LAPD Partners Caught In The Act

Above, the LAPD police car involved was similar to this one.

Back in the 1990s, I worked armed security patrol in-between insurance claim jobs. I had a permit to carry a .38 Special or .357 Magnum revolver while on duty.

I forget which security company I was working for when I came upon a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) squad car in the parking lot of a park in the North Hollywood/Sherman Oaks area. It was either AMSEC or Protection One I worked for at the time. 

The other day, a friend on Facebook jogged my memory of the incident I am about to describe. 

This is what happened:

I went to patrol the park's parking lot and in a far, dark corner, I saw a LAPD police car parked. A pair of bare legs sticking out the car window caught my attention when I first saw the police car. Driving closer, I saw one male and one female LAPD cops in the back seat of the squad car having "indoor Olympics". They got hit by my spotlight. The male cop got out and tried to give me a hard time. I just said, "Personally, I don't care. But we can have your watch commander deal with this." He backed off. During this time, the lady cop, a pretty blonde, was hurriedly getting dressed. I think the two were partners (in more ways than one).

I didn't bother to notify LAPD of the matter. I thought the officers were embarrassed enough. We all got a good laugh over this at the security company's headquarters. They all knew about it as I went "Code 6" (unit has arrived to location, conducting field investigation) with dispatch when I was approaching the police car. I don't recall if I had to submit a written report.

This kind of activity involving police officers isn't all that rare. All one has to do is Google it. 

Here's an example.

Garcetti To Slash Up To $150 Million From LAPD Budget

The Looney Left Report

Here's another example of why I am glad that I moved out of Commiefornia, especially Los Angeles. The city is being governed by liberal lunatics.

Fox News reported:

LOS ANGELES— Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday that he tasked the city to “identify $250 million in cuts” to invest more money into the black community, communities of color,  women and “people who have been left behind." 

The Los Angeles Times reported that the city will try and cut between $100 million to $150 million from its police budget alone. Garcetti said it is incumbent on the city to “step up and say, ‘What can we sacrifice?’”

So Garcetti thinks that sacrificing public safety will help? Insane!

Actor James Woods Tweeted:

Why don’t you folks who want to “defund the police” simply “opt out” from police protection? You could all send notarized letters to your local departments that you no longer wish to participate. Police costs would be less. Taxpayers would save money. Win/win for everybody! #Fool

To read more, go here. 

Daryl Gates Must Be Spinning In His Grave

Lunatics! This is the current LAPD Chief of Police?! Daryl Gates must be spinning in his grave!



#SanctuaryCitiesAreCriminal

2000 Silverlake Homicide

Above, the far back building above was where the homicide took place.

In-between insurance claims jobs, I often worked as an armed security patrol officer back in the 1990s and the following occurred during my last stint.

I was working a "dedicated area" consisting of the Silverlake area of Los Angeles, in the Rampart Division area of the L.A.P.D. for Protection One.

I received a radio call about a disturbance at the Hollywood Inn Express motor lodge. I was told to see the motel manager first upon arrival.

When I arrived, he told me that a man and a woman came and told him that someone was shot in a room in the far back building. Immediately, my gut feeling was that the police should be immediately notified. I told him to call the police and I would keep the room under surveillance until they arrived. I also notified my dispatcher.

When the police went into the room, I followed and saw the girl's body on the bathroom floor of the room.

The following is a Los Angeles Police Department press release:

Rampart Homicide Detectives are investigating the shooting death of a Hispanic female, 15 years of age. The victim was discovered shot to death inside room number 134 of the Hollywood Inn Express South Motel located at 141 North Alvarado Street, Los Angeles. The victim was discovered by Rampart Patrol Officers responding to an "Assault with a Deadly Weapon" call on Wednesday, January 26, 2000, at approximately 4:00 am.  

The victim was found lying on the floor in a pool of blood. Paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.  

The investigation revealed the victim, two witnesses( a male and female Hispanic), along with the suspect checked into the motel at approximately 2:30 am on Wednesday, January 26, 2000. At approximately 3:30 am, the male witness went down to the night window and informed the clerk that someone had been shot inside the room. The witnesses then fled. The police and paramedics were notified. While the officers were at the scene, the witnesses returned and identified themselves.  

