From the Harford County Sheriff’s Office:
At approximately 5pm on Sunday, November 13, a wallet was stolen from a customer while inside the crowded bar area DuClaw Brewing Company in Bel Air, MD. The victim’s stolen credit card was used to immediately make several purchases in local stores totaling over $1,500.
Photos of the suspects who fraudulently used the victims credit cards at the local stores are displayed below.
Suspect 1 is described as black female approximately 5’10” tall with long braids. Suspect 2 is pictured in the final photo.
Anyone with investigative information regarding the individuals depicted in the photos is encouraged to contact the Southern Precinct Investigative Unit—Detective Mike Berg at 410-612-1717 or bergm@harfordsheriff.org
Anyone with information regarding the crime who wishes to remain anonymous may report their information through the following methods listed below. Qualifying tips submitted to the tip lines below that lead to a conviction may be eligible for up to $2,000 in rewards.
Website/Email: Submit a tip online at http://www.harfordsheriff.org/wanted
Text message: Metro Crime Stoppers: Text “CRIMES” (274637)
Begin the message “MCS,” then add the information.
Phone: Harford Crime Solvers: Call 1-888-540-8477
I was at a birthday party last month at the Venetian Palace and the same thing happened–multiple credit cards were stolen. However, whoever took it, used it in the restaurant while we were all still there!!!! The management said there is no way to track who used it. Right. We were in a separate room and the only people in the room other than the party attendees were 2 servers. Who knows how many times this has happened? Needless to say, I keep my purse where I can see it at all times and I surely won’t be going to Venetian Palace again. As is the case here, this can happen anywhere, but the management there was so unhelpful. Sorry someone is having a not so very Merry Christmas at the expense of these criminals. Do your thing deputies!
Uh…haven’t I seen these pictures a thousand times before?
Careful, Otto…someone might accuse you of being a racist. How dare you speak about the elephant in the room!
And then people wonder why there is so-called “racial profiling”…
Unbelievable…..disgusting
String em up!
I wonder if they work at Duclaws
A great deal of credit card and identity thefts are perpetrated by cashiers, waitstaff, medical office/dental/hospital employees. These unscrupulous employees typically sell your data to a identity theft crime gang who then apply for new credit cards and/or uses your existing account information. Which makes it next to impossible to trace back to where the original theft occurred.
Reuters October 7, 2011 –
“Biggest identity theft bust of its type in U.S. history”
Excerpt – “The bosses then hired “skimmers” who posed for jobs such as waiters and retail shop workers so they could use electronic devices to steal information from customer credit cards. That information was then sent to a “manufacturer” who programed the information into the magnetic strips of blank credit cards.
The crime rings also used card printing machines to forge credit cards and state drivers licenses to match them.”
Okay here is a question-Why didn’t the cashier at Target ask for an ID? Bet she would have realized the card did not belong to the person buying stuff. A lot of this kind of stuff would not happen if cashiers would just take a second and compare DL’s to CC’s
does anyone else feel that it is not the retailer’s responsibility to check the ID of someone using a credit card? The store is not the person who applied for and obtained the credit card. As a cardholder your should be vigilant enough to keep track of your cards, and cancel them immediately if they have been compromised. Also, choose a card with sufficient fraud protection. I am not condoning the theft of credit cards, but I just don’t think it is the retailer’s problem.
Unfortuantely, I agree. It’s not the retailer’s responsibility unless there are other unusual dubious characteristics of the transaction. And it’s been discussed here before, and retailers have been sued for asking for ID.
@HAPPIEGRANNIE – Target has self check-out nowadays; the almost perfect scenario for a credit card thief (almost except for the awesome images that the cameras captured).
Didn’t know they had them in Bel Air now. I love them but hardly ever are they open. The cashier watching them could always do a spot check and ask to see ID. But I guess the best is to limit the amount self check outs can accept before a real person has to check you out
@HappieGrannie
Retailers can’t require identification for Master Card or Visa user with a signed card. It’s against the both Master Card and Visa Merchant’s Agreements.
Both Master Card and Visa ask their cardholders to identify retailers who demand and require identification presentment as condition of sale.
@ Paul…..that is not law. Retailers can ask for identification for a credit card. My friend puts….ask for ID in the signature block and they ask for ID. Hope they catch these people and I am sure they will be spending some time at the Harford Hilton….maybe they will use another credit card to bond out…….I am sure the commissioners will ask for ID on the card…….Gotta love people who ruin the holiday season by stealing from people.
