did "I" say just last Humpday about THIS perp seeming like the SAME person who committed BOTH robberies?
(being right NEVER gets old) 
Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130111/LOCAL07/130119909/1043/LOCAL07

Yeah, Mr. "dumbass hat", one Justin M. Alexander, 33, of Ft. Wayne was taken into custody after some well-placed tips to Crimestoppers led to police searching for Alexander...they didn't have to search for long.
And gee, HE'S got a (lengthy) rap sheet, too:
=====RAP SHEET=====
02D04-9608-IF-014293 Alexander, Justin M 08/15/1996
Allen Superior Court 4 IF - Infraction
Decided DISREG STOP OR YIELD SIGN
02D04-9710-MC-001688 Alexander, Justin M 10/28/1997
Allen Superior Court 6 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal
Decided P.C. SEXUAL MISCOND W/MINOR
02D04-9805-CM-003193 Alexander, Justin M 05/04/1998
Allen Superior Court 6 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided CRIMINAL CONVERSION
02D04-9806-CM-004143 Alexander, Justin M 06/08/1998
Allen Superior Court 4 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided MINOR CONSUMING ALCOHOL
FALSE INFORMING (B)
02D04-9806-OV-001704 Alexander, Justin M 06/08/1998
Allen Superior Court 6 OV - Local Ordinance Violation
Decided IN CITY PARK AFTER HOURS
02D04-9809-CM-006734 Alexander, Justin M 09/09/1998
Allen Superior Court 6 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided FALSE INFORMING (B)
02D04-9812-CM-008966 Alexander, Justin M 12/01/1998
Allen Superior Court 4 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT
CRIMINAL TRESPASS
02D04-9904-MC-000657 Alexander, Justin M 04/28/1999
Allen Superior Court 4 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal
Decided P.C. AUTO THEFT
02D04-9904-IF-006582 Alexander, Justin M 04/29/1999
Allen Superior Court 5 IF - Infraction
Decided OPERATE WHILE SUSP (INFR)
EXPIRED PLATE
02D04-9905-DF-000328 Alexander, Justin Martin 05/03/1999
Allen Superior Court 5 DF - CL D Felony or lesser charge
Decided RECEIVING STOLEN AUTO PARTS
02D04-9910-CM-007327 Alexander, Justin M 10/13/1999
Allen Superior Court 5 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT
MINOR IN POSS OF ALCOHOL
PUBLIC INTOXICATION
02D04-0101-CM-000314 Alexander, Justin M 01/16/2001
Allen Superior Court 6 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA
OPERATE WHILE SUSP (INF)
27D03-0101-CM-000094 Alexander, Justin M 01/30/2001
Grant County Superior Court 3 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA,HASHISH,HASH OIL- < 30G Marijuana; < 2G Hashish/Hash Oil And No Prior Convi
02D04-0107-CM-004939 Alexander, Justin M 07/05/2001
Allen Superior Court 6 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT
FALSE INFORMING (B)
02D04-0109-IF-017678 Alexander, Justin C 09/20/2001
Allen Superior Court 6 IF - Infraction
Decided NO OPR'S LIC. WHEN REQ'D
02D04-0202-CM-001385 Alexander, Justin M 02/21/2002
Allen Superior Court 5 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided OPERATING WHILE INTOXICATED (CLASS C)
OPERATING WHILE INTOXICATED (CLASS A)
OPER VEH W/BAC OF .08-.14% (CLASS C)
IMPROPER HEADLIGHT
02D04-0203-MC-000463 Alexander, Justin M 03/21/2002
Allen Superior Court 5 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal
Decided P.C. ROBBERY
P.C. BATTERY
02D04-0203-FB-000046 Alexander, Justin Martin 03/26/2002
Allen Superior Court 6 FB - Class B Felony
Decided ROBBERY
BATTERY
02D04-0311-CM-009621 Alexander, Justin M 11/21/2003
Allen Superior Court 6 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided CRIMINAL TRESPASS
02D04-0312-IF-019385 Alexander, Justin M 12/03/2003
Allen Superior Court 6 IF - Infraction
Decided FAILURE WEAR SAFETY BELT
02D04-0401-MC-000088 Alexander, Justin M 01/15/2004
Allen Superior Court 4 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal
Decided P.C. RESIDENTIAL ENTRY
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF (A)
02D04-0401-FD-000030 Alexander, Justin Martin 01/21/2004
Allen Superior Court 6 FD - Class D Felony
Decided RESIDENTIAL ENTRY
02D04-0402-MC-000343 Alexander, Justin M 02/26/2004
Allen Superior Court 5 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal
Decided P.C. POSSESS. MARIJUANA
RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT
02D04-0403-FD-000144 Alexander, Justin Martin 03/02/2004
Allen Superior Court 6 FD - Class D Felony
Decided POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA HASH OIL OR HASHISH
RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT
02D04-0711-MC-002421 Alexander, Justin M 11/20/2007
Allen Superior Court 6 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal
Decided P.C. POSSESS. MARIJUANA
RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT
02D04-0711-FD-000992 Alexander, Justin Martin 11/27/2007
Allen Superior Court 4 FD - Class D Felony
Decided POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA HASH OIL OR HASHISH
RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT
02D04-0806-IF-010965 Alexander, Justin M 06/05/2008
Allen Superior Court 6 IF - Infraction
Decided WRONG WAY ON ONE-WAY ST
02D04-0808-CM-005498 Alexander, Justin M 08/18/2008
Allen Superior Court 5 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided PUBLIC INTOXICATION
CRIMINAL TRESPASS
02D04-0911-CM-007333 Alexander, Justin M 11/30/2009
Allen Superior Court 6 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided BATTERY (A) (D.V.)
02D04-1002-CM-000918 Alexander, Justin M 02/16/2010
Allen Superior Court 5 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided INVASION OF PRIVACY (A)
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF (A)
49G13-1004-OV-039079 Z5983262 Alexander, Justin M 04/09/2010
Marion County - Infractions/Ordinances OV - Local Ordinance Violation
Decided Speeding - Certain Streets/OI
02D04-1005-MC-001058 Alexander, Justin M 05/24/2010
Allen Superior Court 5 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal
Decided P.C. INVASION OF PRIVACY
02D04-1005-FD-000501 Alexander, Justin Martin 05/27/2010
Allen Superior Court 4 FD - Class D Felony
Decided INVASION OF PRIVACY
02D05-1101-MC-000245 NA
Alexander, Justin M 01/31/2011
Allen Superior Court 5 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal (Citation)
Decided 35-48-4-11/FD: Possession Marijuana/Hash Oil/Hashish - Amount Involved OR Prior Conviction
7.1-5-1-3/MB: Public Intoxication
35-45-1-3(a)(2)/MB: Disorderly Conduct
02D04-1102-FD-000163 Alexander, Justin Martin 02/03/2011
Allen Superior Court 4 FD - Class D Felony
Decided 35-48-4-11/FD: Possession Marijuana/Hash Oil/Hashish - Amount Involved OR Prior Conviction
7.1-5-1-3/MB: Public Intoxication
35-45-1-3(a)(2)/MB: Disorderly Conduct
35-50-2-10(b)/: Habitual Substance Offender
02D06-1301-MC-000071 693898
693898 ALEXANDER, JUSTIN M 01/11/2013
Allen Superior Court 6 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal (Citation)
Pending 35-47-4-5(c)/FB: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon
35-43-4-2.5(c)/FC: Receiving Stolen Auto Parts
35-44.1-3-1(a)(3)/FD: Resisting Law Enforcement
35-44.1-3-1(a)(1)/MA: Resisting Law Enforcement
9-24-18-1/MC: Knowingly or Intentionally Operating Motor Vehicle w/o Ever Receiving a License
===ADDRESSES=====
555 RUDISILL BLVD E
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
4439 Mcmillen Park Dr
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
Allen County Jail
417 South Calhoun St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
4813 Oakton WAY
Greenwood, IN 46143
2914 Beaver Ave
Fort Wayne, IN 46807
3617 Oliver St
Ft Wayne IN
5907 Bunt Dr
Fort Wayne, IN 46816
4437 Mcmillian Dr
Ft Wayne IN
============

