I remember that lil sweaty thang ...
Hillsborough deputies say security salesman raped woman while going door to door
By Shelley Rossetter, Times Staff WriterTampa Bay Times
Posted: Dec 31, 2011 11:43 AM
TAMPA — Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies arrested a man working as a home security salesman who they say raped a woman in her Town 'N Country home Friday evening while going door to door.
Rashad Hales, 19, of 4019 E Grove St. in Tampa, is charged with attempted first degree murder, kidnapping, sexual battery, armed burglary with battery and tampering with a witness. He is being held in the Hillsborough County jail without bond.
At about 5:50 p.m., Hales knocked on the woman's door to solicit business for ADT security, deputies said. The woman opened the door and told Hales her fiance, who makes household decisions, was not home. About 5 to 10 minutes later, Hales knocked on the door again and told the woman he had spoken to her fiance about signing up. The woman tried to close the door, however Hales grabbed her wrist and stopped her, deputies said.
Hales pushed his way inside and locked the door. He began beating and strangling the woman using his hands and an electrical cord, deputies said, while telling the woman he should kill her.
Hales forced the woman to a bedroom where he raped her, deputies said. He then brought her to the kitchen, armed himself with a knife, held it to the woman's throat and threatened to kill her if she told anyone, deputies said. He took her cell phone and ran away.
A short time later, the woman's fiance returned home and called 911. Patrol deputies, K-9 deputies and helicopters set up a perimeter and tracked Hales. After a brief chase on foot, deputies captured Hales in the parking lot of the Shell gas station at 11203 Sheldon Road in Tampa.
During an interview with detectives, Hales admitted to the offenses and expressed regret that he did not kill the woman, deputies said. Hales said he thought the woman wouldn't tell anyone if he did not kill her, deputies said.
Hales was legitimately working for Secure Watch, an authorized dealer for ADT, going door to door throughout the neighborhood, deputies said.
The woman has been medically cleared. Deputies did not release her name because of the nature of the crime.
Hales' first appearance in court is scheduled for Sunday morning.
Deputies are looking for anyone who may recognize Hales, have additional information about him or may be a potential victim to contact the Sheriff's office at (813) 247-8200.
[Last modified: Dec 31, 2011 12:03 PM]
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Viewing 1 - 20 of 20 comments Oldest First Newest First Top Rated
dapex Dec 31, 2011 12:03 PM About 1 hour ago ●●●●●●●! Don't open door to suspicious thugs...
Reply Report Abuse 1 7
Fugilebrity Dec 31, 2011 1:06 PM About 37 minutes ago Memo to citizens: Never open your door for any solicitor. Ignore the doorbell, it is not Publishers' Clearing House. It is someone looking to take advantage of you, financially, criminally, or sexually. Reply Report Abuse 0 4 james4d Dec 31, 2011 12:03 PM About 1 hour ago I wonder if this company does back ground checks on it's employees. If may or may not have helped in preventing this crime, but it certainly could not have hurt. However, those that are employed to solicit door to door are usually ired and put to work the same day. My wife will not answer the door, unless I'm home or the dog is at her side. The kids are not allowed to open it to strangers what so ever. I feel bad for this woman and hope this ●●●●●● bag gets put away for a very long time.
Reply Report Abuse 0 13 Dapper Dave Dec 31, 2011 12:04 PM About 1 hour ago He has no record of previous arrests in Hillsborough or Pinellas County, so it's tough to fault the security sales company for hiring him.
That being said, based on his booking photo, I'm not sure I would have opened my door to him - and I'm a very fit 6'1", 205 male.
My hard and fast rule is to not buy ANYTHING from door-to-door sales people, or to even engage them in conversation beyond "No, I'm not interested. Have a nice day."
I'll cut kids who knock on my door some slack, but adults doing any kind of solicitation are sent on their way quick, fast and in a hurry.
I really feel sorry for the woman. I'm sure her husband and brothers (if she has any) would love to have ten minutes alone in a locked room with this piece of garbage.
LADIES!! DON'T OPEN YOUR DOOR FOR STRANGERS (PARTICULARLY MALES)!!!
Reply Report Abuse 0 13 CLWPilot Dec 31, 2011 12:09 PM About 1 hour ago Glad he's behind bars. Let's keep it that way.
Reply Report Abuse 0 10 Deepcow Dec 31, 2011 12:17 PM About 1 hour ago Put him down like a rabid dog.
Reply Report Abuse 0 5 luvstpete Dec 31, 2011 12:19 PM About 1 hour ago Snip, snip.........
Reply Report Abuse 0 4 geoteacher Dec 31, 2011 12:45 PM About 1 hour ago Get a lawyer and sue ADT, take their profits for the last ten years. Never buy anything from a door to door salesperson. Not even little kids.
Reply Report Abuse 0 2
ax2grind Dec 31, 2011 12:52 PM About 1 hour ago I didn't know they sold little kids door-to-door. Reply Report Abuse 0 3 Radar33713 Dec 31, 2011 12:48 PM About 1 hour ago "Hales admitted to the offenses and expressed regret that he did not kill the woman"
I will be more than happy to put the bullet in his head. Better yet, maybe I'll aim a little farther south if you know what I mean. This thing should not be allowed to breathe the oxygen that you and I breathe!
