1. We lost a good cop yesterday. Senior Cpl. Norman Smith was shot in the face while serving a warrant. The Observer ran a story in 2006 chronicling his work. (It’s worth noting that the DMN, too, linked to the DO story.)
2. Do you work or live downtown? Do you ever give pocket change to beggars? Well, don’t do it today. A “zero tolerance” policy goes into effect. It’ll be enforced by cops and by a private security force hired by DowntownDallas. Also, don’t take a nap outdoors today. That’s also against the law. And if I were you, I’d watch my language and work hard to stifle any bodily gas issues that might arise. Just to be safe.
3. Police are searching for a Plano bank robber who likes to dress well. Check out the pic. They also need a nickname for the guy. “The Dapper Bandit” is already taken. The Bandit With the Must-Have Scarf? Let’s workshop it.
32 comments
Plano robber – Gordon Keith?
Pete Wentz?
Ashlee must want a new car.
… beat me to it. I must now go with “Emo Bandit” or “Guyliner Gangster”.
Please. It’s obviously Joseph A. Banks.
If you don’t give money to beggars, how are they going to pay their fines?
GQ Bandit?
Oh Jeremy Piven, how you have fallen…
(Gwyon took my first reaction)
I was going with Pete Wentz too. I guess it should be the Fall Out Boy Bandit.
Wait, so it’s illegal to panhandle, or to give money to panhandlers?
the “fabulous felon” ??? (must be said with a lisp)
“[A] private force of security officers employed by business advocacy group DowntownDallas.” What is that about? It does not sound particulary legal for private security to enforce public laws on public streets/sidewalks. Unless they are just there to snitch somehow. Sounds retarded.
Can I give them food? How about a jacket? What if I make them sing me a song first? I’d say that busking.
#2 looks promising as an issue to be explored.
Perhaps an upcoming issue?
Ft Worth has had a private security force downtown for years.
I don’t see a problem with it.
Hello, I’m a Mac, and I want all your money.
Is that what is passing for “dapper” these days? God I must be getting old. Looks like the kid has spent a month on the streets.
@ dlp
It might be “more” legal for a municipality to outsource certain law enfocement functions. But the article says a business group retained them.
On a different note, go to the following link to read more about “greatness” of Sean Avery. What a clown.
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1150404/1/index.htm
“watch my language and work hard to stifle any bodily gas issues that might arise.”
Tim and Eric will never make it. Better hope and pray that the private security force never comes into the Old Monk.
The Dandy Bandi(t)
Perhaps we should start writing tickets for the people who give money to panhandlers. They’re the ones who actually obey laws.
Btw, I lost my bus pass. Anyone got $20? I’m jes tryin’ to get home.
Totally believable.
The Mayor seems like the ultimate panhandler.
Bonny Clyde?
That guy looks like John Solis.
Pretty Boy ‘Roid?
Thank god, in Uptown it’s gotten better recently but I am sick and tired of being harassed by homeless people when I am just going about my daily business walking around my neighborhood.
I hope they busted Mr. “I am a manager at Jason’s Deli that just lost my wallet and need bus fare home even though there isn’t a Jason’s deli for miles and the one downtown closes after lunch and it is 8PM and you couldn’t borrow a couple of bucks from a co-worker and haven’t you been using this same story on me for months?” that decided to start using the Jason’s Deli apron to rob highrise office buildings downtown instead of using it to con money out of people on the street
Last week I thought I was in NYC, when I turned around to see my windshield being cleaned by a squeegee man at a Shell station in Dallas. That must be the newest tactic at a location where I’ve heard every hardluck story in the book. I gave the guy a buck just to prevent an ugly confrontation. Ahhh, the joys of city living…
I love the Jason’s Deli guy. The first time I encountered him, I asked which location he worked at and who the manager was. That confused him, so I asked him to tell me one item on the menu. Stumped again. Then he started swearing at me as he walked away. Now I just remind him of our conversation when he approaches me.
@Missing Dots
Yeah, except that he was robbing high rises downtown. Street beggars are bad enough but thief’s are way, way over the line
This is why I often drive with a cooler of iced-down beers behind the passenger seat in my truck. When I’m accosted by a panhandling bum, I just give them the beer. Unless they’re aggressive, in which case I throw the beer out in traffic for them to retrieve. Cause all they really want is beer anyway. This cuts out the middleman.
Yep, the last thing we want to do is help some alcoholic that is less fortunate than we.
I don’t hand out beer but when I’m driving around Downtown I toss out packets of Abilify like Chicklets at a parade.
Better to treat the problem than help it along.