Latest items from my blog on legal topics, Parallel Eagles
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Worcester, the trend-setter
It looks like southern New England night get its first major snowstorm this weekend.
In addition, a recent Massachusetts SJC ruling allows property owners to be sued for failing to clear snow and ice that didn't fall directly from the sky.
So, get your gear ready, folks. Winter's coming.
Sunday through Monday...the potential exists for a significantIn other parts of the country, municipalities are discovering what Worcester has known for quite a while - let the citizens clean their own sidewalks and fine 'em if they don't. The Wall Street Journal, New Shovel-Ready Project, reports that not only are cities around the country forcing property owners to clear the sidewalks.
winter storm though significant discrepancies continue between
the operational models and ensemble members. The 12z model runs
have generally trended westward again with surface low pressure
track except for the European model (ecmwf). Two camps exist...the 12z GFS remains
deepest within the western envelope of the gefs and GFS ensemble
means...with good clustering noted between Nantucket Island and the
40n 70w benchmark position Sunday night...as phasing occurs sooner.
In addition, a recent Massachusetts SJC ruling allows property owners to be sued for failing to clear snow and ice that didn't fall directly from the sky.
So, get your gear ready, folks. Winter's coming.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Crime in suburbia
From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 20 suspicious items this week.]
8:46 a.m. Pedestrian walk button sticking, Main St.
12:31 p.m. Hunters near rail trail
1:22 p.m. Vehicle parked illegally in business lot, Main St.
3:41 p.m. Call regarding dispute between mother and son
5:48 p.m. Dog missing for about an hour
8:07 a.m. Two cars parked on lawn, Sycamore Dr.; owner thinks they're hunters
1:14 p.m. Vehicle parked in business lot for several weeks
2:30 p.m. Individuals asked to leave Main St. lot
3:27 p.m. Possible rabid skunk
3:29 p.m. Driver fell asleep and vehicle left roadway
5:24 p.m. Individual under house arrest is at high school
5:48 p.m. Loose black dog in Union St. area
5:56 p.m. Dog secured to utility pole
12:02 p.m. Elevator stuck at high school; not stuck, student hit button by mistake
1:34 p.m. West Boylston PD reports individual left rail trail with blood on face and legs from possible gun shots
1:50 p.m. Shooter still at large; helicopter to search area; no contact
2:34 p.m. Garage owner had abusive client in to get sticker; yelling when he couldn't produce correct documentation
2:51 p.m. Preserving the peace, Sycamore Dr.
3:14 p.m. Caller's son not home from school; advised buses are late
9:20 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in parking lot
5:48 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Raymond St.
6:40 a.m. Caller reports propane tank left near driveway, Pleasant St.
7:44 a.m. Vehicles cutting trees blocking lane of traffic, Chapel St.
10:28 a.m. Burglar alarm at home; OK, just interior decorator
3:23 p.m. Elevator not working at building, Reservoir St.
3:59 p.m. Four hunters walking up Heather Cir. with guns; caller advised it is hunting season
6:30 p.m. Suspicious fundraising calls
7:00 a.m. Weapons violation
9:20 a.m. Quail Run resident reports someone cutting sections of Christmas lights
9:53 a.m. Bike found in woods, Lovell Rd.
10:00 a.m. Tractor trailer needs to be removed, General Hobbs Rd.
1:52 p.m. Porcupine in yard; advised to call Critter Control
2:27 p.m. Christmas cookies dropped off
6:13 p.m. W. Reading, Pa. PD calling about gun registered to Jefferson resident; used in armed robbery in that town
7:26 p.m. 911 abandoned call, Reservoir St.; problems with phone
7:37 p.m. Possible house party, Holden St.
7:59 p.m. Vehicle left at gas station overnight; operator ill
1:09 p.m. Dog missing, Twinbrooke Dr.
