I would seriously like to be a police officer when i am older but my main question is:
I am going on to Picking my GCSE’s
i want to know what would benifit me more,
A Language
Or P.E
To help me get into police force?
Archive for September, 2008
What would be better in a police force?
Wednesday, September 24th, 2008I would seriously like to be a police officer when i am older but my main question is:
I am going on to Picking my GCSE’s
i want to know what would benifit me more,
A Language
Or P.E
To help me get into police force?
Major Mexican Cartels are Joining Forces to Battle the Mexican Army
Monday, September 22nd, 2008
by Michael Webster: Investigative Reporter. Sunday May 18, 2008 3:00 PM PST
Mexican drug cartels angered by a nationwide military crackdown on their drug and other criminal actives are striking back. This powerful group of organized criminals and their alliance, also known as the Federation, is a cooperating group of the major Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) also known as Mexican drug cartels and their Para-military units and gangs that share resources such as smuggling drug, human and terrorist transportation routes both in Mexico and on into the United states, money laundering trained paramilitary personal and warring equipment.
The Alliance was formed originally to counter the powerful Gulf Cartel. DEA agent said. But now with the Mexican army operating along their trafficking routes its having a negative effect on their business and costing them billions. According to Mexican drug enforcement agents who want to remain anonymous.
This dangerous alliance now coming together includes organizations headed by some of the most feared Mexican drug cartel leaders in the country. These organizations together will have the manpower and money to wage a real war with the Mexican government headed by Mexican President Felipe de Jesus CALDERON Hinojosa. This alliance will now have access to, RPG’s, machine guns, bazookas, and a whole variety of other cutting edge military arms as weaponry and communications equipment far more advanced than those of the Mexican army.
Ever since the war began, President Calderón has continually appealed to the United States for support. He is quoted as saying “I think the American government must do its part in this terrible battle” and has made several appeals to U.S. President George W. Bush directly for aid against the drug cartels. Click or Google: Merida Initiative Will It Work?
On October 22, 2007, Bush pledged US$1.4 billion in funding to Mexico to aid in the drug war. Additionally, it was agreed that the United States would supply Mexico with logistical assistance and equipment, training for its military and police forces, a number of U.S. Military helicopters, and X-ray machines. However, the assistance package did not include any U.S. troops, and direct military involvement is largely opposed by the citizenry of both nations. But during a recent closed door emergency meeting of high level Mexican government officials of the Mexican National Security Cabinet it was openly discussed and many were calling for Calderon to ask for U.S. troops and more U.S. training of Mexican soldiers and police. Click or Google: Mexico’s National Security Cabinet expected to declare a state of emergency
The drug cartel alliance is believed to now include: Juárez, Sinaloa, Los Negros, Tijuana, Gulf, (Los Zetas), Guadalajara, Sonora, and Colima drug cartels. And other cartels are being invited to join.
The board of directors of this alliance are believed the heads of the member cartels: Juan José Esparragosa-Moreno, Joaquín Guzmán-Loera, Carrillo family,Arellano Félix brothers, Ismael Zambada-García, , Arturo and Hector Beltrán-Leyva, Edgar Valdez-Villareal, Armando Valencia-Cornelio, and Ignazio Coronel-Villareal. And unknown others.
Even though some of the police chief’s and sheriff’s of U.S. Cities and County’s bordering Mexico say publicly they are not very concerned and claim they are well prepared for any type of event that may spill over into their communities. Even they recognize that the Southwest Border Region is the most significant national-level storage, transportation, and transshipment area for illicit drug shipments that are destined for drug markets throughout the United States. The DEA reports that the region is the principal arrival zone for most drugs smuggled into the United States; more illicit drugs are seized along the Southwest Border than in any other arrival zone. Mexican DTOs have developed sophisticated and expansive drug transportation networks extending from the Southwest Border to all regions of the United States. They smuggle significant quantities of illicit drugs through and between ports of entry (POEs) along the Southwest Border and store them in communities throughout the region. Most of the region’s principal metropolitan areas, including Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Antonio, Tucson and San Diego, are significant storage locations as well as regional and national transportation and distribution centers. Mexican DTOs and criminal gangs transport drug shipments from these locations to destinations throughout the country.