Reply Report Abuse 1 5 ax2grind Dec 31, 2011 12:51 PM About 1 hour ago The truly frightening part is he won't get life in prison, as he should. He'll spend five years and be out to offend again. Next time he will kill his victim because he's learned they will turn him in. His comment to the police was chilling. Bet she and her fiance are moved before the weekend is over.
Reply Report Abuse 0 3 Back-In727 Dec 31, 2011 12:59 PM About 1 hour ago He will not see the light of day until he is old and grey. Hopefully someone repays him in prison the same way he treated this woman!
Reply Report Abuse 0 2
ax2grind Dec 31, 2011 1:30 PM About 13 minutes ago I think you're wrong about his being old and grey before he gets out. History has shown the judicial and penal system are not harsh enough on someone who seems to be a first time offender. He'll be out before you know it and preying on some other woman who will lucky if she makes it past the rape to testify against him. Reply Report Abuse 0 1 LePetomane Dec 31, 2011 1:03 PM About 40 minutes ago I was under the impression that ADT plunked down the 50 or so dollars and did background checks. Anyway, noth'n beats a high capacity .45 semi-auto as a security system.
Reply Report Abuse 1 1 Jada Dec 31, 2011 1:14 PM About 29 minutes ago I have a large NO SOLICITING/CANVASSING sign on my door. They don't knock anymore. I absolutely HATE any company that solicites business this way. We live in a non soliciting neighborhood but they still come knocking, but not on my door now. We have ADT and there is a sign right by the door, but yet ADT hung a tag on my door that said call for an upgrade. Idiots. I am about ready to change alarm companies.
Reply Report Abuse 0 1
ididso Dec 31, 2011 1:29 PM About 14 minutes ago Jada, What is a "non-soliciting neighborhood? Reply Report Abuse 0 0 Jack Krak Dec 31, 2011 1:15 PM About 28 minutes ago "Rashad". Enough said.
Reply Report Abuse 2 2 PrincessHaven Dec 31, 2011 1:23 PM About 20 minutes ago ADT is the same company that BTK worked for.
Reply Report Abuse 0 1
hlallard Dec 31, 2011 1:34 PM About 9 minutes ago I am from Wichita and know very well about BTK... Reply Report Abuse 0 0 My2Sense Dec 31, 2011 1:27 PM About 16 minutes ago Another piece of trash. Good thing he believed she wouldn't tell anyone or he would have killed her.
Reply Report Abuse 0 0 res07njc Dec 31, 2011 1:28 PM About 15 minutes ago monster..
Reply Report Abuse 0 0 ididso Dec 31, 2011 1:32 PM About 11 minutes ago The guy looks 30+ on his mug shot.
I wonder if that's 19 dog years?
Reply Report Abuse 0 0 hlallard Dec 31, 2011 1:33 PM About 10 minutes ago Where is this picture to see what he looks likes???
Reply Report Abuse 0 1 What Now Dec 31, 2011 1:36 PM About 7 minutes ago My heart goes out to this poor woman. So sad because events like this serve to make our society an increasingly defensive and less trusting one. Florida is already a transient and mobile place, people come and go. It is hard to get to know your neighbors. Also, many worthy charities and causes are hurt by this. We are all victims behind our locked doors.
Reply Report Abuse 0 0 tozzie Dec 31, 2011 1:44 PM About -1 minutes ago 'Tampering with a witness'? Hales threats should have boasted each and every charge to "aggravated". You giving him a what, five year break, on every charge because he "confessed"? Give me a break. I've heard of deals, but this is ridiculous. With half a days work, you could have nailed this down without such a deal. Pitiful.
Reply Report Abuse 0 0
larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 1:47 PM About -1 minutes ago Hey, this is the same method that Hummer Limo and their assorted criminals used in order to determine who my home insurer was. I hope people are not giving these folks any information besides the fact that WHY ARE YOU OPENING YOUR DOOR??????????????????????????? Why would she open it AGAIN??? She had just told him she was home alone. Ridiculous. Glad she is OK, however. Sad to learn this the hard way. Be well, m'aam. Town N Country is a nasty enough dump thanks to Sokol counterpart, Tony Delgado crewe among others (tony is just a yes man)ADT should be sued. Hope they ARE !!! I find many of their employees sinister and laugh pretty good over how people trust these thugs to watch their property !!! LOL!! Why are people so stupid? Don't they have EYES?
Reply Report Abuse
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Jane Castor Colin Breen and the Tent Slashing of FAMILIES
Tampa ready to begin spending convention security funds on police upgrades
By Richard Danielson, Times Staff WriterTampa Bay Times
In Print: Saturday, December 31, 2011
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TAMPA — No sooner will the Tampa City Council accept $50 million for security at next year's Republican National Convention than it will begin to spend the money.