The suspect and the male witness met the victim and the female witness at a nightclub. When the club closed they decided to continue the party at the motel. While inside the room the victim and the suspect became involved in an argument. During the argument the suspect produced a handgun and fired multiple rounds at the victim. The victim was struck numerous times about the body. The suspect then fled on foot.  

The suspect is described as a male, Hispanic, 5'6" to 5'7" tall. 110 to 120 pounds, 22 to 25 years of age. He has a thin build, dark complexion, and short hair. He was wearing a dark checkered shirt, black pants and white shoes.  

The suspect fled the scene taking the murder weapon with him. The cause of the argument has not been established. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending the notification of the next of kin. 

This wasn't the first "187" (penal code for homicide) I was involved in. Previously, I was flagged down by a man who came across a male gang victim lying in the middle of Dronfield Ave. in the Shadow Hills area of the San Fernando Valley. 

To date, I don't know if either cases were solved and the killers were prosecuted.

415 Call

Above, the vehicle after they closed the doors. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the reasons for wanting to leave California is the rudeness and inconsideration of the people here.

Early this morning was a prime example.

At about 2:20 this morning, some people who don't live here were parked near my bedroom and were talking and laughing loudly, thereby waking you-know-who. This falls under police penal code 415 (Disturbing the peace / Mutual combat).

Above, one of the people in the vehicle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

So, I got dressed, put a little item for protection in my pocket (who knows what I may be walking into) and went out to have a little chat with them. I reminded the so-called tenant that the manager distributed a notice a few months ago stating that hanging around and talking in the parking lot and the building's common areas is not allowed and non-tenants are not allowed to park in the building's parking lot. Despite their promise to tone down the noise (one inside the vehicle claims he's also a tenant), it kept on for another 25 minutes. I then called the LAPD.

Of course, they left before the police arrived. The dispatcher called me a before any police showed up and I cancelled the call. What's the point? The perps were gone.

So it isn't any wonder that I am choosing to move to New Mexico where I will have an acre of land on both sides of the house (one acre will be mine) as a buffer for any noise problems with the neighbors.

This kind of problem isn't just confined to California. Anytime you have multiple apartments, there will be a few jackasses around to disturb the peace.

I'll have to have a little talk with the building manager today.

Tom Petty May Be Dead

Above, Tom Petty in 1976.

Media reports indicate that rock star Tom Petty has died at age 66 of a cardiac arrest at his Malibu home, but the LAPD has not been able to confirm this.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lapd-clarifies-cannot-confirm-tom-petty-death/

*******************

UPDATE:

Fox News reported:

Tony Dimitriades, the band manager, announced the singer’s death in a statement. The legendary singer was reportedly found in cardiac arrest on Sunday at his home in Malibu, Calif. 

Petty was taken to UCLA Medical Center but could not be revived, Dimitriades said. He died at 11:30 p.m. 

Thomas Earl Petty fell in love with music at a young age after a chance encounter with Elvis Presley, and was the voice behind celebrated hits like “Free Fallin’” and “Don’t Do Me Like That.”

To read more, go here. 

Ruger 10/22 .22LR Rimfire Carbine Rifle

Above, the Ruger 10/22 Rimfire Carbine Rifle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While shopping in a Big 5 sporting goods store today, I stopped in the gun section and noticed a Ruger 10/22 rifle for sale. It was priced on sale at around $279.

That jogged my memory of when I bought my 10/22 for about $85-90 back around 1982 or 1983 at a Big 5 store. Their website lists the price at $319.99.

The 10/22 is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, firearm in America. It is a fun plinking rifle.

A little about it (by Big 5):

Ruger 10/22 .22LR Rimfire Carbine Rifle 

The Ruger 10/22 rifle is America's favorite .22LR rifle, with proven performance in a wide range of styles for every rimfire application. Ideally suited for informal target shooting, plinking, small-game hunting and action-shooting events, 10/22 rifles have sold in the millions since their introduction in 1964. With their legendary action and renowned, reliable rotary magazine, all 10/22 rifles are sleek, perfectly balanced, rugged and superbly accurate. 