Homeland Security points out that the threat posed to the nation by Mexican DTOs that operate in Mexico and the Southwest Border Region extends well beyond drug trafficking to other criminal activities, including border violence, firearms trafficking, alien and terrorist smuggling.
Violence is often associated with drug trafficking along the border; however, law enforcement officials have noted a significant escalation in the level of violence since the first of the year. Much of the violence occurring along the Southwest Border has been a result of conflict between the Gulf Cartel and the cartels opposing each other. Since Calderon’s ordering Mexican troops to battle the cartels, drug-related violence is on an increase and reportedly is shifting somewhat from the Mexican interior states to the states bordering the U.S. According to recent law enforcement and open source reporting indicates that cartel-related violence is still prevalent in a few Mexican cities such as Manzanillo, Monterrey and others.
The escalation of drug-related violence occurring along the border among DTOs increasingly involves DTO use of violent paramilitary enforcement groups. Mexican DTOs use such groups to protect operations and drug shipments as well as to target members of rival drug cartels and law enforcement officers. Los Zetas, the enforcement arm of the Gulf Cartel, may be the most technologically advanced, sophisticated, and violent of these paramilitary enforcement groups. Some Los Zetas members are former Mexican Special Forces soldiers and maintain expertise in the use of heavy weaponry, specialized military tactics, sophisticated communications equipment, intelligence collection, and countersurveillance techniques. Click on or Google: They’re known as “Los Zetas
Even before the armies arrival much of the violence attributed to conflicts over control of smuggling routes has remained in Mexico, some has spilled into the United States. Murders and kidnappings linked to Mexican DTOs as well as assaults against U.S. law enforcement officers are becoming increasingly common along the Southwest Border. Violence directed at law enforcement officers along the Southwest Border, primarily U.S. Border Patrol agents, often is intended to deter agents from seizing illicit drug shipments or as a diversion during drug smuggling operations. In addition, drug-related violence has expanded from Tijuana, Baja California Norte; Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua; and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, into other geographic areas along the border, including Agua Prieta and Cananea, Sonora, and Palomas, Chihuahua. American kidnappings, and hostage situations attributed to this conflict are increasing, particularly in Dallas, El Paso, Tucson, Phoenix, San Diego and other U.S. border cities and towns. Click or Google: Americans Being Kidnapped, Held and killed in Mexico
Sources:
DEA
Mexican Federal Police
Mexican Officials
Juarez, Palomas, Tijuana and Mexico City police Dept’s.
Ranking Mexican army officers
Mexican and other open source reports
Laguna Journal
By: michael Webster
Mexican drug cartels angered by a nationwide military crackdown on their drug and other criminal actives are striking back. This powerful group of organized criminals and their alliance, also known as the Federation, is a cooperating group of the major Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) also known as Mexican drug cartels and their Para-military units and gangs that share resources such as smuggling drug, human and terrorist transportation routes both in Mexico and on into the United states, money laundering trained paramilitary personal and warring equipment.
The Alliance was formed originally to counter the powerful Gulf Cartel. DEA agent said. But now with the Mexican army operating along their trafficking routes its having a negative effect on their business and costing them billions. According to Mexican drug enforcement agents who want to remain anonymous.
This dangerous alliance now coming together includes organizations headed by some of the most feared Mexican drug cartel leaders in the country. These organizations together will have the manpower and money to wage a real war with the Mexican government headed by Mexican President Felipe de Jesus CALDERON Hinojosa. This alliance will now have access to, RPG’s, machine guns, bazookas, and a whole variety of other cutting edge military arms as weaponry and communications equipment far more advanced than those of the Mexican army.
Ever since the war began, President Calderón has continually appealed to the United States for support. He is quoted as saying “I think the American government must do its part in this terrible battle” and has made several appeals to U.S. President George W. Bush directly for aid against the drug cartels. Click or Google: Merida Initiative Will It Work?
