Public Safety Blog - Public Safety Discussion

CHEA Award

2010 Feb 1 Posted by Charles

Capella University is the first online university to receive The Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s Award for Outstanding Institutional Practice in Student Learning Outcomes. Capella is one of only four institutions in the U.S. that will be recognized with this award in 2010.

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Pillars of Public Safety

2010 Jan 15 Posted by Joseph Pascarella

As the shock wears off on what may be the worst disaster in recorded history to strike the Western Hemisphere in terms of loss of human life, the Public Safety infrastructure in Haiti is currently in shambles.

There are two Pillars of Public Safety, Health and Security. The primary mission and objective of Public Safety, universally, is to prevent loss of life. In terms of Health, many hospitals have collapsed and there are dead bodies strewn about the streets and countless victims in dire need of medical attention. In terms of Security, early reports indicated that the National Police of Haiti virtually disappeared during the disaster and the main prison of Haiti collapsed, allowing incarcerated criminals to escape amongst the chaos, adding to an already dangerous and ominious environment for Public Safety personnel.

The most pressing issue, at the moment, is to secure the operations of these two Pillars. Ironically, Health workers need Security, however, there is very little in terms of Security infrastructure. Other pressing issues include recovery and mitigation. For example, should the focus be on evacuation efforts that clog up tattered transportation infrastructure, or should the focus be on rescuing potentially trapped victims in which the window of survival is limited? These are very serious Public Safety challenges.

Stay safe.

Joe Pascarella

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Catastrophe in Haiti

2010 Jan 14 Posted by Joseph Pascarella

On Tuesday at 5:00 PM local time, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter magnitude scale devasted the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The country is currently in a state of shock, given that there are an estimated 100,000 people feared dead and there is no power throughout the afflicted area.

Key health infrastructure, such as hospitals have collapsed. In these horrific circumstances, Public Safety is not a key component to government, Public Safety is the only component.

Our prayers are with the people of Haiti.

Stay safe.

Joe Pascarella

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FEMA and IAEM Reminder!

2010 Jan 13 Posted by Mark

While I am sure most of you already know this information I felt I should post anyway. This is a reminder that self deployment to a disaster is strongly discouraged!!! Those who self deploy often become the disaster after the disaster and often take valuable resources from those that desperately need it. The proceeding e-mail came from FEMA today via the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM);

FEMA message follows:
From FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino:
Initial reports from Haiti in the wake of yesterday’s earthquake are concerning and troubling. During times like these, the emergency response community always stands ready to assist those in need.

On behalf of FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, I’d like to remind our response community that assets should not self deploy to affected areas. The United States Department of State and USAID have the lead for foreign disaster assistance, and US assets should deploy only if tasked to do so by the State Department or USAID. The most urgent need that the response community can fulfill at this time is supporting ongoing disaster relief fundraising efforts.

We will continue to update guidance as the situation unfolds. Thank you for your support.

Alison Schwartz
Director, Intergovernmental Affairs
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
202-646-7906 Direct

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Stalking Awareness Month

2010 Jan 10 Posted by Charles

According to The National Criminal Justice Reference Center, January 2010 has been designated as the seventh observance of Stalking Awareness month. Stalking is often not recognized for its seriousness and potentiality. The NCJRC site also highlights; an NIJ Report, Stalking in America: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey, a Bureau of Justice Statistics report entitled Stalking Victimization in the United States and a report with a state by state analysis of stalking and justice response entitled A Statewide Study of Stalking and Its Criminal Justice Response.

During my thirty years in the field, I have seen great strides within the law enforcement community, especially in terms of domestic violence intervention, community collaboratives, stalking awareness sessions, safety checklists, interstate reciprocity and dedicated teams. Yet I think that there are still opportunities to further strengthen, coordinate and integrate various local and state laws and practices so that the system further protects everyone and holds those who violate the law accountable.

Best wishes for the new year!
Charles

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CSI Related TV and the American Juror

2010 Jan 10 Posted by Laura Pettler

It was a brutal triple murder. Two young men and a woman in a house in a rural community. All three had multiple stab wounds, multiple injuries signifying a violent struggle…surely the perpetrator or perpetrators could have been injured during the assault leaving blood or other physical evidence at the scene…but nothing was found by law enforcement and the CSIs who processed the scene.

The gallery is packed full of prospective jurors as they sit anxiously awaiting for their names to be called. Some are simply anxious to be called to make their case for the Judge to excuse them. This is the case more often than not. But for the 12 who get seated in the box, the voir dire can be a perplexing process for both the prosecution and defense. Each side has six removals. That is, each side can opt to remove a potential juror for one reason or another. As the line of questioning begins by the lead prosecutor, one thing is clear, the physical evidence in this case is lacking, thus, the case is purely based on witnesses or testimonial evidence.

The prosecutor asks, “Mam do you watch CSI related television programs?” “Yes,” she responds. “And do you believe that what you see on TV is true and how it is done in the real world mam?” asks the prosecutor. “Well sure, of course,” she responds with conviction. “Ok, mam do you believe that there is forensic or physical evidence in every case like fingerprints or DNA?” the prosecutor continues. “There is always something left at every crime scene by every criminal sir,” she says, “they always find it. They can test it and that tells who did the crime sir. Everybody knows this these days. Its all DNA.”

