Forewarned is
Forearmed
(#464, 3/19/25)

Killings of police officers
seem inevitable.
What might help?

Who's Under the Gun?
The ATF, That's Whom
(#463, 3/6/25)

Going after gun controllers,
for the usual reasons

Who's Under the Gun?
The FBI, That's Whom
(#462, 2/14/25)

Going after the FBI
for going after
the Capitol rioters

Point of View
(#461, 1/30/25)

Do scholars really “get”
the craft of policing?

All in the Family
(Part II)
(#460, 1/6/25)

A decade after Part I,
domestic killings
remain commomplace

Acting...or Re-acting?
(#459, 12/8/24)

An urgent response
proves tragically imprecise

Citizen Misbehavior
Breeds Voter
Discontent
(#458, 11/20/24)

Progressive agendas
face rebuke in even
the "Bluest" of places

A Matter of Facts
(#457, 11/3/24)

Did flawed science place
an innocent man
on death row?

Want Brotherly Love?
Don't be Poor!
(#456, 10/12/24)

Violence is down in Philly,
L.A. and D.C.
Have their poor noticed?

Prevention Through Preemption
(#455, 9/16/24)

Expanding the scope of
policing beyond
making arrests

Switching Sides
(#454, 8/30/24)

St. Louis’ D.A. argues that
a condemned man
is in fact innocent

"Distraction Strike"?
Angry Punch? Both?
(#453, 8/11/24)

When cops get rattled,
the distinction may
ring hollow

Bringing a Gun
To a Knife Fight
(#452, 7/30/24)

Cops carry guns.
Some citizens flaunt knives.
Are poor outcomes inevitable?

"Numbers" Rule –
Everywhere
(#451, 7/2/24)

Production pressures
degrade what's "produced" –
and not just in policing

Is Crime Really Down?
It Depends...
(#450, 6/20/24)

Even when citywide
numbers improve, place
really, really matters

Kids With Guns
(#449, 6/3/24)

Ready access
and permissive laws
create a daunting problem

De-Prosecution?
What's That?
(#448, 4/27/24)

Philadelphia's D.A.
eased up on lawbreakers.
Did it increase crime?

Ideology (Still)
Trumps Reason
(#447, 4/9/24)

When it comes to gun laws,
“Red” and “Blue” remain
in the driver’s seat

Shutting the Barn Door
(#446, 3/19/24)

Oregon moves to
re-criminalize hard drugs

Houston, We Have
(Another) Problem
(#445, 2/28/24)

Fueled by assault rifles, murders plague the land

Wrong Place, Wrong
Time, Wrong Cop
(#444, 2/8/24)

Recent exonerees set "records"
for wrongful imprisonment

America's Violence-
Beset Capital City
(#443, 1/20/24)

Our Nation's capital
is plagued by murder

Keep going...

3/26/25 Detroit’s new police chief, Todd Bettinson, is a long-serving cop who served as Assistant Chief and Deputy Mayor. He helped implement the city’s “ShotStopper” program (a play on words on ShotSpotter technology), which deployed paid neighborhood crime prevention groups in high-violence zones. That reportedly led to substantial drops in violence. Indeed, the city 2024’s crime rate supposedly reached “a historic low.” But the Federal funding that helped make that happen - $10 million from the “American Rescue Plan Act” - will soon expire. And it’s unlikely to be renewed. Related post

Patrick Crusius used an assault rifle to murder twenty-three persons and wound two dozen more at an El Paso, TX Walmart in 2019. Prosecuted on Federal terrorism charges, he drew ninety consecutive life sentences two years ago. While the Feds didn’t seek the death penalty, State prosecutors insisted that’s what they sought. But their just-announced offer stipulates life terms instead. El Paso’s D.A. said it would finally bring closure. “Now, no one in this community will ever have to hear the perpetrator’s name ever again...He will die in prison.” But not all the families are on board. Related post

3/25/25 According to Stateline, CDC Wonder fatality data reveals that gun deaths for persons age 17 and younger were about 50 percent greater in 2023 (the most recent year available) than in 2019, when the surge began. Gunfire is the most frequent cause of death for youths, and particularly Black youths. Their 2023 per/100,000 gun homicide rate of 8.9 was far worse than the 1.8 rate for Hispanic youths and the 1.0 rate for White youths. Asian youths had the lowest rate, 0.5. Related post

As part of “Operation Take Back America,” during the third week in March Federal prosecutors in Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and California charged 840 persons with violating immigration laws. Most were accused of illegal entry or re-entry after deportation. Of these, many had prior felony criminal convictions. Some defendants were also charged with smuggling and transporting aliens. Meanwhile, DHS is reportedly revoking the “temporary protected status” granted by the previous Administration to more than 500,000 persons who arrived from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela since October 2022. They must leave by April 24 or face arrest and deportation. Immigration updates Related post

