Category Archives: Victimless Crimes

By Nick Givas | Fox News

As of Thursday, April 16, there have been more than 16,000 inmates released from prisons all over the United States due to the novel coronavirus.A total of approximately 16,622 inmates have been released or are scheduled to be released shortly due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The majority were being held on non-violent charges or were deemed to pose no immediate threat to society if released.With very few exceptions, jail inmates have yet to be convicted. They are usually awaiting trial. Prison inmates, on the other hand, have already been convicted and sentenced.Here is a state-by-state breakdown of how many prisoners were let out, and what criteria were followed for granting their release:

ALABAMA: As of Friday, 480 inmates were released from the Mobile Metro Jail who had committed non-violent crimes, were sickly, were 55 years or older or had low bonds, according to Al.com

ARIZONA:As of March 20, Coconino County has released around 50 jail inmates who were being held on non-violent charges, The Arizona Daily Sun reported.

CALIFORNIA: On March 23, Los Angeles County released about 1,700 jail inmates with under 30 days left on their sentences for non-violent crimes.The Modest Bee reported that on April 12, between 150 to 300 jail inmates in Stanislaus County were released due to a temporary statewide emergency bail schedule that reduced bail for certain offenses to $0. It applies to accused inmates whose cases have not been adjudicated.As of April 13, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) expedited the release of approximately 3,500 eligible state prisoners who were set to be released within 60 days or less and were not currently serving time for a violent crime or domestic violence, or a person required to register under Penal Code 290.As of April 13, the Superior Court of Alameda County ordered the release of 334 relatively low-level inmates from the Santa Rita Jail. They had 90 days or fewer left to serve on their felony sentences or were found to have good cause to be released.All of these prisoners were released because their bail was reduced to $0 after an emergency ruling by the Judicial Council of California on April 6.

COLORADO:Fifty-two prisoners were granted early release as of April 13, according to the Denver Post.

FLORIDA:In Hillsborough County, 164 jail inmates who were accused of low-level, non-violent crimes and awaiting the resolution of their cases were released as of March 19, The Tampa Times reported.

GEORGIA:On March 31, the Georgia Department of Corrections announced it will consider clemency release for individuals currently serving for a non-violent offense who are within 180 days of completing their prison term. The majority of these individuals will be released to community supervision. To date, no releases have been reported.

ILLINOIS:As of March 30, Cook County Jail released about 400 prisoners after a local court ordered case-by-case bond reassessments of those charged with mostly non-violent crimes, The Chicago Tribune reported.

IOWA:On or about March 20, the Iowa Department of Corrections announced plans to fast-track the release of about 700 inmates who were already determined eligible for release by the state Board of Parole, according to The Times-Republican.

KENTUCKY:The Associated Press reported that on April 2, Gov. Andy Beshears administration announced it would shorten the sentences of 186 inmates via executive order who had been convicted of non-violent offenses and who were determined to be more susceptible to contracting COVID-19.

MASSACHUSETTS:Since April 13, 367 inmates have been released from state and county correctional facilities. A State Supreme Judicial Court ruled that only pre-trial detainees not charged with certain violent offenses and those held on technical probation and parole violations were eligible for release.

NEW JERSEY:On April 10, Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order allowing certain low-risk individuals whose age or health status puts them at particular risk for contracting the virus, who had been perhaps denied parole within the last year, or whose sentences are to expire within the next three months to be placed on temporary home confinement or granted parole outright To date, no releases have been reported.

NEW MEXICO:As of April 7, up to between 10 and 12 inmates were scheduled to be released pursuant to an executive order issued by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, directing the state Corrections Department to compile a list of prisoners who are eligible for early release. Those persons had to have a release date no more than 30 days away, could not be a sex offender, not convicted of DWI, and not serving time for domestic abuse or assault, The Albuquerque Journal reported.

NEW YORK:On March 27, Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered the release of as many as 1,100 low-level parole violators from local jails, the New York Post reported.As of March 31, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said 900 inmates were released from city jails, The Hill reported. He previously said that the city would release hundreds of non-violent offenders, while those accused of offenses such as domestic abuse were not made eligible for release.The Westchester County District Attorneys office announced that 65 inmates were released from the county jail as of April 10. All of those released had release dates on or before June 26 and were serving sentences of one year or less.On April 13, a Bronx judge approved the release of 51 inmates jailed in New York City on alleged parole violations, according to The New York Law Journal

NORTH DAKOTA:As of March 21, the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ordered the release of 56 prisoners as part of a population mitigation plan, The Dickinson Press reported.

OHIO:On April 15, Gov. Mike DeWine announced he has approved the release of 105 prison inmates who had previously been set for release over the course of the next 90 days.

