Chicago, IL— Illinois has had a criminal law on the books for many decades that bars the recording of any conversation public or private unless all parties to the conversation give their consent. The statute itself has never been changed, despite the reality that the law was all but gutted in a 1990 decision by the Illinois Appellate Court in, Illinois vs. Jansen . Jansen is still the law of Illinois today. The current state of affairs is that most people are unaware of their rights under Jansen. The court ruled that the use of a recorder is merely enhanced note taking when the recorder, is not a government agent. That means that any and all video or audio recording accomplished in a public place within your earshot by private citizens is legal. That also means recording telephone conversations is also legal as long as they are conversations you’re participating in. Since 1990 at least in Illinois you should smile, because you could be on Candid Camera ! This does not cover potenti...

Chicago Animal Care and Control has been dispatched to a dog park at Huron Street and the Chicago River, where this coyote showed up today. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune) Chicago, IL --This cunning and majestic creature deserves to be the Wind City’s new mascot. He deserves a special name and I will leave that up to my visitors. Unlike a hapless mountain lion that showed up by Lane Technical High School a while back who was cut down by police gunfire, this critter is safe and sound and most likely on his way to re-settlement somewhere. As for that rogue mountain lion police claim they found a gun not far from his paw. That was the cop’s story and they’re stickin’ to it! That killing was finally ruled as a Justifiable Homicide.

Like it or not cameras are everywhere and people are using them. Cops have the same rights to film citizens and their conduct. The Conservative think tank, The Cato Institute produced this film with their position on cameras. Cops can come off as tyrants or heroes on video recordings. The cameras are not going away and officers must learn how to use them for their advantage.

As I write this I’m wringing my hands that I’m not in Chicago setting up a live video feed of the historic and unprecedented FOP march seeking the ouster of a police superintendent. At a minimum I’d like to put up a three minute video package that would accurately sum up today’s happenings. Second City Cop , Shaved and this outlet has brought text, photos and canned video. I’d like to say I lead the pack with the video production, but I’m acutely aware that the other blogs are operated by working Chicago cops who must protect their identities. Shooting video and getting interviews requires exposure and that’s the rub for any anonymous blogger. Crimefile News operates freely under my name and reputation. There are those out there that know how to use cameras and livestream.com that can feed video to any blogger without spending a nickel beyond the cost of the camera and laptop computer. On the other hand minimal funding for newsgathering assistance would solve the problem. The ...

Chicago, IL— The Daley-Burke Crime Families learned long ago that owning the media insures incumbency protection. Today that ownership has never been more obvious. Not once in recent memory has Chicago’s media undertaken an investigation of City Hall chicanery, their insider dealing or their violations of the Shackman Decree . Instead the local media editors and news directors are only doing, “puff interviews” of these miscreants serving instead as the Daley-Burke Public relations machine. The local media welcomed Jody "J-Fled" Weis as they canonized him to Chicago’s Sainthood. Of course Weis had no real say in day to day operations since police operations are micro-managed by the Daley-burke Syndicate that serves its own nefarious agenda. There was no way for Weis to succeed in public safety efforts under City Hall constraints. Weis was never equipped for the job by training or experience. Weis’0nly real job was to placate the local reverends and provide the media with...

Chicago, IL —The robberies on CTA property are beyond epidemic right now. Many crimes are reported and many others aren’t. The public knows police can’t do much after the fact, so why bother making a report? Passengers have no choice but to provide their own security. The criminals are targeting high tech gadgets, but purses and wallets are high on the list. The police can’t help and passengers are absolutely on their own. Over 95% of the CTA robbers are African-American and the remainder, are Hispanic. The victims are overwhelmingly White people. These crimes will only increase until passengers arm themselves and refuse to be victimized. If you must take the CTA be well-armed and trained. You have the right to bear arms even in Illinois as their total ban on carrying is now unconstitutional and unenforceable. With all the thousands of passengers there must be someone that will dispatch a thug or two. Simply blow the bastards right out of their Nike sneakers and flee for your ow...

Torquay, UK—Her name was Eileen Nearne and on September 2, she died without known relatives. Social workers discovered her amazing history through documents, photos and medals they found in her flat. Nearne was exactly what screenwriters search for to make blockbuster films. However this humble and unassuming woman died in near obscurity, despite her incredible service to her country and demonstrated ability to repeatedly escape and survive. They will now bury her with national honors. My question is which, A List Hollywood, femme fatale will play Nearne in the movie? Learn more about “Agent Rose” right here.

