Danny R. Smith's Blog, page 6
July 22, 2020
Why Gun Sales are Up and What You Need to Know
Gun sales are brisk, to say the least, due to the chaotic times we are living in. Many of those who are now buying guns are doing so for the first time. Occasionally I’ll be asked for my opinion about the best gun for home defense, or what I carry concealed, or what I would…
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July 8, 2020
Saying Goodbye to Lilly Pie
Lil stood tied to my trailer, shaded from the late afternoon July sun by a stand of pine trees along my west property line. I sat a few feet away, sipping an ice-cold beer but not enjoying it, fighting back the tears that I’d soon not be able to contain. They had already streaked my…
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June 24, 2020
Audiobook Recommendations
A former colleague recently asked for audiobook recommendations for himself and others who spend a lot of time traveling. I’m a big fan of audiobooks, and I’m always listening to something on audio when I’m driving or taking a walk. The following are some of the books I’ve listened to recently that you might enjoy …
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June 10, 2020
George Ramos: The Mechanic
George Ramos is a Firestone legend. He wasn’t a gunslinger nor a valiant leader of men, he didn’t hook and book and make the streets safe for women and orphans—at least not directly. At least not usually. He was our station mechanic, one who would respond to assistance requests armed with a crescent wrench. There …
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June 3, 2020
Destroying America
May 6, 2020
Jake Needham Interview
April 22, 2020
LASD Metro and Bobby Mallon
When I first started at Metro, Bobby Mallon broke me in.
[image error]Major Crimes Bureau Formerly known as Special InvestigationsIve written about the Special Investigations Bureau before, an LASD Detective Division assignment that is now called Major Crimes Bureau. When I went there in 1996, the Metro detail had recently assumed the responsibilities of the Fugitive detail when it was disbanded due to budget cuts.
One of the duties that came with it was extraditions. We routinely flew around the...
April 15, 2020
COVID-19 and the Law
Law enforcement is shooting itself in the foot over COVID-19 and the questionably lawful orders they are being asked to enforce.
[image error]COVID-19Governors are releasing convicted felons from prison and sheriffs are emptying their jails, all in the name of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, some officials are going after otherwise law-abiding citizens who dare to defy their orders by venturing outside during the COVID-19 fiasco.
Yes, I am calling it a fiasco rather than a pandemic or whatever other terms the media...
April 8, 2020
Art Escamillas
The last day of March was a tough day in this already difficult time in our country and in our world. But that day, in particular, hit especially hard for me and many of my colleagues. Not only was it the 28th anniversary of the death of Nelson Yamamoto, a young Firestone deputy who was mortally wounded during a ferocious gunfight, but we lost another Firestone deputy that day. Art Escamillas had died unexpectantly.
That morning, I woke early and posted my tribute to Nelson as I do each...
April 1, 2020
Special Enforcement Bureau
For most cops, there is a fork in the road when its time to leave patrol. Cops who choose not to promote tend to either go into investigations or go tactical. For the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, tactical means the Special Enforcement Bureau.
SEB comprises five details: Special Enforcement Detail (better known as SWAT), the Emergency Services Detail (the SEAL teams of the sheriffs department), the Mounted Enforcement Detail (cops who horse around),...