PENNSYLVANIA:On April 15, Gov. Tom Wolf issued an order to release eight Department of Corrections inmates who met criteria for the Temporary Program to Reprieve Sentences of Incarceration Program. This only applies to state prison inmates who have been identified as being non-violent and who otherwise would be eligible for release within the next 9 months.

SOUTH CAROLINA:As of March 20, approximately 85 jail inmates charged with non-violent offenses and magistrate level charges were released from Greenville County Detention Center, according to Greenville News.Forty-two jail inmates who faced charges for non-violent or victimless crimes and do not pose a threat to the public were released from the Anderson County Detention Center on March 21, The Journal Online reported.

UTAH:As of April 2, the Utah Department of Corrections referred 80 incarcerated people to the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole for release, all of whom were already within 90 days of their scheduled release date and have an approved address.

WASHINGTON:On April 13, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that up to 950 incarcerated individuals would be released, focusing on the early release of certain vulnerable populations, including non-violent offenders who are due to be released within the coming weeks and months.

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Over 16K US Inmates Have Been Released As Coronavirus Crisis Has Progressed - Herald Pubs

by Ian | Apr 18, 2020 | Civil Disobedience, Concord, Cool, Corruption, Economic Freedom, Issues, National, New Hampshire, News, Personal Freedom, Photos, Police, Social, Update, Victimless Crimes |

Amazing Turnout at Assembly Event in Concord Despite Bad Weather

The last several weeks have been hard to handle as a freedom lover. Seeing Americans obediently do whatever the government goons tell them isnt really a surprise, but still sad and depressing to witness. Though I am an optimist, even Ive been pretty disillusioned as a result of the widespread obedience that is leading to massive economic and personal destruction as businesses close and jobs are lost.

A couple of weeks ago, NH gubernatorial candidate Nobody announced an event at the state house that attracted over a dozen attendees to violate the New Hampshire governors order not to gather in groups of ten or more. Today, in an event created by Health Freedom NH a much larger group of approximately 400 freedom-loving people descended on the state house in cold, rainy weather to protest the ongoing tyranny here in the supposedly Live Free or Die state. Police didnt even bother to drive by.

Hundreds were together on the pavement by Main St, ignoring the anti-human social distancing orders as dozens of cars were circling the nearby roads honking in support, many adorned with signs and flags. It was refreshing to see so many people acting free and ignoring the orders of HIS EXCELLENCY which is actually how the orders refer to Chris Sununu, the republican governor of New Hampshire.

Many creative signs were present, though the Trump supporters seem confused. Do they think Trump somehow supports freedom? While some of his words initially on Twitter regarding Coronavirus were critical, he quickly fell in line and has been promoting the rise of the medical authoritarian state. At least they arent happy with Sununu.

My favorite sign was the guy in a V-mask whose sign read THE REAL VIRUS IS FEAR. I also liked ALL BUSINESSES ARE ESSENTIAL.

The support for freedom was refreshing. Im glad to be here in New Hampshire where people still care about freedom. Maybe there is hope after all.

Missed todays event? Theres another protest event slated for the State House in Concord on Monday, April 20th at 4:20pm, which will also feature open cannabis use as the annual 420 rally has for over a decade. Maybe the one after that should happen out front of Sununus house

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Hundreds of Protestors Gather at NH State House in Spite of Governor's Orders - Free Keene

Just one in 500 frauds committed on people in England and Wales are being prosecuted by police despite a 20 per cent rise in the crime, new figures show.

Only 7,725 fraud offences resulted in a prosecution in the year to March 2019, down by 18 per cent from the 9,434 taken to court in the previous year, according to police figures.

This is dwarfed by the 3.8 million cases of fraud in the same year, a rise of a fifth on 2018, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) crime survey, which is regarded as the most accurate assessment of peoples actual experience of crime.

However, the ONS says fewer than a sixth of these frauds are reported to police, largely because people are either ashamed at being conned or believe it is such a low priority crime for forces that it is unlikely to be investigated.

Of the 337,928 frauds reported to the national police unit Action Fraud in the year to March 2019, just 43,717 were referred to police forces for investigation because the remainder were judged to be unlikely to secure a conviction.

This initial sift is completed by a computer system known as the National Fraud Intelligence Bureaus NFIB brain, which rates a crime on its chances of being solved and its potential threat and harm to individuals, businesses or the economy as a whole, according to Action Fraud.

Of the 52,371 frauds investigated by the 43 police forces in England and Wales last year - including some hanging over from previous years, 7,725 resulted in a charge or summons, a total of 14.8 per cent, the lowest rate since records began in 2016/17 when it was 21.9 per cent.

Commissioner Ian Dyson, of City of London Police and the National Police Chiefs Councils lead for economic crime, said chief constables faced difficult choices on how much resource to devote to fraud when it was competing with human trafficking, child sexual exploitation and violent crime.

