Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 4010 AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: APRIL 2016 NATIONWIDE What’s up in law enforcement across the U.S.A. THETOPTEN No permits required In West Virginia it will very soon be entirely legal for people to carry hidden handguns with no training and without a permit. It was law enforce- ment and the governor versus the gun lobby and the legislature. It wasn’t even close. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin tried to veto the law and got hammered. “I urge you to look around this room for a moment and see that law enforcement is concerned about this bill,” Tomblin said. “While we completely respect the law enforcement community, we also will always come down on the side of the Constitution and ensuring that our rights are protected,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, responded. So let’s be careful out there. Cause and effect Proponents of the decriminalization of marijuana got some good news from the Border Patrol re- cently. It turns out that projections on the Mexican cartels losing money as the result of laws in places like Colorado and Washington were accurate. The U.S. Border Patrol has released 2015 data showing that the number of marijuana seizures throughout the southwest U.S./Mexico border has fallen to the lowest level in 10 years, according to the Washington Post. “Two or three years ago, a kilogram [2.2 pounds] of marijuana was worth $60 to $90,” a Mexican marijuana grower told NPR news in December 2014. “But now they’re paying us $30 to $40 a kilo. It’s a big difference. If the U.S. continues to legalize pot, they’ll run us into the ground.” Toxic work place In University City, Missouri, police officers trapped in a toxic work environment are desperately trying to get some help. Officers are demanding immediate removal from the now-condemned police depart- ment building. “The City has taken no immediate steps to remove employees from the hazardous con- ditions they are forced to endure on a daily basis,” the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 15 wrote in a letter to officials recently. Law enforcement’s dangerous work, but the building is probably deadlier. The list of critical health hazards includes steam leaks, asbestos and black mold. Generally speaking, a condemnation order is usually enough to have the building evacu- ated immediately. Crime up Among the 25 largest American cities, Los Angeles ranked near the top for violent and property crime increases for the first half of 2015, according to recently released data. The FBI released preliminary crime statistics for January through June of last year. The Bureau looked at lawlessness in United States cities with 100,000 or more residents. California towns, in fact, dominated the violent-crime list, with Sacramento (first place), Long Beach (fifth place), San Francisco (eighth) and San Diego (ninth) showing up in the top 10. Conversely, Pittsfield, Massachusetts has had the largest drop in all categories of crime over the last five years. At about 4:22 PM on a Saturday late last year, Trooper Miguel Rincon, of the Arizona Department of Pubic Safety, was conduct- ing a traffic stop about four miles outside of Bisbee for a traffic violation. About five minutes later another car pulled up be- hind Trooper Rincon’s pa- trol vehicle. The driver ran up to Trooper Rincon and told him she was taking her granddaughter, who was in labor, to the hospital. The la- bor was progressing quickly and the baby was already beginning to crown. Trooper Rincon immedi- ately requested medics to re- spond, and went to his patrol vehicle to retrieve gloves, blankets, and anything he could find to help. When he got up to the car with his supplies he found that the baby boy had al- ready arrived. Rincon wrapped up the baby and assisted in caring for mother and baby until medics arrived on scene. The mother, Courtney Benavidez, and baby Carter were taken to the Canyon Vista Medical Center in Si- erra Vista, where they were admitted for observation. Trooper Rincon also went to the medical center to assist the family. Courtney and her new bundle of joy were eventu- ally discharged from the hospital, and are now at home where they are both doing very well . The trooper, two ladies and a baby 1.When the boss asks if you read the suspect his Miranda rights, you say, “No, but I just got a great deal on car insurance.” 2.Your probable cause was “the whiff of mischief in the evening air.” 3.You officially charged them with “being a dick.” 4.The defendant is worth $800 million and is golf partners with Eric Holder. 5.Your star witness is a bipolar drug addict with jewelry in her eyelids. 6.The case is before Judge John “Set ‘em all free!” Grafton. 7.The only evidence was the stolen pizza – subsequently eaten by K-9 Roscoe. 8.It’s actually not illegal to be in possession of 12 ounces of tarragon. 9.It’s the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. 10. You once called the judge you’ll be testifying in front of “The Great Satan” in a Facebook post. signs the charges won’t hold up in court