by California Casualty | Peace Officers |
Woo hooo, it’s FRIDAY!
That means the start of another weekend is just a mere half-work-day away.
Today, we are veryyy excited to profile another TOP Law Enforcement Blog! It is a little different than our other LE blogs, and that’s precisely why we like it.
Today’s TOP LE BLOG is…
Things Worth Believing In.
Things Worth Believing In is a blog run and authored by tgace, a Police Lieutenant in Narcotics/SWAT.
Tgace’s main content and postings are slightly different than our other LEO bloggers. He focuses less on the day-to-day and more on the big picture. He discusses news events in the LE world (and supports his views with examples and videos).
But tgace also spends a lot of time talking about Warriorship. Now, my knowledge of warriorship is limited to what I’ve read on the blog.
But tgace describes ‘warriors’ like this: ‘I have come to be of the opinion that a true “Warrior” is someone who goes out into the world and engages in some sort of activity that serves someone other than himself. ”
Sure sounds like an LEO to me.
Things Worth Believing In is not your average LEO blog. And that’s why we love it. So check it out, read a little bit about warriorship, and keep up with some LE current events.
Want to know more about tgace and his blog’s origins? Here’s our Q&A:
How would you describe Things Worth Believing In? My blog is sort of a digital “blank book” that I use to record thoughts and ideas that relate to some of my specific interests: law enforcement, martial arts, firearms skills and martial/warrior philosophy.
What is the focus or mission of Things Worth Believing In? The main focus of my blog is to discuss the many topics, skills, and ideas that make up the way of living people have defined as “warriorship.” A mindset that I believe, if processed correctly and placed in the proper social context, can produce police officers with a developed sense of service, honor and personal integrity; but if misconceived, can result in arrogance and a mindset of conflict with the people they are supposed to serve.
When did you start it? Late 2008. This is my first serious blog attempt.
Why? I started my blog as an effort to define my idea of what “warriorship” is and how it relates (if at all) to the mindset/mentality of the modern American Police Officer.
What are your favorite or least favorite topics to write about? My interests have fluctuated over the years. I currently enjoy writing about firearms and martial philosophy but tend to avoid overly political topics that tend to breed resentment and job related problems.
How would you describe your blog ‘community’? To be honest, there are not many LEOs blogging on the topic I am interested in. Many tend to focus on personal “war stories” and street encounters, or discuss departmental politics and focused LE related topics such as active shooter response or combating the threat of terrorism.
What has been your best experience as a blogger? I have met and exchanged ideas with other American police officers and I have been sent a few products by companies for product evaluations, which was unexpected but enjoyable.
What have you learned? Not to take myself too seriously. Putting your ideas/thoughts out for public examination better come with a thick skin.
Any stories you’d like to share? I recently had a humorous exchange with a commenter on a “knife law” post. He struck me as an “anti” type and obviously didn’t read beyond the single post. His reaction when he realized I was an LEO was kind of funny.
If you win Battle of the Blogs, to which charity will you donate your $200 winnings and why? I would donate any money to “The Wounded Warrior Project.” As a military veteran, I don’t believe there is any higher obligation we have as Americans than to take care of the men and women who risk all they have for us.
Where else can we keep up with you on the web? Facebook.
Want to read some of tgace’s posts? Click here! Ready to vote for your favorite law enforcement blog? Click here!
by California Casualty | Peace Officers |
Today, we are excited to profile our second female law enforcement officer blogger! This time, we are talking about a very honest and humorous blog by a patrol officer.
Today’s TOP Law Enforcement Blog is…
The Boogie Man is My Friend.
This law enforcement blog is authored by a woman named Momma Fargo. (And Momma says this ‘super squirrel’ picture fits her to a ‘T’!)
Momma Fargo is a female police officer and hilarious blogger.
Looking for a blog that talks about the real deal? Momma dishes it out.
She works on patrol and The Boogie Man is My Friend contains many stories from her day-to-day life (with names changed, of course).
She’s sassy, unapologetic, and most importantly: honest.
We wanted to know more about the badge-baring woman behind the blog. Our Q&A with Momma herself:
How would you describe your blog? The Boogie Man Is My Friend is an eclectic mix of day to day happenings in my life on and off duty. It’s crazy, honest, and out front with what happens in reality.
What is your focus or mission? I first started to blog as a journal for my daughter to remember what her mom went through and for her to read it someday when she was older or I had passed away. Pretty soon, I had followers and followed other bloggers. The original mission is still there, but now I think it is important for people to know what goes on in the life of police officers. Of course, I still hold back public information and still contain most horrific things in what I call my Pandora’s box.