2:11 p.m. Environmental Police will question suspect in illegal deer killing
3:21 p.m. Caller asking if it is legal for hunters to walk down street with gun
11:59 a.m. 911 abandoned call; mother says son got into trouble
6:48 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Bullard St.; OK, janitor cleaning up after basketball
7:35 p.m. Vehicles driving in sand pit, Quinapoxet St.; advised owner sometimes moves vehicles; neighbor unhappy with answer; will take up issue with town
10:55 p.m. Couple arguing behind building, Fruit St.; will quiet down
10:59 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Fort Sumter Dr.
12:42 p.m. Pickup truck in Pond St. area; believed to be hunters
4:26 p.m. Suspicious red vehicle parked on culde sac, Mower Cir.
11:45 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer about neighbor who dumped ashes on his property that started a small fire, Pleasant St.
4:47 p.m. Suspicious person wearing dark clothing walking in woods, Old Lantern Cir./Camp St.
8:40 p.m. Child's bike on side of road, Pleasant St.
3:44 p.m. Report of hunters on public trail at Boynton Park, Camp St.
5:59 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked at Lancelot Dr.
5:10 p.m. Police stand by disabled vehicle until it is removed, Gregory Hill Rd.
12:49 p.m. Person found paint cans and roofing material in his Dumpster, Hubbardston Rd.
1:41 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in driveway at 4 a.m. Doors slammed and vehicle left, Beaman Rd.
6:27 p.m. Tree blocking road. Officer removed enough to allow one lane of traffic to pass, Goodnow/Hubbardston Rds.
6:53 p.m. Police assist high dept. to remove tree blocking half of Goodnow/Hubbardston Rds.
7:06 p.m. Vehicle parked at bad spot on side of Rte. 140 N. Police assist driver moving vehicle off the road
9:45 p.m. Motor vehicle violation, E. Princeton Rd. Criminal complaint issued for unlicensed operation of vehicle, speeding
10:05 p.m. Police transport person to residence to pick up another person with valid license to operate vehicle from previous call, E. Princeton
Rd.
6:45 p.m. Hose from data collector came loose and got caught in vehicle tire, Rte. 140 N
7:46 p.m. Safety hazard. Police assist Mass Highway removing data collection hoses, Rte. 140 N
10:48 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in driveway, Irish Ln.
11:35 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer about male that asked if a female and her friend wanted a ride, Main St.
4:33 p.m. Mother and juvenile in station to speak with officer about computer safety, Main St.
6:28 p.m. Loose beagle mix, Emerald Rd.
6:54 p.m. Dog officer unable to get information regarding report of dog bite, Main St.
10:07 p.m. Deer struck by vehicle, Barre Paxton Rd.
1:26 p.m. Golden retriever picked up, E. County Rd.
1:43 p.m. Person at station to be fingerprinted for employment, Main St.
3:46 p.m. Dump truck lost 10-15 gallons of antifreeze, Main St. DPW wall take care of it
4:56 p.m. Parents and son at station to speak with chief about neighborhood issue, Main St.
8:36 p.m. Parent and juvenile at station to speak with officer about computer safety, Main St.
7:34 a.m. Gold colored dog running down Pleasantdale Rd.
7:43 a.m. Open gate and vehicle with Maine plates parked in driveway, Pleasantdale Rd.
11:03 a.m. Loose yellow Labrador, Maple Ave.
5:52 p.m. Driver hit dog, Pleasantdale Rd.
12:52 p.m. Loose dog in yard, Campbell St.
4:40 p.m. Person stuck in elevator at library, Main St.
12:45 p.m. Theft of copper bar from microwave tower, Chocksett Rd.
2:26 p.m. Police off with vehicle parked partially in Griffin/Muddy Pond Rds.
4:24 p.m. Lost black Labrador, Rowley Hill Rd. Dog later returned home
4:38 p.m. Officer wanted, Samuels Ln. Possible scam regarding someone out of the country who needs money
3:59 p.m. Caller reports hitting small dog, School St. Owners took dog into house
4:16 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, possibly hunter, Merrill Rd.
