| Jan 12, 2007 @ 10:22 AM |
Law Enforcement in Florida.........
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Blondiblue
Posts: 88
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Has anyone other than me had problems with law enforcement in Florida? Like them lying to cover their butts after they assaulted you? I just wondered if this is something that happens in other counties in Florida and if so, why is it happening?
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| Jan 12, 2007 @ 12:07 PM |
Law Enforcement in Florida......... |
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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Hi Blondi,
I personally haven't, but there have been a few cases online. My Dad and three uncles were cops, one of my uncles tended to be on the rough side, so I was the one that paid for that in High School. Law Enforcement is like any other profession, you are going to have bad seeds along with the good ones. It isn't just Florida...look at the news and you see it is everywhere.
There are a lot of good Cops out there, they aren't all bad 
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| Jan 12, 2007 @ 8:37 PM |
Law Enforcement in Florida.........
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redhairNfreckles
Posts: 4,698
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Tragically, this afternoon, FL has lost another law enforcement officer to a gunman during a routine stop. I sure hope they catch those low-lifes and give them the maximum penalty according to the law. 
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| Jan 12, 2007 @ 8:53 PM |
Law Enforcement in Florida......... |
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jackf1950
Posts: 688
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well, I am not always PC, I hope they don't get "caught"...
and do get the max..........
that they deserve............
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| Jan 12, 2007 @ 8:58 PM |
Law Enforcement in Florida.........
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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I had posted about it in my blog before....hopefully, they will get what they deserve
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| Jan 13, 2007 @ 9:41 AM |
Law Enforcement in Florida......... |
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Blondiblue
Posts: 88
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Witchee...I have friends in law enforcement also, but most people I have talked to in my county tell me alot of bad stories about the sheriff dept. here. My friends are sheriffs in another county several miles south of me and they do the straight and honest route when investigating and don't try to pressure people to the point of having to assault them and then lie about it to cover their butts...The detectives who interviewed John Couey are from my county and didn't read him his rights and the sheriffs dept here had dogs sniffing to find Jessica Lundsford and didn't find her and she was right across the street from her family home....I don't understand any of that...I also wasn't read my rights and asked for a lawyer and never got one until I was out of jail. I was told that is common practice with sheriff dept here in my county...
[Edited on 1/13/2007 9:48 AM]
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| Jan 13, 2007 @ 9:44 AM |
Law Enforcement in Florida.........
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Blondiblue
Posts: 88
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I also agree with redhairnfreckles....I hope they find the person (s) responsible for taking the officers life. I realize it is a dangerous job, but some officers can be rough and very intimidating, but still don't deserve to be shot at or assaulted.
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| Jan 13, 2007 @ 11:02 AM |
Law Enforcement in Florida......... |
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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Blond I agree with you on some of the local and county ones. Look at Stark and that whole area. The I hate going through that area and avoid it like the plague. Honestly, I am not familiar with the area you live in and I agree you should have been treated the same as anyone else in any other county would have been. When Dunedin had their own police force it was just as bad and I know for a fact some of the Port Richey city cops can be bad. So, it isn't just your area, it seems to be hit or miss down here.
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| Jan 13, 2007 @ 11:09 AM |
Law Enforcement in Florida.........
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Dovestreasure
Posts: 3,419
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I have tremendous respect for members of law enforcement . They essentially put their lives on the line everyday when they report to work. I do not condone anyone using the power that is assigned to them to use unnecessary force. There will be those who abuse their power sometimes unfortunately.
When my friend was arrested for cashing money orders she obtained in a internet scam she described her ordeal to me. Three officers arrived to arrrest her. She said they were rather rough in putting her cuffs on and they were so tight they cut off the cirulation in her hands. She was sobbing the whole time and in a state of shock, she had no idea what she was being charged with. She was crying so hard that she had snot running down her face, no one did anything to help her. She was pretty much ignored, no matter how respectfully she asked. When she was booked, no one instructed her what to do in terms of phone calls. She said two women that had been arrested were more helpful to her. The whole incident has been so traumatic to her, but inspite of it she said she felt they were just doing their jobs and of course were not the one to judge her innocent or not. This case will most likely be tossed out. With over 200 pages of instant messages that proove she had no knowledge that these money orders were fake, and she passed her polygraph with flying colors too.
