Gonzales sends teams of federal agents to Orlando, 4 other cities, to combat violence crime.

[madfloridian]

I am sorry but this just sounds so odd to me. I really never thought of Orlando being that violent. I heard this on AAR tonight, so I have been trying to find more on it.

The cities are Mesa, Arizona; Orlando, Florida; San Bernardino, California; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Justice Department sends crime-fighting teams to Orlando, other cities

More from the article:

The announcement comes as the FBI prepares to release new numbers next week showing that violent crime continues to rise nationally. At the same time, a new internal Justice report rapped crime-busting task forces for failing to coordinate efforts and potentially endangering agents' lives.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales made the announcement today (Friday).

The FBI has deployed Violent Gang and Violent Crime/Gang Safe Streets Task Forces in Jackson and southeast Mississippi

While I was searching I also saw this short article about the Guardian Angels on patrol in Orlando.

Guardian Angels To Patrol Orlando's I-Drive

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- In response to the rise in crime in Orange County's tourist district, the Guardian Angels announced Thursday morning that they'll start patrolling International Drive.

The Guardian Angels are a national group that helps patrol high-crime areas to keep criminals from striking.

The Guardian Angels already patrol the Parramore area of Orlando.

It appears to be a project of the AFT Bureau.

Federal Agents to Combat Crime in Orlando

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was to announce the additional task forces during a Friday afternoon speech at the Washington headquarters of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The ATF's Violent Crime Impact Teams will be deployed to each of the four cites, bringing the total number of regions where they have been deployed to 29, a Justice official said.

Additionally, an FBI Safe Streets Task Force, which focuses on gang activity and other violent crimes, is being sent to Orlando. The FBI has dispatched more than 180 teams nationwide.

Orlando is getting both FBI and ATF help because of its sprawling metropolitan region, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement had not yet been made. Orlando's murder tally was its highest ever last year.

I may have not been paying attention, and it may have gone on often before. I guess Alberto's role in it sort of sent a flag. He does not have the best track record.

[Richard Steele]

1. If Gonzo sent them, they aren't there to "fight crime". It's really just that simple.

So, given what we know about Gonzo and his Amazing Trained Political Operatives,
the real question is: What are these teams REALLY doing there?

[madfloridian]

2. Gonzo says he will use his remaining time "in a sprint" to curb violent crime

Also this article says the cities asked for the federal help. Like I say, I sure did not know Orlando had this much violent crime. Never saw anything on the news signaling that.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/4855765.html

""Each of these cities has seen an unacceptable increase in homicides or other violent crimes," Attorney General Alberto Gonzales told employees at the Washington headquarters of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "Authorities in each have come forward and asked for our help."

Defying critics who have demanded his resignation over the firings of U.S. attorneys, Gonzales said he would spend the final 18 months of his tenure "in a sprint" to curb violent crime.

The influx of agents brings the number of ATF Violent Crime Impact Teams, which first deployed three years ago, to 29 cities. The FBI is also adding to its more than 180 Safe Streets Task Forces by sending one to Orlando, which Gonzales said has been plagued by gang violence.

Orlando police spokeswoman Barbara Jones said the department "welcomes any additional federal support in our efforts to combat violent crime."

[shance]

12. Upon reflection of the history of this Administration and its actions,

it would seem apparent when say they are going to curb violence, they are in fact intending to create it.

Hopefully your new Governor has some spine along and that he, along with other Floridians will say "no thank you" to Mr. Gonzales.

[Lars39]

4. Training the locals.

And just where is Negroponte? :scared:

[donsu]

7. agree with you - what are they really doing?

suddenly there is all this talk about crime - in newspapers and on TV

are the neo cons getting all their people in place in the local police departments?

[madfloridian]

8. I wish someone from Orlando area would weigh in on this.

I know I was never aware it was high crime. I don't know about the other cities, but this just sounds odd.

Putting Gonzo in charge of anything right now is risky.

[dflprincess]

3. Disney/ABC is not going to be happy about the implication that

Orlando is not safe. That could cost them a lot of money if tourists decide they don't want to visit a theme park in a dangerous city....Gonzo's latest trick could work for us. We'll have to see if ABC changes the tone of its reporting on these thugs.

[madfloridian]

5. Gonzo is all bluster...trying to look important.

Here's a google news search. Think Progress has a video up of his conference. He is trying to distract from his incompetence.

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=gonzales&ie=UTF-8

You are right...I bet Disney and all the other theme parks won't like that at all.

[madfloridian]

6. Someone from Orlando....is it really that high crime?

And Mesa, Arizona? I think Alberto has already sent crime-fighting teams to 29 other states.

If Gonzo is involved, it can not be a good thing.

[trumad]

17. Yes

I live in the area and violent crime is rising and rising fast. I think we're number 7 with a bullet--excuse the metaphor and the pun..

[madfloridian]

20. Well, be happy....Gonzo is on the way with help and assistance.

:evilgrin:

[madfloridian]

9. From RawStory: US takes aim at violent urban crime: top US prosecutor Gonzales

http://rawstory.com/news/afp/US_takes_aim_at_violent_urban_crime_06012007.html

"Police will get more money and can look forward to tougher laws to combat violent crime in US cities, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced Friday.

His proposals extend the work of task forces of prosecutors and law enforcement officers at federal, state and local levels to 29 US cities.

"The legislation we have proposed today will make it easier for federal investigators and prosecutors to take dangerous criminals off the streets and put them behind bars for longer," Gonzales said before assembled employees at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) headquarters in Washington.

The new law would double the maximum penalty for selling a weapon that will be used in a violent or drug crime; increase penalties for conspiracy; crack down harder on prior felons; extend the statute of limitations on prosecuting violent crime; and create a special category for violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants."

[madfloridian]

15. "create a special category for violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants."

That part from the Raw Story link disturbs me.

[bobthedrummer]

10. "A DU collaborative investigation: Thelma Colbert, Shannon Ross and other deaths at DoJ"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x847120

[madfloridian]

11. Thanks.....that NYT article linked in the OP there....dead link. Blank page.

Do you have a link or name of the article? Fascinating.

OK, nevermind, now I can't find the NYT reference. I will get back to you if I find it.

Here's the permalink to the post I meant....but looks like most of it was covered.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=758013&mesg_id=766238

[bobthedrummer]

13. Thanks for the clarification, I wasn't sure what post you referenced.

For those that are interested here are those other parent threads.

"Attorney General Alberto Gonzales Sandbagged Novation LLC Prosecution" started by IChing 4-16-2007
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2809066

"The Motherlode-Down a dark hole in the US Attorney purge scandal" started by George Oilwellian 4-26-2007
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x758013

As noted in my thread your former Governor John Ellis Bush was given a seat on the Board of Tenet Healthcare- (which Carol Lam was investigating) among other things.

[madfloridian]

14. Curiouser and curiouser

as they say. I am going to go and read more from the link. I missed that topic completely.

[bobthedrummer]

16. You might find this link very helpful-it is about the history of Tenet Healthcare

(originally called National Medical Enterprises) and Jeb was given a seat on the Tenet Board of Directors

http://www.tenetshareholdercommittee.org

[madfloridian]

18. There's some tragic stuff going on.

Not changing the subject, but I guess it is sort of....did you hear about all the seniors losing medicare coverage because of the &$#@*2#$% Bush family policies and ties?

It's a different company but same corruption.

About 8000 seniors may lose Medicare coverage in one county.

[bobthedrummer]

19. Yep, it's part of the Decider's stealth eugenics program imo and experience.