On October 22, 2007, Bush pledged US$1.4 billion in funding to Mexico to aid in the drug war. Additionally, it was agreed that the United States would supply Mexico with logistical assistance and equipment, training for its military and police forces, a number of U.S. Military helicopters, and X-ray machines. However, the assistance package did not include any U.S. troops, and direct military involvement is largely opposed by the citizenry of both nations. But during a recent closed door emergency meeting of high level Mexican government officials of the Mexican National Security Cabinet it was openly discussed and many were calling for Calderon to ask for U.S. troops and more U.S. training of Mexican soldiers and police. Click or Google: Mexico’s National Security Cabinet expected to declare a state of emergency
The drug cartel alliance is believed to now include: Juárez, Sinaloa, Los Negros, Tijuana, Gulf, (Los Zetas), Guadalajara, Sonora, and Colima drug cartels. And other cartels are being invited to join.
The board of directors of this alliance are believed the heads of the member cartels: Juan José Esparragosa-Moreno, Joaquín Guzmán-Loera, Carrillo family,Arellano Félix brothers, Ismael Zambada-García, , Arturo and Hector Beltrán-Leyva, Edgar Valdez-Villareal, Armando Valencia-Cornelio, and Ignazio Coronel-Villareal. And unknown others.
Even though some of the police chief’s and sheriff’s of U.S. Cities and County’s bordering Mexico say publicly they are not very concerned and claim they are well prepared for any type of event that may spill over into their communities. Even they recognize that the Southwest Border Region is the most significant national-level storage, transportation, and transshipment area for illicit drug shipments that are destined for drug markets throughout the United States. The DEA reports that the region is the principal arrival zone for most drugs smuggled into the United States; more illicit drugs are seized along the Southwest Border than in any other arrival zone. Mexican DTOs have developed sophisticated and expansive drug transportation networks extending from the Southwest Border to all regions of the United States. They smuggle significant quantities of illicit drugs through and between ports of entry (POEs) along the Southwest Border and store them in communities throughout the region. Most of the region’s principal metropolitan areas, including Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Antonio, Tucson and San Diego, are significant storage locations as well as regional and national transportation and distribution centers. Mexican DTOs and criminal gangs transport drug shipments from these locations to destinations throughout the country.
Homeland Security points out that the threat posed to the nation by Mexican DTOs that operate in Mexico and the Southwest Border Region extends well beyond drug trafficking to other criminal activities, including border violence, firearms trafficking, alien and terrorist smuggling.
Violence is often associated with drug trafficking along the border; however, law enforcement officials have noted a significant escalation in the level of violence since the first of the year. Much of the violence occurring along the Southwest Border has been a result of conflict between the Gulf Cartel and the cartels opposing each other. Since Calderon’s ordering Mexican troops to battle the cartels, drug-related violence is on an increase and reportedly is shifting somewhat from the Mexican interior states to the states bordering the U.S. According to recent law enforcement and open source reporting indicates that cartel-related violence is still prevalent in a few Mexican cities such as Manzanillo, Monterrey and others.
The escalation of drug-related violence occurring along the border among DTOs increasingly involves DTO use of violent paramilitary enforcement groups. Mexican DTOs use such groups to protect operations and drug shipments as well as to target members of rival drug cartels and law enforcement officers. Los Zetas, the enforcement arm of the Gulf Cartel, may be the most technologically advanced, sophisticated, and violent of these paramilitary enforcement groups. Some Los Zetas members are former Mexican Special Forces soldiers and maintain expertise in the use of heavy weaponry, specialized military tactics, sophisticated communications equipment, intelligence collection, and countersurveillance techniques. Click on or Google: They’re known as “Los Zetas
Even before the armies arrival much of the violence attributed to conflicts over control of smuggling routes has remained in Mexico, some has spilled into the United States. Murders and kidnappings linked to Mexican DTOs as well as assaults against U.S. law enforcement officers are becoming increasingly common along the Southwest Border. Violence directed at law enforcement officers along the Southwest Border, primarily U.S. Border Patrol agents, often is intended to deter agents from seizing illicit drug shipments or as a diversion during drug smuggling operations. In addition, drug-related violence has expanded from Tijuana, Baja California Norte; Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua; and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, into other geographic areas along the border, including Agua Prieta and Cananea, Sonora, and Palomas, Chihuahua. American kidnappings, and hostage situations attributed to this conflict are increasing, particularly in Dallas, El Paso, Tucson, Phoenix, San Diego and other U.S. border cities and towns. Click or Google: Americans Being Kidnapped, Held and killed in Mexico
Sources:
DEA
Mexican Federal Police
Mexican Officials
Juarez, Palomas, Tijuana and Mexico City police Dept’s.
