THE EDITOR'S BOX
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
GTV NEWS: Shots-fired stats difficult to define
Early this week, the Grand Rapids Police Department released statistics that said violent crime is down in Grand Rapids in 2011.
But information obtained by Target 8 indicate that the number of shots on Grand Rapids streets may be higher then initially reported.
Crime statistics presented to the city commissionindicated that Part One offenses -- like murder, rape and robbery -- were down 17.5% and Part Two crime -- like fraud, gambling and drunk driving -- were down .6%.
And reports of shots fired, GRPD Chief Kevin Belk said, were up a little more than 20%.
"What we call reckless discharge or other incidents -- sounds of gun shots, discharging of firearms within the city limits -- we've actually seen over a 20% increase, so that's something that obviously causes us quite a bit of concern," Belk told City Council.
But internal numbers obtained by Target 8 showed that there were about 300 shootings within city limits in 2011. That's an increase of about 35% from 2010.
Belk told Target 8 that those figures aren't accurate,and that information was not authorized by him. He said the numbers we had aren't accurate, and were only meant for internal training purposes.
So why the discrepancy?
Belk told Target 8 over the phone Wednesday morning that he would not comment on camera about our story. He changed his mind Thursday afternoon when Target 8 told him we were moving ahead with the story.
"The sound of gunshots could turn out to be a homicide, it could turn out to be fireworks. It's a broad category," said Belk.
Police officials said it's hard to define what qualifies as a shooting and what doesn't -- especially when there isn't a victim. Belk told Target 8 that many times, the department will get reports of shots fired but when officers get to the scene, there's little evidence.
This is how he explained the differences in the numbers to Target 8:
"Especially into the last year, the person doing this had begun counting other things. It started out as apples, started adding in oranges and then in last year started adding in pears as well, so it became limited value," said Belk.
Officials also told Target 8 that incidents can also be categorized differently depending on who's doing the reporting.
Weapons discharges aren't something that the FBI makes local departments track. So there's no uniform way to keep track of the accounts of shots fired.
When asked why, if the numbers obtained by Target 8 were inaccurate, they were they used for training, Belk said it was to stress to his officers the threats they face everyday.
When asked if he'll continue releasing yearly shooting numbers, the chief said he will when it's appropriate.
But information obtained by Target 8 indicate that the number of shots on Grand Rapids streets may be higher then initially reported.
Crime statistics presented to the city commissionindicated that Part One offenses -- like murder, rape and robbery -- were down 17.5% and Part Two crime -- like fraud, gambling and drunk driving -- were down .6%.
And reports of shots fired, GRPD Chief Kevin Belk said, were up a little more than 20%.
"What we call reckless discharge or other incidents -- sounds of gun shots, discharging of firearms within the city limits -- we've actually seen over a 20% increase, so that's something that obviously causes us quite a bit of concern," Belk told City Council.
But internal numbers obtained by Target 8 showed that there were about 300 shootings within city limits in 2011. That's an increase of about 35% from 2010.
Belk told Target 8 that those figures aren't accurate,and that information was not authorized by him. He said the numbers we had aren't accurate, and were only meant for internal training purposes.
So why the discrepancy?
Belk told Target 8 over the phone Wednesday morning that he would not comment on camera about our story. He changed his mind Thursday afternoon when Target 8 told him we were moving ahead with the story.
"The sound of gunshots could turn out to be a homicide, it could turn out to be fireworks. It's a broad category," said Belk.
Police officials said it's hard to define what qualifies as a shooting and what doesn't -- especially when there isn't a victim. Belk told Target 8 that many times, the department will get reports of shots fired but when officers get to the scene, there's little evidence.
This is how he explained the differences in the numbers to Target 8:
"Especially into the last year, the person doing this had begun counting other things. It started out as apples, started adding in oranges and then in last year started adding in pears as well, so it became limited value," said Belk.
Officials also told Target 8 that incidents can also be categorized differently depending on who's doing the reporting.
Weapons discharges aren't something that the FBI makes local departments track. So there's no uniform way to keep track of the accounts of shots fired.
When asked why, if the numbers obtained by Target 8 were inaccurate, they were they used for training, Belk said it was to stress to his officers the threats they face everyday.
When asked if he'll continue releasing yearly shooting numbers, the chief said he will when it's appropriate.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
GTV NEWS: White Supremacist Joins Black Gang Member To Peddle Meth
The partnership between white supremacist Richard Treis, 38, and Robert “Biz” Swinney, 22, was torn asunder by an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration probe that resulted in this month’s indictment of Treis, Swinney, and five codefendants on a variety of drug distribution and conspiracy charges.
According to investigators, Swinney allegedly marshaled a network of friends, relatives, and fellow gang members in St. Louis to purchase decongestants containing pseudoephedrine from various stores. Swinney then allegedly sold the pseudoephedrine to Treis, who cooked it down into meth.
The odd couple is pictured in the above mug shots.
If convicted of the various felony charges, each man faces decades in prison (where they would be unlikely to share a cell).
Treis’s rap sheet includes a November 2004 federal conviction for pseudoephedrine possession (he was spotted buying large quantities of the drug at Target and Walmart). Sentenced to 63 months in prison, Treis was released from Bureau of Prisons custody last June. He was on probation from that narcotics conviction when busted in the current case.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
RUMORS: LIL BOOSIE STABBED IN JAIL... DEAD!
Lil Boosie is alive and well and did not get stabbed or killed as rumors have suggested. He is perfectly healthy and is awaiting his upcoming trial. He appreciates all of the the love that his fans have been showing him. He is deep into prayer right now and wishes that everyone pray and show positive support to his situation. He also encourages all of the people that support him and attend his trial be dressed in a manor respectable to the court. His mentor and #1 advisor Mrs Connie will be issuing a statement soon with how they wish people dress. Please keep holding onto psalms 35 and following him @lilboosie_ and @boosiejustice.
Friday, February 17, 2012
GTV NEWS: PRESTON PURNELL ARRESTED & CHARGED... CREDIT CARD SCAM
Purnell and some accomplices, investigators alleged in court documents, would obtain information about cardholders and then call the company, requesting that cards be shipped to new addresses.
Investigators allege that Purnell had credit cards shipped to various addresses across West Michigan and then used them to buy electronics, gift cards and other merchandise.
A West Michigan man faces federal charges after being accused of stealing credit cards.
Investigators say Preston Purnell called American Express pretending to be various customers, and then had their addresses changed and new cards shipped to him.
Between December 2009 and June 2010, when American Express allowed customers to update their accounts by telephone or Internet, federal investigators said. They say Purnell took advantage of that.
Investigators say Preston Purnell called American Express pretending to be various customers, and then had their addresses changed and new cards shipped to him.
Between December 2009 and June 2010, when American Express allowed customers to update their accounts by telephone or Internet, federal investigators said. They say Purnell took advantage of that.
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DID U HEAR: SCOTT STORCH BUSTED WITH COCAINE...
Cops found a baggie containing 2.7 grams of coke in a trash can after receiving a tip from security at the Cosmopolitan Hotel that Storch tried to hide his stash in there.
Scott Storch has once again been popped for cocaine possession. The man behind hits like "Lean Back," "Just A Lil Bit" and "Candy Shop" was caught February 4th in Las Vegas according to TMZ.
Police were initially called to the hotel after receiving a complaint that the producer wouldn't pay for his room. After his arrest he was booked and released on $5000 bond.Storch has been in recovery since 2005 when he blew his entire $30 million dollarfortune on drugs, cars and cribs.
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