However, he warned: It is increasingly clear that much of fraud is being perpetrated by serious and organised crime gangs.

He said City of London Police, the lead force for fraud, was reviewing the way forces investigated crime from the initial report to prosecution. Only then will we see clearly the police response to crime and be able to improve it, on behalf of victims, he said.

Far from being a victimless crime, fraud can undermine self-confidence and trust. And youre far more likely to be a victim of fraud than any other crime type. Thats why tackling fraud is so important.

David McKelvey, a former detective chief inspector with the Metropolitan Police whose private investigations firm prosecutes counterfeiters, said the Government should outsource fraud investigations to private companies.

There is no reason you could not outsource it to investigation companies who could put together prosecutions. It could be self-funding because there are assets that you can go after, he said.

Fraud has never been a priority. Forces are allowed to create their own policies that mean you would not investigate any fraud under 1 million.

Any good villain knows that if you commit frauds then there is hardly any chance of getting caught. Even if you get caught, the chance of getting convicted are even less. And even if convicted you are not going to get a very substantial prison sentence.

National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales John Apter said: Police officers are doing the very best they can against a backdrop of cuts which have, in some places, crippled policing. It must also be pointed out that roughly 80% of police officers time is spent dealing with non-crime related incidents.

Charging decisions for the majority of crimes are generally made by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), not the police. What will drive these decisions is evidence, sometimes we simply dont have enough to satisfy the CPS which is not only frustrating for victims but also for those police officers investigating the crimes.

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Just one in 500 frauds are being prosecuted by police despite a 20 per cent rise in the crime, new figures show - Telegraph.co.uk

Died: February 19, 2020.

WILFRED DeAth, who has died aged 82, was a writer and columnist known for his riotous adventures as a rogue, a thief, and a gentleman drifter and tramp. He spent several spells in prison and during one period of destitution lived in a railway station. All of it was material for his celebrated column in The Oldie magazine. He led a wicked life, he said, and was proud of it.

In some ways, the fact that his life ended up being so chaotic was a surprise. Born in Hertfordshire to a British father and German mother, he studied English at Oxford and looked set for a successful career as a writer and broadcaster. At university, he wrote reviews for the student paper and later joined the BBC Home Service as a producer and interviewer. It was a traditional and respectable start.

However, DeAth said later that he had always felt like an outsider, partly because of his German heritage. At school, he was singled out and labelled the little hun, and he felt just as excluded when he went to Oxford. Nearly everyone else, he said, was a public school boy, or homosexual, or both.

For a time, his career at BBC radio flourished. He produced Today and Midweek and promoted more programming for young people. Later, he went freelance and worked as a correspondent in America for Radio 4; he was also, for a short time, press secretary for the Archbishop of Canterbury.

However, the spiral downwards started with an article he wrote for a local newspaper in which he described nine BBC colleagues as intellectual pygmies. They sued and the case cost him 4,500, which was pretty much every penny he had at the time. It also cost him his career in broadcasting.

By the 1990s, he was living rough in Britain and France and spent one Christmas sleeping on the floor of the train station at Limoges and stealing to make ends meet. He made many appearances in court, which he said he relished (I feel very, very alive), and spent several spells in prison, the first of which was in 1993. His offence was usually doing a runner after staying in a hotel. He called them victimless crimes and continued to steal very small items even after finding relative respectability again with a column in The Oldie.

The offer of the column came in 1997 from the founding editor of The Oldie, Richard Ingrams, who had known DeAth at university, and it quickly became a popular fixture of the magazine. What set the column apart was DeAths willingness to admit his bad behaviour and his refusal to apologise for it. He was, in his own words, a natural extremist who loved being the centre of attention.

In 2012, he was arrested in the fallout of the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal after an actress told police that DeAth had groped her at a film screening almost 50 years earlier when she was 14. She later withdrew her claim and DeAth was never charged. He said he was aware of Saviles behaviour at the time but was too frightened to do anything about it.

DeAth published a number of books including a biography of the Labour politician Barbara Castle in 1970 and a memoir, Uncommon Criminal in 2008. He married his secretary, Erica, in 1963 and had a son and daughter. The marriage broke down in 1978. He also had a daughter from another relationship.

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Obituary: Wilfred De'Ath, colourful columnist and former BBC producer who spent time in prison - HeraldScotland

What if we arrested fewer people in the first place, that way we don't have to panic about exposing people behind bars (and the guards who take care of then) to the coronavirus? It's a shift we're beginning to see in some municipalities.

Reason's Zuri Davis has reported on the mechanisms some courts and jails have been using to release prisoners early, particularly those who are being jailed for low-level crimes, in order to stop or reduce the spread of disease among people in jail.

