But... But..... Crime is down in Wilkes-Barre!

According to Wake up Wilkes-Barre on June 26:
'June 13, the same night the King told us crime was down several cars had their windows shot out
June 13, Matson Ave, Parsons - Bench stolen off front porch
June 13, marijuana buyers robbed at gunpoint.
June 14, Break-in of garage and residence on Tannery St.
June 14, Vehicle damaged soft top of his jeep was slashed
June 14, A man grabbed an expensive bottle of liquor and ran out of the Wines and Spirits in Penn Plaza!
June 15, TWO Turkey Hill’s robbed Carey Ave & South Main Street
June 15, Shots fired Sherman Hills
June 15, South Franklin...fight... guy going to get a gun.
June 15, Mulligan Irish Pub People physically fighting
June 15, 178 Crescent Ave- robbery - 4 black males robbed a man of phone and flip-flops.
June 16, Park Ave forced entry robbery.
June 16 N. empire and Grove st fight and gun was pulled out.
June 16, Shots fired around 80 South Welles.
June 17, Shooting outside a Parsons bar
June 17 Lawrence street- items stolen, 415 Blackman street- stolen ladder
June 18, Man was robbed and beaten in cellphone theft
June 19, Wilkes-Barre police Chief Gerard Dessoye issues warning about "Apple picking"
June 19, juvenile robbed and stabbed on Academy St
June 19 Two people were reportedly robbed
June 19 Spare tire stolen from jeep
June 19, Car broken into
June 19, Shots fired around Coal Street Area
June 20, Gunshot at Sherman hills
June 20, Man Stabbed walked into bar for help
June 20, Car stolen from the General Hospital's Employees Parking lot on Chestnut and Penn Ave
June 20, Auburn street - car vandalized
June 20, Sullivan and South Franklin --- shots fired
June 21, Camera was stolen from car parked in South Main Street parking garage
June 21, Man is being chased by a guy with a gun in a red truck On Solomon Street.
June 21 Turkey Hill - South Main and Blackman St - report of a bullet hole in window.
June 22, Uni-mart.. Parish and Hazel - armed robbery
June 22, Robbery from a Charles Street home
June 22, Two guys stealing tires on south regent street
June 22, Fight Coal St
June 22, Furniture stolen for the porch
June 23, Fight Miners Mills
June 24, Vandalism to vehicle
June 25, Man shot to death in the head
June 25 Drug bust Parsons (State troopers)
June 26, Turkey Hill robbed on Blackman St
June 26, Theft from a garage on Farley Lane'

42 crimes in 2 weeks. I take that back. 42 REPORTED crimes.
And let's not forget the big drug bust on Hazle street today. But the dictator claims, "Crime is down." Well when you compare a 12 month period with an 11 month one, it should damn well be down! More of 'his highness' telling HALF truths.

I've been watching this place for a while and it was definitely shady.

If you see anything that you feel should be reported, GO HERE and write it up. I have.
BTW that is Wilkes-Barre's animal control van. Thanks for blocking a dead end street.

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

Do you have to practice to be that ignorant, or does it come naturally?

My Month With a Gun: Week One in Ms. Blog.

Go ahead and read the post, I'll wait.

Now to show the stupidity of that author. 

1. "My hands are shaking; my adrenaline is surging." 

Right off the bat you are framing this post to be anti-gun. If you are THAT terrified of firearms then this is a crap piece that comes NOWHERE near be open to the pro-gun stance, let alone objectiveness.

2. "Me, lead gun policy protester at the 2010 Starbuck’s shareholder meeting. Me, a board member of the Brady Campaign. Me, the author of a book about the impact of gun violence, Beyond the Bullet." 

STRIKE one, STRIKE two, STRIKE three, Impartiality you are OUTTA HERE!

