Cops Hung Up Phone On Beltway Shooter(!)

Houston Chronicle ^ | 10/23/2002 | Sari Horowitz and Carri Morello

[Dirk McQuickly]

An angry letter found tacked to a tree behind a restaurant where the sniper wounded a man this weekend complained of six failed attempts to reach police, and threatened more killings, of children in particular, if millions of dollars were not deposited in a bank account within two days, law enforcement sources said.

The letter listed half a dozen calls that had been "ignored" by operators answering phones at the command center in Rockville, Md., the Montgomery County police station and the FBI. It even named some of the people who had answered the phones.

[grania]

I'm betting there's an angry Palestinian (or Palestinians) on the loose (funded by Saddam, of course)...

Name one situation where an "angry Palestinian" has taken aim at anyone except Israelis, in the land contested by Israelis and Palestinians. At least they have a perceived cause...this guy just kills because he has good aim and he can.

[per loin]

Sirhan Sirhan

[BuddhaBoy]

You must not have any cop friends. Do you have any idea how many kidnappers are paid off every year by police, under pressure from families who dont care about catching the criminal, and only want their loved ones returned?

You dont hear about it, because the Police dont want you to know that kidnapping usually works.

Are you aware that 50% of all murderers are NEVER caught? Technology be dammed. Almost all Criminals get caught only when they make mistakes. If they dont, they remain free. He will gladly go away when they pay him.

[DoughtyOne]

On Tuesday morning (10/22) a bus driver was shot to death.  Within minutes every road into and out of the area was closed off.  Every car exiting the area was inspected by paramilitary operatives.  We know that certain individuals have been put under 24 hour observation.  Perhaps you can explain what more could be done under the circumstances.  I have listened to Moore's presentations, and the man has done a fine job.  He's not making his decisions in a vacuum.  He is watching every word he states very carefully.  The shooter has teed off on serveral comments made by the press.  Moose doesn't want his words to be used in a like manner.  It sounds to me like you've been listening to too many talking heads who haven't a clue what it takes to manage such operations, and have plenty of Monday morning quarterbacks who are more than willing to trash anyone who actually has to make the tough decisions on this case.

The fact that Moose has a dialogue running with the shooter is in itself a step in the right direction.  Sooner or later the perp will screw up and he'll be history.  I support Moore because those who work with him seem to.  I'll consider them to have the final word.

[spunkets]

"Name one situation where an "angry Palestinian..."

Hamburg, Lockerby, the Achille L, USMC Lebanon ~1982...

[Prodigal Son]

Are you aware that 50% of all murderers are NEVER caught? Technology be dammed.

But you're saying right there that even if we had the most competent Police Chief in the world in Moose's position- it's still only a coin toss they catch the guy- or?

[BuddhaBoy]

I am taking it personally. I'm black myself, and every time I see that illiterate quota hire on the television, I cringe.

Damn right, I take it personal. He is a huge embarassment.

As for your question, it is moot, not the subject or the point. We all have opinions here, in case you forgot.

[grania]

You're both going way back. (But I stand corrected)

[BuddhaBoy]

I'm saying that IF their was an opportunity to catch this person, it is likely gone. This is now a media circus. Any time the sniper wants to know what the cops know, he only need tune into CNN or Fox.

You and I are not going to solve this case, therefore we dont need a running scorecard from Moose(head) on what is going on.

You dont catch a guy by telling the whole world where you are looking for him. These are the comments of the cops I know. They say that Moose should shut up, but he cant now, having established this precedence for a running media show.

[spunkets]

"What would YOU do then?"

The killer's purpose is to terrorize. They aren't doing this for a measly $10M. They could get it, and more, by conducting less risky criminal enterprise. This cash demand is no more than an attempt to divert attn. from who they really are and what they're up to. They are trying to divert LEO focus to this op and away from other things, or other people and activity.

If they were really interested in cash they'd be clear about it and see to it they were understood early on. Someone as skillful as these killers are would see to that. They apparently still haven't been clear. They are draging this out for some reason. Raising the body count simply undermines the security of an extortion op.

