Media Attention
Last week, we posted about incidents of gun thefts at O'Hare airport. We asked if anyone knew if they still marked the bags with the orange tags that said "Unloaded Firearm - Steal Me!" or something similar. Our readers were helpful and explained current means of shipping weapons. We also speculated aloud that there might be unscrupulous employees marking bags to tip off workers there might be something worth stealing in a bag - they seem to hit with astonishing accuracy.
Once again, we've attracted the attention of media types who think there might be a story worth telling. Or at least, that's the line we're getting. The question posed to us via e-mail is as follows:
Once again, we've attracted the attention of media types who think there might be a story worth telling. Or at least, that's the line we're getting. The question posed to us via e-mail is as follows:
- I'm wondering if you or your readers have any educated guesses about how these thefts are being pulled off. I'm also wondering if you think the airlines or TSA could be doing anything differently to reduce the opportunity for gun/ammo theft.
The simplest explanation would be as stated - someone is marking bags and tipping off workers. It would follow in a long tradition of organized crime rings operating around airports and other ports of entry (i.e. various cartage thefts; the Lufthansa heist; etc.) But we're willing to entertain other thoughts.
Now before anyone goes off half cocked and starts ripping on us for even dealing with reporters, take a deep breath. This is still a public website, accessible to anyone with an internet connection. We know Frank Main and Fran Spielman have been here a number of times and we've been contacted by Mark Brown and others. For the most part, we've been polite to anyone who drops us a line and this reporter asked the question - they're asking for an opinion, nothing that reflects Department policy, and lord knows we have plenty of opinions posted on here every single day. So if you're going to answer, be polite.
Standard disclaimers apply - we cannot guarantee that any reader or poster is actually a police officer, let alone even posting from the United States. We have readers on 4 continents. That is all.
Now before anyone goes off half cocked and starts ripping on us for even dealing with reporters, take a deep breath. This is still a public website, accessible to anyone with an internet connection. We know Frank Main and Fran Spielman have been here a number of times and we've been contacted by Mark Brown and others. For the most part, we've been polite to anyone who drops us a line and this reporter asked the question - they're asking for an opinion, nothing that reflects Department policy, and lord knows we have plenty of opinions posted on here every single day. So if you're going to answer, be polite.
Standard disclaimers apply - we cannot guarantee that any reader or poster is actually a police officer, let alone even posting from the United States. We have readers on 4 continents. That is all.
posted by SCC at 12:02 AM
16 Comments:
SCC-
I know for a fact that there are alot of shitbirds that work at O'hare that are from the Humboldt Park area and have stolen guns on occasion. I personally recovered two .45's that were stolen from O'Hare as they were being imported from overseas. That to me would be the most plausable explanation as to how guns are getting stolen--when you see a bag tag marked "CZ Arms Chech Republic" don't you think they are going to get stolen? I just think the airlines have most their firearm thefts this way and the ones out of personal luggage are just by luck...
The airline ramp workers watch the TSA baggage sceeners search the bags. They identify the bags with the goodies and reopen them in the baggage room. If anything is missing they blame the most visible people - TSA.
Airline gun thefts can be eliminated simply by letting cops carry their firearms on the plane like we used to do.
Of course thats too easy and would add one more layer of real security to prevent terrorism and save lives.
TSA workers have stolen many guns...
MANY airline ramp rats are thieves. Not just guns, cameras and jewelry are alot easier to get rid of. A while ago, an airline that is now defunct had a problem with huge thefts, called the police to turn over a shiteload of empty camera bags, jewelry cases etc..that they had found in employee lockers..ok, let's get the employee's names and go to work..Oh, we don't know who the lockers belong to, we just want you to take this stuff we found after we announced we were going through the lockers. DUH! Most of the names of passengers were those that had reported a theft and made settlement with the airline. A HUGE problem is that when you catch the mutts, the passenger isn't going to fly in from wherever for court. If anyone cares to watch, the rats bring HUGE EMPTY duffel bags to work, wonder why? And yes, there are organized groups working the theft business very successfully. There is also a big problem with the requirements that each airline place on those checking firearms, each airline does things differently from city to city.