Ranking Mexican army officers
Mexican and other open source reports
Laguna Journal
By: michael Webster
What is a good Police Force to work for in New York?
Sunday, September 21st, 2008I’m looking to become a police officer but I’m not sure where to locate myself. I don’t want to work for a corrupt agency with lazy, arrogant, and incompetent fools. If someone could give me a hand, that would be awesome. If I’m going into the force, I want to make sure that my moral character is never compromised by my immoral superiors. Thank you.
Police Force Careers
Sunday, September 21st, 2008
The tenth amendment to the constitution confers police powers on the states. There are more than 18,000 police agencies in America today. Police departments at the state level may consist of the State police and the Highway patrol. At the municipal/metropolitan level there may be the housing, school and special port police departments among others.
There are about 15,000 municipal police departments in the U.S., but the NYPD enjoys a special status among them. It boasts of over 40,000 regular officers in addition to around 13,000 special purpose officers in different police departments such as animal cruelty, beach, harbor, hospital, housing, port, railroad, sanitation, school, and transit and transportation departments. There may then be specialized units under specific departments’ e.g. airborne, bomb, forensic, narcotic and sex crime units. There are numerous career opportunities in the police department with a number of vacancies being advertised regularly.
Criteria For Selection
The NYPD conducts a written examination for recruitment for which the candidate needs to be at least 17 ½ years of age at the minimum and 35 years at the maximum in order to appear for the exam. The hiring criteria is that the applicant should be at least 21 years on the date of hiring and should have successfully completed 60 college credits from an accredited college with a GPA of 2.0 or 2 years of full time military service in the United States Armed Forces with an honorable discharge and have a high school diploma or equivalent. The applicant has to be a US citizen on or before the date of hiring and must be residing within one of the five boroughs of the New York City or any of the surrounding counties on the day of hiring. He must have a driver’s license and pass a drug /alcohol screening test.
Compensation
Full pay and benefits are payable from the first day of training and today stand at around $25000 per annum. After completion of six months of Police Academy training this would increase to around $32000 and continue to increase with yearly rests. This is the base salary. After 5 ½ years the base salary goes up to approximately $60,000 per year. In addition to the base salary there are also various other allowances such as overtime earning, holiday pay, night differential and uniform allowance.
For career advancement, every two to three years there are promotional examinations conducted by the NYPD for police officers. On successfully qualifying in these exams, one can go up to the rank of Lieutenant. The average earnings of a Lieutenant today are above $100000 per annum.
Retirement Benefits
Retirement benefits after 20 years of service to an officer of the NYPD consists of an annual pension amounting to approximately $46,000, in addition to full medical benefits, an annuity fund and deferred compensation plan. If the retiree is of a rank higher than a police officer, the pension is proportionately higher.
In the Chicago police department, the norms of recruitment are more or less similar with some difference in the pay packet and other benefits. They offer a starting salary of over $42,000 per year to their officers, which are increased to over $54,000 per year after a year of service, and to over $57,000 per year after 18 months.
A career in the police force offers good compensation and benefits. It is a job that commands respect from the society at large. It raises the self-esteem of the individual and helps to develop a sense of responsibility in the community. Before making a concrete decision to join any one of them, it would be advisable to gather information with respect to the eligibility criteria as well as the salary and other benefits including prospects of internal promotions within the police department.
By: Tony Jacowski
There are about 15,000 municipal police departments in the U.S., but the NYPD enjoys a special status among them. It boasts of over 40,000 regular officers in addition to around 13,000 special purpose officers in different police departments such as animal cruelty, beach, harbor, hospital, housing, port, railroad, sanitation, school, and transit and transportation departments. There may then be specialized units under specific departments’ e.g. airborne, bomb, forensic, narcotic and sex crime units. There are numerous career opportunities in the police department with a number of vacancies being advertised regularly.
