Volume 6 Issue 2 The Buck Stops Where? · political action committee exists in the political arena...

THe Official Publication of the Broward CountyPolice Benevolent Association

The BrowardCenturion

February 2004

That was the headline on the frontpage of the Official Publication ofthe Grand Lodge Fraternal Order ofPolice, written by their nationalpresident, Chuck Canterbury. Ireceived that publication in the mailbecause, yes, I am a member of theFraternal Order of Police and havebeen a member of both the FOP andPBA since 1976. The article is abouthow significant and important it isfor the members to take a stand andcontribute to the Political ActionCommittee (PAC). Apparently,according to the article, theparticipation in the PAC Fund is notgoing as well as expected or needed.

According to the article, “Apolitical action committee exists inthe political arena to reward friendsand aid in the defeat of foes. It doesthis by providing much-neededcampaign funds to electoralcandidates who support the PAC’sphilosophy, ideals and legislativegoals. But a PAC’s influence is onlyas great as the amount of funds it canleverage.” Mr. Canterbury also writes,“We must contribute. You must makethat same commitment. It’s time totake a stand. It is time to put ourmoney where our mouths are.”

A Basic Philosphical Difference

Over the years, I can’t count thenumber of times I’ve been asked,“What’s the difference between thePBA and the FOP?” The FOP articleillustrates my answer, which alwaysstarts with “There’s a basicphilosophical difference.” Also, bothorganizations were founded on, andcontinue to pursue, differentprincipals and goals.

The Buck Stops Where?The FOP was founded for the

purpose of just what the name states,a fraternal organization.When Istarted with the FOP, they were neverinvolved with politics or campaigns,and they didn’t want to be. The PBA,on the other hand, was founded to bea labor organization, and that includespolitical involvement and legislativeagendas. Over the years, the FOP hascome to realize the necessity ofpolitical involvement, however, notwith the same intense commitmentthat the PBA has and has always had.I guess you can say the PBA has beenat it for a longer period of time.

Political Track Record

The main theme of PresidentCanterbury’s article is how importanthaving a PAC Fund is to getting thingsdone in the capital for the bettermentof the entire membership. TheNational FOP PAC Fund was startedon October 8, 2002, so it’s just gettingoff the ground. And while it is truethat the PBA does not have a nationalorganization, we are affiliated withthe National Association ofPolice Organizations(NAPO). But you wouldthink that this importantnew FOP philosophy wouldand should apply to ourstate capital in Tallahasseeand getting things donethere, which has a greatereffect on members here inFlorida. However, this iswhere “the buck stops”when you talk commitment.

The National FOP juststarted their PAC Fund in2002. According to theFederal Election

Commission report that I received, theirtotal disbursements were $50.00 for the2003-2004 election cycle. To see if thenational political philosophy had made itto the State of Florida, I checked with theFlorida Department of State, Divisions ofElections and found out that the FloridaState Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police hada PAC from February 1993 through June1995, but I could not find a record of anyexpenditure.

The Florida PBA started its PAC in1981. In the last two-year cycle, the totalexpenditures of the all Florida PBA PACswere approximately $750,000.

A Strong Committment

When I explain differences betweenthe FOP and the PBA, I always stress thatpolitical involvement is a key difference.The PBA, as a founding philosophy,realized this a long time ago and made astrong commitment to it. I have met manyFOP leaders, mostly from South Florida,who have also realized the importance ofpolitical involvement, but could not getthat philosophy accepted by the FOP as awhole.

By Pat Hanrahan, Senior Vice PresidentPolitical Action Separates The PBA From The FOP

Volume 6 Issue 2

In This IssuePresident's Message .............................. 2A Fallen Hero Comes Home ................ 4Hometown Hero Surviors' Benefits .... 6Are Heart Attacks Preventable? .......... 8Florida PBA ............................................. 11Political & Legislative Affairs .............. 12Hold On To More Of Your Money ...... 13Florida Opens Faith-Based Prison ...... 14Unconventional Wisdom ...................... 14What's Up ................................................ 16Law Enforcement News ....................... 17Law Enforcement Fatalities Down...... 18Letters & Thanks ................................... 20

In recent weeks, I have come to realize that the workthat the PBA has done is bearing fruit way beyondmy expectations. It seems that yet another retiree hascalled to thank not only me, but the PBA in general, forthe retirement benefits that he is now enjoying.

