California Gun Battle Ended with Dead Baby

Comstock/Thinkstock(SAN DIEGO) -- Police in Southern California found the body of a baby girl near the scene where a police officer was filmed while being shot in the neck during a gun battle Sunday, officials said Monday.

Officer Jarder Slocum of the El Cajon Police Department, who is in stable condition, was shown stumbling and bleeding on camera after being hit with a bullet during a firefight between cops and a man hiding out in a house in a residential neighborhood.

Police responded to a call of suspicious activity in a residential neighborhood northeast of San Diego, where they were told an adult male had entered a home with a gun and proceeded to set the house on fire. As police arrived, the suspect, 32-year-old Kevin Collier, opened fire from inside the burning home.

The dead child is believed to be Collier's 14-month-old daughter.

In a video at the outbreak of the violence, which was recorded by a freelance photographer, gunfire is heard before Officer Slocum is seen pressing his hand against his neck and stumbling to get to safety before collapsing on the ground, where another officer and citizens then pull him to safety. He was later taken to a hospital, where he underwent surgery and is listed in critical but stable condition, according to a statement released by the department.

The residence where the man was hiding became fully engulfed in fire, and police evacuated the neighborhood before entering the home, where the body of the suspect was found dead by the front entrance, according to the statement.

El Cajon police were not immediately available for comment, although a staff member said the investigation is ongoing.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Santa Cruz Police Using Computer Program to Predict, Prevent Crime

Jupiterimages/Thinkstock(SANTA CRUZ, Calif.) -- Police in Santa Cruz, California are using a complicated math equation to predict where crimes will likely happen in an effort to better utilize their shrinking force to stop the bad guys in their tracks.

"Crime is not random," said Zach Friend, the department's crime analyst.  "You can actually predict the kinds of things that people will do."

The computer program utilizing this algorithm is at the center of a six-month effort called "predictive policing" that the department started in July.  Eight years of crime data were first entered into the program so it could track and pinpoint crimes.

Now, it spits out 10 detailed maps daily complete with "hot spots" -- a forecast of where new crimes are most likely to occur.

A specific crime is broken down to the two most likely time periods it will probably occur -- say, noon to 1 p.m. or 4 to 5 p.m. -- so if an officer is working during that time, he or she knows to check that area.

In the last decade, Santa Cruz saw a 20 percent reduction in its staff but a 30 percent increase in calls for service, according to Friend.

"As we continue budget cuts, as we are facing less and less police officers on the streets, we need to leverage technology to become more effective and efficient," he said.

Officer Bernie Escalante said that with fewer officers on the streets in Santa Cruz, the technology helped fill the gap.

"They give you a map and a square [a hot spot]," he said.  "It's very easy to understand [and] hard to screw it up."

And it seems to be working.  Friend said that since the program's launch, the algorithm correctly predicted 40 percent of crimes and led to five arrests.  In the last six weeks, Santa Cruz also saw a reduction in property crimes including car and home burglaries.  Police said burglaries were down 27 percent in July compared to the same month last year.

As reported by The New York Times, the program was developed by a group of researchers, including two mathematicians and an anthropologist, and based on an earthquake aftershock model.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Bill Bratton: 'I Never Close Any Door Before It's Opened'

David McNew/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- At 63, Bill Bratton, the former top cop in Boston, Los Angeles and New York City, has a career of high caliber police work behind him, but there's one job he hasn't closed the door on: leading Scotland Yard.

"I never close any door before it's opened," Bratton told ABC News' David Muir.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, who offered Bratton a job on Friday, initially wanted him to serve as commissioner. The move was overruled by Home Secretary Theresa May, who said only a British citizen should hold the position.

Bratton will instead serve as a consultant to the police force.

"If it had been open, I certainly would have looked with great interest at possibly applying," Bratton said of the top job.

The London Metropolitan Police commissioner is not responsible just for the police force in London, but also for national security.

Bratton compared it to the New York City police commissioner also leading the FBI.

"It is the most prestigious, most complex, and at this time most challenging police leadership position in the world," he said.

