Chicago, IL —When I learned the Better Government Association took up an investigation of the infamous and wildly popular (among cops) Detective Shaved Longcock blog, I knew it was going to get interesting so I wrote about it. Without quoting or even paraphrasing a single passage or story DSLC was branded by the Sun Times and BGA as racist.    But is it racist to call attention to the reality that murder, rape and armed robbery is almost the exclusive province and behavior of Chicago’s African-Americans? Is that disturbing and sad truth somehow racist? DSLC was biting and edgy as he used off color satire and humor to express his opinions.    It was in fact only the shock factor of DSLC that gained readership, attention and finally now some debate. A polite and politically correct society avoids the discomfort of discussing touchy problems that could possibly offend anyone.    Until we can discuss and debate the African-American culture of ign...

Los Angeles, CA —With the death of that young Internet giant Andrew Breitbart people are discovering what gave this genius the power and those financial rewards. At a young age Breitbart began with two startup blogs, The Drudge Report and The Huffington Post taking them to incredible heights and readership. Those sites are user friendly, technical marvels that have all but destroyed TV news and mainstream paper publications. They began with the printed word, then soon added photographs and now there are significant amounts of quality video. Those wonderful flat-panel TVs we own can now deliver Internet content that’s far more diverse and reliable than what CBS, NBC or ABC brought us. Unfortunately there are still not enough ordinary folks have the equipment and skills to deliver video content. That’s rapidly changing. All that’s needed is someone with minimal skill, $5,000.00 worth of equipment and a decent broadband Internet connection. Now that really enables and facilitat...

Chicago, IL —With the nasty rash of Black on White crime in the trendy Magnificent Mile area the media has fallen down miserably on their job of reporting news. If you’re going to responsibly inform readers, listeners and viewers you must give the, who what, where and why or you fail. The recent bold attacks by roving gangs of Africa-American thugs on White residents and tourists have been covered up by the long established mainstream media until local cop bloggers forced the issue with their own reports. The reasons for the cover up may well be designed to keep officials from sending more aggressive cops into strike force style units to combat this very real urban terrorism. The other issue is inflaming the community into demanding a strong police presence that would offend Chicago’s Liberals. The ignorant population can't take simple steps to avoid victimization unless they are informed. The city administration on the other hand wants these stories killed so that tourism and t...

Perhaps it’s time that I let my visitors know about the blogs I visit every day and why. Blogs are the new, news media and they are here to stay. Blogs are a terrific way to learn what’s going on in our world. Blogs are as different as they are similar. Some create their own content and others simply link you to their idea of the news you can use. I have targeted my readers from the ranks of the politically conservative. I cater to lawyers, news reporters, cops, gun rights advocates, gun collectors and those Libertarians. Crimes, courts, criminal justice and government is my playground. Most always, I create my own content or voice my opinion on burning newsworthy issues of the day. I try to use text, images and video with as much artistry as I can muster without adequate funding. I don’t limit my stories to any one subject matter like a one trick pony. I scour the earth looking for content that I think will interest my visitors. I’m limited by geography and budget. Thankfully I ...

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 ...

So many Americans criticize the mainstream media for not exposing corruption in government. That’s true in too many cases but in the last ten years it’s not due entirely to their sympatric relationship with the Leftist politicians. The real reason is enterprising news reporting takes money and resources. There is a depression in the news business these days that make reporting anything difficult. Newsrooms have had their manpower slashed by half over the last decade and things are only getting worse. This creates great opportunities for bloggers to do what the TV news and print organizations can no longer do. It costs little or nothing for you to cover a story in your back yard. News organizations must spend a bundle just for reporters commuting to their stories. Finding and publishing public records maintained in government records and databases is always safe as long as you credit the agency keeping the records as the source. You have no liability for erroneous or falsified publi...

Los Angeles, CA —Many of my visitors think they can do what I do only better. Many have asked me what is needed to do so. I will reveal the not so secret needed information. I thought I’d share with you the ultimate tools bloggers need to dazzle their visitors. The best tools will only help you if you are cleaver and aggressive enough to capture the content needed. Blogging could be a full time and well paying job if you can break news and promote your site. You need a Computer and here I’d suggest a higher end Apple product like a Macbook Pro . A super fast Internet connection to upload video is very important. The Iternet has great and free blog packages like Blogger or Wordpress . They provide easy instructions to get started. You need both a video and digital camera. I suggest starting with a Flip HD model for video and a quality digital camera for high resolution stills. The Flip camera can get you in and out of difficult places without attracting attention or obstructionist sec...