But many cities are also reconsidering whether the police actually need to arrest people for certain minor crimes and bring them to jail for processing in the first place. This is yet another temporary shift in behavior that might be worth considering even when the coronavirus is not such an omnipresent threat.

In Philadelphia, Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw has set forth new guidelines to stop police officers from arresting people accused of a host of nonviolent misdemeanor crimes. Instead, they'll briefly detain the suspect to confirm identity and fill out arrest warrant paperwork, then release the suspect. The arrest warrant will be served at a later time when the coronavirus risk has faded.

The list of crimes that will no longer lead to people being processed into jail includes prostitution and all narcotics crimes. (We should hope this prompts the city to realize they should have never thrown people in jail for these crimes in the first place.) The list also includes vandalism, several different types of thefts, burglary, and even car theft. So while these aren't violent crimes, they also aren't victimless crimes. This doesn't mean those people won't be held accountable by the justice system eventually and be ordered to make amends to their victims, by they're not going to be tossed in jail for now. Vehicle impoundments are also being suspended.

After making the announcement Tuesday, Outlaw clarified today that an officer "still has the authority to utilize discretion, and take an offender into physical custody for immediate processing, if the officer and supervisor believe the individual poses a threat to public safety."

Arresting fewer people who aren't dangerous is a great way to keep jail populations down and reduce chances for the coronavirus to spread. But it's honestly something that we should have started doing earlier, unprompted by pandemic, because we have too many people in jail who don't really need to be there, and because jail time disrupts many lives in unnecessary ways.

When New Jersey reformed its bail system so that money bail was no longer ordered and implemented a stronger evaluation system to try to release more people who had been arrested but not yet convicted, it also made some significant policing changes to reduce the number of people who were being arrested in the first place to try to reduce the stress on the system. They made permanent changes similar to what Philadelphia is experimenting with. For greater numbers of low-level misdemeanors, rather than arresting suspects, they were cited and released and ordered to report to court in the future.

New Jersey's experiments in criminal justice reform have not led to an increase in crime in the Garden State, even as the police saw a 17 percentage point shift across four years in favor of giving a suspect a summons for certain crimes instead of arresting him or her. So as police arrest fewer and fewer people, it's an opportunity for them to consider whether these arrests were ever actually serving public safety in the first place.

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Keep Coronavirus Out of Jails by Arresting Fewer People in the First Place - Reason

As Colorado lurches into the unknown, residents here can all be reassured in knowing our state government, and most of the local governments and agencies, are clearly in expert and trusted hands.

Thats not the case with the federal government.

Already reeling from the devastating health and economic disaster of the new coronavirus crisis, as a nation we suffer needlessly under White House leaders lacking competence and integrity.

For years, Trump was warned that his lying and deception would render him useless in crisis. It has done just that. Americans dont know what to believe from a president and an administration that cant even coordinate their mendacity and nonsense.

To this day, it is unclear how many COVID-19 tests are available, how many will become available and how the public can gain access to them.

This, however, is not the time to try Trump again for impeachable offenses. Tragically, Americans have been dealt the hand we now must play in a race against time.

Completely opposite of that, Gov. Jared Polis has deservedly become the most trusted and dependable government official in the state. His honesty and intelligence inspires hope and reassurance, even as Colorado makes tragic but critically necessary decisions.

Those decisions, effectively closing down almost all public venues such as restaurants, ski areas and retailers, doom the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of Coloradans. But not doing it would only postpone the inevitable and compound the longterm financial loss.

The decision jeopardizes a wide range of people and industries, and it even jeopardizes this newspaper.

While continuing to do whatever is necessary to stem the spread of this virus, state and local government officials must do more.

Immediately, state and local officials must intervene in jails and prisons, releasing all prisoners who are held for victimless crimes. Housing people in ill-equipped jails and prisons creates a potential death sentence. In addition, a plague inside a single jail or prison could overwhelm the states hospital systems.

State and city leaders must immediately work to make cash rapidly available to small businesses to ensure payrolls can be met. Through loans or other assistance, small-business employers must be able to continue to provide needed work, and provide for their own families.

Similarly, as meager savings accounts dry up, the nation must offer any struggling American food stamps, using temporary, realistic requirements. Such a system would not only ensure food security for millions who are absolutely going to need it, it will help stabilize the grocery industry, which will be similarly shaken when current hoarding and cash runs out.

While the state has increased money spent on unemployment insurance benefits, the process must immediately be shortened. Huge numbers of unemployed need assistance now.

Nationally, lenders must be able to hit the pause button on certain loans and mortgages, even if it means accruing additional interest. Forcing millions of businesses into bankruptcy over relatively short-term cash crises would be catastrophic for decades. No doubt banks, again, will be the recipients of massive cash infusions. That cash must benefit bank customers, not bank stockholders.