3/24/25 Nineteen senior members of L.A.’s notorious Rollin’ 60’s Crip gang are named in a sweeping Federal indictment that accuses them of “extortion, human trafficking, fraud, and the 2021 murder of an aspiring rap musician.” Led by famed rap musician Eugene Henley Jr., 58, a.k.a. “Big U,” and his lieutenants, Sylvester Robinson, 59, a.k.a. “Vey,” and Mark Martin, 50, a.k.a. “Bear Claw,” the group allegedly capitalized on “Big U’s” reputation, using social media platforms and a phony charity, “Developing Options,” to obtain donations for their purported reformist work. But they pocketed the profits. Related post

Albuquerque man Solomon Pena was released from prison in 2016 after doing nine years for participating in a “burglary crew.” His voting rights were restored, and in 2022 he ran for Governor under the “MAGA” banner. After losing he complained of fraud, and between Dec. 2022-Jan. 2023 he and several helpmates shot up the homes of local “Blues.” In one attack more than a dozen rounds pierced a State Senator’s home, and three penetrated the bedroom of her sleeping ten-year old daughter. Pena was just convicted of the shootings, and for plotting to murder witnesses against him. Related post

Families of the victims of the 2021 Oxford High School massacre sued school staff for failing to take preventive action. But on March 20, 2025 a Sixth Circuit panel rejected the claim that Oxford High  created the danger by staging a meeting with the shooter’s parents that included Ethan Crumbley, the 15-year old gunman, where they insisted that the boy either get counseling or they’d bring in child protective services. But no one looked in Ethan Crumbley’s backpack. That’s where he had the pistol that was gifted to him by his parents. And which he’d use in the shooting one hour later. Related post

A Cook County, Illinois father is in jail facing charges of ex-con with a gun and child endangerment after his young boys, ages 5 and 8, misused a loaded pistol that he left on a nightstand. Derrick Taylor, 32, was reportedly awakened by gunfire and rushed the children outside, where neighbors called 911. Taylor’s older child suffered a fatal head wound; his brother is in good condition. Taylor wasn’t supposed to have a gun, as he was convicted of residential burglary in 2011. Related posts 1   2

Three males ages 16, 18 and 19 lay dead, and fifteen other persons, ages 16 to 36 were wounded by gunfire that broke out between rival groups during an “unauthorized” late evening car show in a Las Cruces, New Mexico park. Police later arrested a 20-year old male and two 17-year old teens. Gov. Michelle Grisham, who recently approved a host of anti-crime measures, attributed her State’s chronically high violence to “the amount of guns that find their ways into public parks and schools and churches and grocery stores and parties and cars.” Las Cruces’ poverty rate, 22%, is twice that of the U.S. (11.1%) and about a quarter higher than New Mexico’s 17.8%. Related post

Nine days ago President Trump designated infamous Venezuelan gang “Tren de Aragua” as a lawless invading force subject to provisions of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. And three days ago DHS trumpeted its arrest of sixty-eight TdA’s “in less than a week.” That brings the number arrested to 394 “in less than 100 days.” According to DHS, the gang is involved in “human trafficking, kidnapping, drug trafficking and other heinous acts terrorizing American communities.” But families of those who were recently deported to an El Salvadoran prison insist that their loved ones were misidentified as members. Immigration updates Related post

3/21/25 David Brinson, 54 murdered four men during a 1990 robbery. He drew four consecutive life terms at a California prison. Last November he and his 62-year old wife had a private overnight “family visit” in an apartment-like facility on prison grounds. According to authorities “these visits are designed to support positive family connections and successful rehabilitation.” About 2:00 a.m. Brinson notified prison staff that his wife had “passed out.” But an autopsy found that she was strangled to death. Related post

A decade ago two LAPD officers tussled with a disorderly 29-year old homeless man. During the encounter officer Clifford Proctor drew his gun and shot Brendon Glenn dead. Video disputed the officer’s claim that he fired because Glenn went for his gun. Police Chief Charlie Beck recommended Proctor be charged, and Proctor resigned. But then-D.A. Jackie Lacey declined to prosecute. Her replacement, reform-minded George Gascon, had a special prosecutor re-examine four police shootings during his predecessor’s watch. And Proctor was reportedly just charged with the killing. Related posts 1   2

Five years ago the L.A. County Civilian Oversight Commission, a civilian board that “oversees” the Sheriff’s Department, gained subpoena authority. But subpoenas or not,  current sheriff Robert Luna has repeatedly denied the Commission access to materials he considers confidential under State law. Sheriff Luna recently turned away subpoenas demanding documents about three notorious use-of- force episodes. What’s more, he just filed a Superior Court lawsuit challenging the Commission’s authority to access these materials. Sheriff Luna insists that his goal isn’t to impede the Commission - it’s simply to clarify what it can legally access under State law. Related posts 1   2