@parent#1
You are not required and cannot be required to present identification to use your Master Card or Visa as a condition of sale transaction.
Both Master Card and Visa encourage their cardholders to report retailers who violate their merchant agreements.
In fact, providing a Driver’s License can create even more risk if an unscrupulous cashier or waiter uses a skimmer to record your card and license or uses their cell phone to capture images of them.
I was working in retail in Bel Air 20 years ago. Our company policy was never to accept either an unsigned credit card or a card where “Ask for ID” or anything similar was written in place of a signature. One customer thought she was being very smart this way until I pointed out that a thief could sign her name on a card in his own handwriting and I had nothing with which to compare or challenge that signature; and in the case of “Ask for ID,” any ID can be faked. You may recall that at approximately the same time, a black individual successfully used the stolen driver’s license — the DRIVER’S LICENSE, mind you — of a white man in perpetrating fraudulent purchases throughout the Baltimore area.
You don’t think it’s possible to sign the cardholder’s name in the perp’s handwriting and get away with it? Let me ask you, just as one possible scenario: Is “Jordan” and male name or a female name?
On the back of all my credit cards, in the space for my signature, I have printed “REQUEST PHOTO ID”. It works: Merchants who check the backs of my cards always ask to see my ID, and I always thank them for following my instructions.
Actually, a good solution that I don’t think is in place is putting cameras actually on the self-checkout registers– I don’t believe they have them at this point. But I would be all for that. It would be super easy to prove to your creditor that it wasn’t you and the stores get an added level of loss prevention.
(I realize most stores have cameras pointed at registers, but I mean a camera on each self checkout register pointed ground level right at the person using it.)
I have worked in retail for years and never heard that before. I do not mind having folks ask for ID so they can compare signatures. I do know that retailers are not suppose to have minimum $ amounts and they do that all the time so if they an ignore that they can ignore this too. But I do agree that this couple needs to pay for screwing up someone’s Christmas
@HappieGrannie
Retailers are supposed to confirm signature on the card with the signature written at point-of-sale in front of them, not from a driver’s license.
That’s not true Paul. I thank retailers that confirm my ID when I purchase with a credit card – and that ID is a Driver’s License with a picture.
MasterCard – Merchant Rules Manual, 7 April 2006
9.11.2 Cardholder Identification
A merchant must not refuse to complete a MasterCard card transaction solely because a cardholder who has complied with the conditions for presentment of a card at the POI refuses to provide additional identification information, except as specifically permitted or required by the Standards.
A merchant may require additional identification from the cardholder if the information is required to complete the transaction, such as for shipping purposes.
A merchant in a country or region that supports use of the MasterCard Address Verification Service (AVS) may require the cardholder’s ZIP or postal code to complete a cardholder-activated terminal (CAT) transaction, or the cardholder’s address and ZIP or postal code to complete a mail order, phone order, or e-commerce transaction.
You’ll note that it says they must not refuse the transaction– NOT that they may not ask for ID.
Big distinction. They can ask, you don’t have to comply.
Identity Thieves Who Are Also Your Employees: What Can You Do and What Are the Risks?
A two-year investigation dubbed “Operation Swiper” conducted by New
York authorities has indicted 111 people. The largest identity theft bust of its kind in U.S. history has busted up a $13 million worldwide crime ring. “These crimes are getting more sophisticated and thieves
have amazing knowledge of how to use technology,” according to New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly. Here is how the operation worked: Bosses, or leaders, of the crime ring received blank credit cards from suppliers overseas.
The ring leaders then hired “skimmers” to pose as waiters, cashiers,
and retail salespeople to steal credit card information from their employers’ customers using electronic devices. Once the identifying information of cardholders was obtained, the thieves sent the information to a “manufacturer” who programmed the stolen data into
the magnetic strips of blank credit cards. The criminals also used card-printing machines to forge state drivers’ licenses to match the fake credit cards.
Once the fraudulent credit cards were made, members of the crime ring went on huge shopping sprees to purchase computer products, designer shoes and other highdollar merchandise to sell overseas.
Authorities said they confiscated $650,000 in cash, Apple® computer
products worth tens of thousands of dollars and $850,000 worth of other
computer equipment.