Polis has been welcomingly honest with what hes doing and what the effects could be. Its time now for Polis to share future scenarios based on numbers of infection and illness. If urban areas will be subject to practices such as shelter in place, what do state officials think would trigger that. The public at this point needs to know what events might trigger which scenarios going forward.

Clearly, the press for less public contact will increase. Its not hard to envision that this crisis will continue and evolve for weeks and possibly months. And theres no doubt that the health crisis will eventually subside and end. But Colorado needs to ensure theres no unintended crises created. One of those looming problems is public education.

While colleges have been able to patch together at least an on-line substitute for education, public schools have not. Within days, local and state school officials need a plan on helping students keep on track for what could be months of lost learning time. Thousands of Aurora students dont have computers or even internet access. With libraries and public facilities shuttered, there must be a way to get learning to students.

And the government alone wont solve this large of a crisis. People and businesses alike must do what they can for each other, without being forced by laws or regulations. Like Polis, business leaders and individuals must consider the greater good, not the moments fear when deciding what to do next.

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EDITORIAL: Polis earns trust with facts, honesty, and others should emulate that - Sentinel Colorado

Although he is lauded today as one of Marvel's best superheroes, Frank Castle, also known as the Punisher, was never meant to be a hero. In many ways, he never has truly been a hero. Rather, the Punisher was a selfish vigilante that put many in harm's way just so he could continue his crusade.

During this crusade of his, Frank Castle has done many good things. He has also done many horrible, villainous things as well. Here are the five most heroic things the Punisher has ever done and the five most villainous.

Frank wasn't the only man hoping to eradicate violent criminals once and for all. A vigilante group known as The Trust hoped to fulfill the Punisher's legacy and eliminate all violent crime in one fell swoop.

Unlike the Punisher, The Trust was much less careful in its war on crime. Uncaring about civilian casualties, The Trust simply considered them to be a necessary sacrifice. Frank decided to destroy this organization, proving there are some lines that he would not cross.

Perhaps the hero that Punisher comes into conflict with more than any other is the Devil of Hell's Kitchen himself, Daredevil. On one occasion, Frank got the upper hand and tied up DD on a rooftop.

After Daredevil awoke, Punisher brought out a criminal and offered DD a sadistic choice: eitherkill the Punisher with a gun, or he would in fact murder the criminal. Daredevil pointed the gun at Punisher and pulled the trigger. Nothing happened. The Punisher had just been toying with DD and went on to murder the criminal anyway.

While undercoverat a school, Frank was investigating some drug dealers that were reportedly selling to children in the area. As he got to know the kids better, he met a young man named Jason Hunt.

Related:10 Marvel Villains Who Survived More Than One Fight With The Punisher

Hunt's parents had been killed in much the same way that Frank Castle's family was. Seeing himself in the young man, Punisher did everything he could to help ensure that Jason would not turn out as he did.

Known for being quite over the top when it comes to doling out justice, Punisher took it to a whole new level with this stunt. Mad with rage, Frank began targeting civilians who were committing victimless, petty crimes such as speeding.

It was later revealed that Frank had been drugged, which had removed all of his judgment and inhibitions. Still, it's not too far of a stretch to suggest the Punisher might start using his method to start dealing with lesser crimes.

During Marvel Comics' Civil War event, Spider-Man had decided to switch sides about half-way through and join the resistance. The pro-registration side, backed by the government, sent a bunch of super-criminals they were using as footsoldiers after Spidey. Getting the better of him, these supervillains were about to murder Spider-Man in cold blood when Frank Castle showed up.

Punisher killed both villains and rushed Spider-Man to the resistance base. If not for the Punisher's quick, decisive action, Peter Parker would no doubt have died at the hands of a couple of pro-registration thugs. If that had happened, the Civil War may have never ended.

Tracking down a drug ring in D.C., the Punisher received intel that none other than Captain America himself was involved in the illegal dealings. Without much hesitation, Frank shot Cap straight through the abdomen with a sniper bullet.

Related:Punisher: 5 DC Villains Who He Would Defeat (& 5 He Would Lose To)

As it turned out, Cap had survived and faked his death so that he could further infiltrate the drug ring undercover. It still comes at quite a surprise that Punisher was so willing to murder his idol without much thought.

As of just a few years ago, Frank Castle is no longer the only Punisher. Another former Marine, Rachel Cole-Alves has also taken up the mantle after her husband was murdered by a brutal gang of criminals. During a firefight to take them down, Rachel accidentally shot and killed a police officer.

Rachel was then arrested and sentenced to death. The Avengers tracked down Castle and convinced him to come back and save Rachel. He agreed but didn't quite save her in the way they were thinking. Frank broke Rachel out of prison and helped her escape rather than fight her case in the courts.

