Emergency Service
Boise Top Copper Loses Badge
By DAVID R. FRAZIER, editor Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee was relieved of his duties Friday by Mayor Lauren McLean amid unrest from the police union, investigative news reports from several legacy media agencies, a potential lawsuit from an injured officer, which included a criminal investigation into his personal actions. According to reports, Lee will […]
South Idaho Incident Beats TV Drama
We don’t normally cover traffic accidents, especially in Southern Idaho, but this press release from Idaho State Police reads like a script made-for-TV drama. IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE At about 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 16th, an Idaho State Police trooper was dispatched to a reported hit and run collision near milepost 204 on […]
Fire Ravages Youth Ranch Warehouse
Fire broke out about 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Idaho Youth Ranch warehouse on Irving Street, pouring thick black smoke into the sky visible for miles. The GUARDIAN had just finished lunch nearby and responded to the fire long before Boise Fire units arrived. It turned out to be at least a three alarm fire […]
Ada Parks: “Boise River Never Safe”
Ada County Parks Director Scott Koberg said in an internal e-mail to the County Commissioners Wednesday, “The Boise River is never ‘safe’,” after the commishes questioned news from the Boise Fire Department claiming 14 rescues–including four “life-saving events” in about five hours. Koberg noted the river float is always a, “float-at-your-own-risk” endeavor. Common sense prompted […]
Arson Kits Go On Sale Thursday
The annual July 4th records falsification and safety advice is now available from Treasure Valley “first responders” regarding use of fire works. Officials sternly tell residents that “aerial fireworks,” including bottle rockets, mortars, and those producing “booms and bangs” are illegal. Meanwhile hundreds of dogs jump fences and run off in terror as both police […]
City Workers Coming And Going
This cryptic note came in Monday and got us to thinking. “Please start a thread on Guardian regarding where are the City dept heads. Yes, the Police Chief has problems, but what about Fire Chief? Did he ever move into the city? Earn a bachelor’s degree? These were the posted requirements, but?” We noticed on […]
Vern Calls It “10-42” After 53 Year Shift
By DAVID R. FRAZIER GUARDIAN EDITOR A dear friend and legend in police circles died Friday following a lengthy battle with assorted health issues. Vern Bisterfeldt was 84 and served the community as a cop, city councilor, and county commissioner over a period of more than 50 years. When I came to Boise in 1968 […]
Boise’s Top Copper Investigated
Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee is the subject of an investigation apparently stemming from a physical incident with one of his subordinate officers. The investigation by the Idaho State Police has been reported locally by several media outlets as well as national media. The GUARDIAN along with other media have been “tipped” repeatedly for several […]
“Hang Up And Drive”
If you are one of those who think the coppers are ignoring enforcement of the “no texting law,” think again. The GUARDIAN has obtained data from Fourth District Traffic Court showing that 1866 tickets were issued in Ada County alone in 2021. Here is a breakdown of the enforcement actions. Boise City PD–961 Eagle City […]
Guard Critical Of Mall Shooting Response
The following letter is from Mike Murphy, a former security guard who was on duty during the Towne Square Mall shooting incident. Murphy along with two other security staff have since resigned because “It is not safe to work there and we didn’t have proper safety equipment including body armor.” Murphy has sent this letter […]
What’s On Yer Mind?
Rather than offer up the same press releases and COVID numbers you get everywhere else, the GUARDIAN has been silent (and lazy). We welcome any comments and factual story content. Here are some trending topics of discussion: —Brian Harsin sits out Auburn Football practice and stadium openers. –Was it time to leave Afghanistan after 20 […]
Lament Of A Growthophobe (A Rant)
The GUARDIAN created the word “growthophobe,” welcomed new people and businesses if they wished to pay their fair share of taxes and offer good wages. Otherwise relocate elsewhere. Meanwhile local politico mothers and fathers work overtime to attract more population, cars, trains, planes, and buses through “incentives.” They want those of us who live here […]
Boise STILL Needs A Police Commission
Each time there is a rash of high profile incidents involving police–either in Boise or nationally–there is a scramble to have some sort of oversight of the coppers. Back in the 1990s when Boise had a rash of officer involved shootings, a citizens group called for oversight and paid for a city councilor to attend […]
Multiple Factors In Boise’s Unrest
Tension fueled by the Trump presidential election defeat, COVID-19 actions by local health departments, and neo Nazi activity have combined to thrust Boise into the national spotlight. The noisy protest Tuesday at Central District Health was widely reported by the national media. However, GUARDIAN sources don’t see any immediate link between the hell raisers intimidating […]
Fire Chief Choice Ignites Councilors
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean made a point of using buzzwords like “transparency, listening, community outreach,” and similar terms when she took office in January. Now, 11 months later, when it came to naming a new fire chief to head a department with a $57,000,000 budget, she not only failed to allow citizens to be involved […]
FAA Responds To GUARDIAN After 4 Years
Friday’s mail brought a nice padded manila envelope from MURPHY M. HO CHEE FAA Northwest Mountain Regional Office ATO WESTERN SERVICE CENTER DesMoines, WA Inside we found a CD and a two page letter from ANGELA R. McCullough, Vice President Mission Support Services. The subject of the letter was a Freedom of Information request made […]
COVID Positive Test Among Homeless At Red Lion Downtowner
The GUARDIAN has confirmed that Boise City is funding sanitizing services and renting rooms for members of the homeless community at the Red Lion Downtowner. An unofficial source told us the entire second floor and about 46 rooms were occupied by homeless residents. That source also inquired at the registration desk about the situation, but […]
Doan Resigns Before Scheduled Firing
Dennis Doan resigned from employment at the city of Boise shortly before a Friday special city council meeting was called to consider his firing. The council met, declined to act and adjourned. The GUARDIAN had publicly advised him Wednesday to make the move: We also think Doan could preserve his dignity by immediately resigning “for […]
Boise Council Sets Special Meeting
Boise’s city council has scheduled a “special meeting” for 12:30 p.m. Friday. The meeting will begin with an executive session to discuss a personnel matter. It is an open secret the session will be to discuss the dismissal of Dennis Doan from the fire chief position. The council cannot make any decisions in the secret […]
Mayor vs Fire Chief Battle Heats Up
The flare up over the dismissal, retirement, paid leave, firing of Dennis Doan as Boise fire chief has shifted to the city council. Based on e-mails from the city to Doan, it looks like newly elected mayor Lauren McLean will leave the dirty work to the City Council when it comes to firing Doan. City […]
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