Source: Premier Insurance website
Confirmation: Reuters Oct. 7, 2011 article “Biggest identity theft bust of its type in U.S. history”
Paul, I have no idea why you are so vehemently opposed to this. I can only speculate about what is going through your head when someone wants to verify the ID of the person using a credit or debit card. Certainly I would expect you would be furious if your credit card was stolen and people managed to run up $5000 or more in charges before the fraud was discovered. Go ahead and refuse if you like, your retailer may also refuse to honor your credit card which I believe is their right if you do not display the appropriate information. Sort of like abortion Paul… if you don’t want one, you don’t have to have one.
@DAVID A. PORTER quote “Certainly I would expect you would be furious if your credit card was stolen and people managed to run up $5000 or more in charges before the fraud was discovered.”
Federal law limits cardholder liability $50 when a card is stolen and used fraudulently and zero when just the card number is used fraudulently.
@DAVID A. PORTER quote “Go ahead and refuse if you like, your retailer may also refuse to honor your credit card which I believe is their right if you do not display the appropriate information.”
Actually you are incorrect. To deny a MasterCard or Visa card transaction because the cardholder declined providing a driver’s license in a retail transaction violates MasterCard and Visa’s Merchants Agreement.
Stand on your soap box and shout a little more Paul. Your opinion is noted and dismissed. I don’t mind when they check my ID. At least they are employing some method to prevent fraud at my expense. Get over it.
And thanks for quoting me. Possibly the most sense you have written all day.
@David A. Porter
You are wrong and rude, but so be it.
If you want to give unnecessary personal information to a stranger at a retailer when paying with a credit card go right ahead and risk identity theft. The rest of us can decline the financial risk and privacy intrusion if we wish to do so.
Paul, do what you like. I won’t stop you from doing what you want based upon your fears. As for rude… it gets like that when I have to repeatedly deal with someone who is persistently stupid, incompetent, dull or willfully ignorant in the manner in which they force their opinion on me or work to preclude me from doing what I want to do.
When asked, I will show my ID. When you are asked, I expect you to refuse. Have a lovely day in your tiny part of reality.
@David A. Porter
And you are still wrong, rude and foolish to risk your identity being stolen by a clerk at a convenience store, restaurant, department store or kiosk at the mall by providing unnecessary personal data such as your driver’s license with your credit card.
If it was a secure idea to show or provide a driver’s license when using a Visa or Master Card why doesn’t Visa or Master Card instruct cardholders to do so? And why do Visa or Master Card encourage cardholders to report retailers to them who require a driver’s license or ID to use their cards?
putting ask for I.D. on you credit card actually invalidates it. The card must be signed to be valid. Also as long as the card is signed that person can authorize anyone to use it…
Call me stupid….but doesn’t same name on credit card = same name on ID? Then why do the police pull you over and ask for your drivers license? It doesn’t make any sense to not ask for ID. If I am a 50 year old female and the credit card says John Q Public….THERE’S A PROBLEM. I don’t mind showing ID for using my card. If ya ain’t doing anything wrong….then ya won’t mind that extra step. Just like I tell my kids….If a cop asks you for ID and some questions…answer the questions! But if you have a problem…..there is not the time to argue with the police officer. Same with asking for ID. Why would someone not want to make sure they are using the right credit card.
I also put check ID on all my credit cards. I get asked for it about 50% of the time year-round, and probably 75% of the time during the hoildays and I always thank them for asking.
Also, you should know that most major creditors offer text messaging services. When any of my 2 credit cards are used in a transaction (online or in store) I get a text message within about a minute notifying me of the amount charged which would allow me to almost immediately call the creditor to dispute it.
Many times you can also set location alerts so that if cards are swiped outside your locale or region you get a message or a phone call, or in some cases your purchase is even declined.
years ago I worked in a restaurant and we had a (shortlived) policy of asking for ID with credit card transactions. The customers got so nasty about it and complained to management so many times,they no longer required us to ask for ID. It only protects the customer, I happily show my ID when asked.
I would love for the dagger to give us follow up on what happens to these criminals
They need to catch them first!
The real problem is that when you use your card, 99% of the time you swipe it yourself. The cashier never even looks at your card, so they never see if it is signed or not. Even when they do, they don’t check the signature on the card to what you just signed on the electronic pad. The best thing for everyone would be to have it where all certit/debit cards have the persons picture on it, and a police in all retail stores that require the cashier to swipe tha card, and not the individual. This would eliminate most in store fraud.
People crack me up. The same people who would get irate about being asked for their ID when making a credit card purchase would be the first to blame the retailer for accepting a fraudulent card! I happily show my ID when asked, and usually thank the cashier for asking. I know what the card agreement states. I also know that credit card theft/fraud is rampant and only becoming more so.