10:19 a.m. Request for police assistance while doing small patch jobs on Rte. 140
5:31 p.m. Brown cat with stripes meowing loudly in woods, Rowley Hill Rd.
10:56 a.m. Police off with vehicle in middle of road, no one with vehicle.
5:24 p.m. Elderly caller reporting unwanted guest entered house, Justice Hill Cutoff Rd.
7:23 p.m. Loud gunshots, Greenland/Riverview Rds.
10:20 p.m. Suspicious male walking in middle of road, runs into woods when cars approach. Had argument with girlfriend; parents on way to pick him up, Redstone Hill Rd.
12:56 p.m. Loose Boxer, Chace Hill Rd. Police bring dog to station where owner will pick up
4:07 p.m. Person at station to talk about dog that was purchased; person now being threatened, Leominster Rd.
11:29 p.m. Suspicious vehicle with lights on parked in cemetery, Redstone Hill Rd.
[Editor's note: There were 20 suspicious items this week.]
Holden
Monday, November 29
3:24 a.m. Vehicle parked on grass near "No Trespassing" sign, Shrewsbury St.8:46 a.m. Pedestrian walk button sticking, Main St.
12:31 p.m. Hunters near rail trail
1:22 p.m. Vehicle parked illegally in business lot, Main St.
3:41 p.m. Call regarding dispute between mother and son
5:48 p.m. Dog missing for about an hour
Tuesday, November 30
12:52 a.m. Suspicious person, Main St.; looking for his cat8:07 a.m. Two cars parked on lawn, Sycamore Dr.; owner thinks they're hunters
1:14 p.m. Vehicle parked in business lot for several weeks
2:30 p.m. Individuals asked to leave Main St. lot
3:27 p.m. Possible rabid skunk
3:29 p.m. Driver fell asleep and vehicle left roadway
5:24 p.m. Individual under house arrest is at high school
5:48 p.m. Loose black dog in Union St. area
5:56 p.m. Dog secured to utility pole
Wednesday, December 1
10:40 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle parked on side of Mark Cir.12:02 p.m. Elevator stuck at high school; not stuck, student hit button by mistake
1:34 p.m. West Boylston PD reports individual left rail trail with blood on face and legs from possible gun shots
1:50 p.m. Shooter still at large; helicopter to search area; no contact
2:34 p.m. Garage owner had abusive client in to get sticker; yelling when he couldn't produce correct documentation
2:51 p.m. Preserving the peace, Sycamore Dr.
3:14 p.m. Caller's son not home from school; advised buses are late
9:20 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in parking lot
Thursday, December 2
12:18 a.m. Neighbors want heavy machinery at gravel pit shut down5:48 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Raymond St.
6:40 a.m. Caller reports propane tank left near driveway, Pleasant St.
7:44 a.m. Vehicles cutting trees blocking lane of traffic, Chapel St.
10:28 a.m. Burglar alarm at home; OK, just interior decorator
3:23 p.m. Elevator not working at building, Reservoir St.
3:59 p.m. Four hunters walking up Heather Cir. with guns; caller advised it is hunting season
6:30 p.m. Suspicious fundraising calls
Friday, December 3
1:29 a.m. Injured deer, Princeton St.; appears to be attacked by coyote and is deceased7:00 a.m. Weapons violation
9:20 a.m. Quail Run resident reports someone cutting sections of Christmas lights
9:53 a.m. Bike found in woods, Lovell Rd.
10:00 a.m. Tractor trailer needs to be removed, General Hobbs Rd.
1:52 p.m. Porcupine in yard; advised to call Critter Control
2:27 p.m. Christmas cookies dropped off
6:13 p.m. W. Reading, Pa. PD calling about gun registered to Jefferson resident; used in armed robbery in that town
7:26 p.m. 911 abandoned call, Reservoir St.; problems with phone
7:37 p.m. Possible house party, Holden St.