• .22LR-caliber
• 18.5" barrel
• 10-round rotary magazine
• Stainless steel barrel
• Synthetic stock
• ScoRuger 10/22 .22LR Rimfire Carbine Riflepe base included
• Semi-auto action

As regular readers of this blog recall, I had to surrender my guns to the LAPD due to a temporary restraining order action. I was able to get all of my guns back (after the temporary restraining order was dismissed), except my 10/22. It had to be registered with the Bureau of Firearms before I could get it back. It was a hassle, but I got it back after the Department of Justice cleared it.

I noticed that used 10/22 rifles of the early 1980s are sought out by collectors (apparently they were better made back then with a walnut stock) who are willing to pay $200 (and up) for them.

According to a member of the calguns.net forum:

According to Google Fu an '82 is pre plastic trigger group housing and I believe (could be wrong) it has real blueing on the receiver vice the cheesey paint they use nowadays. A bit more desirable. I would buy it for $200 if it was in good condition. 

That's A Wrap!

Finally, after seven months, the arsenal is now completely back where it belongs.

This morning, I went to the Van Nuys Division of the Los Angeles Police Department to pick up my Ruger 10/22 rifle from the property department, where they were holding it for me. The whole process seemed like it would never end.

All this baloney started last August when Denise Santos tried to set me up on some sort of false stalking charge that culminated in a application for a temporary restraining order. I was served the order by one of her flying monkeys. This was a bizarre state of affairs since I was the one who ended things, including the imposition of no contact.

Above, Denise Santos on Hot Bench.

I first suspected that I was being set up when Denise sent me a text message while I was camping in Ventura Beach with my former roomie Jessica in early July. Included in her message, she said, "Please stop contacting me via text or email." At that point, I hadn't been texting her for weeks due to my imposition of no contact and the only time I emailed her was to send a demand letter, which the courts require before bringing forth a lawsuit. She knew a lawsuit would be forthcoming, so it should not have been any surprise. (The lawsuit was heard on Hot Bench in September.) Her text message caused my "Spidey sense" to start tingling. Why would she say that when I hadn't been in any contact with her? Hmm. In the weeks that followed, her accusations began to snowball. That's why I ratcheted up the rhetoric on this blog to leave an electronic "paper trail" during those weeks.

The last round of text messages occurred about 2 weeks after our Hot Bench appearance in September. Denise started off as accusatory and threatening. They began very rough, but ended (surprisingly) on a more cordial note. Finally, cooler heads prevailed from both sides. We haven't bothered each other since.

Getting back to the gun matter, part of the temporary restraining order was that I had to turn in all my firearms to either law enforcement or to a licensed gun dealer. This I did. Afterwards, she had the temporary restraining order dismissed as my attorney and I had ample evidence refuting her charges. But, in the months that followed, I had to deal with the California Department of Justice to get authorization to get my firearms back. This was a long and tedious process. Today, all I had to do was to go to Van Nuys with my i.d. and the DOJ authorization and they gave me the rifle. Finally, the last firearm has been returned to me and the matter is now closed.

I have to say that the officers with the LAPD in the West Valley and Van Nuys Divisions were pleasant and professional to work with during this process.

As they say during the end of a movie production, "That's a wrap!"

The Light At The End of The Tunnel

Above, the Ruger 10/22. Photo: Ruger.com.

The light at the end of the tunnel indicates that the long (since August) annoyance of having to turn in my firearms to the LAPD due to a temporary restraining order application is nearly over.

As indicated before, the application was done in revenge or retaliation over the impending (at the time) Small Claims Court lawsuit (that was heard on Hot Bench) and/or the fact that I was the one who ended all contact with my ex-fiancee, Denise Santos.

According to the Lucky Otters Haven:

When you reject a narcissist they are forced to confront their own emptiness and nothing scares them more than that.  They will fight tooth and nail to avoid it, even if it means they have to destroy you in the process.

Above, Denise Santos on Hot Bench.

Part of the temporary restraining order application stipulated that I had to turn in all my firearms to either a licensed dealer or to law enforcement until the matter was decided. Once it was decided (it was dismissed as I had ample proof that the "stalking" accusation was bogus), I got authorization from the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to retrieve them, except one. The one was my Ruger 10/22 rifle as it was not registered with the Automated Firearms System (AFS) since I bought it in the early 1980s before the AFS went into operation.

Since it is now registered, the DOJ gave me authorization to retrieve it and I have an appointment set for next week to do just that. The main problem had been the slow process with the DOJ and the AFS. One could not act until the other acted.