Do you think this juror is going to sit in the jury box and wait for the DNA? “Show me the DNA!!!” Behind door number one we have…”A perfect DNA sample.” Behind door number two we have…”A perfect fingerprint left on glass.” Behind door number three we have…”Three witnesses who were incarcerated with both defendants who claim that whilst in prison for unrelated crimes, the defendants confessed the murders to them, volunteering details and motive.” Which door or doors do you think the prospective juror is going to put her money on?

This is the story of the CSI Effect and the American Juror.

I would argue that the CSI Effect has run rampant throughout American society. Recently, it was reported to me by my boss, the District Attorney, that we lost a property crimes case in District Court because the jury wanted to see the DNA in the case. The expectation of DNA in a property crimes case has been created by CSI related media. Until recently, DNA testing has been mostly reserved for violent criminal cases due to the appropriate allocation of resources towards public safety. Touch DNA has brought promise to the forefront in that some property crimes may be cleared more frequently using this new type of technology.

Interestingly, it has been my experience that most of the evidence in most cases is witness based…testimonial evidence. This is the same old evidence that has been used to exonerate and convict individuals in the United States since the beginning of our Criminal Justice System. They did not have DNA in 1950. They did not have DNA in 1960, 1970 or 1980. It was not until the latter part of the Twentieth Century that DNA became available for use in criminal cases in the United States.

I’m curious…what do you think of the CSI Effect? Does it exist? Do you see people out there wearing CSI related clothing or wanting to embark on new CSI related careers? Has any of that been spawned by the media? Is it positive or negative for our Criminal Justice System? Our Jury System? If it is positive how so? If it is negative, what should we do about it?

I look forward to hearing from you! Thanks for stopping by to read my post…Happy New Year!

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Year in Public Safety

2009 Dec 31 Posted by Joseph Pascarella

Greetings,

Ironically, 2009 began with a major success story in Public Safety regarding a potential disaster that was averted with a large commercial airline and 2009 ended with a failure involving a commercial airliner that could have been catastrophic.

On January 15, 2009, US Airways flight 1549 conducted an emergency landing on the frigid Hudson River. There were 155 Passengers and Crew members aboard and the crew averted a major disaster and avoided a crash landing in a densley populated New York City area metropolis that could have resulted in numerous casualties. The first response to the emergency landing was nothing short of phenonmenal and there were only a handful of minor injuries. This was a case study in everything going right in Public Safety, in every component.

On Christmas Eve, a potential suicide bomber plot thankfully went awry on a Detroit bound Airbus A330 carrying 278 passengers. The alleged attacker, Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab managed to pass through security with a liquid inflammatory device and materials and was apparently on a watch list. Once again, the intelligence community failed to cooperate with near disastrous results.

In between, the major stories in public safety was the escalation in the war on drugs in Mexico (affecting Public Safety at the Southwest US Border) and the vicious Station Fire in Southern California that burned for nearly a month and two Firefighters died in the line of duty battling the blaze. Once again, the difficulty of communications under these intense circumstances are discussed.

Public Safety is a continuing effort and work in progress. As we enter a new year and decade, please do be grateful for the men and women pursuing this effort.

Happy and Healthy 2010 and Stay Safe!!

Joe Pascarella

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Giving Thanks for Public Safety

2009 Nov 26 Posted by Joseph Pascarella

Another year has passed without a major terror attack or incident within the United States. Although we are grappling with our responses to natural disasters, overall, we in Public Safety in the United States have a lot to be thankful for on this day.

I would like to reiterate that the Public Safety enterprise for the United States is a global, 24 hour/7 day a week/365 day a year operation. As of this writing, personnel that are ensuring our public safety range from our military personnel on Patrol on the Afghanistan/Pakistan border, police officers on Patrol in Los Angeles, to ICE Border agents along the Canadian border, and to hospital workers in Cleveland. Unfortunately, ensuring Public Safety does not take a Holiday.

One of the most stressful aspects for Public Safety personnel is working weekends, evenings, and especially Holidays. While we are enjoying our Turkey and Football and spending time with our families on this day, please remember those who are out there for everyone’s safety.
Take care and have a Safe, Healthy, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Joe Pascarella

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Giving thanks to our soldiers and public safety officers

2009 Nov 25 Posted by Charles

I had a conversation with a colleague last week concerning her interest in helping provide more robust support for law enforcement officers and their families. Most realize that our officers, and solders, are on the front lines, in harms way and often at risk physically and psychologically. They are working for us 24/7 – 365.

As many of you know, the public safety field can be very exacting and can take its toll on individuals and consequently families suffer commensurately.

I know that some of the fraternal organizations, such as the FOP, do a great job providing family support in their local chapters; I do not know of other organized efforts at providing support for public safety families. Clearly, this represents a great opportunity – and great need.

Please let me know of any local, state or national efforts focused on providing public safety familial support.

Thank you to everyone serving, and to those who have served, in public safety (a special thank you to our armed forces away for Thanksgiving).

Charles

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Homeland Security concentration

2009 Nov 18 Posted by Charles

Beginning in January, we will begin offering a new Homeland Security doctoral level concentration. The discussions should be robust around cyber terrorism, bio-terrorism, intelligence analysis and terrorism. The concentration will be available to current MS or PhD learners in any public service leadership program.

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