Thousands of Twin Cities security guards prepare to strike www.privateofficer.com

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MINNEAPOLIS MN Feb 25 2013 — Thousands of Twin Cities security  guards are preparing for a possible strike Sunday. Talks with the security officer’s SEIU Local 26 and contractors broke down on Friday afternoon.
At 1 p.m. Sunday, members of SEIU local 26 security officers will join forces with other labor unions, community members and church groups. They’ll be making plans to walk off the job as early as Monday if a contract deal isn’t reached by the end of the day.

The sticking points include salary and hours. Union officials aren’t happy with the contract proposals that include lower pay and a shift to more part time work. Union members want wage increases and more hours.

Security officers are employed  by third party contractors for some of the biggest corporations in the Twin Cities, including Target and Best Buy. This union is made up of some 2,000 members. Their contract expired on Dec. 31. Since then, they’ve been working without a contract and hoping for a resolution.
We reached out to the law firm representing the third party contractors and have not heard back.
Yesterday the janitors union came up with a tentative agreement as 4,000 janitors were set to go on strike this week. After 31 hours of negotiations, the deal includes more hours, higher pay and better health care benefits.
If a contract agreement can’t be reached and the security guards go on strike, union leaders say replacement guards could be brought in to fill the vacancies. Five years ago, the security officers went on a one-day strike and companies did rely on replacement workers.
However, that one day strike also led to a contract. They hope the same happens this time around.

Source:WCCO

Inmate dies during struggle at Spokane County jail www.privateofficer.com

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SPOKANE WA Feb 25 2013  -- A man died while being booked into the Spokane County jail early Sunday morning.
Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies said they had an uncooperative man in the booking area of the jail around 5:00 a.m. Deputies used a TASER and “force” to gain control of the inmate.
The inmate was placed in a restraint chair, but shortly after he lost consciousness. Deputies and emergency medical staff gave the inmate medical aid and CPR until ambulance staff arrived.
The inmate did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead.
The Spokane Investigative Regional Response team is investigating the inmate’s death.
The SIRR Team is comprised of members of the Washington State Patrol, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and the Spokane Police Department.

Source:KREM

False report of gunman at Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.privateofficer.com

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Cambridge MA Feb 25 2013

A report of a gunman on the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Saturday was "unfounded" and the public was not in any danger, according to police.

Cambridge police said they received an electronic message at 7:30 a.m. Saturday warning of a man with a gun. They didn't clarify what kind of electronic message it was.At about 10:15 a.m., Cambridge police said the call was "unfounded" and there was "no threat to public safety."

“For certainty we did not have a person in the building with a gun. We have enough witnesses at this point to verify that so the incident that was reported did not take place,” Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Haas said.Officials are not yet calling it a hoax, only "an incident that didn't take place."It was a report, of a man with a gun seen at 77 Mass Ave., the main building at MIT, went viral in minutes. Police closed Massachusetts Avenue and an alert was issued to students essentially locking down the campus.The man with the gun was not found after a room-to-room search of the building, and police lifted the alert to the relief of some students.“It's really concerning. You have to take these things a little more seriously considering what's been happening over the past few weeks so no one really knew what to expect,” student Christian Reed said.Campus Police Chief John DiFava praised Cambridge for its "outstanding response" to the incident.Apart from identifying the culprit another unanswered question is why it took more than an hour for the campus to issue the alert to students. I have to look into it and find out the reason for the lag,” DiFava said.
DiFava said the right people were notified at MIT as soon as Cambridge police notified them.Haas said they have leads about where the message may have originated, adding something like this can "cause serious consequences."Haas said criminal charges will likely be filed against whoever is responsible. Police said the investigation was ongoing


source-www.wcvb.com

Man arrested with loaded gun at Cleveland airport www.privateofficer.com

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CLEVELAND OH Feb  25 2013 - A 56-year-old Chesterland man faces charges after being caught trying to pass through security at Hopkins airport with a loaded handgun.
Raymond Koren was arrested early Saturday morning.
According to Cleveland Police, Koren was going through checkpoint A when TSA observed a loaded Smith & Wesson handgun in Koren's luggage. Officers were notified and the weapon was removed from Koren's luggage.
Police have not released where Koren was headed.


