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From Los Angeles Times

Bomb neutralized on bus ahead of queen's trip to Ireland

A second device is determined to be a hoax. Queen Elizabeth II is the first monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland since its independence.

From the Associated Press

May 17, 2011

DUBLIN

Police and Army officials say a bomb found on a bus has been made safe Tuesday, hours before Queen Elizabeth II was due to arrive in Dublin.

The device was found in the luggage compartment of a bus traveling on the outskirts of Maynooth in County Kildare west of Dublin, officials said.

It was found late Monday night and was declared safe early Tuesday morning after a controlled explosion by bomb disposal experts. The bomb parts were given to the police for testing and investigation.

Bomb experts also examined at least one other suspicious object discovered Tuesday but police concluded the small device was a hoax and did not pose a threat to public safety.

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said the threat from dissidents is minimal because of the police's extensive security arrangements.

"They've put in place a comprehensive security operation. You'll recall we've had American presidents here before, a pope," he said. "So obviously while there have been incidents, the Gardai (police) have been able to deal with those."

Some 8,500 police are lining the sections of Dublin where the queen and her husband Prince Philip plan to visit. She is coming to Ireland for a four-day visit.

She will be the first monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland since it gained independence.

Her visit has prompted complaints and protests from dissident groups.

Supreme Court gives police leeway in home searches

Officers may break in if they hear sounds and suspect that evidence is being destroyed, the justices say in an 8-1 decision. Justice Ginsburg dissents.

by David G. Savage, Washington Bureau

May 17, 2011

Reporting from Washington

The Supreme Court gave police more leeway to break into homes or apartments in search of illegal drugs when they suspect the evidence otherwise might be destroyed.

Ruling in a Kentucky case Monday, the justices said that officers who smell marijuana and loudly knock on the door may break in if they hear sounds that suggest the residents are scurrying to hide the drugs.

Residents who "attempt to destroy evidence have only themselves to blame" when police burst in, said Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. for an 8-1 majority.

In her dissent, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she feared the ruling gave police an easy way to ignore 4th Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. She said the amendment's "core requirement" is that officers have probable cause and a search warrant before they break into a house.

"How 'secure' do our homes remain if police, armed with no warrant, can pound on doors at will and …forcibly enter?" Ginsburg asked.

An expert on criminal searches said the decision would encourage the police to undertake "knock and talk" raids.

"I'm surprised the Supreme Court would condone this, that if the police hear suspicious noises inside, they can break in. I'm even more surprised that nearly all of them went along," said John Wesley Hall, a criminal defense lawyer in Little Rock, Ark.

In the past, the court has insisted that homes are special preserves. As Alito said, "The 4th Amendment has drawn a firm line at the entrance to the house." One exception to the search warrant rule involves an emergency, such as screams coming from a house. Police may also pursue a fleeing suspect who enters a residence.

The Kentucky case began when police in Lexington sought to arrest a man who had sold crack cocaine to an informer. They followed the man to an apartment building, but lost contact with him. They smelled marijuana coming from one apartment. Though it turned out not to be the apartment of their suspect, they pounded on the door, called, "Police," and heard people moving inside.

At this, the officers announced they were coming in and broke down the door. Instead of the original suspect, they found Hollis King smoking marijuana and arrested him. They also found powder cocaine. King was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to 11 years in prison.

The Supreme Court ruled in Kentucky vs. King that the officers' conduct "was entirely lawful," and they were justified in breaking in to prevent the destruction of the evidence.

"When law enforcement officers who are not armed with a warrant knock on a door, they do no more than any private citizen may do," Alito wrote. A resident need not respond, he added. But the sounds of people moving and perhaps toilets being flushed could justify police entering without a warrant.

The ruling was not a final loss for King. The justices said the Kentucky state court should consider again whether police had faced an emergency situation in this case.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-court-search-20110517,0,1616771,print.story

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From the New York Times

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U.S. Calls for Global Cybersecurity Strategy

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Monday proposed creating international computer security standards with penalties for countries and organizations that fell short.

While administration officials did not single out any countries in announcing the strategy, several officials said privately that the hope was that the initiative would prod China and Russia into allowing more Internet freedom, cracking down on intellectual property theft and enacting stricter laws to protect computer users' privacy.

