CommentsRANTZ & RAVEZ-I have some timely subjects to share with you this week from RantZ and RaveZ.
For new readers of my column, I Rant(Z) about matters that trouble me and I Rave(Z) about positive issues that bring a smile to my face and or leave money in my wallet. As the weeks pass, I find the Rantz continue to draw most of my attention while the RaveZ are far and few between. I leave it up to you to judge and decide if it is a RantZ or a RaveZ after you read the information I share with you.
The United States ARMY is looking for recruiters and instructors to go back on active duty. You are never too old to be a member of the ARMY!
By way of introduction, I am a member of a select group of Americans that serve with the ARMY in a civilian capacity as a Center of Influence (C.O.I.) to assist ARMY personnel with recruitment campaigns. I was one of the original selected to serve in this capacity and have been engaged in this effort for over 10 years. It is a rewarding and interesting volunteer position for anyone who loves America and supports our military personnel in their mission of protecting our nation.
The ARMY is short of recruiters, and as hundreds of thousands of American teenagers graduate high school this month, they might consider enlisting in the military. It might be the ARMY, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or Coast Guard. The ARMYis pulling out all the stops to run recruiting stations around the country. Specifically, the service is looking for 150 retired staff sergeants and sergeants first class, who have either been recruiters or instructors to return to active duty and help with recruitment. There is a two-year commitment, with full pay and benefits. If you are interested, call the TRADOC adjutants general. (757)501-6855/6863/6861.
Why sit around the house when you can return to active duty and earn money and help recruit young ARMY soldiers?
Maybe you like to smoke POT and obtained a medical card a few years ago to purchase Marijuana. Now anyone over 21 can purchase POT for personal use with just an I.D. But if you want to purchase a gun for personal protection, you are rejected by the gun dealer. Why?
If you have a Medical Marijuana card, the 9thU.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that you can’t purchase a gun!
The court ruled 3-0 that a ban preventing Medical Marijuana cardholders from purchasing firearms is not in violation of the Second Amendment. There are nine western states under the appeals court’s jurisdiction, including Nevada, where the case originated.
I visited a gun store in the valley this past week and asked about the gun restriction. I was informed that the case remains in effect and that during the 10-day review period of your gun application there is a check for Medical Marijuana cards.
The interesting part of this situation is what happens when you are 21 years old and purchase Marijuana for recreation and not medical use. Since you show your driver’s license or other ID prior to the purchase, will this restrict you from purchasing a gun in the future?
The latest crime stats for Los Angeles
As of June 9, 2018, the Los Angeles Police Department is at 10,037 sworn police officers. Since July is a month with significant number of retirements, my next RantZ and RaveZ should reflect lower number of LAPD Officers.
Violent Crimes Year to Date:
Total Violent: Homicides, Rape, Robbery and Aggravated Assaults
2018: 12,214
2017: 12,608
A decrease of 3.1%
Property Crimes Year to Date:
Total Property...Burglary, Motor Vehicle Theft, Burglary Theft from Vehicle, Personal/other Theft
2018: 54,834
2017: 56,904
A decrease of 3.8%
Arrests:
Total all Arrests: Homicide, Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Larceny, Motor Vehicle
Theft.
2017: 47,860
2018: 48,615
A decrease of 1.8%
That’s it for this edition of RantZ and RaveZ. Have a happy and safe summer.
(Dennis P. Zine is a former and retired LAPD Supervisor, former and retired 12-year Los Angeles City Councilman and current General Manager at Bell Canyon in Ventura County.) Edited for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.