Microchip has been the Punisher's right-hand man for decades. The duo has been through quite a lot together, and it always seemed as though they could rely on one another. Believing that Frank was getting out of hand, Microchip told Frank that was the case before his untimely demise.

Later being brought back to life, Microchip made it his mission to stop the Punisher. When the two were finally alone in a room together, Frank ruthlessly got his revenge on Microchip by slashing his former partner's throat with a knife.

The bravest men and women of the United States of America are the ones that choose to put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms. Early on in his life, Frank Castle decided to become one of those people and deployed overseas.

While there, Frank was an amazingly effective soldier that not only helped stop many terrorists abroad that may have come to the states but also saved many of his fellow soldiers. A truly heroic series of acts indeed.

An offshoot of the Nazi Party, Hydra is the evilest organization in all of Marvel lore.Having been led by multiple fascist Nazis and a whole lot of murderous supervillains, Hydra is a despicable organization that only attracts the worst sorts of people.

When an alternate timeline evil Captain America took control of America, he convinced Punisher to join the cause. Using these new Hydra resources to continue his war on crime, Punisher decided to shack up with an organization with ties to the Nazis.

Next:Thanos vs. Doom: 5 Reasons Thanos Is Marvel's Number One Supervillain (& 5 Why It's Dr. Doom)

NextWhich My Hero Academia Character Are You Based On Your Zodiac Sign?

Michael Austin is a freelance writer who graduated from Iowa State University in 2019.You can check out more of his work at:Facebook.com/michaelaustinwriterTwitter.com/mikeswriting

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The Punisher: 5 Most Heroic Things He's Ever Done ( & 5 Most Villainous) - CBR - Comic Book Resources

A couple who claimed to be living in the flat of a Grenfell Tower resident who died in the tragic blaze, have been convicted of defrauding Kensington and Chelsea Council out of 47,802

Carmel Daly, 50, and Robert Kenneally, 52, committed the fraud between June 14 2017 and August 23 2018 following the Grenfell Tower disaster, which took the lives of 72 people.

Daly of Warwick Lane, W14, was sentenced to four years and three months in prison and Kenneally also of Warwick Lane, W14, was sentenced to four years and nine months at Isleworth Crown Court today, Thursday, March 5.

The pair had denied the crimes.

After the fire on June 13, the pair first of all presented themselves as a homeless couple at the Westway centre, which was being used as a space for survivors.

Helpers there made a note of them, writing that although they had not been directly affected by the fire, they were making use of the facilities and this was acceptable given the circumstances.

However, some days later Daly spoke to a journalist telling him that she had been a resident and escaped from the burning building on the night.

Kenneally too presented himself as a survivor from the 14th floor to helpers from the Red Cross.

Five days after the fire, the couple had managed to get accommodation at Copthorne Tara Hotel in Kensington as a result of claiming to be Grenfell Tower survivors. They had told council workers that they had been living with Dennis Murphy who had died in the fire.

They claimed to have met the deceased resident in a pub before coming to a deal of 50 a week to sleep in his living room.

But a neighbour of Mr Murphy from the tower told a volunteer that she had never seen the defendants before they were all transferred to the same hotel. She added that neither of them had attended Mr Murphys funeral.

By September 2017 the couple managed to secure a rent-free permanent flat from Kensington and Chelsea Council, which they moved into the following month.

Judith Reed, from the CPS, said: Carmel Daly and Robert Kenneally concocted a fictional story and defrauded the council out of thousands of pounds that should have gone to the true survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Daly gave several inconsistent accounts of the night of the fire in one version she claimed to have escaped as burning debris fell over her; later saying she had disguised minor burns by spending a lot of money on "expensive make-up

An analysis of CCTV footage showed that not once had the pair been seen entering or leaving the Tower.

A relative of the couple also provided a statement saying that although he knew Daly and Kenneally had lived in the area since moving from Ireland in 2014, he was not aware of them ever living inside Grenfell Tower.

"He added that they had not reached out to him for assistance as one would expect following the disaster.

The actions of Carmel Daly and Robert Kenneally were truly despicable in the face of a community tragedy. They will now have to face the consequences of their lies.

Detective Constable Ismail Mattar, of the Grenfell Tower investigation, said: The aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire brought out the best in humanity, with members of the public and local services working round the clock to help survivors who had been left homeless.

Unfortunately, a number of people like Daly and Kenneally cynically sought to abuse this kindness and personally profit from the tragedy, which killed 72 people.

I am glad they have now been brought to justice. Fraud is not a victimless crime. The money obtained by Daly and Kenneally was council taxpayers money that was intended to be used to help support local residents.

