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In Ohio, a ''maintenance engineer" is a journalist; an online News Mgr. isn't

Submitted by cbaus on Wed, 04/27/2005 - 12:24.

Ohioans For Concealed Carry’s investigation of the Ohio State Highway Patrol/ Department of Public Safety's administration of issuing press credentials has turned up startling information which raises new questions about the safety and security at the Ohio Statehouse and at crime and accident scenes, or any other critical incidents.

In response to an article published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer a few weeks ago, OFCC submitted public records requests to the Ohio Department of Public Safety/ Ohio State Highway Patrol (ODPS/OSHP) to obtain any and all information on who has applied for and been issued media credentials (officially called Ohio Public Information Officer (OPIO) cards) and on the procedures for how the applications are processed.

The initial concern was, of course, that the office that handles the applications for these cards had obviously tipped off PD reporter Julie Carr-Smyth that a member of OFCC had applied for media credentials. This is clearly inappropriate behavior on the part of the ODPS/OSHP. While the records release did not explicitly implicate any one person as having contacted the Plain Dealer, the records release has instead prompted a larger question of who should be considered a "journalist" in today's Internet-driven society, as well as prompting concerns over the procedures for issuance of these credentials.

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Tip helps law agencies thwart planned robbery

Submitted by cbaus on Wed, 04/27/2005 - 06:32.

Time and again, when told that publishing lists of gun owners (CHL-holders) would provide criminals lists of homes from which to steal guns, or would let potential attackers know who isn't able to defend themselves, the media responded by saying that criminals just weren't smart enough to utilize the newspaper to premeditate their crimes or select their targets.

The Akron Beacon Journal has called it a "flimsy presumption", and Gannett News Columbus Bureau Chief Jim Siegel said warnings about the dangers of publishing the list of CHL-holders "elevate these criminals to a level of sophistication they very likely do not possess..." Even Attorney General Jim Petro called such a scenario "a stretch".

The Fremont News-Messenger is reporting that, after receiving a tip from an informant, detectives from the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office worked with detectives from the Fremont Police Department and arrested two men early Saturday morning who were accused of planning to rob a manager at Domino's when he made a bank deposit.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for the story.

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Another ''no-guns'' sign comes down!

Submitted by cbaus on Wed, 04/27/2005 - 06:27.

Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2005
From: Richard H.
To: Joe Eaton, OFCC Business Education Coordinator
Subject: Re: Remove signs

My fiancé and I both have Ohio and Florida CHL's. We looking for a new car at Victory Honda at 2055 Cleveland Road in Sandusky when we noticed the no guns signs. I went to my car and retrieved a "no guns-no money" card and explained to the salesman we do not do business with with such companies.

We informed the salesman to give the cards to the manager as he was not currently present. Several days later the general Manager called and apologized and said that was not his view of firearms and he has the signs removed. I replied that in the future I would look forward to doing business with them. He said the signs were there from the previous owners and they had just taken over the business.

So signs come down at:

Victory Honda
2055 Cleveland Road
Sandusky, Ohio 44870
Erie County

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Budget cuts result in prisoner release; suspected in escape

Submitted by cbaus on Wed, 04/27/2005 - 06:25.

The Youngstown Vindicator is reporting that the Mahoning County Sheriff's office has begun releasing prisoners, some convicted of gun crimes, from jail, claiming that budget cuts are forcing the issue. Some are being told they must return to finish their time when there is room in the jail.

From the story:

    An Akron federal judge who concluded jail conditions violate inmates' civil rights wants no more than 296 inmates at the jail on Fifth Avenue. The jail can hold 564.

    Sheriff Randall A. Wellington is following a 13-step release mechanism to reduce the jail population. Mahoning County common pleas judges established the release criteria late last month.

    Santamas said he and the sheriff will have to figure out if furloughed inmates take priority over newly sentenced criminals. They said juggling the ebb and flow of inmates who must serve a sentence depends on how long the jail operation remains at less than capacity.