“The effort to build trust in the cyberspace realm is one which should be pushed in capitals around the world,” said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, who will soon be taking over as President Obama's ambassador to China.

The strategy calls for officials from the State Department, the Pentagon, the Justice Department, the Commerce Department and the Department of Homeland Security to work with their counterparts around the world to come up with standards aimed at preventing theft of private information and ensuring Internet freedom. A fact sheet released by the White House also promised that the United States would respond to attempted hacking “as we would to any other threat to our country.”

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. called it a “historic strategy,” adding that “the 21st-century threats that we now face to both our national and international security really have no borders.”

Last week the administration released the domestic component of its new computer security strategy, increasing and clarifying the penalties for computer crimes, and giving the domestic security agency a clear mandate for the protection of the government's own networks. That effort was intended to reverse a growing perception that penalties for attacks on government, corporate and personal computers had been relatively small.

In addition to giving the Homeland Security Department new authority over federal computer systems, the legislation calls for the agency to work with energy companies, water suppliers and financial institutions to rank the most serious threats and find ways to counter them. The law would also require each business to have an independent commercial auditor assess its plans and, in the case of financial firms, report those plans to the Security and Exchange Commission.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/17/us/politics/17cyber.html?_r=1&ref=us&pagewanted=print

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From Google News

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Police investigate two more murders that could be linked to Long Island killings

Craigslist Ripper victims could total 15

Up to 13 prostitutes have been murdered in Long Island and Atlantic City – now police believe two more murders may be connected to the killings, including a mother of three whose dissected body was found in a suitcase.

The dismembered body of 39-year-old Tanya Rush, a prostitute from East New York, was found in Bellmore in June 2008. This case, along with another that the police are refusing to identify, is being reviewed, according to the New York Post.

If they are connected, it would bring the total number of killings in the so-called 'Craigslist Ripper' case to 15.

News that the investigation is being widened further follows the revelation by the paper that two NYPD police officers are under suspicion in connection with the case.

Parts of the victims' bodies have been found along a secluded section of Long Island beach over the past several months.

Criminologists had said it was possible the killer or killers worked in law enforcement, or at least was familiar with police procedures. Recent estimates have put the number of alleged killers at two to four.

The New York Post reports that one of the officers being looked at by Suffolk County detectives had been forced out of his NYPD job in the 1990s 'when his supervisors learned he spent time pursuing hookers and paying street walkers and down-and-out women for sex while he was supposed to be on patrol'.

The man reportedly resigned 'under pressure' during internal investigations.

According to The Post, the other officer still works for the NYPD, but at a desk job.

That man was allegedly stripped of his gun and badge years ago for allegedly assaulting a prostitute and getting arrested during a sting operation.

He is said to be barred from making arrests or responding to emergencies.

An unnamed source told the paper: 'They couldn't prove anything, but they didn't trust him'.

It is currently unclear if the two officers know each other, or if the police have any specific evidence against them to connect them to the Craigslist killings.

Who Is The Craigslist Ripper

Profilers have described the man as:

• He is most likely a white male in his mid-20s to mid-40s
  
  
• He is married or has a girlfriend. He is well educated and well spoken.
  
  
• He is financially secure, has a job and owns an expensive car or truck.
  
  
• He may have sought treatment at a hospital for poison ivy infection.
  
  
• As part of his job or interests, he has access to, or a stockpile of, burlap sacks.

Investigators said the two officers are not the sole focus of the ongoing murder investigation.

In recent weeks, criminologists had begun to piece together a profile of the serial killer or killers, said to be a white male in his mid 20's to mid 40's, financially secure, well spoken and drives a nice car or truck.

Able to charm his Craigslist victims into a false sense of security, he will also have access to burlap sacks as part of his job and will have been treated for poison ivy infections received as he disposed of the bodies in thick undergrowth.

The New York Times came up with the chilling portrait after talking to retired and current criminal profilers familiar with the 'Craigslist ripper' case.

Speaking to the paper, Scott Bonn, an assistant professor of sociology at Drew University in Madison, N.J. said: 'This is someone who can walk into a room and seem like your average Joe.

'He has to be persuasive enough and rational enough that he is able to convince these women to meet him on these terms.