In a decision upholding California’s ban on ammunition magazines that hold more than ten rounds, a 9th. Circuit panel ruled that the law was historically sound and in line with Bruen, as it “restricts an especially dangerous feature of semiautomatic firearms...while allowing all other uses of those firearms.” Its ruling overturns a decision to the contrary by San Diego-based Federal judge Roger Benitez, who threw out the State’s law twice, in 2019 and 2023. The plaintiffs, a coalition of gun fanciers and the California Rifle & Pistol Association, are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Decision   Related post

3/20/25 Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio’s 22-year sentence for seditious conspiracy was commuted by President Trump. And on February 21 he was again arrested by Capitol police, this time after tangling with a woman who was protesting against a “news conference” where Proud Boys and Oath Keepers announced they would sue DOJ “for their murders, their lies and the end of the suffering they have put us through.” Tarrio was promptly released. It’s just been revealed that he won’t be charged, as Federal prosecutors believe there’s insufficient evidence to overcome his claim of self-defense. Capitol updates   Related post

Police have long sold seized guns and used duty weapons to dealers and auction houses. Last year an in-depth inquiry by investigative journalists revealed that ninety percent of agencies (n=145) contacted by reporters confirmed doing so. And there have been consequences. According to trace data, “more than 52,000” guns recovered in crimes between 2006-2022 were resold police guns. Cautions about resales by news media and ATF have have some effect. According to a new report by The Trace, “more than a dozen” major agencies have discontinued the practice. ATF gun trace report
Related post

“Qualified immunity,” a legal doctrine that protects police officers who act “reasonably” from lawsuits, has its limits. At least in Colorado. In a Denver suburb, a citizen told 911 that someone broke a window and climbed into a house. On arrival, deputies heard a voice from inside, and promptly sent in a canine. It bit the sleeping homeowner, who broke the window because he misplaced his key. He sued. And the Tenth Circuit just ruled that “the deputies’ argument they reasonably believed there was a suspect inside who was reluctant to talk to the police stretches the facts alleged beyond recognition.” Related post

3/19/25 In June 2024 then-U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared gun violence to be a “public health crisis.” According to the Commonwealth Fund, the U.S. ranks in the worst seven percent of firearm mortality for all countries. It’s 16th. out of 204. It’s also sixth-worse out of 67 high-income countries. Indeed, firearm mortality rates for most U.S. States are comparable to countries “experiencing active conflict.” Dr. Murthy left his post in January. And the new Administration just had his declaration removed from the HHS website. Related post

Just announced, The Trace has established an online, public-use gun violence reference portal with links to nine datasets, including ATF traces, CDC gun deaths, youth gun deaths, and firearms production and sale statistics. The Trace data hub

3/18/25 Four years ago Chicago sued Indiana gun store “Westforth Sports” for selling large quantities of guns to straw buyers, who they knew would resell them to persons on the street. “Hundreds” of these guns turned up in Chicago shootings, and “more than forty” of the straw buyers were Federally prosecuted for unlicensed gun dealing. In 2023 Westforth closed shop, and a judge dismissed the Illinois lawsuit on grounds that everything involved Indiana. But a panel of Illinois appellate judges just ruled that Westforth knew where many of the guns would wind up and reinstated the lawsuit. Related post

According to a corrected version of an article recently published in Criminology, a major decrease in pedestrian stops in Denver during 2020, when the post-Floyd era took hold, was significantly related to an increase in property crime, and even more so in poorer neighborhoods. That decrease in pedestrian stops was also significantly related to an increase in violent crime. But while there was also a marked correspondence between a decrease in vehicle stops and an increase in violent crime, it was no longer considered to be statistically significant. Fewer drug arrests had no influence on crime. Related post

D.C.’s prior administration had sued more than thirty members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, including leaders Henry Tarrio and Stewart Rhodes, for the damages and injuries they allegedly caused during the Capitol assault. But Tarrio and Rhodes were both pardoned, and D.C.’s new leaders have dropped the lawsuit. However, the “Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law” is continuing with a lawsuit it filed on behalf of seven members of the Capitol police. Capitol updates   Related post

3/17/25 An investigation by the Chicago Sun-Times reveals that only six percent of the city’s 2,300 non-fatal shootings in 2024 have (so far) led to an arrest. Its analysis suggests that assigning more detectives to investigate shootings would help. But although the mayor has promised to hire more cops, the number of detectives has grown fewer; those assigned to handle shootings plunged twenty percent between 2023 and 2024. It’s thought that the slim risk of getting caught - only one out of four Chicago murders is cleared by an arrest - has emboldened criminals and made violence worse. Related post