Criteria For Selection
The NYPD conducts a written examination for recruitment for which the candidate needs to be at least 17 ½ years of age at the minimum and 35 years at the maximum in order to appear for the exam. The hiring criteria is that the applicant should be at least 21 years on the date of hiring and should have successfully completed 60 college credits from an accredited college with a GPA of 2.0 or 2 years of full time military service in the United States Armed Forces with an honorable discharge and have a high school diploma or equivalent. The applicant has to be a US citizen on or before the date of hiring and must be residing within one of the five boroughs of the New York City or any of the surrounding counties on the day of hiring. He must have a driver’s license and pass a drug /alcohol screening test.
Compensation
Full pay and benefits are payable from the first day of training and today stand at around $25000 per annum. After completion of six months of Police Academy training this would increase to around $32000 and continue to increase with yearly rests. This is the base salary. After 5 ½ years the base salary goes up to approximately $60,000 per year. In addition to the base salary there are also various other allowances such as overtime earning, holiday pay, night differential and uniform allowance.
For career advancement, every two to three years there are promotional examinations conducted by the NYPD for police officers. On successfully qualifying in these exams, one can go up to the rank of Lieutenant. The average earnings of a Lieutenant today are above $100000 per annum.
Retirement Benefits
Retirement benefits after 20 years of service to an officer of the NYPD consists of an annual pension amounting to approximately $46,000, in addition to full medical benefits, an annuity fund and deferred compensation plan. If the retiree is of a rank higher than a police officer, the pension is proportionately higher.
In the Chicago police department, the norms of recruitment are more or less similar with some difference in the pay packet and other benefits. They offer a starting salary of over $42,000 per year to their officers, which are increased to over $54,000 per year after a year of service, and to over $57,000 per year after 18 months.
A career in the police force offers good compensation and benefits. It is a job that commands respect from the society at large. It raises the self-esteem of the individual and helps to develop a sense of responsibility in the community. Before making a concrete decision to join any one of them, it would be advisable to gather information with respect to the eligibility criteria as well as the salary and other benefits including prospects of internal promotions within the police department.
By: Tony Jacowski
Joining the police force but need a job in the mean time?
Sunday, September 21st, 2008I am currently at college and have just started my second and final year there. I plan to join the police at age 20 or 21 i am currently 17, so i need a job to fill the 2-3 year gap but i was wondering what job would give me good experience/ pay and look good on my CV for the police force. I am probably also going to be doing volunteer work which im hoping will be god for joining the police. But i was just wondering if anyone had any good ideas for a job?
Thank you Nick
Can I go to school while on the police force?
Thursday, September 18th, 2008I recently graduated ASU with a degree in recreation management, however I really want to become a police officer, and didn’t know until now.
Apparently I can get a masters degree in criminal justice at ASU if I go back to school.
MY QUESTION IS
Does the force work with your schedule so you can take classes?
should illegal immigrants be on the police force?
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008SANTA FE (AP) — The Santa Fe Police Department is considering the possibility of recruiting Mexican nationals to fill vacant police jobs.
Sgts. Gillian Alessio and Marvin Paulk, who are in charge of the department’s recruiting and training, said Tuesday they are considering alternative approaches to fill 20 vacancies on the city’s 155-person police force.
But Police Chief Eric Johnson said New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy regulations prohibit non-citizens from serving as police officers.
“Every day, we get approached by young men and women from Mexico who are in the country legally but are not naturalized,” Alessio said.
“There is a huge pool of people who are dedicated, hardworking and trying to become citizens of this country. They would like nothing better than to devote their time to protecting the communities that they live in,” she said.
—
Isn’t this outrageous? Now the police force wants cheap labor and fakes a shortage.
Charlotte Schools Team Up With Local Businesses to Improve Schools
Monday, September 15th, 2008
Office Max Donates Funds to Charlotte Schools
One Charlotte Schools ‘ member started off the school year with a big boon. Nations Ford Elementary School has received a $5,000 donation from Office Max. This donation is linked to the opening of a brand new Office Max in Rivergate Town Center on Sept. 6. Charlotte School’s teachers from Nations Ford Elementary Schools were invited to the grand opening ceremony where they could purchase additional school supplies for their classrooms. This donation will help the teachers get much needed supplies for their students and classrooms.
