Friday, July 11, 2008

City Computers

There has recently been a directive issued from our Mayor that the website TOPIX is not to be accessed by city employees on city computers. The Mayor is in charge of daily operations of the city and has full authority to issue such a directive.

Topix is a very destructive website. People get on it and make outlandish accusations against one another. It is very addicting in nature. I myself at times have gone there and read the latest gossip. On one occasion a crime was mentioned and I posted to an individual that they needed to get a hold of me, which they did. The nature of a site like Topix is, as I said, very destructive.

In compliance with the Mayor's lawful order, on 7/11/2008 I went a step further and had the computers at the Bloomfield Police Department to electronically block all users from access to Topix.

I would like to add that the computers in our office are a necessary part of day to day operations.
We log all calls for service, racial profiling, accident reports, business security checks, and all criminal reports. We also maintain a database of names and businesses. We also calculate and submit UCR reports which are mandated by the government. Monthly reports are also generated and submitted. Soon State DWI tracking reports may be submitted.

In the months to come an RFID Business security check system called "GuardScan" will be implemented. This will increase patrol productivity and accountability. Also a GPS logging system may also be utilized to study patrol routines and increase productivity. I have found ways to initiate these two programs at very little cost.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Two Arrested for Distribution

A tip Saturday morning led to the seizure of more than 12 oz. of marijuana in Bloomfield.

According to Bloomfield Chief of Police Jason Curtman, following the tip, Officer Travis Stafford observed the suspect driving his vehicle through a stop sign and pulled him over.

Following a search of the vehicle, police discovered 11-1 ounce bags of marijuana and a set of digital scales used for weighing the drugs. Police also seized two-ounces of marijuana from someone the accused had sold to only moments before.

Police arrested Michael Wayne Houston, 34 of Bloomfield, and charged him with distribution of a controlled substance. Brian Eugene Turner, 34 of Bloomfield, was also charged with distribution of a controlled substance. Both men are currently housed in Stoddard County Jail with bond set at $125,000.

Curtman said that Asst. Chief Cheryl Malone had been working on this case for quite some time when the tip came in.

Police value the marijuana at approximately $1,235, or 12 ounces between the 13 bags collected.

Curtman said he was very pleased with his department's performance and quick action. He said he also wanted to thank the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department for their work in transporting the suspects.

"Cheryl [Malone] is an outstanding investigator and has been an asset to our department," Curtman said Monday. "Stafford has only been with the department for a short time, but we're very glad to have him."

Houston and Turner will both be arraigned this week.


CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE

There has been some moronic concern about the cost of this operation.
Well, there was 1/4 of a gallon of gas that was burned while waiting 10 minutes for the vehicle to move and then the traffic stop itself. Stafford was working his regular shift. I came in on my day off to see the job got done and did not claim any comp time. Asst. Chief Malone worked 3 hours on the assignment.

So the total cost of the entire operation was about (give or take a few pennies) $32.46.


Well worth keeping two proactive drug dealers off the streets and away from our children.

Monday, June 30, 2008

Our New Web Site

We now have a new web site. Check it out.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Asst. Chief Cheryl Malone...and snakes!


Cheryl told me today that she was so afraid of snakes that even when she ran over one in her car she still lifted her feet!

1998-WORKED FOR STODDARD COUNTY JUVENILE CENTER-CHILD CARE

2000-GRADUATED THREE RIVERS COMMUNITY COLLAGE WITH AA IN POLICE SCIENCE

2000-STODDARD COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT DISPATCHER

2001- BOLLINGER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT-ROAD DEPUTY, EVIDENCE TECH, DETECTIVE

2005- SERGEANT FOR ORAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

2006-BOLLINGER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT –DISPATCHER AND RESERVE DEPUTY

2006-BLOOMFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT RESERVE SERGEANT

2007-APRIL -BLOOMFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT FULL TIME

2007- OCTOBER- PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT CHIEF

CERTIFIED CLASS B LAW ENFORCEMENT STATE OF MISSOURI

CERTIFIED IN THE USE OF TAZER, OCAT, BATON, PPCT GROUND TRAINING, NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION.

A Great Weather Tool!

As the Chief of Police and as am amateur radio operator (KD0CIJ), one of the most useful tools I have is a freeware program called Weather Watcher Live. It is the best I have found and I have looked every where I can. The format is easy to read and use and best of all, it contains no adds. It is also spyware and addware free. CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE DOWNLOAD PAGE!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

A Good Read

Yvonne Rodenhiser tells it like she sees it.
----------------------------
Yvonne talks about missing her court date and the arrest and booking process.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Child Restraints...continued

Missouri's Child Restraint Law (RSMo 307.182)

• Children less than 4 years old or less than 40 pounds must be in an appropriate child safety seat.

• Children ages 4 through 7 who weigh at least 40 pounds must be in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat unless they are 80 pounds or 4'9" tall.

• Children 8 and over or weighing at least 80 pounds or at least 4’9” tall are required to be secured by a safety belt or buckled into an appropriate booster seat