Since we are on the topic.... I got a ticket on Thursday for a headlight that had gone out. It was broad daylight. When the officer pulled me over I had no clue as to why. When he told me I thanked him and said I will be sure to get it fixed right away. He then asked for my license and registration and lo and behold he wrote me a ticket. I really was very surprised. first of all it was daytime, so I of course was not aware my light was out, second of all I would have had it fixed that same day, before darkness fell. My night vision is terrible. Third of all a warning should have come first. I think my ticketing officer was a bit overzealous.He told me this ticket would force me into getting it fixed. Within two hours it was fixed and by doing so my ticket became 11.00 instead of 46.00. The outcome without the ticket would have been the same, only less time and money would have been involved.I was not at all pleased how this was handled.
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| Jan 13, 2007 @ 11:29 AM |
Law Enforcement in Florida......... |
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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I guess I just tend to be lucky with cops. Well ok, let me restate that, with state troopers. I was pulled over for speeding awhile ago, instead of getting a 150.00 ticket I got one for no seat beat...I had mine on but he felt sorry for me, so he gave me a choice....150.00 or 44.00....well duh give me the 44.00 one.......then two weeks later I was pulled over by New Port Richey local cops...now he was an ass...nasty and just about pulled my documents out of my hand...made me get out of the car and stand there in the rain while he was checking everything out....he claims I was doing 46 in a 30, but honestly I don't know if I was or not.....yup I got the 150.00 ticket that time....yeah I know I never learn. lol About three months ago I was pulled over by a statie for going through a red (yellow) light and really did deserve a ticket for that one, but he didn't give me one...just sent me on my way with a Stearn lecture.
So, so far to me the State Troopers are at least nice and polite....the one that gave me the seat belt ticket said he was sorry he had to do it...lol The local ones aren't so hot.
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| Jan 13, 2007 @ 11:58 AM |
Law Enforcement in Florida.........
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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Well they caught the scum that shot the trooper.
LAKE PLACID — A 19-year-old Sebring resident, Joshua Lee Altersberger, has been charged with murder in the shooting death of a Florida Highway Patrol officer and 21-year-old Quintin Kinder of Georgia is being held for questioning, authorities said today.
The vehicle that officers were seeking and a gun allegedly used in the shooting have also been located.
Florida Highway Patrol trooper Nick Sottie died Friday evening after being shot during a routine stop along U.S. 27 between Lake Placid and Sebring.
Sottile died after being admitted to surgery, according to Cathy Albritton, director of marketing and public relations for Florida Hospital Lake Placid.
Sottile made a routine traffic stop on northbound U.S. 27 near Witmore Curve, south of U.S. 66, when one suspect fled the vehicle on foot. As Sottile chased the suspect on foot, the suspect turned and shot him, according to reports. The driver of the white Toyota Camry fled the scene in the car.
About 200 law enforcement officers from surrounding agencies descended on the scene of the shooting, searching for the suspects. Law Enforcement from Polk County poured into Highlands County to assist, hauling bicycles and ATVs.
The suspect on foot was described as a black or Hispanic male of small stature wearing a white tank top, shorts and a baseball cap.
The man in the car was described as a light-skinned Hispanic or white male and was driving a car with T2 in the license plate.
Helicopters and planes searched the orange groves on either side of the highway in regular search patterns. Officers and canine units also searched on foot.
Grim-faced officers comforted one another at the scene, as crime scene investigators used metal detectors to search the ground for shell casings or other evidence around the patrol unit of the officer.
Traffic was backed up along U.S. 27 in both directions, with one lane open at the crime scene, but lanes have since reopened.
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| Jan 13, 2007 @ 12:55 PM |
Law Enforcement in Florida......... |
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honbee42
Posts: 348
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Blondie, Witchie is right about not only there being good cops and bad cops, but about not being just in Florida. The state I was living in at the time of my son's death for example.... The whole sheriff's office I had to deal with was under investigation. I later understood why too. I dealt with them when I started peicing things together about my son's death and I asked them to investigate (3 times). They told me I was just a distraught mother and I should go home. Even with the coroner's office, things didn't add up. Last year thru a friend's digging, they found out that everything in my son's death was a cover up. One of the cops was a family member of the family my two boys were hanging out with. Police records were covered up and so was the coroner's report. So it's not just in Florida, it's every where. On the other hand, my uncle worked for the police department in Ca. for most of his life. A real sweetheart of a guy and the police department he worked for was outstanding. So there is the good and the bad. It happens out there, I just couldn't begin to tell you why.