Despite all, working with both the detective handling the case and the property unit's manager has been a good experience. We're all now on first-name basis.

Once I retrieve it, the whole matter will be over and done with. 

Christopher Dorner and Charlie

Above, fugitive Christopher Dorner.

It has been reported in the media during the past 24 hours that actor Charlie Sheen was complimented in cop-killer Christopher Dorner's "manifesto" and Sheen, while on TMZ, said that he appreciated the "kind words" and asked Dorner to "please call me" to see how the current manhunt can be peacefully resolved.  (Funny, Sheen didn't leave his phone number for Dorner to call him.)

It just so happened that I worked earlier today at the exclusive community where Sheen lives.   The gate guard and I joked, "Wouldn't it be funny if we called Sheen's residence and told him, "A Mr. Dorner is here to see you.""

Besides getting our butts fired for such a prank, the whole LAPD (including S.W.A.T.) would be swarming the place as anyone can pick up our radio transmissions.

Heh, heh!

Estimated One Million Witnessed Shuttle's Move; Crime Down

Above, Endeavour early Saturday morning in Inglewood.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It has been estimated that about one million people witnessed the space shuttle Endeavour move through the streets of Inglewood and Los Angeles as it made it way from LAX to the California Science Center in Exposition Park.

Also, crime in the city was down during the time of the shuttle's move.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

But in recapping the LAPD's efforts to patrol the crowds, [L.A.P.D. Chief] Beck told the Police Commission on Tuesday that the spectators were perhaps the best he's ever seen. "I maybe have never been involved in policing a crowd that was so positive and so proud," he said. 

Crime rates for the city during the shuttle's weekend journey, he said, were the lowest in months.

To read the full article, and to see a fascinating time-lapse video of the shuttle's move, go here.

Police Activity

Stepping outside to walk the dog, I saw around eight police units of the Los Angeles Police Department congregated two buildings to the west of my apartment building.

One neighbor said he saw them earlier with guns drawn.

Here's what I saw:

Cyber-bully: Has A Familiar Ring

This story has a familiar ring to it. It involves a cyber-bully who has been harassing people in the comic book industry.

I am familiar with it as I have been dealing with a cyberstalker for the past two years.  The LAPD is currently investigating it and will soon refer matter to the Los Angeles City Attorney's office.  I have provided them with two cd-roms chock-full of evidence.

Comics writer Mark Millar posted this on his message board:

Thank you very much, but I engaged a criminal lawyer in LA yesterday and have one of the women involved co-ordinating with the others today, hopefully. I don’t want to say much more in a public forum just now as it may prejudice the case and between the details we’ve got and the tweets we saved the police have everything they need. Even if this doesn’t go to court the guy should hopefully be publicly outed in California and the shame of this will not only stop him attacking women online, but also discourage others from trying this in future. I found out last night that this idiot had been making sexual threats to some of the women concerned for over two years now.

They are handling it in the right way.  I haven't "outed" the cyberstalker for the same reason, but eventually he will be.

I am contacting Millar to get their attorney's information for possible further action.

******
When I went to read about the cyber-bully story at Comic Book Resources (CBR), I noticed another familiar item at the masthead:

This 'n That

The sales numbers of the ebook edition of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan at Amazon's Kindle Store were excellent for the day it "went live."  Maybe I should have done this sooner.

A permanent link to the Kindle Store has been added to this blog (on the right).

Things will really pick up once the news release is issued late tonight through the press release service I use.  It will hit travel-related news sources and websites.

******

The last comic book yard sale for the foreseeable future will be held this Saturday (August 25) from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 18618 Collins Street in Tarzana, California.  There's plenty of Silver Age (1960s vintage), Bronze Age (1970s vintage) and Modern Age (1990s vintage) to choose from.  They're priced to go!

The re-stocking is done and ready to go.

******

The LAPD is investigating the cyberstalker complaint I made and will soon refer the matter to the City Attorney.

******

The GOP National Convention is still set to start in Tampa, Florida next week.  Hurricane or no hurricane.  The delegates and convention should be okay, but the anarchists and left-wing "protesters" will probably have some problems with hurricane/tropical storm winds and rain.