3. "It was obvious from the way I handled the gun that I knew nothing about firearms. Tony sold it to me anyway. The whole thing took 7 minutes. As a gratified consumer, I thought, “Well, that was easy.” Then the terrifying reality hit me, “Holy hell, that was EASY.”  Too easy. I still knew nothing about firearms." 

Hey lady it isn't Tony's job to train you. Or to make sure you are competent with a firearm. That is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. His job is to.... wait for it.... SELL THE GUN.

4. "Tony told me a Glock doesn’t have an external safety feature, so when I got home and opened the box and saw the magazine in the gun I freaked. I was too scared to try and eject it as thoughts flooded my mind of me accidentally shooting the gun and a bullet hitting my son in the house or rupturing the gas tank of my car, followed by an earth-shaking explosion. This was the first time my hands shook from the adrenaline surge and the first time I questioned the wisdom of this 30-day experiment."

Drama Queen much?

5. "I needed help. I drove to where a police officer had pulled over another driver. Now, writing this, I realize that rolling up on an on-duty cop with a handgun in tow might not have been fully thought through.

I told him I just bought a gun, had no clue how to use it. I asked him to make sure there were no bullets in the magazine or chamber. He took the magazine out and cleared the chamber. He assured me it was empty and showed me how to look."

Sigh, You just drove around LOOKING for an officer to help your little defenseless self. This has to be the most offensive to women article I have ever read outside of the pages of Hustler Magazine.

6. "The cop thought I was an idiot and suggested I take a class."

The cop was right on both counts. Because, obviously, this reporter has no idea how to properly research anything, let alone read the big scary book with a lot of big words that the Glock came with. So she had to bother an officer during a traffic stop instead of, oh I don't know, READ THE MANUAL! 

7. "On March 12, 2010, I was surrounded by big hairy men with guns on their hips, yelling at me as I led a protest against Starbuck’s gun policy."

Would you have felt better if the men were 'man scaped' metrosexuals? Not trying to influence your readers by painting a very specific picture, are you?

8. "The gun makes me more fearful than I could have imagined."

If you're SO 'fearful' of carrying a firearm then GET SOME TRAINING! It's your responsibility to be comfortable with that weapon. 

9. "Today, they have a woman with absolutely no firearms training and a Glock on her hip sitting within arm’s reach of small children, her hands shaking and adrenaline surging."

Obviously you seem to believe that your Glock is going to jump up and start randomly shooting 'small children'. Lady, it is an inanimate object. If it didn't go off when you chambered a round, it isn't going to go off while on your hip.

JOURNALISM is dead and it has been replaced with MEDIA.

She should use the same methodology and go buy a chain saw. Because sometimes natural selection is the laziest #$%&ing predator on the planet.

Dan Emplit WBFD

USN 1986 - 1992

When did schools start removing our Rights?

We live in a country where reality is a very seldom used option.
Let me explain. If your child was arrested at school for the shirt they were wearing, What would you do?
The shirt in question does NOT depict anything wrong. No naughty images, no racial slurs, no cryptic gang symbols, nothing like that.
So what was this 'shocking' t-shirt? Take a look.

Yep. Evidently 8th graders can't wear a shirt endorsing a Constitutional right.
I'm not kidding, because Jared Marcum wore this shirt to school and refused to change it, the police were called.
According to the schools dress code, “A student will not dress or groom in a manner that disrupts the educational process or is detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of others, A student will not dress in a manner that is distractive or indecent, to the extent that it interferes with the teaching and learning process, including wearing any apparel that displays or promotes any drug-, alcohol- or tobacco-related product that is prohibited in school buildings, on school grounds, in school-leased or owned vehicles, and at all school-affiliated functions.”
To me this shirt is NOT 'detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of anyone.'
It is NOT 'distractive or indecent' and definitely not 'to the extent that it interferes' with anything.
And it does NOT 'display or promotes any drug-, alcohol- or tobacco-related product'.