Members who have decided to retire and enjoy lifeare doing so with contentment and peace of mind,knowing that finally they can enjoy life. It is quitedifficult to make the decision to retire if you don't knowwhether or not you can really afford to. Members whohave put something into deferred compensation and takeadvantage of the DROP monies can make that decisionto leave and feel comfortable knowing they can continuewith their way of life without having to worry aboutmoney.

After speaking to many financial advisors andeducating them on what a police officer recieves inpension and DROP money, they are amazed at thebenefits we recieve. I guess this is why I have been gettingso many calls to thank the PBA for what we haveaccomplished.

Sincerely,

Dick

The Official Publication of theBroward County PBA

(A Charter of the Florida PBA)2650 West State Road 84

Fort Lauderdale, Floirda 33312Telephone: 954/584-7600

Fax: 954/583-0405

Megan Gordon, Editor

E-mail: [email protected]

The Broward Centurion is published bythe Broward County PoliceBenevolent Association for the solebenefit of its members. The BrowardCenturion is dedicated to theadvancement of the law enforcementprofession through better andstronger community relations. Theopinions expressed in the publicationof The Broward Centurion are notnecssarily those of the BrowardCounty PBA, its Executive Board orthe Board of Directors.

Members or readers submitting lettersto the editor or articles for publicationare requested to adhere to thefollowing:

• Submissions should be sentto:

Broward County PBAAttn: Centurion2650 West State Road 84Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312

• Letters or articles must beaccompanied by thewriter's true name andaddress.

• All articles submittedforpublication must beaccompanied by astatement givingpermission to publish.

• All submissions must belegible.

• The Broward County PBAreserves the right of theExecutive Board orEditor to amend or to add aneditor's comment to anyarticle or letter submitted.

• Advertisment in thispublication does not implyendorsement by theBroward County PBAunless otherwise specified.

TTTTThhhhheeeee BBBBBrrrrrooooowwwwwaaaaarrrrrd d d d d CeCeCeCeCennnnntttttuuuuurrrrriiiiiooooonnnnn

President'sMessage

The Broward Centurion February 200422222

Order YourPBA License Tag

Available at the main county tag office.Ask for the "Support Law Enforcement " tag.

PresidentDick Brickman

Senior Vice PresidentPatrick Hanrahan

Vice PresidentNeil Vaughan

SecretaryDebbie Reggio

TreasurerJeff Marano

Legislative DirectorMike Casey

General CounselBarbara Duffy

February 2004

Executive Board

Board of Directors

Broward CountyPBA

BSO (Support)Paul Weiss

BSO (LE)Dan CiacciarelliJorge CorpionJohn DiazPete GearyDean MirraJeff PooleLarry Whitford

BSO (Lts)Barry Derose

Coconut CreekRodney SkirvinRalph Capone

Coconut Creek (Sgts)Tim Bradshaw

Hallandale BeachBrian HubbertRafael Matias

Hallandale Beach (Sgts)Linda Furnell

HollywoodBilly FergusonTony FernandezSusan HayesKeith Wadsworth

Lighthouse PointMike SearchGary Siegel

Margate (Spvrs)Arnold Finkelstein

MiramarJon AnterioTim NevinsJohn Petrone

Pembroke PinesJim FisherGlen ParkerJim Ryan

Sea Ranch LakesJames O'Brien

SunriseJohn Jaslowski

Sunrise (Lts)Athena Skellion

Wilton ManorsBrian BehanEd CostelloDavid Jones

Alternates - BSOMichael CatalanoJames DeMatoJames HanlonAndrew McConnellThomas PurdueRichard PulidoRalph RombMichael RosenthalForest Santalucia

PBA Office StaffCharter Secretary

Linda

Receptionist/MembershipLynn

Secretary/Detail CoordinatorKim

Membership SecretaryMaxine

Legal AssistantMaryann

Communications DirectorMegan

WelcomeNew

Members

The Broward Centurion 33333

New MembersGary C. Berman - BSO

Eric O. Britt - BSOGergory O. Bullock - BSO

Raymond J. Cornine Jr. - BSOE. Kevin Forsberg - Parkland

Grant Stephen Gundle - Wilton Manors SupportLesley R. Hudson - Coconut Creek

Craig S. Jacobson - BSOClayton "John" Jenkins - BSOJamie A. Lombardo - MargateChristopher M. Nocco - BSOValerie Reese - Cooper City

Michael E. Rosenbluth - BSOMichael Valenti - Coconut Creek

Victoria L. Zawistowski - Hollywood

Retired MembersFred Gerardino - BSO

Reinstated MembersYsmine Rouse - Ft. Lauderdale

Barbara A. Urow - Ft. Lauderdale


A Fallen Hero Comes HomeFollowing is a letter written to officers inUpstate New York. It is a true story andone that makes you proud to be a policeofficer and an American. - Megan

On Thursday, April 17, 2003 youparticipated inan escort detail for Gregory P. HuxleyJr., who was killed in action in Iraq onApril 6, 2003. On behalf of the entireHuxley family and from me,personally, I want to say, “Thank youvery much.” Your professionalism,dedication and sincerity meant somuch to the Huxley family, that wordscannot describe their feelings at thistime.