The Chief and Me

Rummaging around my old photo albums yesterday, I came across the above photo of former Los Angeles Police Department Chief of Police Ed Davis and myself at the Republican State Convention at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco. The photo was taken in 1978.

Davis went on to become a state senator in the San Fernando Valley. At the time the photo was taken, he was running for governor of California. The photo was taken in his convention hospitality suite.

Those were the days when we had (somewhat) a viable Republican Party in California. Now it is a virtual one-party state run by left-wing lunatics.

LAPD Swings Into Action

The LAPD swung into action last night in clearing out the encampment of the Occupy L.A. protesters at City Hall Park.

The latest is that 200 persons were arrested.

Kudos to the LAPD!

L.A.P.D. Wimps Out

Above, L.A. City Hall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Los Angeles Police Department announced that Occupy L.A. protesters must de-camp from City Hall's grounds by midnight last night.

The protesters are still there and the LAPD is telling the media that protesters will be moved out "on our timetable."

It looks to me and many others that the non-enforcement of the deadline is a "wimp-out" on the part of the LAPD.

What's the point in setting a deadline and not enforce it?

It has been reported that costs to cities across the country associated with the Occupy Wall Street protests (property damage, law enforcement, etc.) exceeds $13 million.

The July 7th Sherman-Reed Incident

In previous blogs, I mentioned a town hall meeting by Rep. Brad Sherman, D-CA, that had an incident involving Republican challenger Mark Reed.

Mark Reed, left and Brad Sherman, below.



At that meeting in a Jewish temple, Reed attended and remained quiet and unobtrusive and watched the presentation. Towards the end of the meeting, Reed was accosted by Temple security (some armed), Sherman staffers and the LAPD. Brad Sherman's mother also joined the fray at one point yelling at Reed, "You don't belong here! You're a bad man!"

Reed's crime? Just being there.

I am not a fan of the Huffington Post (quite the opposite, actually), but there is an article in it from an eyewitness to the whole proceedings. It is titled, "Brad Sherman's Middle East Town Hall Rife With Fear and Aggression" by Linda Milazzo, a "writer, educator, activist." (Her description.)

In one of my blog posts on the meeting, I described it as a usage of "Gestapo tactics" (borrowing a 1968 line from Sen. Abraham Ribicoff at the Democratic National Convention). Some didn't like the term when I used it, but I think it makes the point of the tone of the meeting and the intimidating tactics employed that night against Reed and other attendees.

Milazzo's article is a must-read if you are concerned about who is elected next month in the 27th Congressional District.

In her article, she wrote of the Reed incident. Here's Milazzo's account:

Here are the two telling examples of fear and aggression from incidents on Wednesday night:

The first involves Mark Reed, Brad Sherman's Republican opponent, who won his Republican primary handily. Sherman won't debate Reed, although I believe he should. Reed is a 40% Native American, self-described "conservative Constitutionalist who happens to be Republican." Reed is also a staunch supporter of Israel, who amazingly, believes he's a stronger supporter of Israel than Sherman - if that's possible. Reed is not Jewish.

Reed attended the town hall Wednesday evening and caused no disruption. At the end of the event he exited and entered the synagogue courtyard where he was met by Temple security who asked him to leave the premises and escorted him to the street where he was then met by LAPD officers, who threatened to arrest him if he didn't leave the area. Reed left, but has since filed a complaint against the LAPD officer.

Thus far, Sherman has not issued any kind of apology for the incident (not that anyone really expects him to).

I urge you to read Milazzo's article before you vote next month. To read it, go here.

Brad Sherman's Lousy Month

July has not been a good month for Rep. Brad Sherman. We are only a little more than half way through with the month!

It started out at a town hall meeting at a Jewish temple in which Sherman had GOP candidate Mark Reed bullied out of the meeting by rent-a-cop thugs and some rogue officers of the L.A.P.D.

Then, a YouTube video surfaced showing Sherman losing his cool while being questioned by a constituent.

And, finally, Sherman exposed his ignorance at another town hall meeting when he said he wasn't aware of the New Black Panthers voter intimidation matter from 2008. This received national news exposure, despite the "state-controlled-media's" silence on it. This story prompted talk show king Rush Limbaugh to call Sherman "hapless."

Despite registration numbers in the 27th Congressional District that favor the Democrats, Sherman seems to be pretty nervous over the upcoming election. Well, he should. He voted for the stimulous/porkulous bills, Obamacare and other Leftist pieces of legislation. Additionally, he also supports cap 'n trade.