I also thank them whenever they ask me for ID. When that do that they are helping to prevent fraud.
@Edgewood Resident
I hope you want to thank the waiter or cashier who is an identity thief when they surreptitiously collect your driver’s license and credit card information by use of a card reader/skimmer, digital image from a cellphone are by simply righting it down. And they then use your information to purchase items in-person and on-line or apply for additional credit cards in your name (this is called “True Name Fraud”). You won’t even be able to trace where your information was stolen or by whom.
Are you really so naive that you’d give a waiter/waitress your credit card and driver’s license when paying in a restaurant?
Apologies writing not “righting”.
I agree with the idea presented here. There are a lot of people who consider it a breech of privacy to show random cashiers identification. Not everyone wants to share their name and address to strangers. The revelation of your personal information is not a prerequisite to use a credit card.
I agree. It should not be a requirement to conduct a transaction, but if you would like to “opt-in” and make it one for yourself, you should be allowed and your wishes respected.
I don’t think anyone is going to “give” their ID to somebody, but producing it for a photo or signature verification for a few seconds is not the end of the world.
Look out for those unscrupulous bouncers!
There are no good reasons for you to present unnecessary additional personal information in the form of a driver’s license or ID card when using a credit card. Cashiers should compare and confirm the signature and if there is suspicion of fraud they should calmly make a Code 10 telephone call to the authorization center of the card issuer.
Do you really want your attractive 23 year-old daughter who could be a runway model give a sex-offender or potential stalker who works at convenience store ten blocks from your daughter’s apartment her driver’s license to see, and easily below the counter snap a digital image of it?
As opposed to a bar tender, who apparently so many people don’t have any problem with.
I SHOW them my ID so that they can verify the name and match it to the face. I do not relinquish possession of my ID. In fact, I do not remove it from my wallet. Unless they have a photographic memory, they would not be able to memorize my license number and address.
@NeverCease2BeAmazed
Why would you provide ID when you use your own card? You know you are you and that the transaction is not theft. You aren’t protecting your identity in any way, however you are increasing your risk of identity theft.
@PAUL,
@NeverCease2BeAmazed
Why would you provide ID when you use your own card? You know you are you and that the transaction is not theft. You aren’t protecting your identity in any way, however you are increasing your risk of identity theft.
Paul, the only fool who would say this is someone who is looking to commit fraud, or someone who has something to hide. And just because NeverCease2BeAmazed agrees with me, doesn’t mean we are the same person.
@ Paul: Really? I hand my credit card to a cashier/waitress/waiter/bartender. They ask for ID to verify my identity as stated on the credit card. I SHOW them my ID. What on earth are you talking about? I obviously do not need to show ID if I am at a register where I complete the transaction myself.
And I am only NeverCease2BeAmazed. I was at one time an Edgewood resident, but I have lived in Aberdeen now for many years. Are you seriously going to pick a cyber-fight over this?
@NeverCease2BeAmazed
You are putting your identity at risk by needlessly providing your driver’s license when performing a retail credit card transaction.
The more personal information that you make easy for an identity thief who may work at Best Buy, 7/11, Target, Walmart, Macy’s, Shoprite, etc… to collect the greater risk you are creating for yourself.
It is an illusion that by showing your driver’s license to a merchant’s employee personally protects you or mitigates your risk in any way.
Paul, I do not ‘provide’ it to them. I hold it up so they can verify my name only. They do not scan it. They do not touch it. They look at it briefly. I am pretty vigilant with my accounts, and I take other precautions. I also have an issue with medical facilities scanning my ID into their systems. You can see it to verify my identity, but it does NOT leave my hands unless you are an officer of the law.
If you choose to argue with merchants who ask to verify your ID, that is your prerogative. I find nothing surprising about this, since you seem to enjoy arguing for the sport of it. At least you do so intelligently, unlike some posters here! Happy New Year!
I didn’t say anything about giving a card to a waitress or waiter. I mentioned cashiers that are right in front of me. I never let my cards out of my sight. So to answer your question, I am not naive at all. I only pay cash at those type of restaurants. Only a fool would let someone walk out of sight with that info. I do wonder because of the knowledge you seem to have in that area, and your accusations, that you were at one time one of those “fools”.
So you are both “Edgewood Resident” and “NeverCease2BeAmazed”.