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Shameless couple jailed after pretending to live in Grenfell tower to claim 47,000 - MyLondon

Added on March 4, 2020Judy RaeLetters , Letters to the Editor , newsletter

Stage right

Dear ER:

Its very hard for actors to get a true assessment of their skills (Heard the rumor about Surf City Theater? ER Feb. 27, 2020). Friends, family and cast mates want to be supportive so they give you positive feedback. Nobody ever says, Well to be honest you suck at this and probably should not be an actor. Thats why candid, unbiased reviews are so important. Thanks.

Jennifer Dellapina

ERNews comment

A clean apron

Dear ER:

To watch the Reed family at City Council meetings. having to beg for restoration of their driveway apron is beyond sad (Family Nixes Councils Blue Curb Solution, ER Feb. 20, 2020). City Attorney Mike Webb said hes worried that to restore the Reeds apron would violate state law because when they help their handicapped daughter Kelly from their car using the apron would be illegal. If I temporarily pull up on my driveway apron to drop off a loved one needing the benefit of the slope of the apron, Im pretty sure a cop wont be giving me a ticket. On my street right now there are eight cars parked on aprons. So it is okay to park in a driveway apron, but we dont allow disabled people to use them. If this was the intent, lawyers versed in the Americans with Disabilities Act would have swarmed all over this part of the code and with good reason. The Reeds did not do any construction their neighbors did. So, the part of the apron in front of the Reeds home, on their side of the property line, should have been left. And even if it doesnt go to a garage, its permissible because the city code only requires new curb cuts to go to a garage.

The Reeds had an efficient system in place to help their disabled daughter in and out of their car, using their driveway apron. The city removed their apron when it should not have been removed. The city made a mistake and should do the right thing and put it back, before the Reeds go get a lawyer and sue the pants off the city for violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act for ripping out what was an established accommodation for them. Theres no need to wait three more months for city staff to do the homework they should have done before now, and where well likely hear more ill-informed, cringe-inducing, mealy-mouthed excuses for the citys bad behavior.

Lara Duke

Redondo Beach

Lock em up

Dear ER:

A loophole in California law requires auto burglary victims prove their doors were locked. Lawmakers struggling with prison overcrowding and public pressure to enact criminal justice reform have been reluctant to do anything to put more people behind bars. Residents leave many expensive items in their cars, which invites felons into our neighborhoods. Although these car burglaries are considered victimless crimes, it may lead to more vicious crimes, such as home invasion. Who do we blame for the recent rash of car burglaries? Not the Manhattan Beach Police. Blame the California State Legislature for early release of felons and for not closing the loophole in auto burglary laws and aksi the residents who are rich, well-educated, professionals who carelessly leave expensive possessions in their cars.

Robert Bush

Manhattan Beach

(The Rescuer, ER Feb. 27, 2020)

Dear ER:

A great tribute to a great friend, husband, father, and waterman. Some great stories here, but there were so many, many more, Steve lived a storied life. RIP brother, know you are going big in the great hereafter.

Mark Allan Montgomery

Dear ER

Troeger was an inspiration to all of us water people. Surfing, sailing, and dancing with his family at the Isthmus.

Kelly Suggs Rojers Dale

Dear ER:

Beautiful life. Beautiful story. Beautifully written. Hit me in the soul in so many ways,

having grown up on the sand in Hermosa and for five decades calling the Isthmus my second home

Robert Losey

Dear ER:

I am so very sorry to hear this news Steve was a friend of my husbands, Jim Laurin, and one of the crew on our boat, Seas the Day, when we took the boat to La Paz for a winter

Kathy Avery Laurin

Dear ER:

What a great write up. Im so glad Steve and Kathy got together and produced three beautiful children. What a comfort to have him alive in the girls, under the boat like a stingray. Those Baywatch guys are Avalons finest.

Kelli Kennedy

Dear ER:

I loved the guy and spent time with him through my mutual friend Mike Galloway. He was always fun and energetic and totally fearless. May we all be guided by his great outlook on life and live up to his great spirit.

Bill Menninger

Dear ER:

Great guy, great sense of humor. Im glad I had many opportunities to laugh and joke with him during my years in Avalon.RIP my brother. Sleep with the sound of the waves.

Darin Gruber

Dear ER:

Thank you for the great memories of Troegers adventures. We will miss him and remember his smile and great laugh.

Bonnie Siemer

Dear ER:

Such a good dude, Eight Bells amigo.

Ryan Lynch

Dear ER:

Amazing article on the coolest guy Ive known. Miss you Uncle Steve.

Brooke Maura

Dear ER:

What a loss and what a gain for Heaven. We will miss you Trager.

Sam Edgerton

Dear ER:

Great memories, great guy, worked with him many times on calls. May he rest in peace. My love, thoughts and prayers to Kathy and the kids.