Small wonder Sherman refuses to debate Reed. What a wienie!

Sherman should have more months like this.

Brad Sherman Uses Gestapo Tactics On Opponent At Jewish Temple

An interesting incident happened last night at a townhall meeting with Congressman Brad Sherman.

Mark Reed, Sherman's Republican opponent, was removed from the meeting by security guard thugs and officers of the LAPD.

Mark Reed's campaign issued this press release:

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE MARK REED REMOVED FROM PUBLIC TOWN HALL WITH INTIMIDATION AND THREATS BY ARMED GUARDS AND LAPD



Northridge, California (July 7, 2010) - Mark Reed, Candidate for Congress in the 27th Congressional District, was in attendance at a public town hall hosted by his opponent, incumbent Congressman Brad Sherman, this evening when private armed security guards escorted Mr. Reed off the property. There LAPD officers waiting on the street threatened to arrest Mr. Reed if he did not immediately enter his vehicle and leave the area. As a constituent of the 27th District, Mr. Reed was within his rights to attend. He was not disruptive.



The meeting was being held at Temple Ramat Zion in Northridge California. It was a public forum open to all constituents of California's 27th Congressional District. The topic of the event was the Middle East, specifically, terrorism, US-Israel relations, and Iran's nuclear weapons program. The town hall was hosted by Congressman Sherman and featured Gil Artzyeli, Deputy Consul General of the State of Israel.



As the event was getting underway, Matt Dababneh, Congressman Sherman's District Director, along with an armed guard and two unarmed security guards, informed Mr. Reed that he could not display a sign on his vehicle. Mr. Reed removed the sign from the premises. The sign was then displayed on a van across the street legally parked on public property.



When Mr. Reed entered the temple, he was confronted by Lane Sherman, the Congressman's mother, who informed him that he was "Not welcome there", that he "should leave", and that he was a "bad man." An insult she repeated multiple times. Mr. Reed notified Mrs. Sherman and other bystanders that he was "there to listen." He also reminded Mrs. Sherman that Congressman Sherman has been "ignoring his requests to debate."



During the event, Mark Reed was quietly listening to the public discourse and comments. He was not disruptive. He did not attempt to engage Mr. Sherman or Mr. Artzyeli in dialogue. He was not campaigning inside the event.



At the end of the public forum, Mr. Reed went outside. Several of his fellow constituents engaged Mr. Reed in discussion about the event and the positions offered by Mr. Sherman. At that time, Frank Guzman, a private security officer employed by the temple from Nastec International Security, asked Mr. Reed to leave. Mr. Guzman was armed. Another armed guard, two unarmed guards, and a woman who claimed to be a staff member of the temple, accompanied Mr. Guzman in his request. When Mr. Reed inquired as to the cause for his ejection, the guard simply replied that it was private property and he had to go. Mr. Reed accommodated the request. The guards escorted him to the street.



When Mr. Reed stepped onto the public street, officers of the LAPD confronted him. The officers informed him that he had to "leave immediately or he would be arrested." When Mr. Reed inquired about the reason for his removal from a public area, the officers only responded with increased threats of arrest. Fearing they would take him into custody, Mr. Reed entered his vehicle and left.





Eyewitness Jack Marino of Burbank said, "Mark was talking to a group of people. Next thing I know, there's a group of people moving Mark down the pathway and out of the temple. I saw the guard and a woman in a blue shirt." When he went into the street, Mr. Marino adds, "I saw Mark's truck, and there were two (police) cruisers there."



Eyewitness David King of North Hills said, "A woman from the temple told Mark he had to leave right away or he would be arrested."



When asked about Mr. Reed's behavior at the event, eyewitness Jay Stern of North Hills said, "From everything that I have seen, if there was a disturbance or a concern, I don't know how Mark got fingered. Because he was standing at the back of the hall. I saw him. He didn't do anything. The next thing I know, he's not there."

If the above account is true and correct, it is interesting that Sherman's office and campaign are employing gestapo tactics (as in Abraham Ribicoff's "Gestapo tactics on the streets of Chicago" line from 1968) on his opponent, especially since the public event was being held at a Jewish temple.

Oh, the irony!