Along with the $5,000 donation, teachers received pre-packaged “goody” bags filled with office supplies and barbeque from Damon’s restaurant. The whole ceremony had a very festive feel. Customers can sign up for a give away featuring $1,000 shopping sprees and other prizes.
Charlotte Schools Join Up with The United Way
The United Way has a long history in the Charlotte area. The United Way currently operates three programs with the Charlotte Schools: Right Moves for You, A Child’s Place and Communities in Schools. Charlotte Schools launched its United Way fundraising campaign on September 21. A rally was held where the Charlotte Schools’ Superintendent Peter Gorman and United Way 2006 regional campaign chair Michael Baker spoke. Preschoolers from the Charlotte Schools also joined the rally in order to say thank you to the donors who help meet the year’s goal of $44 million. This partnership not only raises funds for the students and children in the Charlotte area but allows students to interact with adults who offer positive influences.
Charlotte Schools’ School Resource Officer Program
The Charlotte Schools’ School Resource Officer Program is a joint program with Charlotte Schools and the local police force. The program puts police officers in Charlotte Schools were they can help teach the students about character and safety while providing advice on security to Charlotte Schools. A current School Resource Officer Robert Kierce received a standing ovation after returning from ten months of active duty in Iraq to Charlotte School’s Jay M. Robinson School.
Kierce was very surprised when the students and Parents welcomed him back to the School Resource Officer position at Jay M. Robinson School. Originally when he left for Iraq with the Marine Corps in June of 2005, the Jay M. Robinson School gave him a send off parade and gave him gifts of phone cards and coloring books for Iraqi children.
Kierce, who has a forensics science degree, will spend time in science classrooms this school year, as well as in history classes, where he plans to talk about some of his experiences in Iraq. He is slowly returning to the routine as the school year begins. Kierce has worked with the Charlotte Schools in the School Resource Officer Program for about seven years.
Charlotte Schools and V101.9 FM Launches “Terrific Teacher Tuesday”
Charlotte Schools is partnering with V101.9 FM to create “Terrific Teacher Tuesday.” This program was created to reward elementary school teachers in the Charlotte Schools. On the second Tuesday of the month, V101.9 FM will introduce a teacher and discuss why this teacher is a good teacher. Then the radio station will choose a winner by announcing it on air and then visiting the teacher at school. Teachers can be nominated by parents, students, and staff at all Charlotte Schools’ Elementary Schools by writing a 100 word description of why this teacher is terrific.
By: Stacy Andell
One Charlotte Schools ‘ member started off the school year with a big boon. Nations Ford Elementary School has received a $5,000 donation from Office Max. This donation is linked to the opening of a brand new Office Max in Rivergate Town Center on Sept. 6. Charlotte School’s teachers from Nations Ford Elementary Schools were invited to the grand opening ceremony where they could purchase additional school supplies for their classrooms. This donation will help the teachers get much needed supplies for their students and classrooms.
Along with the $5,000 donation, teachers received pre-packaged “goody” bags filled with office supplies and barbeque from Damon’s restaurant. The whole ceremony had a very festive feel. Customers can sign up for a give away featuring $1,000 shopping sprees and other prizes.
Charlotte Schools Join Up with The United Way
The United Way has a long history in the Charlotte area. The United Way currently operates three programs with the Charlotte Schools: Right Moves for You, A Child’s Place and Communities in Schools. Charlotte Schools launched its United Way fundraising campaign on September 21. A rally was held where the Charlotte Schools’ Superintendent Peter Gorman and United Way 2006 regional campaign chair Michael Baker spoke. Preschoolers from the Charlotte Schools also joined the rally in order to say thank you to the donors who help meet the year’s goal of $44 million. This partnership not only raises funds for the students and children in the Charlotte area but allows students to interact with adults who offer positive influences.
Charlotte Schools’ School Resource Officer Program
The Charlotte Schools’ School Resource Officer Program is a joint program with Charlotte Schools and the local police force. The program puts police officers in Charlotte Schools were they can help teach the students about character and safety while providing advice on security to Charlotte Schools. A current School Resource Officer Robert Kierce received a standing ovation after returning from ten months of active duty in Iraq to Charlotte School’s Jay M. Robinson School.