Torquay, UK —Her name was Eileeen Nearn and on September 2, she died without known relatives. Social workers discovered her amazing history through documents, photos and medals they found in her flat. Nearne or "Agent Rose" as she was known was exactly what screenwriters search for to make blockbuster films. However this humble and unassuming woman died in near obscurity, despite her incredible service to her country and demonstrated ability to repeatedly escape and survive. They will now bury her with national honors. My question is which, A List Hollywood, femme fatale will play Nearne in the movie? Learn more about “Agent Rose” right here.

Chicago, IL --It’s happening here Wednesday and it was not supposed to be like this. Superintendent Jody "J-Fled" Weis said early on that if he did not have the support of the officers he’d leave the department. They even had a survey completed and the results were kept secret. Of course it’s no secret that the officers openly talk despairingly about Weis’ inability to fit into the department. The march will draw media attention as demoralized, out-gunned, out-manned officers openly display their disrespect for City Hall’s anti-police, Yes Man. It is not a question of the popularity of Weis with cops, but his loyalty or lack of it to the simple mission of the Chicago Police Department. Weis has obstructed the mission in his zeal to kiss the asses of Chicago’s most corrupt politicians. Weis should be investigating and arresting those City Hall thugs instead. Weis needs to simply walk off the job rather than pretend. Weis has dishonored the oath of office he took that su...

As a youngster I saw a classic horror film that left a huge impression on me. It was, Invasion of The Body Snatchers . It starred Kevin McCarthy and a strikingly beautiful actress, Dana Wynter . This was one of my favorite films of all time. The TV series Twilight Zone came along and my favorite episode was called, “Long Live Walter Jameson.” McCarthy played a history professor with a special gift. He could explain history just like he’d been there. That was because he had. Along the way he outlived a number of wives most of which he left when they aged and he didn’t. McCarthy was in so many rolls working both live theater and films that spanned nearly 70 years. His good looks and commanding baritone voice never left him. It was about six years ago that I had a chance meeting with McCarthy in Sherman Oaks, where he lived. McCarthy was a man who enjoyed life along with his family and friends. He still enjoyed making new friends. McCarthy lived a full and exciting life that m...

Washington, DC—We claim we’re fighting an all important War On Drugs. As a result, in order to qualify for most jobs, a urine and blood test is required to screen out criminal drug abusers. Somehow our elected officials and Czars they’ve appointed somehow escaped that scrutiny. I’m convinced that a surprising and shocking percentage of the current occupants of the Whitehouse and Congress are themselves drug dependent criminals. Wouldn’t it be great if they were all tested? Their radio-active, drug laced pee could be a newly discovered source of energy. We know today that Adolph Hitler was under the influence of a daily morphine IV cocktail. His judgment and conduct was shaped by his drug use and so many millions died as a result. . If it is important enough for a mailman, fireman or bus driver to submit to drug testing why are elected officials entrusted with our precious tax money exempt from such testing?

Nine years ago today nearly 3,000 people were murdered and untold vast damages were suffered by hardworking and taxpaying Americans. The result of the 9/11 attack instigated two separate Mideast wars that have cost us even more. Instead of burning Iraq and Afghanistan of the face off our earth we chose to do the impossible, separating the bad Muslims from the good. That will never work except to destroy the lives of American children we send to fight. Hate is the byproduct of this entire conflict. Whether fueled by a twisted religion or cultural differences hate is our biggest enemy. Unfortunately hate is bigger than all of us and the carnage will simply continue until every last human is dead. We have no choice but to protect ourselves, our freedom and our families. We have allowed our own politicians to trade our own precious liberty and freedom for the vague promise of security. Today, we have neither freedom nor security. That is just as evil as any act committed by fanatical ...

This blog began when I suffered a profound hearing loss lasting seven long months. I was kicked of a film set as an actor when I could not hear the director’s commands. It was for a recurring role in a popular TV series and unfortunately, there was no second chance. Talking on the telephone was nearly impossible for that period. Frankly I did the blog to fight any depression and feelings of helplessness the deafness brought. The blog really made that period bearable for me. Being able to avoid those mood chemicals was a huge benefit. The doctors told me I had a blockage in my Eustachian tubes that would be temporary. They underestimated the time I’d be deaf considerably. My hearing has returned but with less volume and on some days it’s better than others. I’m very grateful for the hearing I’ve retained. I’m also grateful that I have missed an insult or two thrown my way. As my readers know I have a strong Libertarian/Conservative background. I was intermittently raised by dysfu...

