Free Republic

Most reports to local police departments are standard fare: car break-ins, residential burglaries and suspicious behavior. But occasionally, these reports — some of which we feature in our "On record" blotter in the Local section — cross the line into the absurd. Here are a few from 2008 that made us laugh out loud, raise our eyebrows or shake our heads. Suspicious activity: A man reported July 16 that someone entered his home in Blaine and taped a sink nozzle so that it would spray him when he turned on the water. Loud music: An Oakdale man called 911 about...

Prostitutes' photos, case details put online Police hope it deters crime; clients' mug shots to come By Mark Arner and Liz Neely UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS October 30, 2007 EL CAJON – Mug shots of convicted prostitutes are appearing on the El Cajon Police Department's Web site. Police hope to discourage them from plying their trade in town using a 21st-century version of public flogging. Pictures of 11 women, details of their crimes and areas where they are banned from loitering were posted as of yesterday. Police said they plan to add pictures of convicted “johns” – the clients – within...

Amazing how much scrutiny is done on a land deal by a Republican politician, but nary a word when it's done by the Senate majority leader who happens to be a Democrat.  Here is The Blotter on Alaska Senator Murkowski: Eyebrows are going up over a land deal between an Alaskan developer and a U.S. senator. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, says her deal with longtime friend and political supporter Robert Penney is entirely above board. Late last year, Murkowski paid Penney, a real estate developer, $179,000 for a 1.74-acre tract, although local real estate agents say it was worth as...