As witchie stated it's not just the police it's in every profession. It made me think though...........When I was growing up, I was always told as a child, that if I was ever in trouble and needed help I should always turn towards a police officer, a teacher, a pastor, ect. I used to tell that to my kids also, but with everything that goes on in the world today, it's hard to tell the kids of today who to trust when we as adults don't know who to trust any more. Do we tell them to rely on their instincts and hope for the best? I still try and install the beliefs in my kids though, that there are still good people out in the world to turn too.
I too hope though that they get whom ever did that to that and that the person (s) responsible get what they deserve.
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| Jan 13, 2007 @ 1:51 PM |
Law Enforcement in Florida.........
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gussy
Posts: 36
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i am from a small hick town in tx and the judge there has blood stains on his hands and the locals support him 100% ........ infact the judge would hold court after 6 pm due to he would get overtime pay at tax payers expense ....... the church i attended fought it till he had to have day court boy dont u know he was upset about that ....... the church finaly had to shut its doors and move to the next town over .......... so i know all about how some r unjustified with there actions ....... although in defense i know they r holding a dangerous job and putting there lives on the line but not everyone they pull over is going to hurt them or give them attitude ....... ive had much better luck with state troopers ....... they have been much nicer and more understanding of situations ........... not sure why it is like this but it is .........
dove in tx if u would have gotten that fixed within 7 days they would have dismissed ur ticket .......... but at least here in fl it was reduced and u now have a working headlight 
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| Jan 13, 2007 @ 2:00 PM |
Law Enforcement in Florida......... |
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Kenn159
Posts: 4,402
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I have lived in a few different places in the bay area ,and Ive really noticed cops and the likelyhood of a ticket are very different in different areas .
When I used to live in downtown St Pete I found that a bad area to get pulled over especially if you had a ugly car,A ugly car in downtown St Pete is definitely
a cop magnet.
I guess they figure if you dont have the money for a nice car a live in a low income area ,you probably dont have money to keep up your insurance and keep your car legal.
When I used to live at a recording studio that had alot of bands and people hanging out in St Pete ,they would just pull people over and search their trunks ,so I could really feel the harassment down there.
When I moved to Pinellas Park ,what a change ,I didnt feel like I had a target on my back anymore.
Once you have been in a area for a while you learn the places were cops pull you over if you sneeze,like Redington Beach or alot of the beach comunities, Gulfport and Kenneth City.
I believe as before mentioned ,that Cops are like the rest of the population ,good and bad,just like their superiors that guide their behaviors and policies.
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| Jan 13, 2007 @ 6:54 PM |
Law Enforcement in Florida.........
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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Once you have been in a area for a while you learn the places were cops pull you over if you sneeze,like Redington Beach or alot of the beach comunities, Gulfport and Kenneth City.
Like the area in South St Pete I worked in.....you got out as fast as you could as it wasn't the best of areas. They had a shooting the other day in the Wal Mart parking lot right next to where I worked...nice area huh?
Then you have Port Richey, New Port Richey and part of Clearwater....Greenwood Ave is a really bad area...if your in that area and have a nice car the cops assume you are there for drug or hookers. Same with the Collage Hill part of Tampa.
Oh and before you ask how I know about Greenwood and Collage Hill, my brother use to work ems, so I was warned to stay out of those area's. Of course Collage Hill I did end up in one night at like 11pm with my girlfriend and her kids....we got lost. I did get pulled over, but the Tampa cop was really nice and showed us where to go. Guess it helped that a 6 year old and 15 year old where laughing when the cop came to the window and my godson told the cop Aunt Witchie couldn't find her way out of a bag if she had too...lol
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| Jan 14, 2007 @ 2:34 AM |
Law Enforcement in Florida......... |
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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Update on the trooper story. Can't say what I really think, but it is a shame we will have to pay for this scum to live in prison.
***********************************************************************************************
Suspect bragged about wanting to shoot a cop
Lake Placid, Florida - Affidavits released by the the Florida Department of Law Enforcement give more details about the shooting that killed a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper during a traffic stop in Highlands County Friday afternoon.
Investigators say they have also recovered the gun used in the murder of 48-year-old Sgt. Nicholas Sottile.
The shooting happened on Hwy. 27 between Lake Placid and Sebring.
Investigators have charged Joshua Lee Altersberger, 19, with first degree murder and are questioning Quintin Kinder, 21, who at this point, is only charged with Trespassing on Posted Horticulture Property.