7:59 p.m. Vehicle left at gas station overnight; operator ill
Saturday, December 4
12:18 p.m. Elderly couple can't find car in lot, Reservoir St.; car found1:09 p.m. Dog missing, Twinbrooke Dr.
2:11 p.m. Environmental Police will question suspect in illegal deer killing
3:21 p.m. Caller asking if it is legal for hunters to walk down street with gun
Sunday, December 5
8:35 a.m. Environmental Police speaking with Princeton St. resident about illegal hunting11:59 a.m. 911 abandoned call; mother says son got into trouble
6:48 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Bullard St.; OK, janitor cleaning up after basketball
7:35 p.m. Vehicles driving in sand pit, Quinapoxet St.; advised owner sometimes moves vehicles; neighbor unhappy with answer; will take up issue with town
10:55 p.m. Couple arguing behind building, Fruit St.; will quiet down
10:59 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Fort Sumter Dr.
Paxton
Tuesday, November 30
7:42 a.m. Car parked in wrong direction, believed to be hazard, Marshall/Laurel Sts.12:42 p.m. Pickup truck in Pond St. area; believed to be hunters
Wednesday, December 1
3:47 a.m. Person at station advising a repossession of vehicle will occur, Ledyard Rd.4:26 p.m. Suspicious red vehicle parked on culde sac, Mower Cir.
Thursday, December 2
12:33 p.m. Possible rabid fox in area, Holden Rd./ Whitney Dr.Friday, December 3
9:41 a.m. Request to speak with animal control officer about putting out a trap for a lost cat, Richards Ave.11:45 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer about neighbor who dumped ashes on his property that started a small fire, Pleasant St.
4:47 p.m. Suspicious person wearing dark clothing walking in woods, Old Lantern Cir./Camp St.
8:40 p.m. Child's bike on side of road, Pleasant St.
Saturday, December 4
7:40 a.m. During the night, chairs were dumped in the woods, Pleasant St./Arlene Dr.3:44 p.m. Report of hunters on public trail at Boynton Park, Camp St.
5:59 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked at Lancelot Dr.
Sunday, December 5
2:09 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Pleasant St.Princeton
Monday, November 29
4:40 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in parking lot all day, Goodnow Rd. Person hiking on mountain5:10 p.m. Police stand by disabled vehicle until it is removed, Gregory Hill Rd.
Tuesday, November 30
12:02 p.m. Older golden retriever unable to get out of pond, Allen Hill Rd. Dog got out of water and limped away12:49 p.m. Person found paint cans and roofing material in his Dumpster, Hubbardston Rd.
1:41 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in driveway at 4 a.m. Doors slammed and vehicle left, Beaman Rd.
Wednesday, December 1
6:27 p.m. Tree blocking road. Officer removed enough to allow one lane of traffic to pass, Goodnow/Hubbardston Rds.
6:53 p.m. Police assist high dept. to remove tree blocking half of Goodnow/Hubbardston Rds.
7:06 p.m. Vehicle parked at bad spot on side of Rte. 140 N. Police assist driver moving vehicle off the road
9:45 p.m. Motor vehicle violation, E. Princeton Rd. Criminal complaint issued for unlicensed operation of vehicle, speeding
10:05 p.m. Police transport person to residence to pick up another person with valid license to operate vehicle from previous call, E. Princeton
Rd.
Thursday, December 2
1:10 a.m. Hose from Mass Highway data collection box on road came loose, Rte. 140 Police secure hose6:45 p.m. Hose from data collector came loose and got caught in vehicle tire, Rte. 140 N
7:46 p.m. Safety hazard. Police assist Mass Highway removing data collection hoses, Rte. 140 N
Saturday, December 4
10:26 a.m. Person reporting robbery in progress. Found to be hunters on property, Worcester Rd.Sunday, December 5
4:21 p.m. Small beagle running in roadway, Rte. 140 NRutland
Monday, November 29
8:17 a.m. Disabled vehicle. Police transport individuals to business to wait for ride, Barre Paxton Rd.10:48 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in driveway, Irish Ln.