Kierce was very surprised when the students and Parents welcomed him back to the School Resource Officer position at Jay M. Robinson School. Originally when he left for Iraq with the Marine Corps in June of 2005, the Jay M. Robinson School gave him a send off parade and gave him gifts of phone cards and coloring books for Iraqi children.
Kierce, who has a forensics science degree, will spend time in science classrooms this school year, as well as in history classes, where he plans to talk about some of his experiences in Iraq. He is slowly returning to the routine as the school year begins. Kierce has worked with the Charlotte Schools in the School Resource Officer Program for about seven years.
Charlotte Schools and V101.9 FM Launches “Terrific Teacher Tuesday”
Charlotte Schools is partnering with V101.9 FM to create “Terrific Teacher Tuesday.” This program was created to reward elementary school teachers in the Charlotte Schools. On the second Tuesday of the month, V101.9 FM will introduce a teacher and discuss why this teacher is a good teacher. Then the radio station will choose a winner by announcing it on air and then visiting the teacher at school. Teachers can be nominated by parents, students, and staff at all Charlotte Schools’ Elementary Schools by writing a 100 word description of why this teacher is terrific.
By: Stacy Andell
Why do we not have nor do we want a national police force?
Sunday, September 14th, 2008Law Enforement is primarily the responsibility of local governments (77% of the nations police employees work at the local level). Why do we not have nor do we want a national police force?
A House is not a Home Without a Gnome
Tuesday, September 9th, 2008
When confronted by a yard gnome or resin garden figurine the common reaction is to hold up your hands in horror and utter an expression of disgust while wondering how anyone can bear to allow such a creature to remain in their backyard. On the other hand we are told on good authority that the gnome population of Southern Germany is close on four million and, when you start looking, there are quite a number of yard gnomes visible in the US.
Perhaps we should not be surprised by the Germans since gnomes were first created in their country in the early 1800’s. The earliest recorded sighting in England was in 1840 at Lamport Hall, the seat of Sir Charles Isham. It was not until 1872 that gnomes for the garden began to be manufactured in large numbers. According to German folklore gnomes were regarded as good luck charms. They were supposed to help around the house and garden and in rural areas often lived in the rafters of barns where they would keep a watchful eye on the owner’s animals as well as the crops and garden produce.
Over the years the German gnome makers honed their skills and became master craftsmen. At its peak the Griebel gnome factory in East Germany produced some 300 different gnome characters. Following the collapse of communism in 1989 entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic decided to enter the market and to produce cheap resin garden figurines in imitation of the traditional characters. Initially they were prevented from entering Germany by a law which allowed customs to confiscate those gnomes infringing companies’ copyright. However, now it is a free for all on the German border and Reinhard Griebel, the great grandson of the founder of the firm, has just one workshop and the gnome museum.
Whilst the original yard gnomes were depicted as gardeners engaged in the traditional rural tasks, the range was increased to include anyone from fishermen to musicians, sportsmen and farmers. It was not long before living individuals were being modeled in clay or stoneware. Among those currently available are gladiator Russell Crowe, TV gardeners Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock and even a Tony Blair wall plaque. Tom Clark is another well known name in the yard gnome world.
For resin garden figurine lovers no trip to Europe would be complete without a visit to the Gnome Reserve set in the wilds of northern Devon in England. There you will find over one thousand yard gnomes and pixies in the four acre reserve. Gnome hats are loaned free of charge together with fishing rods, so you don’t embarrass the gnomes!
There are some who view the cheerful little character sitting in your yard in a different light. FreeTheGnomes.com provides Garden Gnome Liberation information and calls to action. They proclaim that “Thousands of Yard Gnomes are enslaved in Gardens across America. For too long we have let our neighbors usurp the rights of these gentle woodland creatures. Join our boycott. Organize a picket demonstration. Write to Congress. Free a Gnome. We’ll show you how.”
Some groups have taken the law into their own hands. In April 2000 in Paris the dormant Garden Gnome Liberation Front sprang back to life, stealing about 20 gnomes during a nighttime raid on a Paris exhibition. “We demand … that garden gnomes are no longer ridiculed and that they be released into their natural habitat,” the Front’s Paris wing said in a statement following its weekend strike.