Broken Promises

What most did not know was thatthe U.S. Army had promised the familymembers that they would be taken toDover, Delaware to be present whentheir son arrived from Iraq, and therewould be a full military ceremony inDover for Gregory. Unfortunately,there was a communication problem,and they were not present during thatc e r e m o n y .

Then they were informed that thebody of their son was being flown toSyracuse and that the funeral directorcould pick up the “fallen soldier” atthe cargo area of the airport and thatsomebody would help them removethe casket from the cardboardshipping container for transport toBoonville, NY.

The funeral director felt that wasunacceptable for a nineteen-year-oldyoung man who gave his life for thiscountry and for the freedom of so manyothers. As a family friend, he contactedme to see if anything could be done.We now had six hours before Gregoryarrived in Syracuse.

Phone calls were made to SPNorth Syracuse, and Sgt. NickHarmatiuk took over from there. Whatyou participated in and observed therest of that day was truly anoutstanding display of what thisagency can do in very short time.

What happened was just visuallyand emotionally overwhelming.

A Hero's Welcome

The procession left SP NorthSyracuse led by eight Syracuse PDmotorcycles, followed by the hearse,four cars with family members andfollowed by ten State Police andSyracuse PD cars. How ironic it was

that when the procession wastraveling parallel to the runway, theplane carrying Gregory landed nextto it. We were able to enter the plane’scargo area and remove the shippingcrate from the casket and drape theAmerican flag over the casket. Whenthe casket traveled down theconveyor belt, fifteen New York StateTroopers and the same amount ofSyracuse Policemen lined the pathto the awaiting hearse - all atattention. A hand salute wasexecuted as six State Troopersproudly bore the flag draped coffinto the hearse. After a short prayer,the family was given some time towelcome their son home.

The entire airport was so quiet. Ilooked up at the concourse windowsand saw a hundred or more people.They were all standing, watching,with their hands over their hearts,saluting a young man that they didnot know. Somehow they learnedthat a fallen soldier had come homeand they wanted to honor hiss a c r i f i c e .

The casket was then placed inthe hearse, and the procession left theairport in the same fashion as wearrived, only this time with a younghero that our hearts will never forget.

The motorcade was escorted tothe thruway entrance by theSyracuse Police Department’smotorcycles. All traffic was stoppedfor the procession and we headedeast towards Boonville. After gettingoff the thruway, we found that everyintersection that the processionencountered was controlled by StateTroopers, allowing us a safe,unimpeded passage. A t eachintersection, the State Trooper stoodat attention, saluting the fallensoldier and his family, giving himand his family the respect that theydeserved. How emotional that wasto see and now to reflect on.

A Proud DayWhen entering the Village of

Boonville, the main street wasdecorated with an infinite numberof American Flags and yellowribbons. As we approached thecenter of town, all of the church bellsbegan to peal at once, recognizingand saluting Gregory’s arrival.Hundreds of people holdingAmerican flags lined the street, somewith their hand over their heart andsome weeping for Gregory for whathe sacrificed, for us and his country.As we drove by the village park, theNational Anthem was being played,for Gregory, and I think, for all of us.

At the funeral home, eightveterans lifted the casket out of thehearse and into the home with thefamily. Gregory had returned home.

Gregory’s family said to me laterthat the images I have just describedwill be etched in their hearts forever.But the one memory that will alwaysbe there first was of the StateTroopers at the airport, standing atattention, saluting, with tearsrunning down their cheeks for theirson, a fallen soldier. A hero whomthose Troopers never personallyk n e w .

Our jobs take many differentavenues in life. We hope that duringour day or shift that we have made adifference, a positive contribution.On this occasion you did just that.An entire family knows that youcared to do your very best to honortheir son. Their words andexpressions told me just that. Wemade a difference yesterday, and wedid it well.