source-www.newsnet5.com

New Orleans police officer shot during robbery www.privateofficer.com

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New Orleans LA Feb 25 2013 The shooting of NOPD officer John Passaro as he responded to an armed robbery report Saturday reminded the men and women of area law enforcement agencies of the dangers they face every day. Over the past year, at least seven local cops have been shot -- two fatally -- and one was run over by a car.
"It's all of our worst fears," said Capt. George Bonnett, a spokesman for the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office. "The thoughts and prayers of our entire agency go out to officer John Passaro, his family and all the men and women of the New Orleans Police Department."
In just seconds, everything can change for police. Just moments before he was shot Saturday, Passaro sounded "happy-go-lucky, jovial," on the police radio, according to Bryan Lagarde, a former NOPD officer and director of ProjectNOLA, who listened to the radio traffic. "It was a seemingly routine call, but all hell broke loose."
Two NOPD officers were critically wounded when they were shot early March 1, 2012, during a traffic stop near Delgado Community College. Police said Justin Sipp fired 14 times at officers Tony Mayfield and Michael Asevedo; both were struck in the torso. Sipp was killed by return gunfire.
On Aug. 16, 2012, a group of people associated with the "Sovereign Citizens," a group on a federal domestic terrorism watch list, shot four St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office deputies. Deputies Brandon Nielsen and Jeremy Triche were killed; Michael Boyington and Jason Triche were wounded.
In a separate incident, NOPD officer Karla Baker was hospitalized after a suspect ran her over during a traffic stop in eastern New Orleans on Dec. 9, 2012. The incident was the second time Baker had been run over on the job.
In the early hours of Jan. 27, NOPD Sgt. Sidney Jackson was shot in the thigh by a mentally ill suspect while responding to a disturbance at an eastern New Orleans convenience store. Police said 41-year-old Damon Jones managed to grab Jackson's holstered gun even though he was handcuffed at the time.
After incidents such as these, the law enforcement community often rallies around one another, appreciative of the ultimate sacrifice they each could encounter at the next call for service.
On his Facebook page, Passaro wrote many posts showcasing such appreciation.
Following Hurricane Isaac, Passaro, who lives in Slidell, wrote: "I would like to thank the Slidell PD, Slidell fire dept. and EMS, while I was away protecting and serving other peoples families and friends, you were protecting mine ... thanks guys."
On Sept. 11, he posted a photograph of New York firefighters hoisting an American flag at Ground Zero and wrote: "Honor them ... Never forget!!!"
On May 28, Passaro wrote next to a photograph of an Army memorial: "For your service and sacrifice ... I thank you."

Following the St. John shootings, Passaro posted a poem on Aug. 22 that read, in part: "'In the line of duty,' I hear them say/ My family now the price to pay."
"Thank you for your service," Passaro wrote. "Rest in peace, we got it from here."

Source:NOLA

Theme Parks: What's Hot Now: Six Flags Flash Pass Program

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Theme Parks: What's Hot Now These articles that had the largest increase in popularity over the last week // via fulltextrssfeed.com

Six Flags Flash Pass Program Feb 26th 2012, 11:04 Things to know What: Flash Pass virtual line program eliminates waiting in long lines for popular rides. Cost: varies by park. The per-person price generally drops with additional guests for the Q-bot program. Where: Click here for participating Six Flags parks. Waiting and waiting (and waiting) in rat-maze lines is as much a part of the theme park experience as riding roller coasters. Enduring 90 minutes of inching along in stanchion hell is the price you must pay for 2 minutes of coaster heaven. Or is it? Parks have been introducing programs to alleviate the bottlenecks and move people out of lines. Six Flags' version, called Flash Pass, is actually two programs with the same name. Depending on the park, guests can either purchase low-tech, go-to-the-head-of-the-line paper tickets or a high-tech, electronic "Q-bot" device. In either case, if a park is crowded, Flash Pass may be the way to go. Flash Pass Q-bot gets you out of the queue Essentially retrofitted beepers, Q-bots are like virtual placeholders. They calculate the amount of time you would have waited in line, then vibrate and flash a text message when it's time to report to the ride--while you're off doing other things. Six Flags says that the Q-bot version of Flash Pass is fair because guests using the device wait the same amount of time as the Q-bot-nots; they just don't have to suffer in infernal lines. While the explanation sounds convincing, it still feels as if you are pulling a fast one when you sashay up the special Flash Pass entrance and walk past the huddled masses to the front of the line. Having said that, it's incredibly satisfying to skip a one- or two-hour queue and hop aboard a popular attraction. More Flash Pass Info: Next page: Does Flash Pass work? Is it worth it? Participating Six Flags Parks

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Theme Parks: What's Hot Now: The Cyclone at Coney Island

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Theme Parks: What's Hot Now These articles that had the largest increase in popularity over the last week // via fulltextrssfeed.com