Now Jared is facing a year in jail and a fine. All over a shirt that says to protect one of the rights that he was in school to learn about.
So much for free speech.
We now live in a country where our children are being strong armed into believing that the 2nd Amendment is evil. I mean children are being suspended for pop tarts that are chewed into 'gun shapes' or making a 'gun motion' with their hand.
This makes as much sense as two plus two equals penguin.

Dan Emplit WBFD
USN 1986 - 1996

Candidate Obama debates President Obama on Government Surveillance

Gotta love Hypocrites.

Dan Emplit WBFD
USN 1986 - 1992

Harvey's Lake home invasion

First the links (my embedding skills fail with WBRE)
WBRE
A second WBRE link
The text for those links:
####
A shooting leaves one man in critical condition and the alleged gunmen on the loose in Luzerne County. Police say it happened just after 1 a.m. at a home at 367 Second Street in Harveys Lake.
Officers say unknown assailants broke into that home, where two men in their 20s live. One of those men was shot. He was taken to the hospital and is in critical condition. The other man is being questioned by police.

The alleged assailants are still at large. Police are waiting to obtain a search warrant.
#####

WNEP

And

Text
####
Troopers in Luzerne County are investigating a home break-in which landed one man in the hospital with a gunshot wound.
State police said they were called to a home invasion around 1 a.m. Wednesday on Second Street in Harveys Lake.
According to authorities, there were two men inside the home at the time. A scuffle ensued with the invaders and one man was shot multiple times. He is in the hospital in critical condition.
Police said the other man was beat up, but not seriously hurt.
Troopers said they are unsure at this time how many thieves were involved. No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to call state police in Wyoming at 570-670-2000.
####

Times Leader
####
A man was shot in his head and torso by four intruders who forced their way inside a house on Second Street just after 1 a.m. Wednesday, according to a search warrant affidavit.
The affidavit identifies the shooting victim as Paul Brace, no age listed.
Brace was shot multiple times as he laid in bed on a second floor of 367 Second St., the affidavit says.
State police said Brace was transported to a hospital where he remains in critical condition.
According to the search warrant affidavit:
Police in Harveys Lake and Dallas Township responded to the house at 1:13 a.m. for a report a person had been shot in the head.
When police arrived, they encountered Mitch Artsma who was screaming. Artsma was removed from the house as he told police to check the second floor where Brace was found lying on a bed with gunshot wounds to his forehead and chest area.
A bong was observed in the house that had an odor of burnt marijuana, the affidavit says.
State police interviewed Adam Weaver who lives at the residence with Brace.
Weaver told state police that four armed black men forced their way inside the house asking him “where the money was,” according to the affidavit.
Weaver claimed he was assaulted by the four men who were led to the second floor in Brace’s bedroom. Weaver related one of the intruders shot Brace multiple times and multiple shots were fired from several guns, the affidavit alleges.
Weaver told state police he gave the intruders $500, noting Brace deals drugs and always has money, according to the affidavit.
Weaver fled the house and ran to Artsma’s residence where he called 911.
####

Citizens Voice
####
Authorities have launched a manhunt following a home invasion early this morning that left a man severely injured with a gunshot wound to the head.
The victim, identified in court records as Paul Brace, 19, was taken to an area hospital, where he was listed in critical condition, Harveys Lake police Chief Charles Musial said. A second resident of the home sustained minor injuries but was not transported for treatment, he said.
The second roommate, identified as Adam Weaver, 19, told investigators the intruders were after money and fled after shooting Brace with “multiple shots from multiple guns,” according to a search warrant application filed in court. Weaver told state police that Brace is a drug dealer and always has cash on him and in a safe at the home, the affidavit says.
The invasion at 367 Second St. began about 1 a.m., with a knock on the door. Weaver answered to find four men outside wearing bandanas over their faces and black hoodies on their heads, police said. The intruders entered, striking Weaver in the head with a pistol, and began to ransack the home, police said.
Weaver told police the men asked where the money was and assaulted him before rummaging through the house. Their search took them to the bedroom, where they shot Brace with “multiple shots from multiple guns,” the affidavit says.
Weaver reported he then gave the men $500 of his money and they fled the scene, police said. Weaver then ran to neighbor Mitch Artsma's home and called 911, the affidavit says.
Police entered the home on the first floor when Artsma came in from a side door screaming that they needed to go upstairs to find Brace, according to the search warrant application. Police went to a second floor bedroom, where they found Brace lying on a bed on his side. Brace was curled up and breathing, but had gunshot wounds to his chest, stomach and forehead, police said.
During a subsequent investigation, police observed a bong in the bedroom, which smelled of marijuana smoke, according to the affidavit.
Musial said police have not identified any suspects, but the shooting does not appear random.
“We believe that it’s an isolated incident and that there is no danger to the residents in the area,” Musial said.
State police and county detectives are investigating.
####

