NEW SCAMS
 

Let's start with a few new scams and rip-offs for this edition.
       1. You have all heard of the new cell phones that double as a camera. Well, it was just a matter of time before some scumbag came up with a new use, of course a criminal usage! There have been events wherein an individual stands behind someone in either a retail store or restaurant talking on their cell phone while a customer conducts a credit card transaction. Guess what -- as the customer completes the transaction, scumbag is taking a picture of the credit card and they now have your name, card number and expiration date! Just a new variant of the old surfing scheme. High tech though so it's cool!
       2. When using an ATM stay alert to your surroundings whether at a walk up or a drive through unit. Be alert to anyone who either approaches you on foot or is loitering in the area or pulls in behind your auto with an oversized vehicle. Just because you are in a vehicle does not mean you are safe from theft. All the scumbag has to do is push your vehicle out of the way after processing and before you have retrieved your cash. Once your vehicle has been pushed through the lane, he has your money and can flee the scene. Under no circumstances should you exit your vehicle or attempt to approach the scumbag's vehicle.
       3. Well, how about an old scam? The Travelers start moving this time of year, are major rip-off artists and have been reported as operating in this part of Florida. Be very wary of any itinerant type workman or tradesman that is willing to fix your roof, trim your trees, pave your driveway, service your air conditioner, etc., for a very reasonable price. They particularly favor seniors because they may prove to be easier marks and less suspicious. Their materials will be substandard and, if they can divert and isolate you, your property will come up missing. They prefer cash, jewelry, electronics, firearms, etc., and they are slick, slick scumbags for sure. Watch for these mutts and it is strongly recommended that you use established, local folks with ties to the community. It is also recommended that you immediately notify the police if you think someone tried to scam you!
       4. Another recent wrinkle is that incarcerated scumbags will place a call to you from a confinement facility. These calls are easily identified because they will be prefaced with the statement that "this call is being made from a confinement facility" or words to that effect. The wrinkle is that the scumbag will be very contrite, apologize for the misplaced call, plead that he or she only has one call and would you please, please transfer their call to another number so they can make bail or beg for mercy or whatever. Oh, by the way, please dial *72 and then the number if you don't mind! That's a major gotcha! They capture your phone and can call anywhere and you pay for it through the nose because the calls will probably be all toll calls. If you feel like it, tell them that the little, short, bald army guy says "Bite Me"! That should be fun and make their day.

 

LOCAL EVENTS
 

All Local Events have been obtained from the St. Petersburg Times and will be listed by the date published.

 

February 4, 2004:  "Man offers help, then rapes teen"
 

An 18-year-old woman was northbound on 275 in St. Pete at 11:45 PM. She had concerns about her trunk mounted speakers and pulled off on the 38th Avenue North exit to adjust same. A "Good Samaritan," identified as white, over 30, medium build, clean shaven, short brown hair and driving a dark 1996 Toyota, stopped to help. This good citizen offered to help her and she gratefully accepted. Instant scumbag -- he grabbed her by the back of her head, told her not to scream, put in the back seat of his car and then raped her. FYI, there was a similar incident near the Skyway at midnight on September 8, 2003. A 49-year-old Sarasota woman's car broke down. Two more "Good Samaritans" stopped to help and then raped her on the side of the road. Please remember the rules -- keep a cell phone, don't stop unless it is an emergency, accept help from no one unless clearly identifiable as a "Good Guy or Gal," keep your car locked, roll down the window only a few inches for communications, travel with a firearm if you so choose and do not get out of your vehicle except to hide in the woods! The odds are pretty dadgum slim that a scumbag is waiting in the woods for you at that exact spot! It is also a very good idea to file a "Trip Plan" so someone knows where you are headed and your estimated time of departure and arrival. Jane and I have used *FHP several times and it works very well if you need assistance.

 

February 4, 2004:  "Photo helps trigger alert for lost girl, 11"
 

We all should vividly remember the videotape of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia being led to her death apparently by a convicted and violent repeat felon named Joseph P. Smith. This occurred in the early evening behind a Sarasota car wash. As a parent, a grandparent, a retired police officer and a security instructor, the impression of that trusting and beautiful child accompanying that scumbag piece of shit, in my opinion, to her death will bother me, disgust me and haunt me forever. I have repeatedly stated that if we are not careful to watch our children, someone else will willingly do so. Please be very observant and educate your children about the monsters in their nice, safe and secure world. Please try and teach them that the child molesters and pedophiles will not appear to be monsters. They will be kind, gentle, friendly, in need of help, bear gifts, have lost their puppy, the child's Mom or Dad or brother or sister needs help, etc. The monsters know that if they appear as they really are, their hunt will be unsuccessful. Make no mistake -- the monsters actively hunt our children! I strongly recommend that our children be taught that when approached by a stranger to scream that that person is not their Mom or Dad and that the child does not know that person. I also recommend that we teach our children to run, scream, kick, bite and fight until free and do whatever else is necessary to attract attention, delay the scumbag and reveal them as the miserable cockroaches that they are. I also recommend that our children do not take shortcuts through woods and isolated areas and particularly avoid such routes if alone. We should also teach our children not to approach cars, vans and trucks when someone stops by the curb or side of the road to ask for directions. I also believe that we should educate our children to maintain safe distances because when the bigger, stronger, faster adult is close, retreat may be impossible. Please be advised that I am always willing and prepared to present my Stay Safe Streets program as well as Firearms Safety for children as part of my civic responsibility. The only fee for these seminars is my personal satisfaction that I may prevent another innocent Carlie's death through either design or accident.