11:35 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer about male that asked if a female and her friend wanted a ride, Main St.
Tuesday, November 30
3:55 p.m. Officer on investigation, Main St. Appears to be lock boxes on side of road4:33 p.m. Mother and juvenile in station to speak with officer about computer safety, Main St.
6:28 p.m. Loose beagle mix, Emerald Rd.
6:54 p.m. Dog officer unable to get information regarding report of dog bite, Main St.
10:07 p.m. Deer struck by vehicle, Barre Paxton Rd.
Wednesday, December 1
6:36 p.m. Report of someone at vacant house with flashlight, Miles Rd. Waiting for realtorThursday, December 2
11:00 a.m. Person at station to ask for record of calls on Cameron Dr. No records found1:26 p.m. Golden retriever picked up, E. County Rd.
1:43 p.m. Person at station to be fingerprinted for employment, Main St.
3:46 p.m. Dump truck lost 10-15 gallons of antifreeze, Main St. DPW wall take care of it
4:56 p.m. Parents and son at station to speak with chief about neighborhood issue, Main St.
8:36 p.m. Parent and juvenile at station to speak with officer about computer safety, Main St.
Friday, December 3
12:40 a.m. Suspicious people on Wachusett St., asked to move along7:34 a.m. Gold colored dog running down Pleasantdale Rd.
7:43 a.m. Open gate and vehicle with Maine plates parked in driveway, Pleasantdale Rd.
11:03 a.m. Loose yellow Labrador, Maple Ave.
5:52 p.m. Driver hit dog, Pleasantdale Rd.
Saturday, December 4
10:55 a.m. Report of gunshots, possibly on school property, Miles Rd.12:52 p.m. Loose dog in yard, Campbell St.
4:40 p.m. Person stuck in elevator at library, Main St.
Sterling
Monday, November 29
3:58 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Bean Rd.12:45 p.m. Theft of copper bar from microwave tower, Chocksett Rd.
2:26 p.m. Police off with vehicle parked partially in Griffin/Muddy Pond Rds.
4:24 p.m. Lost black Labrador, Rowley Hill Rd. Dog later returned home
4:38 p.m. Officer wanted, Samuels Ln. Possible scam regarding someone out of the country who needs money
Tuesday, November 30
11:31 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Worcester Rd.3:59 p.m. Caller reports hitting small dog, School St. Owners took dog into house
4:16 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, possibly hunter, Merrill Rd.
10:19 a.m. Request for police assistance while doing small patch jobs on Rte. 140
5:31 p.m. Brown cat with stripes meowing loudly in woods, Rowley Hill Rd.
Wednesday, December 1
1:39 p.m. Caller concerned about animal that has no food, Leominster Rd.Thursday, December 2
8:06 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer regarding threats via Face Book. Referred to court for restraining order, probate issues10:56 a.m. Police off with vehicle in middle of road, no one with vehicle.
Friday, December 3
3:22 p.m. Caller received letter, possible prank or mistaken identity, Legate Hill Rd.5:24 p.m. Elderly caller reporting unwanted guest entered house, Justice Hill Cutoff Rd.
7:23 p.m. Loud gunshots, Greenland/Riverview Rds.
10:20 p.m. Suspicious male walking in middle of road, runs into woods when cars approach. Had argument with girlfriend; parents on way to pick him up, Redstone Hill Rd.
Saturday, December 4
5:07 a.m. Dog barking for long time, Fox Run Rd./Birch Dr. May be hurt12:56 p.m. Loose Boxer, Chace Hill Rd. Police bring dog to station where owner will pick up
4:07 p.m. Person at station to talk about dog that was purchased; person now being threatened, Leominster Rd.