The rewards we receive fordetails like this one do not come fromanywhere but from the heart. Takepride in what you accomplished,because it was distinct and withoutequal in this Trooper’s eye. I havehad so many good things happensince I have been a State Trooper, butin those twenty fours years, I havenever been more proud the New YorkState Police as I was yesterday - Afallen soldier, a hero, a son, a brotherhas finally come home, in granddeserving style, thanks to all of you.

Jack GrahamSenior InvestigatorNew York State Police

February 2004The Broward Centurion

VISIT US!!!The Cops and Firefighters in Business network is available 24 hours/day onlineat www.cfbnetwork.com or one of the addresses shown below. To find a cop or

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NOW is still the time to take out a mortgage...rates are low and there are programs for every situation.If you are in the market for a mortgage, why not do business with a fellow police officer? Joe is an activePembroke Pines (FL) POLICE Captain while Robin spent many years as a nurse in South Florida. Dobusiness with someone you can trust...call Joe and Robin Yetto today.

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The FREE website that connects those with businesses in the law enforcementand firefighting communities with the consumer has a new service...the CFBRealtor Referral Network! Now, for the first time, home buyers and sellerscan choose a real estate agent who is a cop or firefighter simply by loggingonto the CFB website and accessing our Realtor database!

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Hometown Heroes Survivors’Benefits Act Becomes Law

President Bush has signed into law an act thatextends federal benefits to firefighters,police officers and other firstresponders who die of heartattack or stroke in the line ofduty. The law, called theHometown Heroes SurvivorsBenefits Act of 2003, wentinto effect on December 15,2003.

The act extends thebenefits of the Public SafetyOfficers’ Benefits Act (PSOB)to officers who die from a heart attack or stroke asa result of strenuous physical activity that occurredeither while responding to an emergency orparticipating in a training exercise, while still onduty after the emergency or training, or within 24

hours of the emergency response or training exercise.The PSOB is administered by the Department of

Justice and provides a one-timebenefit – currently about$267,000 – to survivors of publicsafety officers killed orpermanently disabled in theline of duty. The HometownHeroes provision addslanguage that presumptivelyqualifies heart attacks andstrokes as line-of-duty deathsunless there is competent

medical evidence to the contrary. This effectivelyshifts the burden of proof that a heart attack or strokeoccurred as a result of work-related activity from theofficer or his or her family to the Department ofJustice. Source: Cypen & Cypen

The PSOB provides a one-timebenefit – currently about$267,000 – to survivors of

public safety officers killed orpermanently disabled in the

line of duty.

February 2004The Broward Centurion 77777


COLLEEN FRAZIERLoan Consultant

Fort LauderdaleHome Loan Center

954-229-6953

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We live in an age of “Star Wars”technology. Nowhere is this moreapparent than in the area of non-invasivepreventive medical imaging, orscreening, for early disease. Technologyis now available that can diagnose heartdisease in its earliest stages and, withappropriate treatment, prevent virtually100% of heart attacks. Screening forcancer can detect tiny tumors which canbe cured 90% of the time.

The Body Scan consists of a HeartScan, a Lung Scan and a scan of theAbdomen and Pelvis. It is totally non-invasive, requires no preparation andtakes 15 minutes.

The Heart Scan can detectcalcification in the arteries of the heart.The incidence of heart disease in lawenforcement officers is several times thatof the general population. With thisinformation, an officer may beempowered to change his or her lifestyleand take preventive medications, whichcan decrease the progression of heartdisease and even prevent a heart attack.The Lung Scan and the Scan of theAbdomen and Pelvis can detect tumorsat a very early stage, when they are mostcurable. Cancer detected at a stage whensomeone has no symptoms and thetumor is smaller can be treated muchmore effectively.

Virtual colonoscopy is not part of theBody Scan but can be added to it andcompleted at the same time. It is non-invasive colonoscopy and screens forcolon cancer. It is as effective in findingpolyps and cancer of the colon astraditional invasive colonoscopy.

Law enforcement is a high risk, highstress profession. Officers should takeadvantage of any opportunity thatdecreases those risks. HealthTest ScanCenter is pleased to help you by offeringdiscounted scans to police officers andtheir families. For more information goto our Web site,www.healthtestscan.com or call us at 1-877-432-7815.

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D.R.O.P. Participants OnlyYou’re invited to attend a Retirement Dinner/Seminar

WHEREThe Courtyard by Marriott

2440 West Cypress Creek RoadFort Lauderdale, Florida 33309

DATES of SeminarThursday, February 19th, from 6pm to 8pmThursday, March 18th, from 6pm to 8pm

Buffet Served

Please RSVP: Bobbi Bach at (954) 928-3892Seating is limited….CALL EARLY and reserve your seat today!