Council members are scheduled to vote on receiving the U.S. Department of Justice security grant on Thursday. Then, in their very next item of business, they will consider spending nearly $273,000 of the funds on a new armored SWAT team truck.
Later in the same meeting, they'll consider spending another $1.18 million from the grant to convert the analog video feed from cameras in police helicopters to a state-of-the-art digital downlink.
Police say they would need both upgrades eventually even without the GOP coming to town Aug. 27-30. But officials want both in place before the convention, which could draw an estimated 15,000 protesters.
"It's one of those things where you prepare for the worst and you hope for the best," Tampa Assistant Police Chief Marc Hamlin said Friday.
The city has two armored vehicles now. One is almost 20 years old, the other almost 30. "Both are military surplus," Hamlin said. "We're struggling to keep them going. Parts are hard to come by."
So the city is looking at spending $272,904 on a Lenco BearCat armored SWAT truck. The manufacturer, based in Massachusetts, uses secret proprietary methods to provide protection against assault weapon gunfire at a lighter weight than other vehicles. The BearCat has a turning radius of less than 18 feet, shorter than the length of the vehicle itself.
If the council approves the contract Thursday, Lenco said the vehicle could be delivered by July 12, six weeks ahead of the convention.
How the BearCat might be used at the convention "depends on what happens," Hamlin said, but such vehicles are typically called up to send officers into situations where they might draw fire. Other local agencies have similar vehicles that also are expected to be on hand for the convention.
The video downlink conversion would replace a system the department has used since 1999. It's as obsolete as black-and-white TV, Hamlin said. Agencies in Pinellas and Hillsborough have gone digital, and officials say Tampa needs to convert to be able to coordinate with them.
The new system would be able to stream encrypted, high-definition video to handheld receivers or monitors in police command and hostage negotiation vehicles. The system also would work with a Tampa Fire Rescue heavy rescue vehicle and fireboat.
The contract would go to sole bidder Broadcast Microwave Services of Poway, Calif. Tampa is asking that the company provide on-site technical assistance and support during the convention.
Up to two-thirds of the federal security grant, which was approved by Congress last month, will go toward bringing in, housing and feeding 3,000 or more outside law enforcement officers that the city thinks it will need to work the convention. That's on top of Tampa's nearly 1,000 police officers and Hillsborough's 1,100 sheriff's deputies.
The city also plans to spend up to $2 million installing about 60 surveillance cameras around downtown Tampa for the convention. And city officials say they could have to buy a couple of thousand radios so that officers coming to work the convention from different parts of the state will be on the same communications system as local officers.
Reach Richard Danielson at Danielson@tampabay.com, (813) 226-3403 or @Danielson_Times on Twitter.
[Last modified: Dec 30, 2011 10:18 PM]
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Viewing 1 - 17 of 17 comments Oldest First Newest First Top Rated
cpr1200r Dec 30, 2011 6:00 PM Yesterday A para-military organization with a new credit card w a $50mil limit...WaHoo!!
Reply Report Abuse 2 10
John Connor Dec 30, 2011 10:11 PM Yesterday what a bunch of sh*t! $50 million for these pinheads to p i s s down the drain on new playtoys! all this c r a p about how broke our government is and how we don't have enough money and the debt, etc? What a bunch of garbage! So the next time you hear the Repiggies in DC tell us how dire the nation's economic situation is and how we have to cut SS, medicare and the education budget you'll know it's all a bunch of C R A P! Reply Report Abuse 3 7
Not the Marlboro Man Dec 31, 2011 8:05 AM About 5 hours ago If it wasn't for rioters and Black Flag anarchist protesters along with Occupy morons (supported by the Obama administration I might add)threatening to burn down the city and to disrupt the convention as they have promised, I would tend to agree that this could be construed as wasteful spending. However I would direct your attention to You-Tube and the last convention in Denver and Minneapolis, where these Black Flag idiots burned cars, through acid bombs at police officer and did everything in their power to disrupt the convention. Philadelphia was caught off guard a couple of years ago when they tried to use conventional measures for a summit held there when these scum showed up. So if you don't want your city burnt to the ground and your town made to look like an embarrassment like Vancouver was after the Stanley Cup go ahead and complain. But if you don't know what you are talking about why not trying educating yourself first before you start calling the Assistant Police Chief name Reply Report Abuse 3 1 Pascopilot Dec 30, 2011 6:16 PM Yesterday All the Republicans, in the United States, are not worth 50 million dollars!!
Reply Report Abuse 6 9
windrider Dec 31, 2011 8:30 AM About 5 hours ago and ALL the ●●●●●●●●● are worth even less. Reply Report Abuse 2 0 Pascopilot Dec 30, 2011 6:22 PM Yesterday $omebody i$ making $ome big buck$ for very little effort!
Kinda like Halliburton in Iraq and Afghanistan. A no bid contract winner and Dick Cheney's former employer, who gave Dick a 25 million dollar bonus to run with GW Bush. (THey called him 'W', so he could spell it). They (Halliburton) made BILLIONS from that no bid contract. And here I thought the GOP/TEA was the Honest party. What a shock they aren't!!!!!!!!
