Vandalism: A group of travellers wrecked Surrey's only police
helicopter (pictured). Worth £5million, it was being used to spy on
their site
Posted on 05/14/2009 6:54:16 AM PDT by yankeedame
A group of travellers wrecked a multi-million pound police helicopter...
...after they leapt over a 4ft wall surrounding Surrey Police force’s helipad...
After threatening staff working in the operations room, they set about wrecking the helicopter, smashing six of its windows and causing tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Vandalism: A group of travellers wrecked Surrey's only police
helicopter (pictured). Worth £5million, it was being used to spy on
their site
The incident happened at 10pm yesterday after weeks of aerial surveillance on the travellers’ site, where detectives believe stolen goods have been hidden.
Officers were getting ready to raid the site after collecting evidence they had filmed from the air. A police source said last night: '...no one expected this level of violence...'
The helicopter...is expected to be out of action for another two weeks while repairs are made....
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Irish ghost story
This story happened a while ago in Dublin , and even though it sounds like an Alfred Hitchcock tale, its said to be true!!!!!
John Bradford, a Dublin University student, was on the side of the road hitchhiking on a very dark night and in the midst of a big storm.
The night was rolling on and no car went by. The storm was so strong he could hardly see a few feet ahead of him. Suddenly, he saw a car slowly coming towards him and stopped.
John, desperate for shelter and without thinking about it, got into the car and closed the door.. only to realise there was nobody behind the wheel and the engine wasn’t on
The car started moving slowly. John looked at the road ahead and saw a bend approaching. Scared, he started to pray, begging for his life. Then, just before the car hit the bend, a hand appeared out of nowhere through the window and turned the wheel. John, paralysed with terror, watched as the hand came through the window, but never touched or harmed him.
Shortly thereafter John saw the lights of a pub appear down the road, so, gathering strength, he jumped out of the car and ran to it. Wet and out of breath, he rushed inside and started telling everybody about the horrible experience he had just had.
A silence enveloped the pub when everybody realised he was crying and....wasn’t drunk.
Suddenly, the door opened, and two other people walked in from the dark and stormy night. They, like John, were also soaked and out of breath.
Looking around, and seeing John Bradford sobbing at the bar, one said to the other........
“Look Paddy.....there’s that fooking idiot that got in the car while we were pushing it!!!!”
> I must say that I am surprised to hear you,a Guardian Angel,say that you have little problem with their sometimes violent ways...even if that violence is only among themselves.
OK, I had better make this quite clear, then.
The Guardian Angels organization is opposed to violence. Though I am a proud member of the Guardian Angels, when I post on the FRee Republic I am doing so in the capacity of a private individual. That said, as much as is practical, I try to live my life in full compliance with the goals and ideals of the Guardian Angels. Ideally there should be no gaps between official policy and my actions and beliefs, but if there is it is because I am articulating my own beliefs, as an individual and a good (conservative) citizen.
But I am not representing the organization in this forum.
In practical terms, there is little that I can do about inter-gang violence: I would be a fool to try. Naturally, if inter-gang violence happened in front of me and if it were in my power to put a stop to it, I would. Otherwise I would do whatever the situation allowed at the time — which may well be nothing.
It is not practical or necessary to be “anti-gang”, so I am not. There are good pragmatic reasons for that: I am always unarmed and I do not wish to dodge bullets, and (so far) it isn’t illegal for people to be members of a gang. They do have the right and freedom to associate. And I can achieve all of the aims and objectives of the organization to which I belong without opposing gangs.
> My understanding is that the Guardian Angels were originally formed in New York City to counter the violence in the subway.
Violence and other crime in the Bronx, initially, and then in the subway later. The brief is now much wider, and has grown to also encompass being positive role models for youth and to promote public safety in a much wider sense.
> I’ve always assumed that the Angels’ Charter would come out strongly against any kind of wanton violence or theft.
The Guardian Angels are opposed to all crime, particularly violent crime. That said, our objective is to deter crime and, if necessary, put a stop to it. We do not investigate it, and we do not enforce the law.
And as a private individual, these are also my objectives as a good citizen.
> As for “privacy” and “peaceful enjoyment”...the circles in which *I* travel are not made up of criminals.