Last November a 34-year old woman wielding a kife reportedly cornered an Independence, Missouri police officer who was in her residence on a domestic disturbance call. He opened fire, killing Maria Pike and, accidentally, her three-month old infant. Police had been summoned by the child’s grandmother, who reported that Ms. Pike “attacked” her when she went to see the child. Ms. Pike was visited by police before; she was also the subject of a Child Services inquiry. Prosecutors just announced that they will not file charges against the officer, whose reaction they consider “reasonable.” Related posts 1   2

On the one hand, the 11th. Circuit ruled 8-4 that Florida law that bars persons under 21 from buying long guns - it was enacted after the Marjorie Stoneman High School massacre - is Constitutional. On the other, Florida’s Attorney General announced that his office would not defend the statute should it be appealed to the Supreme Court. AG James Uthmeiert agrees with the NRA and other pro-gun groups that the law violates the Second Amendment. “Men and women old enough to fight and die for our country should be able to purchase firearms to defend themselves and their families,” he said. Related posts 1   2

Last September a jury convicted D.C. police officer Terence D. Sutton Jr. and Lt. Andrew Zabavsky of covering up their roles in the death of Karon Hylton-Brown, 20, a reckless moped rider who was killed in a crash while fleeing. Both drew prison terms: Sutton, who was also convicted of 2nd. degree murder, got 5 1/2 years; Zabavsky got four years. But they were recently pardoned by President Trump. What’s more, D.C. Police Chief Pamela A. Smith just announced that an internal affairs inquiry has cleared both of the cover-up. So they’ve been reinstated. Related post

“Over 250” alleged members of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang stepped off a plane in El Salvador. They were sent by the U.S., which is paying to have them housed in a Salvadoran prison. Accompanying them were 23 members of El Salvador’s own MS-13 gang, “to face justice in El Salvador.” A Federal judge had blocked the Administration from using the Alien and Sedition Act of 1798 to summarily deport members of groups, including Tren de Aragua, whom the U.S. considers particularly dangerous. Venezuela also condemned the forced relocation of its citizens. But the plane to El Salvador was supposedly already in the air. Immigration updates Related post

3/14/25 In 1996 Brittany Holberg was a 23-year old sex worker when she visited an elderly customer at his Amarillo, TX residence. Holberg later claimed that he started beating her, and she killed him in self-defense. She was arrested, and at her trial a cellmate testified that she admitted killing him for his money. Holberg was convicted and got the death penalty. But her lawyers weren’t told that the cellmate was a paid police informant. That just led a Federal appeals court to toss the conviction and send the matter back to a lower court. Holberg has served more than a quarter century. For now, she remains in custody. Related post

Trumpeting its accomplishments, ICE announced that it made nearly as many “enforcement” arrests (32,809) during its first 50 days under the new Administration as during the whole of FY 2024 (33,242). Of the new batch, 14,111 were “convicted criminals,” 9,980 had pending criminal charges, and 1,155 were “criminal gang members.” Immigration updates Related post

3/13/25 L.A. Times reporters who pored over 350 instances where LAPD officers fired their weapons during the past decade found that innocent citizens or fellow cops were often in the line of fire. In over 100 cases instances shots were fired “in crowded areas, or struck occupied buildings or vehicles.” And in 21 episodes, an innocent person was shot. Three died. LAPD’s civilian overseers, though, give LAPD officers “great leeway” in deciding when to shoot. Most shootings are adjudged “in policy,” and discipline over missteps is rare. Related posts 1   2

Inmate-on-inmate killings beset California prisons. A recent “surge” - there were seven such episodes during the first nine weeks of 2025 - has led to severe restrictions on prisoner movement and visitations. Some “lifers” seemingly feel immune to sanctions. A prisoner was murdered in January by two “lifers,” each of whom had previously killed a fellow inmate. One had told a prison psychologist that given his existing life term, that attack, in which he “strangled, beat and slashed his cellmate,” was in effect a “freebie.” Related post

3/12/25 One-hundred twenty million dollars. That’s what a Chicago Federal jury just awarded to John Fulton and Anthony Mitchell, who were respectively 18 and 17 when they were convicted of murder for   brutally beating and setting fire to an 18-year old. After protracted, intense interrogations over week-long periods, both ultimately confessed and implicated each other. But there were no witnesses nor any physical evidence. In 2019, after they had served 15 years, a judge reviewed compelling evidence of their presence elsewhere and granted them a new trial. And the D.A. dismissed the case. Innocence Project   Related post

As part of a move by the new Administration to restore gun rights to persons whose prior convictions needlessly prohibited them from possessing firearms, DOJ lawyer and pardons specialist Elizabeth G. Oyer helped draft a list of nine deserving candidates for a Presidential pardon. Her superiors then asked that she add in well-known Trump acolyte Mel Gibson, who was barred from having guns over a 2011 misdemeanor domestic violence conviction. Her probe of Mr. Gibson, though, left her unsure that he was worth the risk, and that’s what she reported. And soon after that she was fired. Related post