The Cyclone at Coney Island Feb 26th 2012, 11:04 A treasured piece of living history (a term that applies to much of Coney Island), the classic Cyclone evokes an earlier era, yet packs a surprisingly potent punch--even when compared to modern-day coaster behemoths. It is, perhaps, the archetypal roller coaster and probably the world's most famous thrill machine. While the Cyclone can get more than a bit rough, coaster freaks and casual fans alike nonetheless adore the sentimental favorite. Cyclone Up-Front Info Thrill Scale (0=Wimpy!, 10=Yikes!): 7 Unusually steep first drop, traditional coaster car lacks seat dividers and seat belts (the only safety restraint is a single-position lap bar), plenty of airtime, can be excessively rough, traditional rickety wood coaster ride. Coaster type: Wood (although the structure is steel), prototypical "cyclone" twister layout Top speed: 60 mph Height of lift hill: 85 feet Ride time: 1.5 minutes Cyclone Photo Gallery Coney Island Overview Screeching into the Coney Island station on the New York City subway, the landmark comes into view: the white lattice, the faded red railing, the "CYCLONE" block letters at the top of the lift hill. Generations of passengers have peered through the trains' windows and shared the giddy sensation of having arrived at Coney Island as well as the anticipation of joy and fear that the sight of the roller coaster elicits. Riders line up along Surf Avenue under the Cyclone's glorious vintage neon sign. After paying the cashier in the old cage booth for a ticket, passengers snake under the track and through the structure up to the loading platform. The ride has never been updated with a computerized brake system, and the Cyclone is one of the few classic coasters that still uses manual brakes. It's a hoot to watch ride operators slow and stop the trains by pulling on the ride's tall brake handles. Hey, Let's Go! The scene in the station is sooo Brooklyn-esque. Instead of the silly matching uniforms typically found at theme parks, the Cyclone's crew members dress in do rags, baseball caps, Yankees jerseys, tank tops, and whatever else they felt like throwing on that morning. They hustle the exiting passengers out of the trains at one end of the station, hop aboard the cars as they creep into the loading area, then accost riders with hand gestures and chiding commands to "Get on! Come on, come on! Hey, let's go!" They have to be the most efficient and aggressive ride-op team in the business. It's as if they get paid by the number of trains they fill per hour. Like nearly everything else about the Cyclone, the design of the traditional 24-passenger trains has essentially remained unchanged for decades. The low-slung seats do not have headrests, and the only safety restraint is a single-position lap bar. The two-person bench seats do not have dividers, so seatmates need to really like each other. The seat bases, the chassis, and the sides of the cars are articulated so that they can move independently and accommodate the wild ride. Once cleared for departure, the brakeman eases up on the handle, and the train rolls out of the station to engage the chain lift. Riding past the wonderful "Final warning: No standing!" sign and up the 85-foot hill to the stirring clackety-clack sound, passengers can feel the odd movements of the articulated car as it navigates the track. Facing the beach and the ocean beyond, the view from the top of the hill is spectacular. The Cyclone Is a "Good" Aggressive Coaster Then all hell breaks loose. At nearly 60 degrees, the first drop is incredibly steep. A friend has aptly described the drop as the equivalent of riding down an 85-foot ladder and hitting every rung along the way. A 180-degree turn at the bottom of the hill sends the train racing up the second hill and delivering the first of many bursts of airtime. The turn also sends the passengers on one side of the train slamming--and I mean slamming--into their seatmates. There are six 180-degree turns in all, so there are plenty of lateral G-forces and opportunities for riders to crash into one another. The Cyclone features 12 drops and loads of euphoric airtime. There are also 18 track crossovers. Unlike an out-and-back coaster which travels a single loop, the Cyclone is able to fit 2640 feet of track into its compact footprint by twisting in and out of itself. The thrill machine is so groundbreaking and legendary, all twister roller coasters are generically known as "cyclone" coasters in its honor. The ride varies according to the seat position and other factors such as the time of day and the weather. The back seats, especially, can be insanely rough, although I once had a front-row ride that was not for the squeamish. The structure groans and shakes, riders get tossed to and fro with abandon, and the trains can suddenly lurch skyward only to whack into the upstop wheels tethering them to the track. For all of its punishment, however, the Cyclone is, at its core, an exciting and decidedly fun ride. It invariably elicits equal doses of laughter and screams. There are "bad" aggressive coasters (such as the hideous Manhattan Express, or whatever Las Vegas' New York, New York Casino is calling its coaster these days) and "good" aggressive coasters. The Cyclone falls squarely in the latter category. The Cyclone has, ahem, had its ups and downs. It debuted in 1927 to great acclaim and quickly gained worldwide fame. Coney Island's popularity waned through the years, however, and the Cyclone's customers dwindled. Its fate appeared grim when the city condemned it in 1969. Thankfully, Astroland's owners lovingly restored the Cyclone and reopened it in 1975. New York listed it as an official city landmark in 1988. In 1991, the state of New York entered the Cyclone in its Register of Historic Places. That same year, the ride gained National Historic Landmark status, which protects it from the whims of developers. In 2007, Thor Equities bought Astroland and other nearby parcels, and has been pursuing a massive Coney Island redevelopment plan. The proposed project has generated lots of controversy and opposition, and the city has not granted the necessary permits. Whatever happens with this or any other plan, the protected Cyclone will remain intact and delight riders for years to come. As the Cyclone comes roaring back into the station at the end of the ride, crewmembers jump on the sides of the train and hawk re-rides at a reduced price. If you want to score a front-row seat (highly recommended), pay for a re-ride and try to quickly hightail it to the front car. Then, get ready for another sweet Cyclone slamfest.

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