Reply Report Abuse 4 8
scott adamms Dec 31, 2011 9:18 AM About 4 hours ago They are trying to get that armored SWAT team truck in time for Gasparilla so Captain Buckhorn & his band of City Council pirates can lead the parade with a giant banner that says TAMPAS STREETS ARE ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE SAME AS WE DO. The Mayor will soon cordon off entire sections of the city for his Gasparilla buddies & have the cops protect them while he sends the same police to terrorize & arrest other citizens. What a bunch of hypocrites. Talk about Honest Services Fraud imagine how many unemployed homeless they could help with a small part of that money. They abuse the laws in their own behalf while they distort them against their own citizens. Check out Hypocrite in chief Buckhorn online stating: "They can not set up tents in the park, NO ONE is PERMITTED to do that." Soon there will be tents everywhere for the Mayor’s cronies. The video is At OccupyTampa.org under Forums/Themes Tactical Planning/What our elected Officials said- the Mayor Buckhorn Thread. Its half wa Reply Report Abuse 0 3 Steamboat Willie Dec 30, 2011 6:43 PM Yesterday It's going to be one hell of a show. Armored vehicles roaming the streets, helicopters hovering overhead, riot squads armed and ready to shoot to kill if need be. We'll show those godless heathens around the world what the "Land of the Free" and Democracy is really all about!
Reply Report Abuse 2 11
Bleacher Bum Dec 30, 2011 8:10 PM Yesterday yeah! Sounds like there having an open season on Liberals. 15,000 expected. All I can imagine is Los Angeles burning. The streets alive with molotov cocktails, cars on fire, rubber bullets whizzing like a disturbed hornets nest, and "There is nothing like the smell of burning tires in the evening air. Sounds to intense to me, I think I'll just stay at home and watch the mayhem on Faux News. Reply Report Abuse 4 6
ANGRYTAXPAYER Dec 30, 2011 9:04 PM Yesterday Our police will not be as lax as L.A. This is a law & order state. The criminals will be dealt with with as much force as necessary. Reply Report Abuse 8 3
Steamboat Willie Dec 30, 2011 9:55 PM Yesterday "Are there any queers in the theatre tonight Get'em up against the wall There's one in the spotlight He don't look right to me Get him up against the wall And that one looks Jewish And that one's a ●●●● Who let all this riff-raff into the room There's one smoking a joint And another with spots If I had my way I'd have all of you shot" theWall Reply Report Abuse 2 5 windrider Dec 31, 2011 8:36 AM About 5 hours ago The POLICE STATE of the UNITED STATES OF OBAMA CARE. PLEASE Deposit ALL of your personal Items into the bin so we can share them with everyone else who hasn't worked for them. and make sure you Neal to the east each morning afternoon and evening. We will change the name of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA to The SOCIALIST ORDER of the ONCE most powerful country in the world. Reply Report Abuse 4 0
larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 1:20 PM About -1 minutes ago F THAT. THIS IS ALL AROUND THE GOP CONVENTION, loser !!!
Reply Report Abuse moondoggie601 Dec 30, 2011 8:52 PM Yesterday Kid in a candy store.
Reply Report Abuse 1 4 McBob Dec 30, 2011 8:57 PM Yesterday Lock and load! Strict enforcement on law-breakers so that the democratic process can happen without being hijacked.
Reply Report Abuse 8 1
John Connor Dec 30, 2011 10:14 PM Yesterday let's hope McBoob ventures out and gets hit with bags of feces thrown by anarchists! It's gonna be WW3 out there that you can take to the bank. Reply Report Abuse 2 4 Blackbean Dec 30, 2011 8:59 PM Yesterday The Bear Cat sounds a little out of it's element,considering, these are potential political protestors, unarmed,and at best, a nuisance.
Reply Report Abuse 1 7 ANGRYTAXPAYER Dec 30, 2011 9:02 PM Yesterday DO WHAT ALABAMA DOES & GET FREE MILITARY EQUIPMENTS FOR IRAQ.
WHY WASTE $273,000 WHEN YOU CAN GET ARMOR VEHICLES FOR FREE MINUS SHIPPING COST.
Reply Report Abuse 2 4
windrider Dec 31, 2011 8:44 AM About 5 hours ago But it's SO MUCH FUN to spend/WASTE Tax Payer money. Reply Report Abuse 0 1 DontBullShitMe Dec 31, 2011 2:05 AM About 11 hours ago Did any of you idiots see what happened at the last RNC in Minneapolis?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c0CqBVbfXA&feature=related
start watching at the 30 second mark
Reply Report Abuse 3 1 larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 4:05 AM About 9 hours ago year's Republican National Convention than it will begin to spend the money.
Council members are scheduled
SHOULD BE THEN NOT THAN. just sayin ... other than that, thanks for excellent article Mr. D.