Now MY thoughts.
I mentioned this to Casey, It REALLY reminds me of the Jeffrey MacDonald case in Fort Bragg (February 1970). I really think that we are going to find out 'the roomy did it'.
Maybe I'm wrong. Lets assume I am and lets look at this from a pro gun standpoint.

Four armed men break into your home with evil intent.
Our Government wants to limit the law abiding public (the only ones that are affected by laws) to 10 (or less) rounds per magazine.
Anti-Gun Moron, "Well there are only four of them, that leaves you 6 more bullets!"
That (you Moron) assumes that the Good Guy doesn't miss and that the bullets we fire are magic and will stop the attack with one hit each.
The NYPD only hit, at best, 25% of the time and they are 'trained'. (I can't find the link, but the FBI and Secret Service only do slightly better).

AND handguns suck at stopping people, which is why our troops carry rifles.
So, assuming the BEST results, 4 attackers, a 25% hit rate, and a mythical 'one hit, one stop' rate. I come up with a 16 round MINIMUM for this instance.
My EDC (Every Day Carry) is a Glock 17. Which holds 17 rounds in its STANDARD capacity magazine (+1 in the chamber). I wouldn't want to depend on it in this instance. I would want an AR-15 with its 30 round STANDARD capacity magazines. Which, by design, allows for a fast reload if needed.
I don't think this story will change an Anti-gunners mind, but I hope they will think about this and MAYBE allow the reality that the stupid limitations they want to place on us (because if a middle aged white dude with a bad spray on tan can walk into a studio in Washington DC with an illegal, for DC, 30 round magazine, do you honestly think a Magazine ban will stop 'bad guys' from getting them?) can effect our lives in the most negative of ways.
BTW that middle aged white dude with a bad spray on tan was David Gregory

Dan Emplit WBFD
USN 1986 - 1992

Someone looks constipated

From Citizens Voice Article #1

“The city has fully cooperated with investigators and provided hundreds of documents related to towing operations,I am disgusted and disappointed by the alleged conduct of a city contractor.” Leighton said.
Translation, "I am disgusted and disappointed he was stupid & greedy enough to get caught."

“We're very confident in the facts of this case, A wire was conducted where Mr. Glodzik was soliciting the FBI, basically, for money that was supposed to be in evidence. He, in fact, did take money and ended up splitting that money with someone who was on a task force with the FBI.”, Sanguedolce said.
Translation, "We've got him dead to rights."

Leighton, who has the sole power to terminate the contract, responded by pledging to investigate the company. The city has received more than 30 complaints since then.
How long ago did City Council vote to begin this? Oh right, 129 Days have gone by since the vote to begin the needed actions to fire LAG.

Citizens Voice Article #2

Leighton attributed his decision to the criminal charges and the city's own findings that Glodzik's company, LAG Towing, had violated its contract. However, he refused to elaborate on details of those violations.
Translation, "Damn, I better distance myself from Leo." BTW, mayor, if charges were filed, you're TOO LATE.