I hope not. But how would you know for sure?
> I know of *no* member of my family or group of friends who have ever been charged with...let alone convicted of...anything more serious than a minor traffic violation.
Has anyone you know ever cheated on their taxes? How would you know?
> So,given that,I’d say we have a reasonable expectation of not being subjected to any kind of extraordinary police surveillance/monitoring.
Yet a goodly number of your fellow citizens voted in Obama, and many of the things he has been mooting are jolly scary. Is your reasonable expectation indeed reasonable, given the possibility that things in America could change radically and for the worse within Obama’s presidency?
> OTOH,I think that members of the Mafia,for example,can have no such expectation. Yes,it’s true that gypsy clans aren’t typically as bad as the Mafia,but.....
The beauty and majesty of the law is that it (should) applies equally to all, and it (should) falls no more heavy on one group or individual than another.
Anything less than that is Tyranny.
Yeah, I wish I could edit posts here. That was Connie Booth. Both were pretty cute, but they were not the same person. The name hit me as I hit send on my first post. I had a niggling feeling as I wrote it.
I am glad to see you are putting the whole business into it's right context. I have mentioned before that a research book got to the root of the matter. You will have the real story, I know, but for others following this on FR, "Gypsies" became politically incorrect and "Traveller" was substituted. Now, it is given that using the documentation re census and births, marriages and deaths, there are very few of these parasites, that can trace any Romany descent.
"Gypsies" then came back into style for the "real" Romany. They themselves demanded it. The case of Farmer Martin comes to mind, he shot two of the intruders, he had been burgled 24 times. To prison he went. He is out now though.
My native country has almost gone mad.
Haha, sorry. Guess when you saw yourself quoted saying “jolly good” it raised a flag...
Is this a jolly good enough reason? Or is theft no big deal to you?
From the article: "The incident happened at 10pm yesterday after weeks of aerial surveillance on the travellers’ site, where detectives believe stolen goods have been hidden."
> gov't helicopters waking the kids up at night? HAHA! good one.
> the police got a tip about a lot of stolen property at one location. they surveiled the location.
> you've shown yourself to be a tinfoil-hatter with all this crap about black helicopters buzzing playgrounds taking pics of everyone.
What's the matter, did your lips get tired after reading past the first couple paragraphs? Here, I'll help you:
"The incident happened at 10pm yesterday after weeks of aerial surveillance on the travellers’ site, where detectives believe stolen goods have been hidden."
To review: helicopter roaring around at 10 PM at night because the police believed there was stolen goods. No tip, just a belief.
"Before a raid is conducted we will observe the criminals from the air. That way we get an idea what we are likely to find, identify suspects and locate entrances and exits. Maybe we got too low."
"The helicopter, which has a camera fitted under its nose that beams broadcast-quality footage to the control room, was airborne 214 times during April, an average of seven flights per day.
Flying low, taking broadcast-quality pictures, seven "missions." The black helicopter and playground are your idea, not mine.
> Is this a jolly good enough reason? Or is theft no big deal to you?
Alleged theft. Or is due process no big deal to you? And based upon nothing stronger than the “belief” of a cop? Certainly not a good enough reason. I’m surprised you value Liberty and Freedom so cheaply: I thought Americans were into those things.
>> From the article: “The incident happened at 10pm yesterday after weeks of aerial surveillance on the travellers’ site, where detectives believe stolen goods have been hidden.”
Of course it's still alleged, that's why they're investigating. No one's sending them to prison. It's perfectly reasonable to conduct surveillance based on reasonable suspicion.
Or do you think they deserve a jury trial before the police even have a chance to investigate?
Gypsies don’t steal just because they are human, they steal because they are Gypsies. For generation, among other activities, and for whatever reason, it’s what they do. Of course there will always be exceptions. So were these Gypsies as I know them, and have seen them, or roving Irish swindlers?
Yes, I’ve heard of the roving roofing swindlers.
O goody, another American who cannot read. Here lemme help ya:
"A police source said last night: 'The gipsies were furious because they kept getting buzzed by the helicopter.
> I would assume that when they say “spying” on the Gypsie camp it would mean some level of distance to provide stealth. Which means minimal disruption.