Reply Report Abuse 1 1 larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 4:27 AM About 9 hours ago Oh, sheriff. Does this mean when you HOVER CONSTANTLY OVER MY BADLY NEEDED FOR YOUR GAMBLING PARTY PROPERTY you will video downlink what I'm doing in my backyard to all the cops you station at my fence pretending they are pulling over some hapless crack dealer while your classification officer guards the crack houses ????????????????????????????????? Cool. Y'all so nosey. You should have just asked me what I wanted. Now it's gotten ugly. And how's that working out for you? I'm considering suing Duran RIGHT NOW. NOW. And that will mean YOU. Get your stupid sharks ready.
Reply Report Abuse 2 1 Dave in St Pete Dec 31, 2011 7:32 AM About 6 hours ago The police do NOT need an armored vehicle! We need to stop this militarization of the civilian police forces. Swat teams with 'no knock' warrants kicking in the (often) wrong doors, dressed all in black with their faces covered are WRONG! Riot shields, sure; shotguns, sure; Armored vehicles and full auto assault rifles, NO! The police are CIVILIANS we hired to enforce the laws that WE propagate. They are NOT the elected leaders army!
Reply Report Abuse 0 5
windrider Dec 31, 2011 8:49 AM About 5 hours ago They are trying to be Military when we DO become a POLICE State. Disarm the Citizens, Arm the police to the MAX and now they have a bunch of SUBJECTS rather than CITIZENS, Easily controlled. Reply Report Abuse 0 3
amazed11 Dec 31, 2011 10:14 AM About 3 hours ago Thank the GOP for that Reply Report Abuse 1 3 robert47 Dec 31, 2011 8:39 AM About 5 hours ago Amazing the GOP can vote (25 teabaggers) No on a returning Veteran Jobs Program but can pi$$ away $50 million on foriegn made camera equipment, to protect thier sorry programs .
hope these hired crowd beaters just turn thier backs on protecting these a-holes!
Reply Report Abuse 1 4 PalmHarbor11 Dec 31, 2011 8:39 AM About 5 hours ago This all started with Reagan..you remember him, the guy who sold Iran 4400 Tow Rockets? He was our first Fascist President.
Reply Report Abuse 1 4 scott adamms Dec 31, 2011 8:53 AM About 5 hours ago They are trying to get that armored SWAT team truck in time for Gasparilla so Captain Buckhorn & his band of City Council pirates will can lead the Gasparilla parade with a giant banner that says TAMPAS STREETS ARE ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE SAME AS WE DO. The Mayor will soon cordon off entire sections of the city for his Gasparilla buddies & have the cops protect them while he sends the same police to terrorize & arrest other citizens. What a bunch of hypocrites. Talk about Honest Services Fraud. Imagine how many unemployed homeless they could help with a small part of that money. They abuse the laws in their own behalf while they distort them against their own citizens. Chek out Hypocrite in cheif Buckhorn online stating: "They can not set up tents in the park, NO ONE is PERMITTED to do that." Soon there will be tents everywhere for the Mayor cronies. The video is At OccupyTampa.org under Forums/Themes Tactical Planning/What our elected Officials said- the Mayor Buckhorn Thread
Reply Report Abuse 0 1 Blackbean Dec 31, 2011 9:52 AM About 4 hours ago Much has already been said about this, but I don't think any are naive enough to believe we aren't heading to a time when all this militarization will be used to keep people subjected to a leadership they don't approve of.The people who carried out the original Tea Party,were PROTESTORS.
Reply Report Abuse 0 3 thomasito chocolato2 Dec 31, 2011 10:26 AM About 3 hours ago hahaha! the cameras already has been set up everywhere in downtown for the last few months. Oop soory I spilled the bean.
Reply Report Abuse 0 2
thomasito chocolato2 Dec 31, 2011 10:28 AM About 3 hours ago oh btw,we have the most cameras in tampa than anywhere in the US right now Reply Report Abuse 0 2
larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 1:22 PM About -1 minutes ago thomasito, do you know WHY that is? It's too monitor the frequent drug deals. THAT is about the only reason anyone visits tampa. The MASONS/Dopedealers don't want anyone getting "lost" with all that cash they're carrying.
Reply Report Abuse
larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 1:23 PM About -1 minutes ago Tampa: hope you sink into oblivion with spongebob plaidpants at the oozing bottom. NO INSULT TO MY BELOVED SPONGEBOG SQUARE PANTS.
Reply Report Abuse
larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 1:23 PM About -1 minutes ago Oh, sheriff. Does this mean when you HOVER CONSTANTLY OVER MY BADLY NEEDED FOR YOUR GAMBLING PARTY PROPERTY you will video downlink what I'm doing in my backyard to all the cops you station at my fence pretending they are pulling over some hapless crack dealer while your classification officer guards the crack houses ????????????????????????????????? Cool. Y'all so nosey. You should have just asked me what I wanted. Now it's gotten ugly. And how's that working out for you? I'm considering suing Duran RIGHT NOW. NOW. And that will mean YOU. Get your stupid sharks ready.
Reply Report Abuse
larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 1:23 PM About -1 minutes ago fifty bucks says henry duran retires soon !!!
Reply Report Abuse
larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 1:24 PM About -1 minutes ago
By Richard Danielson, Times Staff WriterTampa Bay Times
In Print: Saturday, December 31, 2011
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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TAMPA — No sooner will the Tampa City Council accept $50 million for security at next year's Republican National Convention than it will begin to spend the money.