It doesn’t change the current day discussion much, but ultimately plastic swiped credit cards are going bye-bye. Most credit card companies already predict they won’t be issuing plastic cards within 10 years.
Some other system will evolve and have it’s own security vulnerabilities.
This is funny, I had my wallet stolen a few years back and $1800 stolen off of my bank and credit cards. Turns out a few kids did it. It never made the local news about the theft of my property and some other people’s property from this undisclosed public location. I wondered why it took so long for bad guys to get brought to justice and why the detective was so vague with my case. Turns out it was HCSO’s employees son and freinds that were doing the thefts. They got a slap on the wrist, I got no restitution and the whole thing got buried. Goodtimes!
@Madateverything: So how do you feel towards the HCSO these days? In your opinion has anything there improved?
Mad A.E.
Hang in there. Real leadership in the Sheriff’s office is coming. Any concerned citizens or Harford County Deputies looking to improve law enforcement in Harford County should contact Jeff Gahler.
isn’t this the same Jeff Gahler who is friends with howard walter and gang? Gotta love these people who comment about people who will not change. This is just another attempt to bring the sheriff’s office into all these things that Howard Walter can fix….YEAH
Voter,
Your implication is simply false. Thats ok, clearly someone has given you false information. Is it really fair of you to make false accusations? Please contact Jeff through his website if you have any questions or concerns. It is my understanding that Jeff is being supported by Steve Bodway and other current and former Harford County Sheriff’s Office employees. Jeff would be happy to hear from you and would welcome your support.
Thank you,
Why would I want to contact Gahler and hear more of his half truths? He couldn’t even tell the public who his second in command was going to be. Gotta love this truthfulness of running for office. Atleast Bane told the public who his second in command was going to be.
Voter: You really have a hangup regarding Howard Walter!! I guess you and Howie didn’t get along, but what does that have to do with truthfulness on the part of Gahler? How does Mr. Gahler not naming who his “second in command” would be relate to your accusation that Gahler told half truths?
@Retired….I don’t have a hang up, but I like answers when I ask them. Not a non answer…….Besides the current sheriff…..gives answers
@Voter, Really??? Bane honest???? Did he fill us in on Forwood? Does anyone think he did not keep a lid on that investigation (the day after the election the story “breaks”???)? Did he tell us his plans for an “executive” (ie. I supported you so pay me more) Major? Did he tell us his plans to promote a lieutenant (hey Edgewood, look what I did) around the rank of captain for his own politial posturing? Did he tell us his plans for tranferring everyone around as political punishment? Did he tell us he was going to get rid of Dehaven and make a nice new job for Carleveo? Make no mistake, I was there. Gahler said he had not picked his number 2 or the warden and for all we know, he had not. The same can’t be said for Bane’s antics and his end will come in 2014.
@Deputydog: Perhaps what Voter means when he says Sheriff Bane gives him answers is that the Sheriff told Voter all of the things you speak of, but didn’t bother to tell very many other people. I’m sure Sheriff Banes inner circle knew all of the things which you speak of, it’s just the public and rank and file of the HCSO that didn’t know. This is more in line with the underhanded, backroom deals that “Mad at Everything” speaks about, and sounds so frustrated with.
@retiredawhile: I can’t speak for all branches of it there, I’m more than familiar with the HCSO though. What parts I do know, nothing has changed, it just keeps getting worse. If people only knew…. Its not the officers, they do theyre best but theyre bound by the brass.
@Mad at everything: Thank you for sharing your story. Most people do not know, and those who do know about the internal leadership problems within the HCSO are reluctant to speak out.
@retiredawhile: if you and the people only new the real truth, you guys would be astonished. All the underhanded favoritisms, all the backroom shady deals and all misdeeds done that harm good officers with the agency done by administration, people’s heads would spin.
Mad at everything: Perhaps you could share some of the underhanded things that have occurred. The more people know of what is going on the better informed they are to join together in righting the wrongs.
@friendsofjeffgahler: I’m willing to bet, that if jeff gahler is going to run for sheriff, and win then, nothing will change unless a complete overhaul is made. No bringing in relics from the old regimes, it’s gotta be a clear out from the top down. Start holding officers and admin on an even playing field when they screw up, no more covering things up.
Hello Mad A.E.
Feel free to contact Jeff Gahler with regard to his vision for the Sheriff’s office. Jeff Gahler has had a stellar record with the Maryland State Police in multiple disciplines. If you like Jeff and his vision for the Sheriff’s office, we could use your help in the next election.