Call their bluff and pay the cash. Assign a couple of agents to track the money and kill them later if they take off with it. Having all the other LEOs focusing on what they were previously is more important, since some evil folks are awful anxious to get them all off of whatever they were doing before.

Regardless of the reasons it will continue, unless a police state is created, citizen response is all that can thwart this kind of crap.

[per loin]

I respect that parenthetical.

[bonfire]

I made fun of his "ebonics" earlier in this investigation. I could barely stand to listen to him. I got past that. After watching him the past two days, I think the guy has handled himself admirably. Why don't we wait til we find out what REALLY has gone on until we make judgments??

[BuddhaBoy]

I have listened to Moore's presentations, and the man has done a fine job.

Really? A fine job at what? Keeping us informed? That is not his job. If the shooter has teed off on several statements made in the press, then maybe there should be a little LESS press?

[bonfire]

BTW, I DO agree with you that the police should shut up. :)

[DoughtyOne]

To: DoughtyOne

The bad guy has not been caught. That's my problem with Moose.

Moose jumped on the moment to catch the spotlight, and now he is stuck under it. Had he jumped on the moment to catch the murderer I might have an ounce of respect for him....

135 posted on 10/22/02 11:41 PM Pacific by ValerieUSA
 

The shooter hasn't been limiting his activities to one jurisdiction.  He hasn't been caught by the authorities in any of them.  Moose has been shown to be no better or no worse than any other police chiefs.  They are all working together to resolve this situation.  None of them have complained about his performance.

Moose is the police chief.  As such he is going to be the point man in any case that has this high of a profile.  That's just the way it is.  He has not jumped on the moment to catch the spotlight.  He has been fulfilling his duties as police chief.  I have seen other police chiefs making public statements as well.  And I am surprised that you don't realize that he did jump on the moment to catch the shooter.  Just because he hasn't caught him yet, it isn't a sign that he's incompetent.  There is no way to easily end a situation where a shooter can pop out of the woods anywhere within a 250 square mile area, in any of a number of jurisdictions on a moments notice.

If serial killings were easy to resolve, the death tolls would seldom climb to more than two or three people.  And most serial killings are hands on.  The fact that this guy is killing people from thirty to one hundred and fifty yards makes it nearly impossible gather intel on him.  That's just the facts of life.

[BuddhaBoy]

Um, another person REALLY got shot dead yesterday. That is what has really gone on. It happened AFTER Moose(head) communicated with the shooter.

Now, just what else do I need to know that might allow me to reserve judgement?

[swheats]

You must not have any cop friends

Actually the Pastor at my church is in LE and many members and friends are in LE. To lump this unique situation into previous kidnappings is a defeatist attitude. If we were to use your suggestion we might as well give him a bank and be done with it cause all hope has gone.

I will ask those members at church this week in LE about the kidnappings though.

[per loin]

ABC radio is now confirming, at least partially, the story that heads this thread.

[Joe Hadenuf]

And how many crimes have you solved?

That is at least a little juvenile sounding.

Tell me Howlin, why are you so defensive of someone that is in the national, and now global spotlight, that cannot even pronounce simple English words. Someone that appears lacking, in professionalism, credibility, who's demeanor in several of the so-called news conferences was rather embarrassing. As these murders continue unabated, the spotlight will focus even more on Mr. Moose. And I predicted this after the 5th murder. And it is now reality. Very predictable.

Don't you feel that the people in that area at least deserve a spokesperson or Police Chief that can display an air of professionalism, and someone that can project a sense calm and security. Chief Moose clearly does not. Why are you so defensive of someone, especially a leader, that clearly does not deliver or portrays these characteristics?

[BuddhaBoy]

Hope is gone for 9 families. At this point, they should pay the killer. They cant catch him, they may as well try to just stop the killing. There are 4000 cops looking for this guy. They cant even keep a Tarot card secret, or manage to listen to the sniper when he calls. I'd be waving the white flag at this point.

If a child is shot tommorow, and Moose(head) gets in front of the cameras again to say "please call me", I may just blow a fuse.