Council members are scheduled to vote on receiving the U.S. Department of Justice security grant on Thursday. Then, in their very next item of business, they will consider spending nearly $273,000 of the funds on a new armored SWAT team truck.
Later in the same meeting, they'll consider spending another $1.18 million from the grant to convert the analog video feed from cameras in police helicopters to a state-of-the-art digital downlink.
Police say they would need both upgrades eventually even without the GOP coming to town Aug. 27-30. But officials want both in place before the convention, which could draw an estimated 15,000 protesters.
"It's one of those things where you prepare for the worst and you hope for the best," Tampa Assistant Police Chief Marc Hamlin said Friday.
The city has two armored vehicles now. One is almost 20 years old, the other almost 30. "Both are military surplus," Hamlin said. "We're struggling to keep them going. Parts are hard to come by."
So the city is looking at spending $272,904 on a Lenco BearCat armored SWAT truck. The manufacturer, based in Massachusetts, uses secret proprietary methods to provide protection against assault weapon gunfire at a lighter weight than other vehicles. The BearCat has a turning radius of less than 18 feet, shorter than the length of the vehicle itself.
If the council approves the contract Thursday, Lenco said the vehicle could be delivered by July 12, six weeks ahead of the convention.
How the BearCat might be used at the convention "depends on what happens," Hamlin said, but such vehicles are typically called up to send officers into situations where they might draw fire. Other local agencies have similar vehicles that also are expected to be on hand for the convention.
The video downlink conversion would replace a system the department has used since 1999. It's as obsolete as black-and-white TV, Hamlin said. Agencies in Pinellas and Hillsborough have gone digital, and officials say Tampa needs to convert to be able to coordinate with them.
The new system would be able to stream encrypted, high-definition video to handheld receivers or monitors in police command and hostage negotiation vehicles. The system also would work with a Tampa Fire Rescue heavy rescue vehicle and fireboat.
The contract would go to sole bidder Broadcast Microwave Services of Poway, Calif. Tampa is asking that the company provide on-site technical assistance and support during the convention.
Up to two-thirds of the federal security grant, which was approved by Congress last month, will go toward bringing in, housing and feeding 3,000 or more outside law enforcement officers that the city thinks it will need to work the convention. That's on top of Tampa's nearly 1,000 police officers and Hillsborough's 1,100 sheriff's deputies.
The city also plans to spend up to $2 million installing about 60 surveillance cameras around downtown Tampa for the convention. And city officials say they could have to buy a couple of thousand radios so that officers coming to work the convention from different parts of the state will be on the same communications system as local officers.
Reach Richard Danielson at Danielson@tampabay.com, (813) 226-3403 or @Danielson_Times on Twitter.
[Last modified: Dec 30, 2011 10:18 PM]
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Viewing 1 - 17 of 17 comments Oldest First Newest First Top Rated
cpr1200r Dec 30, 2011 6:00 PM Yesterday A para-military organization with a new credit card w a $50mil limit...WaHoo!!
Reply Report Abuse 2 10
John Connor Dec 30, 2011 10:11 PM Yesterday what a bunch of sh*t! $50 million for these pinheads to p i s s down the drain on new playtoys! all this c r a p about how broke our government is and how we don't have enough money and the debt, etc? What a bunch of garbage! So the next time you hear the Repiggies in DC tell us how dire the nation's economic situation is and how we have to cut SS, medicare and the education budget you'll know it's all a bunch of C R A P! Reply Report Abuse 3 7
Not the Marlboro Man Dec 31, 2011 8:05 AM About 5 hours ago If it wasn't for rioters and Black Flag anarchist protesters along with Occupy morons (supported by the Obama administration I might add)threatening to burn down the city and to disrupt the convention as they have promised, I would tend to agree that this could be construed as wasteful spending. However I would direct your attention to You-Tube and the last convention in Denver and Minneapolis, where these Black Flag idiots burned cars, through acid bombs at police officer and did everything in their power to disrupt the convention. Philadelphia was caught off guard a couple of years ago when they tried to use conventional measures for a summit held there when these scum showed up. So if you don't want your city burnt to the ground and your town made to look like an embarrassment like Vancouver was after the Stanley Cup go ahead and complain. But if you don't know what you are talking about why not trying educating yourself first before you start calling the Assistant Police Chief name Reply Report Abuse 3 1 Pascopilot Dec 30, 2011 6:16 PM Yesterday All the Republicans, in the United States, are not worth 50 million dollars!!
Reply Report Abuse 6 9
windrider Dec 31, 2011 8:30 AM About 5 hours ago and ALL the ●●●●●●●●● are worth even less. Reply Report Abuse 2 0 Pascopilot Dec 30, 2011 6:22 PM Yesterday $omebody i$ making $ome big buck$ for very little effort!