Funny, when I met Gahler, and asked his exactly where he got his stats from showing where crime went up (according to him), and what years stats he was using, he was unable to provide a straight answer. He tried to weave around the answer, then tried to change the subject. He had no clue.
@Edgewood Resident,
Nice try, but as a member of the HCSO, I followed the race closely AND understand how crime is reported. Pulled exactly from Jeff Gahler’s website (which I am delighted is still up), “Four years later and according to Maryland Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime is UP in Harford County under Sheriff’s Bane’s tenure when compared to the previous administration’s efforts and success (Meadows/Golding Administrations).”
Gahler repeatedly stated that he was looking at the full tenure of the incumbant and not just the last year.
@Edgewood Resident,
No, you failed to get my point. I heard Gahler explain this in person and his reference material was cited by him in person and on his website. Obviously, he had done his research and knew what the numbers were and what they meant. In fact, I clearly understood what was being discussed by both candidates (Gahler and Bane) and the time periods each person was looking at. What I figure is that as with this topic now (all in writing no less) the problem is with you and your understanding of what was being discussed.
So to make it nice and clear for you, I doubt your credibility.
@Deputydog……why are we looking at stats from a website and all the person wanted was an answer from the candidate. Crime is down in Maryland and Harford County has its fair share of crimes that will still be here when another sheriff is elected. The Meadows/Golding Admin was good for upgrading training and equiptment. The Bane Admin brought back the sheriff to be able to talk with the troops. Bane may not do everything right, but he has done a lot right. He gets out in the community and talks with citizens. Im sure the Friends of Gahler would find fault with Bane talking with the common man and not lording over them that he is the sheriff.
Edgewood Resident,
I’m surprised at your comment. The Committee for Jeff Gahler reviewed any statistic published during the campaign for accuracy by confirming it’s source. I can assure you that the crime statistics reported by Jeff Gahler were accurate. Please contact Jeff Gahler through his website if you need further clarification.
Thank you,
So, let me get this straight. Jeff Gahler couldn’t answer my question in person, so I have to got to his website to get an answer he should have been able to give me in person? Are you serious? The canidate shoud have been able to answer me himself!
@edgwood residet….POINT RIGHT ON!!!!!!!! If the candidate cannot answer the question in person, why would his website answer it. The friends of Gahler need to come up with a new line! Why would there be a change from a trooper taking the reins of office. Hasn’t that been done before?
@retiredawhile: where do I begin? The public see the sheriffs office as this big political scum bucket. To be honest, 90% of the officers could care less about who’s voting for who, who supports who and what the public thinks about the HCSO’s politics. To the people who post on here and have never worked corrections or road police work, the last thing on an officers mind is that crap, it’s all about trying to make it home in one piece to just see your family. The general public doesnt know what it’s like to have a drunk take a swing at you, maybe even hit you, just because you’re doing your job and you wear a uniform they don’t like. How about having urine or feces being thrown at you or on you while doing your rounds at the jail. Maybe you come into contact with a person who maliciously wants to give you a communicable disease. You have to bring that home to your family. Officers put their well being in jeopardy everyday for the public and the thanks you get is being trashed talked about because the public doesn’t approve of the chief or sheriffs policies or platform. This puts officers in a bad spot because you have to follow orders from admin. I put my ass on the line one day, while off duty, to help save 3 women involved in a car accident, one of them pregnant. No kidding, I was reprimanded by my supervisors because they said I shouldn’t have gotten involved and should have just called 911. I helped save some lives and I got disciplined over it, honest to god. Ya wanna hear more?
@Mad at everything: Yes, Deputies, both LE and Correctional have very difficult jobs, that, for the most part, people do not really appreciate. But you stated that there were underhanded incidents, backroom dealing, and favoritism occurring at the supervisor and command levels. That if we only knew the real deal it would make our heads spin. I am willing to listen, and get involved, if there really is all of this underhanded dealing going on. You asked “Ya wanna hear more?”, and the answer is yes, but focus on the underhanded incidents, backroom deals, and favoritism. Bringing this information out in the open is what brings about true change, and forces people to be held accountable.
I understand and appreciate the daily grind of being a member of public safety. I also understand that many of those in Command and Supervisory positions within public safety often lack the necessary leadership skills/qualities to serve in such a capacity.
Why is it every time a crime is committed you guys bring your political agenda for/against our Sheriff into the blog? I too speak from experience; we all have a difficult job from the bottom to the top and vice versa. Elected officials are politicians, plain and simple. Those of you take a politicians word as bond, need to get off the Kool Aid.