Hollywood, CA —I’m not the only licensed PI in L.A. I’m not the only PI that came from the ranks law enforcement to become and PI and operate an active Internet blog. In Cyberspace the stars collided as Hi-Caliber Investigations and Crimefile News finally met for the first time in person. Just like me Hi-Caliber Investigations CEO Bill Rhetts loves guns, cameras and gadgets. The scene of this event was at a book signing for long time Arizona journalist turned true crime writer, Camille Kimball . Kimball was selling her book that exposes two serial snipers that paralyzed Phoenix, Arizona in 2006. Before that reign of terror ended there were 37 victims including eight dead. You will see a review of Kimball’s Book called, A Sudden Shot as soon as I read it. As for Rhetts, his office is located inside the Inland Empire near one of the busiest criminal courts in the nation. Rhetts cut his teeth as a copper for the LAPD and now enjoys the life of a private eye that brings with it the ab...

Los Angeles, CA —With traditional media dying a very undignified death bloggers and various forms of citizen journalists are filling the need quite well. Some bloggers have become millionaires in the process. The rules of news delivery have changed in a big way. Vetting the information we deliver has not and cannot change. Credibility and accuracy are as important as ever. In our litigious society those who libel others on purpose or by accident may learn hard lessons. Here are some tips for my fellow blogging friends that are evolving with their content and the quality of what they post. Bloggers need to break more news and get away from the idea of republishing what’s already out there. To do this you have to get up close and personal to the newsmakers. Get yourself on the lists your local government public information officers use to send out their press releases. Go out of your way to attend press conferences and ask questions when you get there. Don’t be afraid to check out the p...

Click on picture to enlarge! Los Angeles, CA —I have gotten questions from my readers about how I go about getting material for this blog. They also want to know the tools needed to do the job. First let me say I write my own material. I don’t rewrite other’s property or lift other’s words. I make those calls to the newsmakers and the various public information officers. I grab available court records and post them when it helps illustrate the story. I do a lot of my own video and pictures. Court photography is different because rules require a pool photographer to share video and pictures with all of the other journalists. The equipment needed is better, lighter and cheaper than ever. If you only use text for a blog all that is needed is a computer with Internet access. If you want graphics and video you need cameras, Photoshop and video editing software. I use Corel Videostudio Pro X2 that sells for around $100.00. My newest video camera is amazing. It’s the $200.00 Flip Mino HD. It...

Los Angeles, CA— I’m not sure just how this contagious blogging phenomena has enslaved so many cops, private eyes and others but we are here. It’s a labor of love with few rewards. For everyone who likes what I write there must be ten who don’t. I never log on to please everyone. Opinions, sarcasm and mean spirited jabs are everywhere in the blogosphere. My goal is not to convince people as much as to invite thought and more importantly solutions for problems examined throughout the criminal justice system. I’m a tough gun rights advocate that hates the death penalty. I demand fair trials due process for people accused of crimes. At the same time I support those three strikes laws that keep criminals behind bars. As a blogger I must write about fun things in life too. I enjoy surprising my visitors with more than just the ugly things in our lives. Along with my blog there are many others and now bloggers are profiling other bloggers. One thing for sure there is an interesting...

Chicago, IL -There is a growing list of bloggers everywhere. They come and they go. Some are boring and others are informative and entertaining. There is this blog run by a knowledgeable fellow. I assume it’s a fellow, but who really knows? He’s funny, disrespectful, and vulgar however most often right on point. I suspect he fits the image of one of those oddball characters from Reno 911. I have problems with his language not because I’m a prude but because I don’t want to offend those of my readers with sensitivities or religious concerns. I will send my readers with a harsh language warning. His blog title is a little over the top so I will only use a portion of it. I don’t understand why he picked that blog name since this is not a porn site. You have been warned! Without further ado meet Shaved-------K .