Los Angeles, CA —In a court of law there are few hearsay exceptions. Photographs and documents can’t simply jump up on to a witness stand and testify. Foundation must be established and a live witness that saw the event must testify that the photograph accurately depicts what he saw with his own eyes. Judges around the country have let the Extortion Camera Photo Enforcement Mafia get away with, Hearsay Murder . Not anymore, at least in California. Since Arizona judge’s retirement is actually attached to traffic fine collections they have a significant conflict of interest every time they hear a traffic case. I will never understand how that kind of crap can stand in America. That California Camera Hearsay Ruling should get the attention of every lawyer and judge in all 50 states since we are dealing with the same Constitution. The problem with the camera enforcement evidence is that denies the accused the Constitutional rights to face and cross-examine his accuser. It is insufficie...

Many people ask me how to deal with an in-progress violent crime. That is a crime were the offender is armed or the threatened force is overwhelming as in multiple assailants. This is not some movie or TV show but real life. Let me begin with words you can live by, “Conflict avoidance is always the best policy.” Many people look at this subject as repugnant because it involves violence and perhaps even killing. Too often people refuse see the opposite side of the picture where guns save many more innocent lives every day. I’m writing to protect human life from the most dangerous predators on earth, their fellow human beings. There are those who carry firearms for self-defense. Most thankfully live where the law allows that with or without special carry permits. There are also those who live in New York, California or Illinois that criminalize the carrying of self-defense weapons. The rules for the use of deadly force, are the same everywhere in the United States, and its posses...

Chicago, IL —With Richard M. Daley’s wise self-imposed exile, undoubtedly fueled by his approval ratings sinking to nearly 30 percent some of his foolish destruction may become undone. Meigs Field was a great little airport for general aviation and a historic landmark. It was the first airport I saw as a child so long ago. Businessmen need a place to commute by air that’s convenient to Chicago's Loop. Meigs Field was important to business. Richard M. Daley spent his time destroying business in Chicago and Meigs Field’s removal was high on his list. It was during the pre-dawn hours of March 30, 2003, without required approval from the FAA , Daley ordered the runways destroyed and stranded scores of airplanes tied down there. Chicago’s taxpayers have suffered ever since. Whoever replaces Daley as Mayor should have the brains to restore Meigs Field to the taxpayers who supported the facility.

Gainesville, FL -The pastor of a 50 member church wants to exercise his First Amendment right and publicly burn a copy of the Muslim Holy Book. This silly stunt has garnered world-wide publicity and the much sought after rebuke of Barack Obama . I strongly suspect contributions to this insignificant church are skyrocketing as a result. Muslims already are prosecuting a despicable holy war against America and I fail to see how this book-burning can possibly make things worse. The same violent and ignorant Muslim zealots will continue to use every murderous tool they have against Americans at every opportunity. This is a classic case of that child’s saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” The pastor need not have a real copy of the Koran, just a paste-up look-alike for news cameras in order to inflame crazy Muslims. I guess nobody is smart enough to defuse this public relations bomb. The media could simply choose not cover the burning or the th...

Chicago, IL —This was a true story about the December 9, 1932 murder of 9th District officer William Lundy , 55 inside a delicatessen located at 1226 S. Ashland Avenue . Two unknown men entered the store and soon the 29 year police veteran was shot dead. 1932 was a tough year for Chicago that recorded 364 murders. Eight of the victims were Chicago cops. The police stars they wore hang in the lobby of Chicago Police Headquarters today. Some 18 years later in 1948 a classic movie was made of this compelling tale starring Jimmy Stewart, Richard Conte and Lee J. Cobb . This film is available at Netflix. The locations used in Call Northside 777 are all very real including the old Cook County Jail, Criminal Court Building, a Chicago police district station, Stateville Prison and Tribune Tower. The Chicago police uniforms with the authentic stars and shields of that day were used by the filmmaker and director Henry Hathaway . The relatively new pseudo science of lie detection through the...

Chicago, IL —With today’s wonderful announcement by Richard M. Daley that he won’t seek re-election comes speculation on Chicago’s future. The majority of Chicago’s voters are the most ignorant found anywhere. The schools here have been reduced to kindergarten style daycare centers. Too many of the high school graduates can’t even read the words on their diplomas. There are productive people here of every race but they’re the minority and can’t carry the weight of the thieves and slackers. African-Americans in Chicago for the most part are addicted to entitlements, drugs or both. They will sell their votes for impossible and empty promises of more handouts. They could care less about new jobs as they demand larger balances on their government provided Link cards. African-Americans need to learn the sad truth, that the Leftists are worse than the Southern slave traders of long ago. What Chicago really needs is a new pro-business attitude that will lure business and taxpayers to retur...

Chandler, AZ--Two thugs were shot dead by a gun packing man protecting his wife. You can read all about this happy tale right here: People in Arizona carry guns," said Detective David Ramer, a Chandler police spokesman. "You better be careful about who you are picking on."