If you insist on saying something stupid . . .

Kelly: Glut of war wagons?

Sunday, February 14, 2010    Last updated: Monday February 15, 2010, 6:38 AM

By MIKE KELLY
RECORD COLUMNIST

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One evening last week police rushed to a Carlstadt warehouse where five gunmen were reportedly taking hostages and stealing $50,000 in perfume.

JOE EPSTEIN/SPECIAL TO THE RECORD

Members of the Passaic County Sheriff's Department SWAT team taking part in a drill with their armored response vehicle recently. The usual phalanx of light-flashing patrol cruisers sped to the scene. But also showing up was a sleek armored truck from the Bergen County Police Department that seemed more suited to the bullet-riddled roads of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Welcome to the newest and perhaps most controversial piece of local crime-fighting equipment — a military-like war wagon that can stop a .50-caliber bullet and keep fighting through a radiation haze from a terrorist's dirty nuclear bomb. Do cops really need this? In the suburbs?

Critics call these trucks a waste. And with a price tag of $300,000 to $400,000, they make a good argument. But police say local tax payers aren't footing the bill — most trucks are bought with federal Homeland Security anti-terror funds. And what's more, cops say they have to be prepared for a local version of the Columbine and Virginia Tech school killings — or worse.

So far, police are getting their way. Eleven police agencies across New Jersey have purchased armored trucks in recent years. The state police have three. Along with the truck operated by the Bergen County Police SWAT team, the Passaic, Morris and Hudson county sheriff's departments each have their own armored vehicles. The good news is that not one of these trucks has had to stop a bullet. But that good news also raises a troubling question: Are police preparing for gunfights or other emergencies that almost never happen?

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. . .How about do us all a favor and don't say it?  I had woke up early the other morning so I decided to get up and look at the news headlines on the Web. Wouldn't you know, one of the first things I can across was this Op/Ed piece - at least that's how I would categorize it - and my first thought was "this guy is an idiot". I can only wonder if, maybe as a young reporter, he covered a barricaded person incident or a hostage situation? If he did, he would surely realize that his argument is flawed and that these specialized units justify their costs (which I think is somewhat lower than the figures he quoted) after just one operation.

Until next time . . .



Cleveland, OH Police SWAT unit



World Prematurity Day (November 17, 2011)

Editor's note:

"Preemies" have a special place in my heart because that's how my life started -- one (1) month premature and weighing in at a whopping four (4) pounds. I was one of the fortunate ones because I survived those early days and went on to thrive and become a healthy adult.

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In humans, "pre-term birth" refers to the birth of a baby at less than the thirty-seven (37) weeks gestational age. Currently the cause for pre-term birth - at least in many cases - remains unknown. Research has shown that many factors appear to be associated with the development of pre-term birth -- making its reduction a difficult proposition.

"Premature birth", commonly used as a synonym for pre-term birth, refers to the birth of a baby before its organs have matured enough to allow normal post-natal survival, growth, and development. Generally, premature infants are at a greater risk for both short-term and long-term complications including disabilities and impediments in growth and mental development. While great progress has been made in the care of premature infants, but not in reducing the prevalence of pre-term birth.

Most children, even if they are born pre-term, tend to adjust very well during childhood and adolescence. As improvements in the survival rate has improved, the focus of interventions directed at the newborn has shifted to reducing long-term disabilities -- particularly those related to brain injury. It should be noted, however, that some of the complications associated with pre-term birth may not become evident until years after birth.  Some of these include: cerebral palsy, mental retardation, disorders in psychological development, problems with vision and/or hearing, and epilepsy. Even with all that has been learned, additional long-term studies are necessary to get a better picture regarding the sequalae associated with pre-term birth.

Mayor Reed just can't win

As you know, if you've been following the news, Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta has been "home" for the Occupy: Atlanta protesters as they attempted to figure out exactly what to protest.(That seemed to change day-to-day and, occasionally hour-to-hour.)  While Mayor Kasim Reed was trying to deal with the protesters,  he's been dealing with a second group of "protesters" in the form of residents and business owners who demanded that he oust the Occupy: Atlanta protesters. Just one problem: he couldn't legally do that. The one law that would have allowed him to put them out had been rendered void when he signed an Executive Order allowing them to stay in the park during the over night hours. Fast forward to yesterday - Monday, October 24th - when Mayor Reed stated that he was going to rescind the previous Executive Order due to an illegal concert held over the weekend. Now, get this, Operation Push is demanding the Mayor's ouster because of what the term "too strong of a police presence". 

Mr. Mayor, may I make a suggestion? While you're putting the Occupy: Atlanta protesters, kick out Operation Push too!

Occupy Atlanta | Rainbow PUSH leader calls for ouster of Mayor Reed | ajc.com

-- Walter 

September is hydrocephalus awareness month

As you can see I have had hydrocephalus most of my life -- having developed it shortly after birth. I will make no qualms about it, I am a walking miracle because I have survived well-past the two-year mark predicted by the doctor and have went on to become a healthy, productive adult who loves to help others. Unfortunately not all those affected by Hydrocephalus are as unfortunate as I was and suffer from a myriad of health issues including heart problems, lack of bladder control (incontinence), loss of coordination, trouble walking and/or slow or restricted movement just to name a few. To increase awareness of this condition, September is Hydrocephalus Awareness Month and survivors such as myself, as well as  parents of children born with the condition are using all means at their disposal including blogs and social media sites such as Facebook to get it out before the public. Here's an example:

Facebook hydrocephalus group

Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for Hydrocephalus Awareness Month, but the effort shouldn't be limited to just one month because hydrocephalus is probably one of the least know - and least publicized - conditions known to medical science. For example, when I was born in 1963, there was somewhere between a half-page to one page devoted to the topic in most medical books. The sad fact is that in forty-seven (47) years that has changed some -- but not near as much as it should considering that statistics now show that over 1,000,000 children have been born with hydrocephalus. There have been wonderful strides in the treatment of "hydro" with items such as the programmable shunt (pictured at left) , , , now we just need to do a better job of raising awareness. To that end, I'm going to do my part later this month when I participate in the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Fund (PHF) "Walk for the Cure". It will take place on Saturday, September 17, 2011 beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Atlanta Beach, 2300 Highway 138, SE, Jonesboro, Georgia 30236.


Website for the PHF "Walk for the Cure"

Until next time . . .

Eagle owner, patrons say APD firings don't go far enough | ajc.com

I'm writing this blog because the headline (and associated article) below causes me mixed feelings. While I'm glad that the Atlanta Police Department (APD) did the right thing regarding the botched raid at the Eagle club in Atlanta, I can't help but think the owners of the club are now trying to "settle the score". I say that because officers have been terminated, suspended, and they (the Eagle) were awarded a settlement against the City. What more can be done?

-- WL

Eagle owner, patrons say APD firings don't go far enough | ajc.com