TOPICS to includeD.R.O.P. Retirement Package procedures

Options for D.R.O.P. roll-oversNew tax laws on deferred compensation

Diversifying your current and future portfolio

This seminar will educate you on all aspects of retirement planning!

SPEAKERSSean M. Farrell - Registered Representative, MEMBERS Financial Services

Louis Proietto – C.P.A., Keefe, McCullough & Co., LLPCort Neimark – Attorney at Law, Neimark & Nadel, Professional Associates

Representatives are registered through, and securities are sold through, CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member NASD/SIPC, 2000Heritage Way, Waverly, Iowa 50677, toll-free (866) 512-6109. Insurance sold through licensed CUNA Mutual Life Insurance Company

Representatives, and in New York, licensed insurance representatives of other companies. Nondeposit investment products are notfederally insured, involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by the credit union.

February 2004

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Is Pleased To Remind Law Enforcement ProfessionalsOf Its Broward Location At:

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FREE REVIEW OF YOUR 2002 TAX RETURNS

THE FIRM WILL CONTINUE TO LIMIT ITS PRACTICE TO

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ESTATE PLANNING AND PROBATEEXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS

TAX-RELATED TRANSACTIONAL MATTERS

Tax-Time (April 15th) will be here before you know it...



The Florida PBArepresents thefollowing agencies incollective bargaining:

Auburndale PDAventura PDAvon Park PDBal Harbour Village PDBay Harbor Islands PDBiscayne Park PDBoynton Beach PD (3 Units)Bradenton PD (Corrections)Brevard County SO (3 Units)Broward County SO (2 Units)Bunnell PDCasselberry PDCharlotte County SOChiefland PDClermont PDCoconut Creek PDCrystal River PDDade City PDDelray Beach PDDunellon PDEdgewater PDEdgewood PDEl Portal PDEscambia County SO (5 Units)Fernandina Beach PDFlagler Beach PDFlagler County SO (2 Units)Florida Department of LawEnforcement (Agents)Florida City PDFlorida Depart of Corrections(Correctional Officers andCorrectional Probation Officers)Florida Universities’ PD

Florida A&MFlorida AtlanticFlorida StateNew CollegeCentral FloridaFloridaSouth FloridaWest Florida

Ft. Pierce PD (2 Units)Gainesville PD (2 Units)

The Florida PBAThe only law enforcement organizationwith size, strength and influence to get

things done

Golden Beach PDGreenacres PDHallandale Beach PDHialeah PDHialeah Gardens PDHigh Springs PDHighlands County SO (2 Units)Holly Hill PDHollywood PD (2 Units)Homestead PDIndialantic PDIndian Harbour Beach PDKey West PDKissimmee PD (2 Units)Lakeland PDLake Wales PDLantana PDLargo PDLevy County SOLighthouse Point PDMangonia Park PDMargate PDMartin County SO (2 Units)Medley PDMelbourne PDMiami-Date (2 Units)Miami Shores PDMiami Springs PDMiramar PDNew Port Richey PDNiceville PDNorth Bay Village PDNorth Palm Beach PDNorth Port Village PDNorth Palm Beach PDNorth Port PDOrange City PDOrange County SOOrange Park PDOrlando PD (Non-sworn)Opa-Locka PDOrmond Beach Public SafetyPalm Beach County SO (2 Units)Palm Beach County SchoolBoard (2 Units)Palm Beach Gardens PD (2 Units)Palm Beach Shores Public SafetyPalm Springs Public SafetyPembroke Pines PD

Pinecrest PDPinellas County School BoardPinellas Park PDPort Richey PDPort Orange PDPort St. Lucie PD (2 Units)Punta Gorda PD (2 Units)Quincy Public SafetyRockledge PDSarasota County SOSarasota PD (2 Units)Sarasota-Manatee Airport PDSebastian PDSebring PDSea Ranch Lakes PDSouth Daytona PDSouth Miami PDSt. Augustine PDSt. Petersburg PDStuart PDSunny Isles PDSunrise PD (Lts.)Sweetwater PDTallahassee PD (2 Units)Tampa Int'l Airport PDTampa PD (2 Units)Tarpon Springs PDTitusville PDTreasure Island PDVero Beach PDWest Miami PDWest Palm Beach PD (2 Units)Williston PDWilton Manors PD


Dear Members,I am happy to report that the PBA began the 2004 election cycle on a positivenote. On January 6, 2004, voters of House District 91 elected PBA-endorsedcandidate Ellyn Bogdanoff. The vacancy was a result of State Representative

Connie Mack vacating his state house seat to run for Congress.This was a great victory for the PBA as there were seven othercandidates in the race and one candidate spent $350,000 of hisown money. We all know the old adage, “every vote counts,”and in such a crowded race, that adage was never more true.These types of races give the PBA endorsement even moreweight, as evidenced by Ellyn Bogdanoff’s margin of victory,12 votes. Had she not received our endorsement, one can onlywonder to which candidate those votes would gave gone - thePBA candidate no doubt.

As we look toward this year’s upcoming elections, itappears that our legislators will be playing a game of musical

chairs. Since Bob Graham announced that he would not seek re-election, a“domino effect” has revealed itself as legislators vie for new seats.Additionally, there will be important county elections held for Sheriff andCounty Commission seats as well as the Supervisor of Elections. Moreover,key municipal elections will be conducted in the early part of this year. Asusual, the PBA will play a significant role in the election process, but notwithout your assistance. It is imperative that we have the support of you, ourmembers, on and before Election Day to assist us with literature drops,manning polling places and, most importantly, by voting the PBA way. Bythe time this article is printed, our screening committees for the municipalelections will have been formed, and we will be gearing up for the elections.With your help, our success will continue throughout this election cycle.

In Solidarity,

Neil VaughanVice President

Political & LegislativeAffairs

2004 Political Season Off To A Successful Start


You work hard for yourmoney—so how can youkeep more of it in your pocket?Here are eight ideas to help youhold on to what’s yours.

1. Pay yourself first. Max outyour 401K or retirementcontributions if possible. Ifnot, increase yourcontribution by 1 percent ayear. Make sure you at leastchip in enough to earnyour employer’s match.And, if possible, set up anautomatic deposit fromyour checking account intoyour savings account.

2. It’s never too late. If youdidn’t make any smartfinancial moves last year, allis not lost. You’ve got untilApril 15 to make your 2003IRA contribution—just besure to tell your IRA trusteethat the contribution is for2003.

3. Quit smoking. You cansave tens of thousands ofdollars over your lifetime.A pack-a-day habit costsnearly $1,300 a year. Andyour life insurance will costless too. According to ING, a30-year-old male smoker pays$988 a year for a $250,000,20-year term policy. Thatsame policy would cost himonly $317 if he were smoke-free.

4. Get Rid Of Losers. Don’t letyour mutual fund companiesprofit at your expense. Checkall of your funds expenseratios—the percentage ofyour assets you pay to thefund to cover management

Hold On To MoreOf Your Money

and other fees. Don’t paymore than about .75 percentfor investment-grade bonds; 1percent for large and mid-sizestocks, or for high-yield (junk)bonds; 1.25 percent for smallstocks; and 1.5 percent forforeign stocks.

5. Start An Emergency Fund.Build up at least three months’worth of expenses. Start byputting a third of your

paycheck into savings eachmonth. Automated depositsfrom your checking accountare a good way to stay ontrack.

6. Watch Your Credit Score.Keeping an eye on your creditscore and making sure it stayshealthy is the best way to takeadvantage of low interestrates. Check your creditreports periodically andimmediately correct anymistakes, pay your bills ontime and cut credit cardbalances—try keeping them

at or below 25 percent of thecard limit.

7. Keep Tax ReceiptsOrganized. If you want toget every deduction youdeserve, stay organized.Label each receipt “personal”or “business” and file it in afile or shoebox labeledaccordingly. Write charitablecontributions down on yourcalendar, and keep anyreceipts you receive for them.If you use your car forbusiness, write down thenumber of miles on theodometer on January 1 andkeep track of the miles youdrive for work. There aremileage diaries available atoffice supply stores.

8. Use Your Vacation. Goodfor the soul, good for thewallet. Your personal time isvaluable. A 2003 surveyconducted by Expediaestimates that Americanshanded back more than $21billion in unused vacationtime to their employers. Useit or lose it.

Source: CNNMoney

Money Matters


On December 24, 2003,Governor Bush dedicatedthe nation’s first faith-basedprison at the LawteyCorrectional Institution atRaiford, a move he hopes willlead to fewer repeat offenders.

The facility will house 791inmates in nine dormitories.Faith-based activities will beavailable seven days a week.The program is voluntary, andentry is not dependent upon aninmate’s faith. Those wishing toserve their time at Lawtey mayrequest a transfer and musthave no disciplinary infractionsfor at least 12 months beforebeing admitted to the facility.

Florida OpensNation’s First

Faith-Based PrisonTransfers are granted based onbed availability.

No state funds will be usedto provide the faith-basedprograms. Over 500 volunteersfrom a variety of faiths –including Christians, Catholics,Jehovah Witnesses, Jews,Buddhists, Mormons andMuslims – will provide servicesand resources for the programs,which will include parentingclasses, anger managementcourses, personal growth classes,life skills and victim impactpanels. During normal workhours, inmates will receiveeducation and job assignments asin other facilities.

Traditionally, about 38percent of released inmates willreturn to prison at some time inthe future. Florida’s Secretary ofthe Department of CorrectionsJames V. Crosby Jr. hopes that thefaith-based programs offered atLawtey will help reduce thatnumber. “Lawtey CorrectionalInstitution will createrelationships between inmatesand volunteers that will hopefullyextend beyond the inmate’sincarceration so they will have asupport system in place whenthey are released,” he says.

Sources: Governor Bush’se-newsletter 12/30/03/Sun Sentinel

Unconventional Wisdom

Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player,That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,And then is heard no more: it is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury,Signifying nothing.- William Shakespeare, MacBeth

Experience is not what happens to you. It iswhat you do with what happens to you.- Anonymous Temper is what gets us into trouble. Pride

is what keeps us there.- Unknown

When in doubt, make a fool ofyourself. There is a microscopicallythin line between being brillantlycreative and acting like the mostgigantic idiot on earth. So what thehell, leap.- Cynthia Heimel

February 2004

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What's UpThe Broward Centurion February 2004

BSO DecemberEmployees of the Month

News From OurMembers

1616161616

Sgt. Kennard Campbell - District 1Dep. Shawn Mears - District 2Dep. Semaj Jackson - District 2Det. James Suarez - District 4Det. Scott Caperton - District 4Det. Jeffery Rogers - District 5Det. Craig Brown - District 5Det. Andrew Campbell - District 5Det. Justin Popps - District 8Det. Bryan Tutler - District 8

Det. Aldemar Renigifo - District 8Det. Eric Caldwell - District 8Sgt. Thomas Steele - District 9Sgt. Thomas Palmer - District 10Det. Francis Heitmann - District 11Dep. Christopher Blankenship -District 11Sgt. Richard Pisanti - District 12Dep. Jerry Vosburgh - District 14Dep. Michael Fazio - District 15

Hollywood officer Hector Meletich hasreturned home after serving our countryin Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Welcome home, Hector – and thank you!

WelcomeHome


Law Enforcement NewsItems of Interest From Around The U.S.

1717171717

Sacramento, Calif. – CaliforniaHighway Patrol officers came tothe rescue for kids at the SacramentoChildren’s Home after $5,000 worthof toys intended for them were stolenless than a week before Christmas.

CHP officers replaced the giftswith two carloads full of presents,collected from the communitythrough the ChiP’s for Kids program.

Source: Associated Press

Pittsburgh – The thief who stoleJanet Hartman’s car caught theChristmas spirit and returned italong with a letter of apology.

Hartman and her cousin weregoing out shopping when theydiscovered her car, which containedher purse, $200 in cash, credit cardsand her heart medicine, had beenstolen. Two days later, on ChristmasEve, an envelope containing the carkeys and letter appeared.

“I could never apologize enoughfor your car being stolen,” the notesaid. “There is no damage done toit…I will try to replace the money Istole. I have never done anything likethis before and I never will again.”

The letter advised that the carcould be found behind a church.Hartman’s purse was under one ofthe seats, but the wallet was gone.

Police impounded the car,believing the thief may have used itfor other crimes.


Minneapolis – It wasn’t SantaClaus, but someone got stuckin the chimney of a Minneapolisbookstore early Christmas morning.And he was naked.

The man was found lodged inthe furnace flue of Uncle Hugo’sBookstore. He was apparently drunkwhen he got up on the one-storybuilding, shedding his clothes toease his way down the chimney. Heclaims he dropped a set of keysdown the shaft and was attemptingto retrieve them when he got stuck.

A passer-by called police afterhearing screams coming from insidethe store.


Lakeland, Fla. – There’s a newtwist to the GHB craze – tamponspre-soaked with a dose of the drug.They’ve been showing up in variousparts of the country more and more.They can be inserted anally, suckedlike a lollipop or broken in half andstuck in each nostril (like an inhaler).Sometimes they are disguised as aspecialty straw and slipped into adrink. They come in various colorsand flavors.