    U.S. District Judge David D. Dowd Jr. halted the layoff of 62 deputies this month to allow enough guards for 296 inmates. Commissioners have not said where the money will come from to pay the deputies.

Speculation that the release is being orchestrated to influence a May 3 primary vote on a half-cent sales tax voters have twice rejected last year is growing. The tax helps fund the sheriff's department, among others.

    Inmates released on furlough, meanwhile, sign a sheet that states they understand they must call the jail registrar every month to see if a cell is available. If they are unable to speak by phone with the jail registrar, they must report in person.

    If furloughed inmates fail to call or report in person, a warrant charging them with escape may result.

    Furloughed inmates' crimes include theft, assault, domestic violence, driving under suspension, probation violation, hit and run, contempt of court, carrying a concealed weapon, drug abuse, DUI, receiving stolen property, trespass and nonsupport.

The newspaper then gives examples of persons being released, including a man who was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm (no license, of course), yet is being released two months early.

Knowing the state cannot even keep track of convicted sex offenders on a registry system, can they honestly believe criminals are going to call in every month to ask if they can get a jail cell? Of course not. In fact, the Vindicator quotes Judge Milich as saying one of the inmates released on a court summons already failed to show Thursday and he issued a warrant. The judge said things are going to get worse because crime is moving into the "busy season" — summer.

Meanwhile in Ashtabula County, the Cleveland Plain Dealer is http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/lake/111450810... " target="_blank">reporting that a jailbreak in that county is raising questions on how budget cuts there have affected security.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

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Carry, because you just never know...

Submitted by cbaus on Wed, 04/27/2005 - 06:24.
  • You just never know, example #1:
    The Toledo Blade is reporting that a 23-year-old woman told police yesterday morning that she was shot while going to her car at her residence in the 900 block of Byrneport Drive at approximately 9:30 a.m..

    From the story:

      Natasha Campbell told police she was walking to her car when a man wearing something over his face walked up to her and asked for change. When she said she didn't have any and turned, the man shot her, Ms. Campbell told officers.

      She told police a friend drove her to the hospital. A St. Vincent Mercy spokesman said Ms. Campbell was listed in fair condition.

  • You just never know, example #2:
    The Toledo Blade is reporting that Findlay police are searching for two men who robbed a pizza delivery driver Saturday night.

    From the story:

      The men, one of them brandishing a handgun, approached the driver, who works for Marco's Pizza, as he was making a delivery in the 200 block of Stanley Avenue, Findlay police said.

      The driver turned over an undisclosed amount of cash and his pizza to the robbers, who fled on foot, police said.

  • You just never know, example #3:
    The Fremont Times-Messenger is reporting that a Fremont couple reported being tied up and robbed by gunpoint Saturday afternoon after two men entered their home after asking to use a phone.

    From the story:

      A little after 4:30 p.m., a man in the 2700 block of South River Road in Ballville Township reported two men came to his front door saying they had run out of gas and asking if he had any. The man said he noticed a newer silver or gray vehicle with custom hub caps parked near his house with its hood up, as if it were disabled.

      When he said he did not have any gas, the men asked to use his phone. The victim said he left the suspects on the porch while he got the phone, but he left the door open a crack. The suspects entered the home and pulled out handguns, telling the man, as well as a female victim, to lie on the floor.

      According to a report from the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office, the suspects used a television cable wire and the victim's belt to bind the man's hands.

      The suspects took the female victim to another room and used a telephone line and a belt to tie her hands as well.

      After disconnecting the phone lines, the suspects stole the man's wallet and the female victim's purse and spent about 45 minutes going through the home looking for jewelry and money.

      At one point, the suspects reportedly threatened to shoot the man unless he told them his credit card information.

    The sheriff's office told reporters that the suspects are still at large, evidence was collected, and the investigation is ongoing.

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