Why did you start it? I’m over 40 (cough) on patrol duty and used to be a detective for many years. In 2007, I left the department and resigned, anxious to start my own business. I came back in 2008, then doing both my business and police work. The Chief offered me my old position back, but I told him I had to start at the bottom and earn my way back up. Although, I’ve been offered my old detective slot back several times, I’ve stayed on patrol because I love the hours, dynamics, and leaving my work at the job. So, in 2009, I discovered blogging by accident while surfing on the internet. I thought it would be a way to express myself and keep a record for my daughter.
What’s your favorite thing to write about? My favorites are the funny encounters with kids and the crazy people out on the street. Every day I run into something I haven’t seen or experienced in law enforcement.
I have changed the names of the guilty and innocent to protect privacy and given them my own names which are derived my contact with them and stem from their personalities.
Any least favorites? The least favorite and most difficult things to write about are the times where I felt I failed to help someone.
What can you tell us about your blog community? My blog community is an amazing support system comprised of so many different walks of life. I truly appreciate them all. They keep me in check; they make me smile; they keep me up when I am about to flounder; and they make me laugh. They all are truly an inspiration to what wonderful people we have in the world and a big asset to humanity.
What has been your best experience as a blogger? My interaction from my blog readers
Have you learned anything through blogging? You can’t fool anyone. The truth is so important to us all. Phony is not in my vocabulary. I have seen phony things on the internet and blogging. However, I am real. I have learned that being real is so important to keep alive. I have also learned how amazed people are at my police stories when it is just “ hum drum” daily law enforcement for me. We really do shield a lot from the public.
Any stories you’d like to share? One of my stories that tickles my funny bone still today is The TIME MACHINE.
And Momma, If you win, to which charity will you donate your $200 winnings and why? I would like it to go to the American Cancer Society in memory of my father. My mother is a cancer survivor, however, my father passed away when I was very young from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Cancer sucks. There is just no other way to put it.
(Well said. Cancer does indeed suck.)
Want to read some of Momma Fargo’s experience on Patrol? Catch up with The Boogie Man is My Friend by clicking here! To vote for your favorite LE Blog, click here!
by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info, News |
We’ve been keeping a close eye on the wildfires raging in Colorado.
This is for a couple reasons. First and foremost, we like to know what’s happening in the ‘fire world.’ We have a big network of Firefighters and we work to stay in tune with what’s going on in their professional worlds. It’s part of the whole ‘understanding your profession’ promise. The better we know you and what you are up against, the better we can support you.
So, we’ve been watching. Updating our ‘Thank You Firefighters’ twitter account with updates on the multiple fires raging across the country and the brave men and women out there fighting them- even as their own homes burn down.
It’s personal for us. We work with these firefighters.
This week, it got even more personal.
One of our service centers is in Colorado Springs.
As those of you in the area, or following the fires, know: The Waldo Canyon Fire is getting close to the Colorado Springs area. As it moves towards homes, fanned by heat and dry conditions, some Colorado Springs residents are being evacuated from their homes.
Our employees included.
This is the view from our service center:
Here in Kansas City, we know a thing or two about seasonal extreme weather.
Tornadoes? Raised with ’em. Ice storms? Sheltered ’em. Snow storm? Expect ’em.
But fires?! Wayyy out of our comfort zone.
So as we’ve followed the fires, some of the issues surrounding them are completely foreign to us.
For example: Media coverage of active wildfires.
If you can’t tell by now, I like to read Fire blogs. I’m a total social media nerd.
And a LOT of the Fire bloggers are not happy with the media stations in the areas surrounding these fires.
Why?
Because of pictures like this.
Some media stations are running footage–especially footage captured from the air–of actively burning homes.
The major risk? That families will find out that their home-their memories-have burned to the ground by watching the news.
Now, this is a complicated issue.
As a journalist by training, I know that whatever you shoot from the air is (legally speaking) usually fair game.
But what about ethically? Do people deserve to be alerted about the fate of their homes BEFORE they see the emotional footage on air? Can you imagine turning on the news after dinner, only to see your house engulfed in flames?
I can’t imagine.
So, we’re asking you. Where do you fall on this side of the debate? To air or not to air?
And of course, our thoughts go out to ALL of those affected–nationwide–by this devastating wildfire season. Please keep the safety of our firefighters in your thoughts, along with all of those displaced by these fires.