He has demonstrated social skills. He may even be charming.'

He is also, according to the experts, very familiar with the Long Island beaches where 10 remains have so far been found.

Jim Clemente, a retired FBI investigator in the agency's behavioural analysis unit, added: 'He did not stumble upon that location. He has some familiarity with it.'

The 'Craigslist ripper' case started in December after the disappearance of 24-year-old Shannan Gilbert, a New Jersey prostitute who advertised on the site.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1387922/Police-investigate-murders-linked-Long-Island-killings.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

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From the White House

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Do You Know Someone Like This?

This morning, President Obama sent the email below to the White House email list asking for nominations for the 2011 Citizens Medal, our nation's second-highest civilian honor. This year, President Obama is looking for Americans who have performed exemplary deeds of service outside of their regular jobs and provided inspiration for others to serve. Learn more about the Citizens Medal and submit your nomination.

If you didn't get this email, be sure to sign up for the White House email list.

Last year I asked the public to help identify outstanding Americans I should consider for the Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor. After receiving more than 6,000 nominations, I invited 13 outstanding Americans to the White House to receive the medal and be recognized for their service.

It's time to do it again.

Like last year, we're looking for Americans who have performed exemplary deeds of service outside of their regular jobs and provided inspiration for others to serve. You can view the full criteria and get started on a nomination here:

Now I know there are thousands of citizens out there who meet these criteria -- I read their letters every night, and I meet many of them in my travels around the country. I also know that many times their contributions go unrecognized. The 2011 Citizens Medal is a chance to recognize the everyday heroes in your community.

Here are a few examples of Citizens Medal recipients from last year.

Betty Kwan Chinn was homeless as a child in China and became mute. When she came to America, Betty found her voice and her calling. Today, she provides meals to the homeless in her community twice a day as expressions of gratitude to a welcoming nation.

Susan Retik Ger is a widow who lost her husband on 9/11 who found cause in educating and training Afghan widows and their children.

George Weiss, Jr. is veteran of World War II who founded the Fort Snelling Memorial Rifle Squad, a group of over 125 volunteers who have performed final military honors at over 55,000 veterans' funerals.

Their stories are powerful reminders of the impact an individual can have on his or her community and on the world. You can watch them tell their stories in a video gallery on WhiteHouse.gov:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/citizensmedal/2010

If you know someone like Betty, Susan or George, please take a moment to nominate them for the 2011 Citizens Medal before May 30.

Sincerely,

President Barack Obama

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/05/16/do-you-know-someone

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From the FBI

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FBI Releases Preliminary Statistics for Law Enforcement Officers Killed in 2010

Of these 56 felonious deaths, 15 officers were killed during ambushes (13 during unprovoked attacks and two due to entrapment/premeditation situations), eight were investigating suspicious persons or circumstances, seven were killed during traffic pursuits/stops, six of the fallen officers interrupted robberies in progress or were pursuing robbery suspects, and six were responding to disturbance calls (four of them being domestic disturbances). Three of the officers interrupted burglaries in progress or were pursuing burglary suspects, three died during tactical situations, two were conducting investigations, one officer was handling or transporting a prisoner, one was killed during a drug-related conflict, and four of the officers were attempting to make arrests for other offenses.

Offenders used firearms in all but one of the felonious deaths of law enforcement officers in 2010. Thirty-eight of the fallen officers were killed with handguns, 15 with rifles, and two with shotguns. The only officer who was not a victim of firearms was killed with a vehicle.

Of the 56 victim officers, 38 were wearing body armor at the times of their deaths. Sixteen of the victim officers fired their own weapons, and seven officers attempted to use their own weapons. Seven victim officers had their weapons stolen; seven officers were killed with their own weapons.

The 56 victim officers were killed in 51 separate incidents. Forty-nine of those incidents have been cleared by arrest or exceptional means.

In addition to the officers who were feloniously killed in 2010, 72 officers were killed in accidents. This is an increase of 24 officers when compared with the 48 officers who were accidentally killed in 2009.

The FBI will release final statistics on officers killed and assaulted in the line of duty in the Uniform Crime Reporting Program's annual report, Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted , which will be published on this website in the fall.

http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-releases-preliminary-statistics-for-law-enforcement-officers-killed-in-2010

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