You know the old saying about "ASS U ME". Well, I guess you just proved it. Again, lemme help ya:
"'Before a raid is conducted we will observe the criminals from the air. That way we get an idea what we are likely to find, identify suspects and locate entrances and exits. Maybe we got too low.'"
> These guys are freaking criminals who smashed public property.
Alleged criminals. Due process, remember? Or don't they have that in Texas?
> I hope next time it’s your backyard or your pocketbook that but God forbid NOT your family that these murderous thugs threaten.
Murderous thugs don't impress me.
> I bet you are the first guy on the phone to the police when there’s a bump in the night. SOT
BEEP! You lose. I catch Bad Guys for a hobby. Usually at nite. Unarmed.
>> What do Somali Pirates have to do with this issue?
> By your failure to answer and silly return question it is obvious that you think they are just ‘sticking it to the man’. You think they are poor oppressed people just trying to get back their share of the world. Liberal Sot.not a dam'n thing.
There, fixed it for ya.
>> What does Katrina have to do with this issue?
Again, your dodge of the question and underlying issue is an obvious attempt to hide your general fondness of lawness and lawbreakers. There is nothing conservative about hating the law or law enforcement. not a dam'n thing. Geez, sorry DieHard, what was I thinking of? If I had two brains, they'd rattle!
There, fixed it for ya again.
> You are a liberal SOT.
Takes one to know one. Now p*ss off Noddy, and leave the hard thinking stuff to those of us capable of it.
I didn’t know thee were so many varieties of Gypsies. I guess when I think Gysies it’s the Vlach variety who “...built up a well-deserved reputation for petty theft [and] strong arm robbery...”
the truth is, they are concentrated, planned missions aided by intel.
i suppose you don't want the gov't monitoring taliban phone calls/websites. or police departments keeping tabs on gang members.
or is it only when there might be a little noise do you want the cops to stop doing their job?
my guess is that if someone stole a bunch of your stuff and the cops said they knew who probably did it, you wouldn't mind them using a chopper to aid in retrieving it. ay?
hahahaha! oh god, i know guys like you. this explains a lot.
go back to the bar and tell your stories REALLY loud so everyone can hear you.
> It’s perfectly reasonable to conduct surveillance based on reasonable suspicion.
OK, let’s talk about what’s reasonable. Do you think it’s “reasonable” to fly a helicopter low at 10 PM based upon nothing more solid than a police officer’s belief that stolen goods might be around?
The article also mentions that they kept getting buzzed, and that this had gone on for quite some time. Quite aside from the likely cost of putting a bird into the air many times, is that reasonable, based upon a police officer’s belief that there might be stolen goods to be found?
And why a low-flying helicopter anyway? If the cops had nothing stronger than a belief, why not a squad car? Or two? Or ten? You could put lots of squad cars quietly in the field for the cost of one helicopter flite. If I were the Senior Sergeant that would be an easy answer to make (based on what little info the article gives us).
The story makes no mention of warrants or of any better reasons for these low flights to take place. Let’s say it was happening in your neighborhood. Would you like it?
Bill Clinton's baby-daddy, Billy Blythe, came from a long line of Billy Blytes who were identified as "King of the Gypsies". Bill's own mother grew up on a street near a bridge in Hot Springs which is best known for it's Gypsy inhabitants. His Grandmother was a fortune teller who traveled with the carnivals.
Then we get to Rahm Emanuel ~ there are Jewish Gypsies. Most folks don't realize that, but it's an ancient Romany custom to adopt the religion of their masters, or the dominant religion of their country.
Yes, they've stolen the big one ~ the ultimate prize ~ the richest and strongest nation in the history of the planet!
I'm sure there are many other Gypsies in the top end of he crime syndicates that rule Chicago.
> um, no, genius. i know exactly what happened. you contend they do it willy-nilly and just go around hoping to find something.
> the truth is, they are concentrated, planned missions aided by intel.
Sure they are. ‘course! The picture of diligence, these bobbies! They plan their helicopter flights with military precision.../s
It doesn't say what the detectives' belief was based on, but presumably some evidence. You're awfully quick to take the side of a bunch of criminals and celebrate their vandalism in a situation where we clearly don't have the whole story.
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