Roaming gnomes have caused headaches for police forces worldwide. In May 2004 The Scotsman reported that a spate of bizarre thefts had left Lothians police with several unusual prisoners – 14 garden gnomes. An elderly woman complained to police that someone was stealing gnomes from her yard in Fairfax County, Washington D.C. Officers set up a spy-cam and caught their suspect in the act four times. Police revealed that their bad guy was really a not-so-bad Labrador retriever named Magnum. The dog had been retrieving the resin garden figurines and bringing them home. In Australia, roaming gnomes started disappearing from one particular neighbourhood on a large scale. They were found in a clearing in the bush months later, where they were all gathered around the largest gnome, having a meeting.
If you have not yet succumbed to the temptation to acquire one of these cheerful resin garden figurines, let me leave you with one final thought. A study carried out in England in 2003 into matters to be considered when selling your home found that having a yard gnome in your front garden reduced the value of your house by $840.
By: annaya rana
Perhaps we should not be surprised by the Germans since gnomes were first created in their country in the early 1800’s. The earliest recorded sighting in England was in 1840 at Lamport Hall, the seat of Sir Charles Isham. It was not until 1872 that gnomes for the garden began to be manufactured in large numbers. According to German folklore gnomes were regarded as good luck charms. They were supposed to help around the house and garden and in rural areas often lived in the rafters of barns where they would keep a watchful eye on the owner’s animals as well as the crops and garden produce.
Over the years the German gnome makers honed their skills and became master craftsmen. At its peak the Griebel gnome factory in East Germany produced some 300 different gnome characters. Following the collapse of communism in 1989 entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic decided to enter the market and to produce cheap resin garden figurines in imitation of the traditional characters. Initially they were prevented from entering Germany by a law which allowed customs to confiscate those gnomes infringing companies’ copyright. However, now it is a free for all on the German border and Reinhard Griebel, the great grandson of the founder of the firm, has just one workshop and the gnome museum.
Whilst the original yard gnomes were depicted as gardeners engaged in the traditional rural tasks, the range was increased to include anyone from fishermen to musicians, sportsmen and farmers. It was not long before living individuals were being modeled in clay or stoneware. Among those currently available are gladiator Russell Crowe, TV gardeners Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock and even a Tony Blair wall plaque. Tom Clark is another well known name in the yard gnome world.
For resin garden figurine lovers no trip to Europe would be complete without a visit to the Gnome Reserve set in the wilds of northern Devon in England. There you will find over one thousand yard gnomes and pixies in the four acre reserve. Gnome hats are loaned free of charge together with fishing rods, so you don’t embarrass the gnomes!
There are some who view the cheerful little character sitting in your yard in a different light. FreeTheGnomes.com provides Garden Gnome Liberation information and calls to action. They proclaim that “Thousands of Yard Gnomes are enslaved in Gardens across America. For too long we have let our neighbors usurp the rights of these gentle woodland creatures. Join our boycott. Organize a picket demonstration. Write to Congress. Free a Gnome. We’ll show you how.”
Some groups have taken the law into their own hands. In April 2000 in Paris the dormant Garden Gnome Liberation Front sprang back to life, stealing about 20 gnomes during a nighttime raid on a Paris exhibition. “We demand … that garden gnomes are no longer ridiculed and that they be released into their natural habitat,” the Front’s Paris wing said in a statement following its weekend strike.
Roaming gnomes have caused headaches for police forces worldwide. In May 2004 The Scotsman reported that a spate of bizarre thefts had left Lothians police with several unusual prisoners – 14 garden gnomes. An elderly woman complained to police that someone was stealing gnomes from her yard in Fairfax County, Washington D.C. Officers set up a spy-cam and caught their suspect in the act four times. Police revealed that their bad guy was really a not-so-bad Labrador retriever named Magnum. The dog had been retrieving the resin garden figurines and bringing them home. In Australia, roaming gnomes started disappearing from one particular neighbourhood on a large scale. They were found in a clearing in the bush months later, where they were all gathered around the largest gnome, having a meeting.
If you have not yet succumbed to the temptation to acquire one of these cheerful resin garden figurines, let me leave you with one final thought. A study carried out in England in 2003 into matters to be considered when selling your home found that having a yard gnome in your front garden reduced the value of your house by $840.
By: annaya rana