Carpundit

Herald Gets It Right, Endorses Healey-Hillman

The Boston Herald endorsement of Kerry Healey for Governor is spot-on.

Massaged By the Air Marshals - Federal Government Waste In Action

At that police convention in Boston the other week, many federal law enforcement agencies had booths as vendors, but only one gave massages.  I can't say what most of the agencies were selling, really.  Most of the conference attendees were senior police officials not likely to be recruited.  In some cases it was clear that the federal agency was simply doing outreach - letting the local department officials know of the agency and its capabilities, should they need to avail themselves of those capabilities.  But in many cases the agencies had recruiting booths.  And in at least one case, it was clear that the federal agency was overfunded and wasting cash shamelessly.

The Federal Air Marshals Service, part of the Transportation Security Administration, under the Department of Homeland Security (that's DHS/TSA/FAM for those of you in the rational sector), brought a unique service with them, and provided it to the conference attendees: massages.  The FAMS set up a cutaway mock airplane fuselage.  At first glance, it looked appropriate for a tactical demonstration, and that's what I originally expected.    It took awhile for my brain to adjust to the reality.

The fuselage was equipped with about six luxury recliners of a type you're unlikely to see on your next trip unless you take your own jet.  Each mock passenger space was equipped with a flat-screen TV showing a looped video about the FAMS.  The seats were leather, vibrating, massage recliners and the FAMS had people (Air Marshals?) directing passersby into the seats for a massage and a 10- or 15-minute video about their defense of America.  I was astounded.  No one else seemed to be.  Photo below; click for larger as always.   If you share my outrage, write your congressman.  Then again, he probably has one of those chairs in his office....

Segway for the Police? The Distributor Was Pushing Them

I don't think we're likely to see Boston Police officers riding around on Segways anytime soon.  Maybe the guards at City Hall; their car is pretty beat up anyway.  Or maybe the meter maids, but they could hardly get more efficient.  But not the police.  Thank goodness.

Mayberry PD Cruiser

From the IACP convention: Barney Fife's car.  There was a lookalike roaming the hall as well.  Don't ask me why.

MSP 492 - Someone's Got a Nice Low Profile Cruiser

Views of the new Dodge Charger as a Massachusetts State Police cruiser, aka a "bluebird."  Click for larger, as always.  The fully-marked cars get "State Police" on the rear trunk lip; this one is a low-profile cruiser.

More About the Police Convention in Boston

Here's a bit more about International Association of Chiefs of Police annual convention that was held in Boston last week: All the large gunmakers were there, with samples of their wares.  I saw an S&W .357 revolver that is, um...to die for.  Light as a feather, I'm sure it sucks to fire, but what a great carry piece; make mine hammerless, thanks.  (Here's its opposite number, also on display.)

FN Herstal was there and takes either Carpundit's Big Balls award, or the Gold Medal in Tone Deafness, for the prominent display of the FN303 on its own stand in the center of the floor.  I had to sneak the photo (click for larger, as always), because the FN Herstal goons were discouraging cameras.

False Implications From the Boston Herald As It Assails Boston Police

The Boston Herald is playing loose with the facts again.  With its piece on the use of Boston police officers to ferry and guard visiting police chiefs, the Herald online ran this photo of a helicopter along with a caption stating that their were four helicopters inside the police convention exhibition hall.  The implication is that the police helicopters were on display instead of on patrol.

I clearly recall three, but there may have been a fourth.  But only one belonged to a Massachusetts police agency, the state police.  The others were either brand new, yet-to-be-delivered, models destined for out of state police agencies, or simple manufacturer's demo models.

There were an awful lot of BPD officers on guard around the hall, but I don't think BPD even has a helo.

Patrick Enlists Another Politician Who's Lost Sight of Right From Wrong

We already know Deval Patrick can't tell right from wrong.  To underscore the point, apparently, he got Martha Coakley to do some new TV ads for him.  But she doesn't know right from wrong any better than he does.  Remember the Pring-Wilson case?

Deval Patrick: He likes criminals and the people who coddle them.

Cars of the IACP Convention in Boston

The International Association of Chiefs of Police annual convention is being held in Boston this year.  This annual police boondoggle is the chance for all manner of suppliers and manufacturers of police-related equipment to get their products in front of prospective buyers from around the nation.  I'll write more about what I saw, including displays from FN Herstal, the Air Marshals Service, Dodge and more.

For now, just these two images of the Lamborghini Gallardo and Cadillac Whatever That Is cruisers.  I'd take the Lambo, obviously, but the Caddy was nice too.  Click for larger, as always.

Thoughts on the Investigation of Gardner-Quinn's Murder

The sad but expected ending to the Michelle Gardner-Quinn case has come; now it remains only to charge and convict her killer, who may well be Brian Rooney of Richmond, Vermont.  I have some thoughts on the process around the case, from an outsider's perspective.  Though I have friends in law enforcement in Burlington and environs, I have not spoken with them about this case.

The Burlington Free Press did a very good job covering the missing person, now murder, case.

The Burlington Police did an impressive job pushing out information and requests in the traditional and new media.  Look at their use of the web.

The University of Vermont Police seem to have done an excellent job of supporting the city and state police and otherwise staying out of the way, while managing their mission.  The Chief, in particular, seems to have done just what any parent would want a university chief to do: talk to the students and give them information for their safety, but let the city cops work.