TSA Security can't even keep track of uniforms or id's.
What a bunch of crooks!
JUST LEAVE THE GUNS AND THAT BADGE AT WORK WHILE ON VACATION! OR JUST KEEP PLAYING THE POLICE EVERYWHERE YOU GO, SO MAYBE YOU WILL DIE BEFORE YOU RETIRE. KEEP OUR PENSION FUND FULL...REMEMBER ITS JUST A JOB!
It's not that we want to play the police everywhere we go - maybe some of us would like every advantage we are afforded in efforts against becoming a victim. I know I'd hate to be saying "I wish I had my gun" if a loved one was in danger somewhere.
Okay reporters you wanna idea ask the airlines how often after their initial hire do they give background checks, and what are undesirable crimes that led to termination, how many people have been fired and what efforts have you made with the local authority to nip this problem in the bud? You know in low risk business such as retail i have seem them check employees before permitting them to leave. Heck if you use the airport address you can check to see all the lost and theft items from there.... get to it and grab that scandal and if you need more let me know I have seen so many scandals this year I would love to watch a few from the outer regime fry!!!!
We're entitled to carry in every state in the union and should.
To 9:12
I don't play police, I am the police. It's not a job it's a calling. Just because I am on vacation doesn't mean the mutts are. If some mutt wants to carjack the balding fat guy in the yuppie outfit he is going to get a .38 special facial.
Just to be clear---I don't look for trouble off duty, especially when with the family. However, if some bag of shit wants to clown in my area I am more than willing to get his mind right
To: 12/12/2006 09:12:23 PM
It is not a matter of playing Police. When I am on vacation with my wife and kids I have it with me to protect them. We go to popular places that could possibly be targets of terrorist attacks. I never want to say "If only I had my gun."
I am a P.O. and work at O'Hare airport-you would be surprised at all the gangbangers that work there...I just can't believe the airlines hires these scumbags!
TO 02;47'27 AM
I AGREE WITH YOU. BUT IF I FLY ON A PLANE I LEAVE THE GUN AT HOME. I CANNOT TRUST THESE MUTTS AT THE AIRPORT WHO WILL STEAL YOUR WEAPON,
Anonymous said...
JUST LEAVE THE GUNS AND THAT BADGE AT WORK WHILE ON VACATION! OR JUST KEEP PLAYING THE POLICE EVERYWHERE YOU GO, SO MAYBE YOU WILL DIE BEFORE YOU RETIRE. KEEP OUR PENSION FUND FULL...REMEMBER ITS JUST A JOB!
12/12/2006 09:12:23 PM
You have no clue do you. it's not like i take my badge and gun wherever i go to play the police. i take them because it would really suck if i found myself in a cituation that i needed them and didn't have them. not to mention, the more you are the workn' police, the more real enemies you have. i run into bad guys that know me off duty all the time. the mall, the gas station, in traffic, at the post office - you name it. in this day and age, your crazy "not" to have your pistol.
Maybe your a cop that doesnt do anything, nor have you locked up real gangsters that have served real time so you don't have to worry about that stuff.
Maybe your a cop that see's a couple coming out of a store getting robbed / a little old lady getting roughed up my some purse snatcher, a banger shooting at a vehicle in traffic right in front of your car / an armoured car security gaurd getting shot / etc etc etc - and you "kring" at the thought of getting envolved - doing the right thing. you probably are one of those that run the opposite direction
F**ckn do nutn clueless coppers with their comments.
Long Live The Workn' Police !!!
In 1989 I was assigned to attend a funeral service for a Tennesse State Trooper. I took my ISP 9mm apart and packed it in various places within a suitcase. As the 9mm was part of the uniform I had to take it with me. I recall seeing my bag being loaded on the plane with a big red tag and I didn't like it. Upon returning home I kept it, loaded, in a gym bag. The plane crew knew I had it with me.
It's great to be retired.
<< Home