Law Enforcement
Coppers Cope With Public Puffing
We haven’t weighed in on the anti-smoking fiasco within Boise bars and parks until the City Councilors passed a set of ordinances that will become law January 1. Now that it illegal to puff in public we wanted to hear from the coppers who will have to enforce the law. The GUARDIAN made an official [...]
U of I, Penn State Cases Share Similar Facts
We are surprised how few seem to have connected the dots between the tragic murder of the University of Idaho Coed and the child rape allegations at Penn State. In both cases university officials were advised of horrible crimes and/or threats, but no action was even taken to launch full fledged investigations. All concerned should [...]
Will Ada Probation Officer Get Probation?
The GUARDIAN had multiple tips Thursday about Ada County Misdemeanor Probation Officer Austin Plew, 26 allegedly “kicked it up a notch” Thursday when he went from misdemeanor probation officer to felony defendant. The GUARDIAN has it on pretty good authority he allegedly violated the basic rule of “Don’t bite the hand the feeds you.” Plew [...]
Training Ground To Kill Humans “Not Authorized” Use Of Forest Service Land
A disturbing story appeared in the Eastern Idaho media over the weekend detailing the “perfect location” for a commercial for profit venture to teach the intricacies of high altitude killing. According to the Post Register story, a guy named Buck Holly has determined that Skull Canyon on the Caribou-Targhee in Clark County is an ideal [...]
Commish Ullman Talks Probation Issues
By Sharon Ullman. Ada County Commissioner Ada County is gearing up to take over the provision of misdemeanor probation services at the end of this contract term, which is September 30, 2012. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to call or write to my Board to express your concerns and frustrations with [...]
Execution Will Put Idaho In National Spotlight
It would appear convicted Idaho death row inmate Paul Ezra Rhoades won’t be having Thanksgiving Dinner behind bars or anywhere else. He is scheduled to be executed November 18 following the issuance of two death warrants Wednesday by Seventh District Judge Jon J. Shindurling. Rhoades has exhausted all appeals and every court in the land [...]
Ada Commishes Approve Probation Contract On 2-1 Vote
Despite a class action lawsuit, legal questions about the constitutionality of county operated misdemeanor probation and numerous complaints, Ada County Commishes voted to approve a 12 month contract extension with the private for-profit Ada County Misdemeanor Probation Services, Inc. The outfit is run by Nancy Cladis and has been subject of numerous complaints and online [...]
County Probation System May Be Unconstitutional
While the GUARDIAN has been concerned with allegations of fee overcharges and other irregularities in the Ada County Misdemeanor Probation system, we question why the county is even in the business of offering probation services–private or public. We have been advised of constitutional issues which should stop the practice in its tracks. In a nutshell [...]
For-Profit Ada Probation Agency Defendant In Class Action Lawsuit
Ada County’s private for-profit misdemeanor probation services, ACMPS has been named as the sole defendant in a class action lawsuit filed Thursday in 4th District Court. Plaintiffs could include “thousands” of people currently and previously on probation. The three named plaintiffs are Kenneth E. Green, Nicholas J. Hall, and Thomas Smith. They are represented by [...]
Drink Up And Snuff Your Butts
Apart from the intrusion into individual liberties, Boise’s proposed smoking ban is about as likely as the 18th amendment (prohibition) of ever succeeding. Most absurd is the attempt to ban smoking in drinking establishments–debated at a public meeting Wednesday. To put the issue in perspective, consider this: It is perfectly legal to drink intoxicating alcohol [...]
Private County Probation On The Way Out
An insider provided the GUARDIAN with a revealing exchange of e-mail messages in which the owner of Ada County’s misdemeanor for-profit probation department sings her “swan song” and expresses her desire to get a government job as director of what will be a county-run agency. She was apparently notified by Ada Commish chairman Rick Yzaguirre [...]
Nancy Cladis Responds To Probation Concerns
Following a series of mostly negative comments posted by GUARDIAN readers, Nancy Cladis has responded in her own words. The most revealing statement is her intention to retire in a year and turn over the private, for-profit misdemeanor probation program to Ada County operation and control. Her statement: Wow, I had no idea there were [...]
Private Probation Pressures Offenders
This disturbing comment was sent to the GUARDIAN Friday by an admitted lawbreaker who claims he is being pressured by his private probation officer to support the for profit program. “So I was asked by my probation officer today to fill out this card asking if I wanted supervised probation to be run by a [...]
Coppers Cap (Another) Cornered Cougar
From Idaho Fish and Game comes this report of a human-cougar-dog incident along Mores Creek south of Idaho City. Score: one dead dog and one dead cougar. Thursday evening about 8 or 8:30 p.m. a young boy went out with his dad to look for a family pet bird dog that had been missing since [...]
Coppers Cap Cornered Cougar
A three year old mountain line was shot and killed by police early Thursday morning after they declared it to be a threat to public safety. After repeated sightings of a four legged cougar prowling Boise residential neighborhoods, Boise coppers and an Ada Sheriff’s Deputy cornered the cat on the grounds of St. Alphonsus Regional [...]
What Citizens And Candidates Should Know
Each election cycle, the GUARDIAN tries to stimulate interest in the local Boise City election with a posting about issues, budget, etc. Here is the current attempt–10 days before the filing deadline for council and mayor races. Issues of concern to candidates and citizens alike: –Fire department has taken over the North Ada County Fire [...]
Serious Attitude On Speeding In Canada
The day job took the GUARDIAN editor on a lengthy road trip during the past couple of weeks, including a spin around the North Shore of Lke Superior in Canada. The 90 kph speed limit translates to 55 mph. These big blue and yellow signs were an intimidating factor when it came to passing someone [...]
City To Ponder Law Before Taking Plunge
Kudos to Boise City mothers and fathers for taking time to study an ordinance banning various river jumping activities before passing it. The law would be a misdemeanor–like DUI and shoplifting. They rightfully note most of the criminals who would be charged with the violation are juveniles. Coppers don’t want to be burdened with arresting [...]
City To Hike Power Franchise Fee?
The Idaho Freedom Foundation reports Boise has plans afoot to raise the franchise fee Idaho Power pays to do business in the city by 50%. The City claims the $800,000 increase in revenue will go toward “infrastructure improvements,” but like the conservative leaning IFF, we see it as nothing but a money grab that will [...]
Running Government Like A Business
A couple of stories we have noticed recently in rural Idaho media show just how to run government like a business AND turn a tidy profit for government workers. Some are legal, some are crooked, and some just stink. –The GUARDIAN detailed how Boise motorcycle coppers make $56 an hour using city equipment to patrol [...]
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