Jack Goslin II

Dear ER:

Super cool to have known Steve and to all of youCondolencesSteve is riding big barrels in Heaven for sure.

Maxwell Rosenberg

Dear ER:

Great R&D. Well deserved tribute to one of the best Husband Father Lifeguard and Friend.

Billy Lafay

Dear ER:

What a great tribute. Steve was a good friend on Catalina and we remained good friends during all of my years here in the South Bay. What a warm and generous sole. Much love to Kathy and the Girls.

Bennett Talsky

Dear ER:

Steve was a classic in all the right categories. Much to be admired and plenty to be remembered. RIP my friend

Bob Blair

Dear ER:

Steve was a great guy and I am proud to have known him on Catalina Island. A Baywatch Legend.

Matt Saldana

Dear ER:

I sailed with the Troegers for years out of King Harbors in the Summer Twilight series, with John and Steves mother as well. We went on an overnight race to Paradise Cove cove and were first to the Cove on the Cal 40.

Tony Czuleger

Dear ER:

The story on Steve Troeger by Mark McDermott was very touching and inspiring. Obviously a great guy who lived his life to the fullest, and through his professionalism and skills contributed to his fellow man. Thank you for publishing this.

Pete Broussinos

Hermosa Beach

See the original post:

Letters to the Editor 3-5-2020 - Easy Reader News

Charity shops are increasingly being targeted by aggressive thieves amid concern the police have given up on tackling an epidemic of violent shoplifting.

Volunteers working in Britain's 11,500 charity shops have also reported being subjected to rising levels of abuse and even assaults as they give up their free time to help good causes.

According to the latest data, almost half of charity shops (47 percent) have experienced increases in the theft of stock, while a quarter report a rise in incidents of violence against staff.

It is thought shoplifters deliberately target charity shops, stealing clothes, bric a brac, and vinyl records, because there is less CCTV and security than at other stores.

Details of the disturbing trend emerged as the British Retail Consortium (BRC), unveiled the results of its annual crime survey, which reports a sharp rise in the number of attacks on shop workers, including offences involving knives.

There are now more than 420 incidents of violence and abuse every day, with some victims showing signs of post traumatic stress disorder similar to that suffered by members of the military and emergency services.

In some areas of the country shop workers have accused the police of effectively decriminalising shoplifting by only turning out if the value of the goods stolen is more than 200.

Around 70 percent of store owners said they had received a very poor response from police when they had reported an offence on their premises.

Robin Osterley, the chief executive of the Charity Retail Association, said the increase in abuse and violence against shop workers was something that was also being seen in the charity sector.

He said: "Clearly charity retail workers and volunteers are by no means immune from all of this, in fact they seem to stand in exactly the same situation, which is kind of sad.

"You might think that people would be less inclined to commit crimes in charity shops or on volunteers but it doesn't appear to be the case. Retail appears to be retail as far as this is concerned."

He said thieves would often target clothes, bric a brac and vinyl records and could turn nasty when challenged by volunteers.

Mr Osterley said other flash points for violence and abuse could come if staff refused to accept donations from members of the public who then became angry.

He said: "People turn up give up their own time in order to help charities and find themselves being abused and in some cases assaulted for their efforts. So there is a huge impact on morale.

"There seems to be a view that theft from a charity shop is victimless crime because most of the goods have been donated, but effectively you are not stealing goods from a charity shop you are stealing services and access to services from the charities' clients.

"People think they pop into a charity shop lift up a jumper and no one will really notice and no one will really care, but people do notice and people do care. That is very dispiriting and depressing for volunteers and staff as well."

He went on: "Like other retail companies our members are telling their staff not to intervene because it is not safe. In the old days when people used to chase shoplifters down the street, you absolutely can't do that now because it is just not safe.

"Our members experience considerable difficulty in getting what they would regard as an appropriate response from the police because the sheer monetary value of the goods that are being stolen can be quite low but that ignores totally the human cost of the abuse and violence that takes place."

Mr Osterley said it was too expensive for charity shops to install CCTV or employ security guards.

It is estimated that commercial retailers spent around 1.2 billion on crime prevention, while losses to the sector from shoplifting is excess of 1 billion.

The BRC is calling on the government to introduce new legislation that would make assaults on retail workers a specific criminal offence.

Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: Over 400 retail workers are subjected to violence or abuse in the workplace every day. These are not just statistics; these are real people who work hard for millions of customers every day. From abuse, to threats, to violence, those affected carry these experiences with them for a lifetime.

The Government must help put an end to the scourge of retail crime. This means a stronger police response to criminal incidents, and new legislation to introduce tougher sentences for those who assault retail workers. No one should have to go to work fearing violence or threats.

Originally posted here:

Charity shops targeted by violent thieves as shoplifting offences surge - Telegraph.co.uk