11:29 p.m. Suspicious vehicle with lights on parked in cemetery, Redstone Hill Rd.
Sunday, December 5
4:25 p.m. Loose cow grazing on lawn, Pratts Jct. Rd.Sunday, December 12, 2010
Cr48 in Worcester
Google is releasing limited numbers of its Cr-48 Chrome Notebook. To get one, you have to apply to the pilot program and prove yourself worthy. I applied yesterday and am still hopeful.
In the meantime, at least seven folks from Worcester have or will soon have received their new toys.
In the meantime, at least seven folks from Worcester have or will soon have received their new toys.
That third place
The stuff that shows up on the Intertubes over the weekend seems to address more social issues than technical ones. Political topics sometimes get stirred up by events in the nation and world and by the Sunday morning talk shows. Mostly, though, the articles, blog posts, and tweets tend to show how people are living their lives.
One post, Why Teens Don't And Won't Tweet, gave a view about social networking that's lost in the breathless rush to the Next New Thing. Twitter isn't useful to teens because teens, for the most part, want to hang out with their friends. Facebook gives them that. Twitter is something else. It can be a way to hang out with your friends, but that's not really what it's designed to do best. Twitter is about broadcasting to the world, giving everyone a chance to hear what you can say in 140 characters or less. Again, teens generally don't want to talk at everyone, even if it sometimes seems like that. They want to talk with their friends, hear their friends, trade inside jokes, and experiment.
Facebook becomes that important "third place" in their lives, a place that while often overlapping with home and school, is something essentially different, something close. Nearly 30 years ago, Ramon Oldenburg and Dennis Brissett authored a key analysis of American culture titled The third place. In it, Oldenburg and Brissett describe an America that is increasingly time-bound. "Most individuals, except in unusual situations, seem able to estimate the time of day within 15 or 20 minutes when they are at home or at work," they write. In the third places, time easily gets away from you.
The third places can get wild as people step out of their typical roles and often play against them.
The authors wax wistful, often idealizing the purpose and performance of these third places, but they're onto something.
One post, Why Teens Don't And Won't Tweet, gave a view about social networking that's lost in the breathless rush to the Next New Thing. Twitter isn't useful to teens because teens, for the most part, want to hang out with their friends. Facebook gives them that. Twitter is something else. It can be a way to hang out with your friends, but that's not really what it's designed to do best. Twitter is about broadcasting to the world, giving everyone a chance to hear what you can say in 140 characters or less. Again, teens generally don't want to talk at everyone, even if it sometimes seems like that. They want to talk with their friends, hear their friends, trade inside jokes, and experiment.
Facebook becomes that important "third place" in their lives, a place that while often overlapping with home and school, is something essentially different, something close. Nearly 30 years ago, Ramon Oldenburg and Dennis Brissett authored a key analysis of American culture titled The third place. In it, Oldenburg and Brissett describe an America that is increasingly time-bound. "Most individuals, except in unusual situations, seem able to estimate the time of day within 15 or 20 minutes when they are at home or at work," they write. In the third places, time easily gets away from you.
The third places can get wild as people step out of their typical roles and often play against them.
Often third place participation is loud and boisterous. It is reassuring to observe that the average person, given the opportunity to let off steam, rarely will be vulgar, obnoxious, or spiteful in the presence of his companions.Yes, people can appear to behave badly, but it's relatively rare for people to cross that line into bullying. (If abusive behavior was the norm or even something frequent, Facebook wouldn't have a half billion users.)
The authors wax wistful, often idealizing the purpose and performance of these third places, but they're onto something.
Third places provide enabling, not escapist, experiences for their inhabitants.They are a forum for "play" in a society interfused with a stubborn commitment to work and purposiveness. Association in third places envelopes individuals in a temporary world within their ordinary worlds.
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