Update:
Here is a new series of pictures, showing the effect the wind changing has…
by California Casualty | Educators |
Part of the beauty of the blog world is the opportunity to bring people together, to help facilitate the sharing of ideas and resources.
This is especially true among our Education bloggers. While our Police, Fire and EMT, and Nurse bloggers also share resources and mostly support, educators love to share actual lesson plans, teaching ideas, and other day-to-day resources.
And the blog world is the perfect place to bring teachers who all teach a specific grade level or specific class together to really target the sharing.
This is especially true of today’s blog: An education blog about Special Education.
Today’s TOP EDUCATION BLOG is…
A Special Kind of Class.
Amanda from A Special Kind of Class is a Special Ed Teacher and rockstar blogger.
Not only does Amanda have awesome experience-driven tips for special ed teachers, but she also has great general teaching ideas and resources for all educators (like adorable Father’s Day presents).
And she catalogs it all with great pictures.
Like most of our Battle of the Bloggers, Amanda’s blog is a testament to her multi-tasking skills. She participates in Book Clubs with other bloggers and maintains a great TeachersPayTeachers site where you can buy some of her original teaching resources.
Want to know more about A Special Kind of Class? Here’s our Q&A with Amanda:
How would you describe your blog? It’s a blog about the life of a special education teacher.
What is the focus of A Special Kind of Class? I hope to give tips to teachers for working with special needs students. All the products I made can be adapted and I show how I do it.
Why did you first start it? There were not a lot of special education blogs out at the time. I didn’t have anywhere to go to for teaching ideas for my population so I thought I would write it myself.
How long have you been blogging? Just over a year.
What’s your favorite thing to write about? Adaptations I make.
How would you describe your blog ‘community’? I am surrounded by a group of other teacher bloggers that are wonderful in supporting others that are just starting out. They welcome everyone, share tips etc.
What has been your best experience as a blogger? Finding other teachers with classes like mine that want to share and learn for each other.
What have you learned? That I’m not alone teaching the children that I’m teaching.
If you win Battle of the Blogs, to which charity will you donate your $200 winnings and why? The Starlight Foundation because they grant wishes to families and children with disabilities.
Is there anywhere else on the web we can keep up with you? Yes, Facebook.
Want to check out some of the tips on A Special Kind of Class? Click here! To vote for your favorite education blog, click here!
by California Casualty | Peace Officers |
It’s Monday. And Mondays usually elicit the usual the-weekend-is-over-time-for-a-full-workweek sigh.
So today we are excited to not just profile a TOP LEO Blog, but also give you something to look forward to on Mondays!
Today’s Top Blog is…
The 5-2: Crime Poetry Weekly Blog!
First things first. What is The 5-2? The 5-2 is a blog (duh) that updates every week and brings you poetry written by members of law enforcement. That’s right: Crime poetry. We thought this was such an amazing way to give LEOs an outlet, a way to express the often inexpressible happenings of their day-to-day duties.
So, what does this have to do with Mondays? Good question. The weekly part of The 5-2 comes on Monday. That’s when Gerald So, writer and blog maintainer, updates the site. So if you have the Monday blues, here’s something for you to look forward to!
As usual, we caught up with Mr. So to hear more about this very unique LEO blog. Here’s what he has to say about The 5-2…
What is the primary focus of The 5-2? To publish an all-new crime-themed poem each Monday year-round.
Why did you start it? The 5-2 evolved from a print chapbook series I published called The Lineup: Poems on Crime. The Lineup unfortunately didn’t get much distribution before it became too costly to continue printing. By contrast, I can maintain The 5-2‘s quality presentation without printing costs.
How long have you been blogging crime poetry? The blog has tracked The Lineup’s progress since February 2008. It has featured The 5-2‘s all-new poetry since September 12, 2011.
If this isn’t your first blog, how long have you been blogging? I started my first blog in 2004.
What’s your favorite thing to write about? Memories.
Do you have a least favorite? Reality television.
Tell us a little bit about your blog ‘community’ … My blog community is mostly mystery/crime writers and readers. I’m surprised and glad to have met them through my blogs and email discussion lists.
If you win Battle of the Blogs, to which charity will you donate your $200 winnings? The American Red Cross.
Is there anywhere, other than the blog, that we can keep up with you on the web? On my Twitter account.
Want to check out some of The 5-2‘s Poetry? Click here! To vote for your favorite LEO blog, click here!
