Sept 2004
Friday, September 10, 2004 2:20 AM PDT
Your Keyword News Alert for ["police scanner"]
matched the following stories:
Press-Citizen, Fri, 10 Sep 2004 1:16 AM PDT
Fire destroys historic building
http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040910/NEWS01/40910014/1079
KALONA Iowa - Tim and Leah Ross and their family lost
their home and their clothes in the downtown fire in
this historic community Thursday, but they consider
themselves lucky to be alive.
===================================================================
Sept 2004
Part 1 of Column - Scanners in the News
1 Sept 2004 - Queensland Australia - The Crime and
Misconduct Commission (CMC) has suggested that radio
traffic from the planned digital police radio system
be streamed into newsrooms. The Queensland editor of
ABC News Fiona Crawford states "It appears that the
CMC has taken notice of our arguments, and agreed that
there needs to be a greater sharing of information
between the police service and media outlets."
Interested parties can submit comments on the CMC
recommendations before the report goes to State
Parliament in two weeks.
Wellington New Zealand - Long time race reporter Ian
Earle has retired. Mr Earle remembers listening to the
sinking of the Wahine in 1968 over a police radio. The
medias response to this most memorable of Wellington
stories contributed to the present day ranking of
journalists with politicians and used car salesmen.
Sept 5, 2004 - Sunday 933PM - Lewiston Maine - 1 man
was stabbed to death in an apartment on Knox Street.
Scannerist Catherine Martin said that troublemakers
have recently moved into town. "They give us a bad
name".
Northumberland Pennsylvania - Don Keeley, in 30 years,
has saved 17 human lives, 3 dogs, 2 kittens, and one
rabbit. Mr Keeley worked for the Northumberland Street
Dept and carried a Fire Department pager. Rescues from
fires, rescues from wrecked cars, rescues from icy
water ; this gentleman has done it all.
La Marque Texas - Three year police officer Michael
Kelemen was inspired to go into police work by his
father. "I used to listen to the police scanner with
my Dad as a kid - we'd chase the wrecks and all of
that. My Mom's not crazy about me being a police
officer, but my Dad loves it."
September 4, 2004 - Wilmington Delaware - A 30 year
old man died in a house fire in the 1300 block of
Cedar Street. Keith Gray, who lives a couple of blocks
away, heard about the fire on his scanner. "I knew if
someone was in there, they weren't going to make it
because the flames were so big."
September 2, 2004 - Lebanon Maine ; Police were at the
scene on Shapleight Road but would not confirm the
nature of the incident. The local newspaper (Foster's
Daily Democrat) reported that "initial scanner traffic
indicated a gunshot victim."
Eureka California - Eureka Times-Standard - A 'slice
of life" article provided an insight into the types of
radio traffic that are normally received on the police
scanners in the newsroom. With messages ranging from a
'man lying in the mud calling for God" to "juveniles
swimmimg with turtles", the author states that
"communicating quickly, effectively, and on the spur
of the moment, is an ability all its own."
September 4, 2004 - Savannah Morning News - Georgia -
A 52 year old man died while fishing with friends in
Chatham County. No foul play was suspected but the
"forensics unit was called to the hospital at 715PM to
complete the police department part of the
investigation according to police radio traffic."
September 7, 2004 - Searcy Arkansas - The Daily
Citizen - "Reporters in The Daily Citizen newsroom
listened on a police scanner as dispatchers sent
firefighters to 'an old barn on fire behind Speed
Queen'." One firefighter figured out that the barn
fire was actually near the Maytag Plant. Questions
were raised about the effectiveness of having 5
dispatch centers in the county versus having one.
September 9, 2004 - Kalona Iowa - A serious fire
destroyed 6 apartments and 1 store. Tim Ross, who uses
a wheelchair, credited a call from his wife's sister
who heard about the fire on a police scanner. "We
didn't hear any fire alarm, if it weren't for that
phone call, we would still be sleeping."
September 11, 2004 - Tim MacDonald and Beverly Pradel
(both volunteers on the Whites Crossing Volunteer Fire
Company in Lackawanna County in Pennsylvania) were wed
on 9/11. A scanner is always crackling in their home.
September 9, 2004 - Marion Ohio - Christine Barr
received a phone call from her Mom who has a scanner.
"She said there was probably going to be a bunch of
cops here." There were. Down the street from Ms Barr's
home, a neighbor took his wife hostage with a knife
when the wife announced that she was seeking a
divorce. The incident closed with the husband self
inflicting a minor stab wound to his belly.
September 10, 2004 - Dayton Ohio - Dayton Daily News -
"According to police and fire radio traffic" Dayton
Police were seeking a man with gold teeth who shot a
worker in a realty office.
Des Lodge Missouri - 52 year firefighter Jim
Gremminger got a golden fire axe when he retired as
Chief 2 years ago. But he still keeps the scanner on
at home so he can help out when the FD is short
handed. Both of his sons are on the FD - one as the
present Chief. A ten year old grandson also rolls on
calls when appropriate.
Will County Illinois - Sheriff Paul Kaupas is one of
the good guys. His wife of 31 years used to listen to
the scanner all the time. Now - "I just figure he is
going to come home, and he can take care of himself."