After crashing his car into a porch on Madison St. Alexander surrendered to police. This pursuit took place around 0100 hrs on Friday morning.

Police did not state why the chase began - probably either noticed the driver, or the car he was driving - that dark colored Toyota and the tag number.
Doesn't matter WHAT started the chase.
What matters is that the perp's in JAIL, but will probably be back out (again) in NO TIME, thanks to our infamous prosecutorial staff and the revolving doors at the hoosegow.
*** Two more robberies at apartment complexes cause the FWPD to change tactics.
Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130113/LOCAL07/301139904/1043/LOCAL07

At least one of the robberies didn't net the perps ANYTHING.
People are becoming MORE AWARE and acting accordingly.
Still, it'd be nice to see someone DRAW DOWN on these two thugs, and off their asses where they stand.
And if these robbers play LONG enough, the odds WILL swing away from their favor...as it always does.
The FWPD officers are being advised that if they have no calls pending, which is highly RARE, as chasing the radio is the course of action these days, they are to canvass apartment parking areas and look for suspicious behavior.
Talk about "games of chance", hmm?
Gonna need some serious luck to nab these guys, because with greater police presence in APARTMENT PARKING LOTS, that means even FEWER officers responding to calls say...on the SOUTHEAST SIDE for business robberies like banks and credit unions.
Because no matter HOW good you are as a LEO, there is no way in hell you can be at TWO (or more) places at the same time...
Yeah, physics is a REAL bitch, isn't it?
*** Lastly today, Tomorrow we get to hear the Bidenator submit his task force findings to our Fearless Leader over the whole gun-control issue.

This is walking arm-in-arm with Nanny Bloomberg's dictate to spend his vast wealth in the pursuit of even MORE gun control in the Big Apple.

(like it's not hard enough ALREADY for a law-abiding citizen to get a gun there...or a large soft drink...)
If you notice, this President likes to pick a lot of fights...piss a lot of people off, as he sticks SO many pokers in the fire, causing divisiveness in not only the government but the citizens, that no one can truly keep track of ALL the crap he's pulling.
And that's his plan...to DIVIDE us...to get us looking the other way.

Any good magician does the same thing...and that's why their tricks WORK so damn well.

You, as an informed and intelligent member of our society an the human race have to be aware of such things.
ALWAYS watch BOTH hands of these government prestidigitators, because if you are paying attention to ONE hand, the other one is probably in your pocket...or worse, wanting to erase our Constitution.
We cannot allow that to occur.
We have to be vigilant...alert...and willing to call out ANY of these mongrels whenever they try and dupe the people of this nation.
We can do it...we have to do it.

It's the way OUR nation works when it works as intended.

Have yourselves a good week.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...

Stay SAFE out there, America.