Sangueldolce said his investigation didn't use evidence obtained in the Feb. 6 subpoena and said he couldn't comment on whether another investigation was ongoing. FBI spokeswoman Carrie Adamowski said the bureau does not comment on the status of investigations.
Translation, "HELL YES there's more. And we are going to dangle those charges in front off Leo until we get everything we want and more."

Citizens Voice Article #3

April 2005: Leo Glodzik III wins a contract to provide exclusive towing services in Wilkes-Barre until 2015 for a fee of $50,050 per year.

July 2009: The city in 2009 agreed to sell the abandoned Old River Road Bakery to Glodzik for $38,000, far below the county-assessed value of $478,000. A Wilkes-Barre couple sues, breaking up the sale.

Sept. 4, 2010: Glodzik tries to head-butt a police officer in a hospital emergency room after an arrest on charges he rammed an ex-girlfriend's car with his own vehicle.
OK, why was Leo not fired for this? I mean assaulting an officer! Even just attempting to assault one!!?

July 22, 2011: The Citizens' Voice files a Right-to-Know request for LAG Towing records amid allegations the company is overcharging customers.

Oct. 25, 2011: Glodzik pleads guilty to resisting arrest and harassment in connection with the hospital incident. Prosecutors drop a felony aggravated assault charge.
Obviously resisting arrest and harassment does NOT outweigh campaign contributor.

December 2011: In response to the Right-to-Know request, LAG Towing's lawyer says the company normally does not keep records after customers pay for impounded vehicles and does not have any documentation of what it charged or why it towed vehicles.
You know the IRS is just waiting for the FBI to give them the 'go ahead' on this.

March 8, 2012: Wilkes-Barre City Council approves a $50,000 bid to sell the Old River Road Bakery to the owner of nearby Harrold's Pharmacy.

July 12, 2012: Councilman Tony George unsuccessfully tries to get council to recommend Leighton fire LAG Towing. A motion by Councilman Bill Barrett for Leighton to form a committee to investigate LAG Towing passes.
Don't worry, the mayor will form a committee to look into why the other committee hasn't come up with a finding about the campaign contributor.

July 19, 2012: Leighton accepts council's recommendation to form a committee.

Sept. 13, 2012: Nearly two months later, the committee has not yet formed.
Surprise, surprise.

December 2012: A state police officer detailed to the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force goes undercover, claiming to be the head of a regional drug task force.

Jan. 24, 2013: City council unanimously approves recommending the city terminate its contract with LAG Towing. Leighton vowed to investigate the towing operator but did not act on the resolution.
It's ONLY 129 days later.

Jan. 25, 2013: Glodzik asks the undercover officer what happens to seized money and suggests they could split whatever is left in towed vehicles, according to charges.

Jan. 29, 2013: Glodzik takes $2,100 in bait money from a vehicle he believes has been seized in a drug operation and pockets $1,000, giving $1,100 to the officer, according to charges.

Feb. 6, 2013: An FBI agent delivers a subpoena to the mayor's office seeking police records related to LAG Towing.
This was just 'gravy', they already had him.

Feb. 14, 2013: Glodzik threatens to sue the city and city council for making "false and malicious statements." No suit was ever filed.

March 25, 2013: A bank in Florida seeks to foreclose on Glodzik's home at 1009 Morgan Drive in Wilkes-Barre, claiming he hasn't paid his mortgage in more than 15 months.

April 1, 2013: Glodzik reveals that he loans luxury cars, including a Mercedes-Benz and Chevrolet Camaro, to city police officers, despite a policy that forbids them from accepting favors and gifts.

May 31, 2013: Glodzik is charged with theft by unlawful taking and theft from a motor vehicle.



Here's a link to the CRIMINAL complaint

The next 5 or 6 months are going to be BRUTAL for Leo, the administration, and the citizens of Wilkes-Barre. This will not be pleasant for any of us.

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote