Nervous interviews

Today I did an interview with Las Vegas Metro Sgt. Misty Pence for a story to air Friday at six. Metro's Public Information Officer, Bill Cassell, told me ahead of time that this was her first tv interview, and that she was nervous. That's a situation we encounter a lot. I usually try to crack a few jokes while the photographer sets up the lights and microphones, and then I'll start asking about some other subject, like the memorabelia on their office walls. It turns out, Sgt. Pence was just fine.

Here's a behind the scenes video I made with photographer Nick Pantazzi, Officer Cassell, and Sgt. Pence. I left out the substance of her interview (you'll have to wait until Friday for that), but included a bit where she explained some funny quotes she has written on a white board in her office. (The quotes are a little odd out of context, so I decided not to show you them.) The point is even the police turn to humor when the job gets emotionally difficult.

YouTube video

I'm on a technology kick here, kids. I've decided to start posting our stories on a YouTube page. And you can also find the recent ones on the right-hand edge of the blog.

Dub Day

Sophia is sick, and most law enforcement agencies are bogged down preparing for New Year's Eve. That's not exactly a crime "trend," and our "general assignment" reporters are tackling that. So, I spend some time on another task...


Dr.s appointment in the afternoon...

vLog

Kids First producer Kathy Topp and I decided to have some fun with the Flip camera our boss gave me a few months back. The results: the first of what could be future "behind the scenes" videos.

Fireworks, don't fire guns

North Las Vegas Police want to stop "celebratory" gunfire, especially on New Year's Eve. Here's the release they sent us today:
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CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS RELEASE
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE, Joseph Forti
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/29/08

INCIDENT: Stepped-up Enforcement Intended to Reduce Celebratory Gunfire New Years Eve

NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV – Each year parts of North Las Vegas experience a high volume of celebratory gunfire during the holidays. Over the past four years the WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN campaign has aimed at reducing celebratory gunfire through community education via public service announcements, posters, flyers, news stories, and officer intervention. This year, in addition to the public prevention drive the department will significantly increase enforcement of state and local gun and shooting laws during the holidays.

There have been several shooting injuries in the past in North Las Vegas resulting from celebratory gunfire, primarily on New Years Eve. Fortunately, no one has been killed or gravely injured by this behavior. On New Year’s Eve 2008, NLVPD will vigorously enforce weapons statutes. “We intend to curtail this behavior as much as possible before someone gets seriously injured or killed in our city”, said Police Chief Joe Forti, who has added additional police officers to patrol on New Years Eve; some specifically assigned to respond to celebratory shooting calls.

The following laws and municipal codes apply:

- North Las Vegas Municipal Code (NLVMC) 9.32.110, Firing a weapon within city limits.

- NLVMC 9.36.120, Unlawful possession of pistol by user of narcotics, convicted felon, fugitive, drunkard, or non-naturalized citizen.

- Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 202.290, Aiming a firearm at human being; discharging a weapon where person might be endangered.

- NRS 202.257, Possession of firearm when under influence of alcohol, controlled substance or other intoxicating substance.

The following tips should be followed by all holiday revelers;
- Do not allow firearms at celebrations;
- Do not shoot firearms during celebrations;
- Call 911 if you witness someone firing a gun in the City limits;
- Call 311 for non-emergencies.
- Never mix alcohol and firearms.

Due to the high volume of called received each year at the peak hours when celebratory gunfire occurs, we are urging citizens to call 911 when they see someone firing a rifle or handgun and can help pinpoint the location so officers may safely respond and hopefully arrest the shooter. Callers should refrain from using 911 to report “possible gunfire” since many times it is simply fireworks that they hear. We need 911 lines open for actual shooting calls.
We are interested in participating in pro-active news stories over the next three days that will help raise awareness of this problem. On New Year’s Eve, we can support interviews (live or taped) for any newscast and we invite reporters / photographers to meet or ride with a PIO to view enforcement activity. For more information contact the Public Communications Office at 633-1824.

Law Enforcement Deaths in 2008

From the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund:

Washington, DC — 2008 is ending as one of the safest years for U.S. law enforcement in decades. The number of officers killed in the line of duty fell sharply this year when compared with 2007, and officers killed by gunfire reached a 50-year low.

http://www.nleomf.com/media/press/endofyear08.htm

I'm back

I'm back from my vacation, and its still slow here. Kids First producer Kathy Topp and I are working on something special. I'm hoping it will be ready for a blog update this afternoon. We also have Manhunt Monday on the schedule for 5pm today. Unfortunatly, we're still waiting for information from the Public Information Office over at Las Vegas Metropolitan Police. There was a incident yesterday where three Metro officers were shot at by a suspect, and I figure that the officer assigned to Manhunt Monday is probably busy on that incident too... so we may be waiting for our information for a while.