Kinda like Halliburton in Iraq and Afghanistan. A no bid contract winner and Dick Cheney's former employer, who gave Dick a 25 million dollar bonus to run with GW Bush. (THey called him 'W', so he could spell it). They (Halliburton) made BILLIONS from that no bid contract. And here I thought the GOP/TEA was the Honest party. What a shock they aren't!!!!!!!!
Reply Report Abuse 4 8
scott adamms Dec 31, 2011 9:18 AM About 4 hours ago They are trying to get that armored SWAT team truck in time for Gasparilla so Captain Buckhorn & his band of City Council pirates can lead the parade with a giant banner that says TAMPAS STREETS ARE ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE SAME AS WE DO. The Mayor will soon cordon off entire sections of the city for his Gasparilla buddies & have the cops protect them while he sends the same police to terrorize & arrest other citizens. What a bunch of hypocrites. Talk about Honest Services Fraud imagine how many unemployed homeless they could help with a small part of that money. They abuse the laws in their own behalf while they distort them against their own citizens. Check out Hypocrite in chief Buckhorn online stating: "They can not set up tents in the park, NO ONE is PERMITTED to do that." Soon there will be tents everywhere for the Mayor’s cronies. The video is At OccupyTampa.org under Forums/Themes Tactical Planning/What our elected Officials said- the Mayor Buckhorn Thread. Its half wa Reply Report Abuse 0 3 Steamboat Willie Dec 30, 2011 6:43 PM Yesterday It's going to be one hell of a show. Armored vehicles roaming the streets, helicopters hovering overhead, riot squads armed and ready to shoot to kill if need be. We'll show those godless heathens around the world what the "Land of the Free" and Democracy is really all about!
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Bleacher Bum Dec 30, 2011 8:10 PM Yesterday yeah! Sounds like there having an open season on Liberals. 15,000 expected. All I can imagine is Los Angeles burning. The streets alive with molotov cocktails, cars on fire, rubber bullets whizzing like a disturbed hornets nest, and "There is nothing like the smell of burning tires in the evening air. Sounds to intense to me, I think I'll just stay at home and watch the mayhem on Faux News. Reply Report Abuse 4 6
ANGRYTAXPAYER Dec 30, 2011 9:04 PM Yesterday Our police will not be as lax as L.A. This is a law & order state. The criminals will be dealt with with as much force as necessary. Reply Report Abuse 8 3
Steamboat Willie Dec 30, 2011 9:55 PM Yesterday "Are there any queers in the theatre tonight Get'em up against the wall There's one in the spotlight He don't look right to me Get him up against the wall And that one looks Jewish And that one's a ●●●● Who let all this riff-raff into the room There's one smoking a joint And another with spots If I had my way I'd have all of you shot" theWall Reply Report Abuse 2 5 windrider Dec 31, 2011 8:36 AM About 5 hours ago The POLICE STATE of the UNITED STATES OF OBAMA CARE. PLEASE Deposit ALL of your personal Items into the bin so we can share them with everyone else who hasn't worked for them. and make sure you Neal to the east each morning afternoon and evening. We will change the name of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA to The SOCIALIST ORDER of the ONCE most powerful country in the world. Reply Report Abuse 4 0
larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 1:20 PM About -1 minutes ago F THAT. THIS IS ALL AROUND THE GOP CONVENTION, loser !!!
Reply Report Abuse moondoggie601 Dec 30, 2011 8:52 PM Yesterday Kid in a candy store.
Reply Report Abuse 1 4 McBob Dec 30, 2011 8:57 PM Yesterday Lock and load! Strict enforcement on law-breakers so that the democratic process can happen without being hijacked.
Reply Report Abuse 8 1
John Connor Dec 30, 2011 10:14 PM Yesterday let's hope McBoob ventures out and gets hit with bags of feces thrown by anarchists! It's gonna be WW3 out there that you can take to the bank. Reply Report Abuse 2 4 Blackbean Dec 30, 2011 8:59 PM Yesterday The Bear Cat sounds a little out of it's element,considering, these are potential political protestors, unarmed,and at best, a nuisance.
Reply Report Abuse 1 7 ANGRYTAXPAYER Dec 30, 2011 9:02 PM Yesterday DO WHAT ALABAMA DOES & GET FREE MILITARY EQUIPMENTS FOR IRAQ.
WHY WASTE $273,000 WHEN YOU CAN GET ARMOR VEHICLES FOR FREE MINUS SHIPPING COST.
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windrider Dec 31, 2011 8:44 AM About 5 hours ago But it's SO MUCH FUN to spend/WASTE Tax Payer money. Reply Report Abuse 0 1 DontBullShitMe Dec 31, 2011 2:05 AM About 11 hours ago Did any of you idiots see what happened at the last RNC in Minneapolis?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c0CqBVbfXA&feature=related
start watching at the 30 second mark
Reply Report Abuse 3 1 larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 4:05 AM About 9 hours ago year's Republican National Convention than it will begin to spend the money.
Council members are scheduled
SHOULD BE THEN NOT THAN. just sayin ... other than that, thanks for excellent article Mr. D.
