Law Enforcement
Idaho Bondsman Authority Vague
Following a fatal shooting in Eastern Idaho of a man wanted for contempt of court in Ada County last Saturday by a bondsman/bounty hunter, the GUARDIAN began a search for authority, law, policy, and common practices of bail bondsmen (and women). We have sought information from sheriffs, deputy Attorney General, prosecutors, a District Court administrator, […]
Uber Ride Share App Parked
In an open letter to Team Dave and the Boise City Council, the Uber ride share scheme said Thursday they were parking the program for the “foreseeable future” in Boise. The letter said in part, “High and growing costs combined with unworkable and onerous regulations being proposed by the City leave Uber no other choice […]
Civilian Oversight Of Coppers Still Missing
According to a well researched story in the DAILY PAPER by Sven Berg, Team Dave can’t seem to find an ombudsman to scrutinize Boise Police complaints. A woman from North Carolina had been offered the job, but after a background check, the job offer was rescinded. We have no problem with that, but it has […]
No Logic When It Comes To Guns
The annual “silly season” is upon us when it comes to gun laws. A bill currently before the Idaho legislature would make it legal for all citizens to carry concealed guns. Currently only folks with a permit and elected officials can carry concealed without a permit. When it comes to guns, Idaho laws and public […]
Timing Is Everything For Horse Racing
Once again, Cynthia Sewell at the DAILY PAPER has shown the “power of the press.” Idaho Horse Racing Commission director Frank Lamb resigned his position following Sewell’s disclosure of his dual role as a regulator in Idaho while simultaneously acting as a paid lobbyist advocating the slot machines in Wyoming. Lamb’s job fell under the […]
Horseless Racing Stumbles
What has been called, “historical racing, instant racing, and video parimutuel” is being questioned by lawmakers and investigators who claim it is nothing more than slot machines. Police in Post Falls and the Ada County Sheriff are investigating whether or not the machines are legal. The GUARDIAN has looked at the machines which sport cherries, […]
Listening For 10 Years, Chief Leaves Peaceful Legacy
Serving the citizens of Boise and changing the culture of the Boise Police has been a goal of retiring Chief Mike Masterson. When he took command of the local coppers, shootings by coppers and other critical incidents were out of control. Masterson’s management style has included big doses of LISTENING. He has been a frequent […]
Top GUARDIAN Stats for 2014
We have slowed down the pace over the years when it comes to posting new stories. Total posts for 2014 was 129. Top commenters were Zippo (162), Easterner (132), Rick (120). Top story for comments goes to Boise Police Chief Mike Masterson who garnered 45 comments on the campus gun bill post, “Masterson, Other Coppers […]
Bones Named Chief of BPD
Mayor Dave Bieter surprised no one with the selection Monday of Bill Bones to succeed Mike Masterson as chief of the Boise Police Department. The appointment must be approved by the City Council, but it is a sure deal. Masterson, whose last day is January 29 pretty much groomed Bones to fill the post, appointing […]
Final Round Of Top Cop Q&A
The final round of questions and answers from retiring Boise PD Chief Mike Masterson is presented here. He will leave in January, becoming the second longest serving chief in the department history. GUARDIAN readers have provided significant input for the department over the years and the chief has been an active commenter. Question relating to […]
Idaho Beer Brewers Balk at Belgian-Brazilian Boys
A bar fight is brewing between the local craft beer producers and the big multi-national Anheuser-Busch Budweiser boys who recently acquired 10 Barrel Brewing at 9th and Bannock in Boise. Idaho Beer and Wine Distributors Association, which represents 18 distributors that employ 900 people says Idaho law grants special rights to small breweries – which […]
Use of Force And Ombudsman Complaints
BREAKING NEWS: A real estate blog has just named Boise the #8 safest city in America. Looks like coppers are #8 and Bronco footballers are #22! Due to the length of responses about Boise coppers as Chief Mike Masterson takes questions from readers in his last month of service, we will group the responses by […]
Chief Responds To Copper Cameras Question
Due to the length of responses about Boise coppers as Chief Mike Masterson takes questions from readers in his last month of service, we will group the responses by topic. The Questions have been gathered in a previous post in the comment section. Body worn cameras are inevitable. BPD is taking a slow deliberate analysis […]
Questions & Answers For Top Copper
This is the first for what we anticipate will be a series of responses. As Chief Mike Masterson prepares to sing his swan song after more than 10 years as Boise’s top copper, he has agreed to have a “good-bye session,” with GUARDIAN readers. He tells us there have been many good policies and insights […]
Proper Report By Second Grader Results In Massive Panic
When a second grade student at a Middleton elementary school noticed “a gun” in the backpack of a fellow 7 or 8-year-old second grader, he did the right thing and told his teacher. The teacher did the right thing and notified school officials. From that point it got weird according to a report in the […]
4 Alarm Fire Guts Broadway Strip Mall
One of the biggest structure fires in recent memory gutted a strip mall Thanksgiving eve on Broadway between Pennsylvania and Iowa streets. It was first reported about 10 p.m. It appeared the fire started either in or close to a nail salon. The entire mall will likely be closed for months, but at least half […]
Ombudsman Low Priority For Boise Leaders
Despite repeated promises to hire an ombudsman to review “critical incidents” and other complaints within the Boise Police Department, Boise’s mayor and city council has been more concerned with squeezing 10 foot three inch buses into 10 foot traffic lanes. More than a year ago Councilor Maryanne Jordan told the GUARDIAN, “The position is important […]
Boise Top Copper Words For Newbies
Boise Police Chief Mike Masterson offered a topical commencement address to the newest class of coppers to graduate from the police academy. There were only seven recruits in the class — the last one before Masterson retires,– but he emphasized the duty for coppers to protect human rights, citing a visit to the Anne Frank […]
BSU Coaches SWAT Exercise Video Disappears
After the Idaho Statesman’s Chadd Cripe and the GUARDIAN posted links Tuesday to a YOU TUBE video showing BSU coaches brandishing assault weapons at a Boise police SWAT training facility, the video has suddenly been removed from the YOU TUBE site “by the user.” We talked to United Dairymen of Idaho spokesperson Cindy Miller Wednesday […]
Chief Explains SWAT Class For BSU Coaches
Boise Police Chief Mike Masterson provided a statement about the previous post at the request of the GUARDIAN. The department offered a SWAT training exercise for Boise State football coaches. Some readers were critical of the move which is featured on YOUTUBE. BPD was proud to host the BSU coaches for a team building exercise. […]
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