The criminalization of today’s youth is a crime. More and more we read about children who are yanked out of school for the most benign actions or who are arrested or even killed when they are seen as a “threat”. But, a recent story out of Miami illustrates just how law enforcement power has gone too far in regards to children, and race. [Read more…]
Florida City to Settle Police Brutality Cases
Two separate police brutality cases are pending before the Boynton Beach City Commission. They are likely to settle both cases, costing the city a projected $114,000. Though the details on one case are limited, the city’s willingness to settle indicates that there is some significant truth to the plaintiffs’ allegations.
[Read more…]
“Bad” Florida Cop Key Witness in Several Criminal Cases
Hypothetically speaking, if a police officer was a known liar and had several incidents demonstrating his questionable ethics, you would think any right-minded prosecutor wouldn’t want him as a key witness testifying in criminal trials. Well, in the case of one Florida cop, you’d be wrong. On the contrary, prosecutors are protecting him. [Read more…]
Florida Drone Legislation Creeps Forward
Miami-Dade was the first police department to be granted an FAA permit for drone flying in 2011. Since then another 81 such permits have been granted. Yet, the Miami-Dade Police Department has yet to use their drones. Now, the future of their unmanned eyes-in-the-sky is looking even bleaker as lawmakers slowly work through limiting their applications. [Read more…]
Miami Officers Fired for Lying, Falsifying Records
It’s being called one of the “worst incidents of delinquency in the department’s history,” according to CBS News. The incident involves a Miami-Dade police sergeant, and five officers. Three of which, including the sergeant, have already been fired and three have been suspended without pay. At issue: avoiding calls, failing to respond, and falsifying records. [Read more…]
Florida Cops Misusing Citizen’s Private Information
Patrol officers have laptops in their vehicles these days. And they aren’t using them to play solitaire or update Facebook (at least not that we know of). But in addition to using them for “official business”, it turns out many are accessing citizen’s private information with no justifiable cause. [Read more…]
Small FL Police Dept Under Major Investigation for Asset Seizures
When you are a criminal and you make a profit off of your life of crime, the government can take those profits through something called asset forfeiture. What happens to these profits depends on where you are and the agency who took them. In Bal Harbour, Florida—a village of less than 3,000 people—the feds are looking very closely into a police department that has traveled the country, turning asset forfeiture into a money-making, globe-trotting event. [Read more…]
Cop Cleared of Wrongdoing in Cemetery Shooting
In how many cases does a cop have to shoot an innocent person before he is held responsible for his actions? It’s a relevant question and though the answer depends on which department the cop works for, in Pinellas County, the answer is likely more than twice. [Read more…]
Man Tased for Fighting Fire with Garden Hose
Dan Jensen was watching his neighbor’s house burn, watching the fire creep closer and closer to his own home, and trying to patiently wait for the fire truck. But they weren’t coming, so he grabbed his hose and stood by his fence, hoping to buy his property some time. It was this, humbly battling a blaze, that cause the police to use a Taser on him. [Read more…]
SWAT Raid Free Poker Game
Yes, gambling is still against the law in most places within the United States. You know, it’s along the same lines as keeping prostitution illegal, but without the sex. The government believes they can keep us safe, keep us in line morally, by outlawing scary practices like consenting adults placing bets on games. And to prove their moral dominance, they will occasionally enforce these gambling laws with zeal.
Even when no one is actually gambling. [Read more…]