Reply Report Abuse 1 1 larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 4:27 AM About 9 hours ago Oh, sheriff. Does this mean when you HOVER CONSTANTLY OVER MY BADLY NEEDED FOR YOUR GAMBLING PARTY PROPERTY you will video downlink what I'm doing in my backyard to all the cops you station at my fence pretending they are pulling over some hapless crack dealer while your classification officer guards the crack houses ????????????????????????????????? Cool. Y'all so nosey. You should have just asked me what I wanted. Now it's gotten ugly. And how's that working out for you? I'm considering suing Duran RIGHT NOW. NOW. And that will mean YOU. Get your stupid sharks ready.
Reply Report Abuse 2 1 Dave in St Pete Dec 31, 2011 7:32 AM About 6 hours ago The police do NOT need an armored vehicle! We need to stop this militarization of the civilian police forces. Swat teams with 'no knock' warrants kicking in the (often) wrong doors, dressed all in black with their faces covered are WRONG! Riot shields, sure; shotguns, sure; Armored vehicles and full auto assault rifles, NO! The police are CIVILIANS we hired to enforce the laws that WE propagate. They are NOT the elected leaders army!
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windrider Dec 31, 2011 8:49 AM About 5 hours ago They are trying to be Military when we DO become a POLICE State. Disarm the Citizens, Arm the police to the MAX and now they have a bunch of SUBJECTS rather than CITIZENS, Easily controlled. Reply Report Abuse 0 3
amazed11 Dec 31, 2011 10:14 AM About 3 hours ago Thank the GOP for that Reply Report Abuse 1 3 robert47 Dec 31, 2011 8:39 AM About 5 hours ago Amazing the GOP can vote (25 teabaggers) No on a returning Veteran Jobs Program but can pi$$ away $50 million on foriegn made camera equipment, to protect thier sorry programs .
hope these hired crowd beaters just turn thier backs on protecting these a-holes!
Reply Report Abuse 1 4 PalmHarbor11 Dec 31, 2011 8:39 AM About 5 hours ago This all started with Reagan..you remember him, the guy who sold Iran 4400 Tow Rockets? He was our first Fascist President.
Reply Report Abuse 1 4 scott adamms Dec 31, 2011 8:53 AM About 5 hours ago They are trying to get that armored SWAT team truck in time for Gasparilla so Captain Buckhorn & his band of City Council pirates will can lead the Gasparilla parade with a giant banner that says TAMPAS STREETS ARE ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE SAME AS WE DO. The Mayor will soon cordon off entire sections of the city for his Gasparilla buddies & have the cops protect them while he sends the same police to terrorize & arrest other citizens. What a bunch of hypocrites. Talk about Honest Services Fraud. Imagine how many unemployed homeless they could help with a small part of that money. They abuse the laws in their own behalf while they distort them against their own citizens. Chek out Hypocrite in cheif Buckhorn online stating: "They can not set up tents in the park, NO ONE is PERMITTED to do that." Soon there will be tents everywhere for the Mayor cronies. The video is At OccupyTampa.org under Forums/Themes Tactical Planning/What our elected Officials said- the Mayor Buckhorn Thread
Reply Report Abuse 0 1 Blackbean Dec 31, 2011 9:52 AM About 4 hours ago Much has already been said about this, but I don't think any are naive enough to believe we aren't heading to a time when all this militarization will be used to keep people subjected to a leadership they don't approve of.The people who carried out the original Tea Party,were PROTESTORS.
Reply Report Abuse 0 3 thomasito chocolato2 Dec 31, 2011 10:26 AM About 3 hours ago hahaha! the cameras already has been set up everywhere in downtown for the last few months. Oop soory I spilled the bean.
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thomasito chocolato2 Dec 31, 2011 10:28 AM About 3 hours ago oh btw,we have the most cameras in tampa than anywhere in the US right now Reply Report Abuse 0 2
larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 1:22 PM About -1 minutes ago thomasito, do you know WHY that is? It's too monitor the frequent drug deals. THAT is about the only reason anyone visits tampa. The MASONS/Dopedealers don't want anyone getting "lost" with all that cash they're carrying.
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larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 1:23 PM About -1 minutes ago Tampa: hope you sink into oblivion with spongebob plaidpants at the oozing bottom. NO INSULT TO MY BELOVED SPONGEBOG SQUARE PANTS.
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larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 1:23 PM About -1 minutes ago Oh, sheriff. Does this mean when you HOVER CONSTANTLY OVER MY BADLY NEEDED FOR YOUR GAMBLING PARTY PROPERTY you will video downlink what I'm doing in my backyard to all the cops you station at my fence pretending they are pulling over some hapless crack dealer while your classification officer guards the crack houses ????????????????????????????????? Cool. Y'all so nosey. You should have just asked me what I wanted. Now it's gotten ugly. And how's that working out for you? I'm considering suing Duran RIGHT NOW. NOW. And that will mean YOU. Get your stupid sharks ready.
Reply Report Abuse
larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 1:23 PM About -1 minutes ago fifty bucks says henry duran retires soon !!!
Reply Report Abuse
larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 31, 2011 1:24 PM About -1 minutes ago
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