Officer Safety

A handcuff shim pick key isbeing sold for $5.00 through theShomer-Tec catalog. The key can bepurchased without any proof of lawenforcement employment.

It is a slim piece of metaldesigned to be inserted where theteeth of the handcuff connect to thelock mechanism inside the handcuff.It releases the cuff by depressing the

lock mechanism. When inserted, itallows the handcuff to slide open.

The key will only work if thehandcuff is not double locked. Doublelocking the handcuff prevents thelock mechanism from beingdepressed.

A hooded sweatshirt made byTriple Five Soul NYC featurestwo hidden pockets that can easily beoverlooked during a search. One ofthe pockets is located inside the frontpouch and the other is located at theneck, underneath the tag. The pocketunder the tag has a Velcro closure andcould easily conceal a handcuff keyor small blade.

The Liberator 9MM pistol, sold byStinger Industries, is the size of acredit card. The barrel is stainlesssteel and the receiver is hard-coat7075. It’s a single action pistol andweighs 8.5 oz. For more information,log on to www.stingerpengun.com.

Gang members in California andFlorida have been convertingGlock pistols into fully automaticweapons – in less than 15 secondsand with no technical expertise.

The conversion is made bysimply switching the gun’s polymerslide cover plate with a steel one. Thepolymer edge of the trigger housingis partially cut away, leaving a largevoid visible through the notch.Anyone finding a Glock modified inthis way should consider it altered tofunction in a fully automatic mode.

ultimate sacrifice. All of thosenames are inscribed onthe National LawEnforcement OfficersMemorial inWashington, D.C.

The names of theofficers killed in 2003will be added to thememorial at acandlelight vigil onMay 13, 2004.

Source: National LawEnforcement OfficersMemorial Fund

Attention Parents!Do you have a son or daughter between the ages of 14 and 21?

Is he or she “motivated” and interested in a career in law enforcement?Then the Miramar Police Explorer Program is for you!

WHAT IS EXPLORING?Police Exploring is a “Learning for Life” organization of the Boy Scouts of America. Its purpose is to build character,provide “good citizenship” training, and emphasize physical fitness to America’s youth. Police Explorers accomplish

this in a “law enforcement” setting. This educates the explorer as to the functions the police have in their communitiesand it brings the explorer in direct contact with police officers.

WHAT DO EXPLORERS DO?Training sessions familiarize the explorer with all aspects of law enforcement. Explorers are trained in police functionssuch as patrol techniques, traffic crash investigations, defensive tactics, execution of criminal law, and many others.

Explorers are not utilized in assignments requiring police authority. However, trained explorers frequently assistthe police department and their community during special events. This is at all times done under the direction and

supervision of police department personnel.HOW TO BECOME A “POST 747” EXPLORER!

Be of good moral character and not have a criminal record.If in school, have a 2.0 or better grade point average.

Attend the scheduled meetings at the Miramar Police Department.FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT!

Officer James Dunkelberger @ 954-602-4117Detective Misa Inks @ 954-602-4121

Community Service Aid Eric Watters @ 954-602-4321MIRAMAR POLICE EXPLORER POST 747


Last year, 148 law enforcement officers werekilled in the line of duty, wellbelow the decade-long average of166 police deaths. This is thesecond year in a row that fatalitieshave fallen below the norm. The142 men and six women represent28 states, Puerto Rico and onefederal agency.

Seven states suffered thegreatest losses: California, 18;Texas, 10; Virginia, 8; and Florida,Louisiana and Tennessee, 7.California saw the biggestincrease in fatalities, while federallaw enforcement saw a significantdrop.

Since the first known American lawenforcement death in 1792, more than 16,000federal, state and local officers have made the

Law Enforcement FatalitiesBelow Average In 2003

GreatestLossesBy State

California 18

Texas 10

Virginia 8

Florida 7

Louisiana 7

Tennessee 7


Letters & Thanks

January 5, 2004

Mr. Brickman,

I recently had the opportunity touse the automobile broker serviceprovided by Ron Schembrithrough the Broward CountyPolice Benevolent Association. Iwas very pleased with the servicethat Ron provided, and in thefuture I would purchase anyother vehicles in the samefashion. Roncould not have madethe process any easier and wasalways available for anyquestions or concerns through theentire


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Volume 6 Issue 2 The Buck Stops Where? · political action committee exists in the political arena...

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Transcript of Volume 6 Issue 2 The Buck Stops Where? · political action committee exists in the political arena...