Over my career, I think the Sheriff’s have all done a decent job, or did the best of their abilities. They also had a few flaws, but who doesnt? Joe brought us into the 21st century, Tom picked the person who he thought could lead the agency, and Jesse LJB brought a sense of morals and values back to the HCSO. Again, they have their flaws. Ladies and gentlemen, judging from your posts, so do you.
@SmogDog: What morals and values were missing from the HCSO that Jesse restored, or at least restored a “sense” of? From the comments of DeputyDog, and Mad at Everything, it would seem that just the opposite is occurring.
Smogdog,
Friends of Jeff Gahler look to improve the Harford County Sheriff’s department. It is that simple. I don’t see any harm in pointing out that there is another choice. If you are for positive change and real improvement in the Sheriff’s office, we will welcome your support come election time.
As far as morals and values? How has Jesse Bane exhibited that, the Mark Forwood coverup, reassigning Jack Meckley, promoting only people that openly supported him during the election rather than the most qualified?
Are these the same friends who have told previous sheriff’s, “You need your coffee cup refilled? Your looking good today?” These friends are fair weather friends when a person gets elected and they become the power behind the throne. Sheriff Bane is a politician who has made good on some promises. Im sure the friends of Gahler would have done the same thing.
Voter: Jesse Bane is first and foremost a politician. He would be very well suited as a member of the County Council, and perhaps the Harford Delegation. But he is also Sheriff, a position that requires the skills beyond just those of a politician. While it is an elected position, the Office Of Sheriff differs from that of a politician in several significant ways. Specifically; that the truth be told, that the incumbents ethics be above reproach, and that the office holder be fair and impartial in the treatment of their Deputies. If the office holder of Sheriff does not meet those requirements, then they are just another politician, not a Sheriff!
@retired….L Jesse started at the bottom of the sheriff’s office. He was a deptuy first, then rose through the ranks. Wasn’t he chief deputy? So I am assuming that his police training was what each rank required. Yes, he has become a politician because the office of sheriff requires getting voted in. I am amazed that the same people who want to talk bad about his ability to be sheriff, think its gonna change under a new sheriff. The same people who are in command positions are the ones who rose through the ranks and now occuppy the position. Sheriff Bane has become a good leader in making sure that he talks to his people. He may not do everything right, but not everyone is perfect. There is only one perfect person and that is what christmas is about!
@Voter,
Many posts, but as outlined in one of my previous posts those of us who work here do see a difference in a running for office and doing the right things. As I said:
Keeping a corupt member of is command and a campaign contributor on the force,
Keeping a complete lid on that investigation until the day after the election, creating a new position and increased pay for one of his campaign supporters, promoting a lieutenant around many other qualified individuals in the office for his own politial gain, vindictive tranferring of many as political punishment, and creating a nice new job for another!
None of this speaks to his interest in those of us working here. I bought is BS last time, but can’t wait to set it straight next time.
@Voter: Yes Jesse started at the bottom, but Jesse has always been a politician. You don’t have to run for office to be a politician, you just have to practice the art of politics. Jesse has always done this, both inside and outside the HCSO. Yes he was once Chief Deputy, a position awarded to him by Sheriff Mele as a reward for Jesse acting as Mele’s campaign chairman. To the victor go the spoils. So Jesse rose from the grade of Sergeant (which he was during the campaign) to the position of second in command at the HCSO. If you don’t think politics were involved in that appointment, then you don’t understand politics.
Under Sheriff Meadows a fair and impartial position system was designed and implemented. This system didn’t always advance the most popular person, but, for the most part, it advanced the most qualified. Jesse has chosen to disregard this system in favor of his being able to choose from whoever happens to be in the top three on the list at any given moment. So yes, Jesse does play favorites, by passing over someone who has demonstrated through the impartial system that they are the best qualified for promotion. In time this will significantly erode the morale within the HCSO. If you are a person who was advanced as a result of favoritism, you will find that life becomes difficult within the rank and file. Trust me, they know the difference.
“promotion system” not position system. Sorry!!
@Voter,
That’s right, add that to my list. Passing over he best qualified as he plans to do with Delegate Impallaria’s brother Tim. A proven member of the office who earned the next step (unlike Jesse did) in the established system is now in jeopardy because Jesse can’t work out a minor issue over towing.