The Probable Cause Affidavit gives this synopsis:
Kinder said Altersberger swerved in his Toyota while driving on Hwy. 27 and caught the attention of Trooper Sottile. Altersberger continued to drive north as the Trooper came up behind them. Kinder says before Altersberger pulled over, he told Kinder he was going to shoot the Trooper. Kinder says he thought Altersberger was serious and knew there was a gun in the driver's side door. When Altersberger stopped his car, Kinder says he bailed and ran into a nearby orange grove.
The documents also contain the statement from another driver who witnessed the killing.
A man was driving on Hwy 27 when the Toyota cut him off in traffic. The driver says he saw Sgt. Sottile pull over that Toyota, so he stopped behind the Trooper's vehicle, intending to get out and tell him about the Toyota driver's aggressive driving.
Sgt. Sottile ordered the witness to get back into his vehicle. The witness says he then saw a black male exit the passenger's side of the Toyota and run into the orange grove. He says the Trooper approached the Toyota and ordered the driver to place his hands on the steering wheel. Sgt. Sottile then leaned into the driver's window but the driver produced a handgun and fired one round into the Trooper's neck.
The Trooper reached for his radio on his lapel to remove it, then collapsed. The witness says 15 seconds later, the Toyota driver pointed the gun out the car window and fired a second shot.
The affidavit says the witness picked Altersberger out of a photo pack as the driver of the Toyota and the person who shot and killed Sgt. Sottile.
Sgt. Sottile had been with the Florida Highway Patrol for nearly 25 years.
He was married and has two children, his son is also an FHP Trooper.
Governor Charlie Crist issued this statement:
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Sgt. Nick Sottile and his fellow Troopers. Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line everyday for the safety and security of our state and I speak for all Floridians in offering our deepest gratitude for their sacrifices.”
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| Jan 18, 2007 @ 11:15 AM |
Law Enforcement in Florida.........
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fuchia04
Posts: 953
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BlondiBlue your negative experience with law enforcement troubles me. These kinds of things cannot be accepted. And yes, I know for a fact that these sorts of things can happen, where certain members of the law enforcement community decide not to play by "the book".
This has happened to me while I was on a vacation in Puerto Rico. September 21, 2002. While walking down a sidewalk, four cops suddenly pulled up in their cruisers and started patting me down, frisking me, and searching my luggage. They used profanity, and other abuse language. One of them called me a bum and threatened me physically.  In the end, they never told me why I was searched or detained, nor did they apologize.
I think about this everyday, and the experience has haunted me ever since. I was totally confused as to why this even happened to me. In an effort to try to get some answers, I learned that this happens a lot in Puerto Rico, and that the police there are corrupt, but we're talking about a U.S. territory, subject to the laws of the U.S. Constitution, so still, there is no excuse.
Blondi, you need to speak out about what happened to you. You should contact the Florida Chapter of the ACLU and, at least, make it known for the record. Unfortunately, in my case, that was not an option. But if no one speaks out about a problem, nothing gets down about it.
- theFuchian
[Edited on 1/18/2007 11:21 AM]
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| Jan 18, 2007 @ 11:27 AM |
Law Enforcement in Florida......... |
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Blondiblue
Posts: 88
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Fusian...I did report it to Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement in Tallahassee, and they are investigating the 2 detectives. Alot of good that will do as the detectives conveniently had a malfunction with the video they are suppose to run during questioning me. So it is my word against theirs....a jury did find me not guilty, but will the supervisor of these detectives think the same as the jury did towards me? We will see. I have contacted an attorney about a lawsuit against the Circus (Citrus) County Sheriff Dept. I have found that in 2 yrs. of living here that it is refferred to Circus County and now I can see why...
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| Jan 18, 2007 @ 1:35 PM |
Law Enforcement in Florida.........
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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a jury did find me not guilty, but will the supervisor of these detectives think the same as the jury did towards me?
I hope so Blondi....as I have noticed lately in the papers, the state is starting to really crack down on bad cops.
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| Jan 18, 2007 @ 2:02 PM |
Law Enforcement in Florida......... |
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Blondiblue
Posts: 88
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I should have said will the supervisor see the detectives as the jury did, cause all they did was lie and anybody could see that, hopefully even the supervisor. And Witchee....I read almost every week about detectives not reading John Couey his rights and when I told my lawyers that I wasn't read my rights, they said that happens all the time in this county. My lawyers asked detectives if my rights were read and they said no cause I wasn't under arrest when they questioned me. I guess that is their answer to getting around that....
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