An older story of how two towns dealt with biker gatherings. Since these gatherings continue each summer, often as a movable feast, aspiring police chiefs may have something to learn from this saga. Cities of Angels.
Category Archives: Governmental Triage
Investigating Recruits? Maybe!
From police departments to forensic science labs to the British bar, the scrutiny given the claims of applicants, as well as background investigations in general, can be woeful. Like here. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/14/nyregion/falling-far-short-of-the-whole-truth.html?smid=pl-share
Uncontrolled Comptroller: 53M/20 Years
One year for each 2.5 million the esteemed Dixon, IL comptroller stole from the city. Wonder if anyone who doesn’t get sentencing guidelines now thinks stealing 200K is only worth a month in jail. Seriously, the real moral is that no one handling finances should ever be spared serious, regular audits and heathy oversight skepticism. http://www.suntimes.com/news/18227927-418/ex-dixon-comptroller-gets-19-12-years-in-prison-in-53-million-theft.html
Philly Ticket Fixing Breaks
This report, commissioned by the Chief Justice of Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court, set the stage for recent indictments of Philadelphia Traffic Court judges. The Chief Justice, however, will no longer be commissioning traffic court reports. His fellow justices assigned his oversight role to another judge in part, some suspect, because the report un-collegially cited the “consideration” shown a fellow Justice’s wife by Traffic Court functionaries. http://articles.philly.com/2012-11-22/news/35258842_1_traffic-court-judge-willie-singletary-judge-robert-mulgrew
Forensic “Science”
My book, Why Law Enforcement Organizations Fail, delves into why even the best crime labs can “fail.” This piece is a nice update. http://www.npr.org/2012/11/20/165579898/forensic-crime-lab-scandals-may-be-due-to-oversight
Set bar higher for judges
At present in Pennsylvania, with elected judges, it’s more like a limbo bar. Inquirer Editorial: Set bar higher for judges.
Ticket Fixing in Philly
Two-track system: The ordinary Joe or Jane was dressed down by stern judges whose hearts then bled for the connected. Check out the related links alongside the main story. Nine current and former Traffic Court judges charged.
Governors Gone Wild
How do you beat the headline “Blagojevich Now Only Ex-Illinois Governor Still in Jail”? http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/31/us/illinois-ex-governor-ryan-released-from-prison.html?smid=pl-share
Failure to Evaluate
Kids in urban public school systems fall behind in alarming numbers and are handicapped for a lifetime as a result. All involved are happy to say “the system” failed. The majority who work in “the system” (in other words, teachers) easily find fault with management and the disadvantages students suffer at home. But apparently what teachers’ unions see as the real threat to education today are meaningful measures that distinguish good teachers from bad. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/18/nyregion/new-york-city-talks-on-teacher-evaluations.html?smid=pl-share Update: State gets involved. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/31/nyregion/gov-andrew-m-cuomo-issues-ultimatum-in-teacher-evaluation-fight.html?smid=pl-share
Any Port in a Fiscal Storm
So Pittsburgh-area nonprofits will have to prove their bona fides to the tax collector and the airport will have gas rigs fracking away. Seems like the environment and charity take a backseat when bankruptcy looms. http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/region/allegheny-county-puts-nonprofits-on-notice-671520/