@SmogDog,
“LJB brought a sense of morals and values back to the HCSO”
Did you happpen to see my post above about LBJ’s “morals and values”? I can tell you, a majority of HCSO personnel don’t see it that way!
This stuff didn’t just start with Bane and it certainly won’t end with him either, unless there’s a major overhaul of command staff. I found out early in my career that unless your a cpl’s daughter, an lt’s son, screwing someone you probably shouldn’t, or have your nose so far up someone’s ass you can see through their eyes, you’re not gonna get ANYWHERE in HCSO. You wanna get treated like crap? Work for HCSO. It’s a great moral booster! (insert dripping sarcasm here).
DD and Fubar………….Really? Is that the best you can say about the agency? Are you two part of the handful of Negative Nancy’s that aren’t happy unless they have people to commiserate with?
To answer your question DD, Think back HW and the union turning their backs on him @ IA. Compare that to now……any differences?
In regards M.F. ….IA investigations are none of your business, unless you are the target or witness. Move on…….
@ Retired the promotional system is still flawed. I have never seen the #1 person get not promoted. I wish it were different. A person can finish first and be a total airhead.
The bottom line is We are leaps and bounds from where we have been due in part because of the Sheriff’s(who for the most part cared), but more importantly due to the Deputies who are less like the few of you.
To the people saying that are saying that cashiers should check ID: checking ID is good practice in my opinion, but it won’t do a damn thing to stop half of the credit card fraud that goes on. A lot of these credit card thieves these days don’t have the actual card issued by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or AMEX, but rather a clone card made by either a mob boss rolling in millions of ill-gotten dollars or 15 year old girl in her mother’s basement. If you check their ID, the name on the card will match the name on the ID. Believe me, I have seen two of them personally. Clone cards can however be recognized if the cashier looks closely at the hologram (and before someone says that takes too long, it takes about two seconds unless you have bad eyes).
To the people complaining that merchant shouldn’t check ID or that it’s none of their business: Bulls**t. If a stolen credit card is used somewhere, the merchant typically gets charged back, swallowing the loss of product and the chargeback fee. Visa and Mastercard prefers that merchants don’t check people’s ID because they’d rather we do a code 10 call every time someone’s signature doesn’t match perfectly, so they can charge the $1.50 fee (or whatever the excessive fee is these days) for a code 10 call, not because they are afraid that staff will skim the cards. I would rather check everyone’s ID rather than just the one’s whose signature didn’t match the back of the card, because not everybody signs the same every time, and it seems it’s more of an embarrassment when someone has to show ID because the signature didn’t match than when everybody has to show their ID. However, some people complain over having to present their ID, so I just compare the signature now, and if it don’t match, they better have their ID on them or we’d have to void everything. It is unfortunate that some employees engage in practices like skimming, but if every cashier properly handled credit card transactions, skimming would be mostly pointless because thieves would have a difficult time using the fraudulent cards. Passively accepting any and every credit card presented without paying any attention to the card is NOT a good practice; any document you’ll find on the internet (including those written by banks) about how to process credit cards will say to compare the signature on the back to the signature on the receipt and beware if the signature doesn’t match.
@Paul, exactly what information can someone steal from someone’s driver’s license? I suppose someone could skim the magnetic strip and make fake IDs for minors with it, or use a CDL holder’s DL number to get a job, but other than that, there’s pretty much nothing there other than the name, address, and birthday. Which is of course just as easily obtainable using the first and last name on the card, unless the person has a very common name, thanks to social networking sites, telephone directories, and public records. There’s oodles of information to be found online just with someone’s name and face. Plus, many people don’t think twice about using their telephone number to look up those customer rewards cards that most stores have these days. Imagine the hay-day one could have with just someone’s phone number, not even knowing their name! And you’re concerned over a silly driver’s license? Thanks to social networking, a person could potentially find out who someone is just by knowing little tid bits about that person’s life (where they work or go to school, what special activities they participate in, etc), which could be discovered by what that person is wearing and/or through casual conversation, if the person seeking the information is leet enough. If one is afraid to show their driver’s license for fear that information could be stolen from it, then they need to find a big plastic bubble and move in, because they’re never safe no matter what they do.
The most common reason some people don’t like to show their IDs is inconvenience. Doing code 10 calls would be ten times more inconvenient than just asking for ID when the signature doesn’t match, especially considering that some of the banks themselves will just tell you to check their ID. Do we really need to pay the fee for a voice authorization every time just for a bit of common sense? Methinks Paul must work for Visa or MasterCard.