British police have been criticized for struggling to contain an outbreak of rioting that began in London last week and spread to other cities.

Looting, fires and violence raged in the streets as people protested the fatal police shooting of Mark Duggan, a 29-year-old black man.

It was four days before police got a firm handle on the situation.

In all, five people died and more than 2,000 people were arrested.

The riots were riddled with racial tensions and class warfare, something Bratton dealt with firsthand in Los Angeles.

"Race, ethnic and cultural issues—those are phenomenal challenges they're going to have to face," he said.

Bratton called his time in Los Angeles the most worthwhile seven years of his life.

After the rioting, it became clear to Cameron that Bratton would be the right man to help curb gang violence and racial tensions in Britain.

"I believe we should be looking beyond our shores to learn the lesson from others who have faced similar problems," Cameron said.

Bratton will leave for London at the end of August. He's looking forward to making a positive impact in his new role. As for the commissioner of Scotland Yard?

"Whoever gets into that position has an incredibly difficult job ahead of them," he said.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Neighborhood Watch Launches 'Ho Patrol' to Help Crack Down on Prostitution

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images(VALLEJO, Calif.) -- Once a quiet little neighborhood for raising families, Vallejo, Calif., has become overrun with crime and prostitution after budget cuts have reduced the city's police force by almost half. So a small team of residents are taking matters into their own hands.

A snapshot of the dire straits in which the Great Recession has placed many communities, prostitutes and pimps can be seen plying their tricks in broad daylight in the middle of the residential area of this San Francisco suburb.

Vallejo resident Kathy Beistel, a 48-year-old who works in the wine industry, said she has watched the city's crime rate rise and its reputation sink. One day, the problem landed on her doorstep.

"Kinda the catalyst…[there] was a pimp fight in front of [my] house," Beistel said. "At that moment I was just angry. That was like the final straw for a lot of us."

Beistel called the police to report the incident. But she learned there weren't enough officers to handle the problem. The city was forced to declare bankruptcy in 2008, creating a ripple effect of crime through the streets.

"We used to have 158 officers, we have 90 now," said Vallejo Police Chief Robert Nichelini. "So you can see that's a pretty big cut."

Many believe the cutbacks are related to the influx of streetwalkers and pimps. But Beistel wasn't just going to stand by and watch it happen. So she and a few of her friends decided to take to the streets themselves. Known colloquially as the "ho patrol," Beistel's group calls themselves the Kentucky Street Watch Owls.

Armed with fluorescent vests, cellphones and notepads, the ladies snap photos and write down descriptions of people they suspect to be johns, hookers and pimps. They even go so far as to disrupt tricks by making their appearance known.

"We're out here walking around with a specific purpose: to make our streets better, to make our streets safer, to get the message out there, that what we see on a daily basis isn't going to be tolerated," said Pat MacKenzie, a member of the Watch Owls.

But sometimes confrontations between the Watch Owls and the prostitutes get dicey. One prostitute, who asked not to be named, told ABC News that she had already made $200 the night we spoke to her and wanted to make more that night. She added that other women on the street are not pleased with the Watch Owls' efforts.

Police Chief Robert Nichelini said the threat of danger is real. "Our concern is if they go too far, try to get involved, try to detain people, try to get involved in what would be termed 'police work,' that there is that potential for injury," he said.

The Watch Owls reiterated that it's about safety and other community groups have also taken up the cause. They are given training on how to carry themselves, how to be good witnesses and how to keep themselves protected.

To date, there have been no violent confrontations. In fact, the Watch Owls said they have tried to connect hookers with social assistance programs.

And there are signs of progress. A playground once a hotspot for suspected pimps and prostitutes is now safe for children. Beistel says that no matter how bleak the situation may look, her Watch Owls will continue their patrol.

"People need to understand that one person can make a difference," she said. "So we'll continue our neighborhood watch and, you know, support each other and take care of our neighborhood."

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Fugitive Dougherty Siblings Allegedly Have Deadly 'Arsenal'

FBI Atlanta Field Office(TAMPA, Fla.) -- The fugitive Dougherty siblings, on the lam for a week, have an arsenal of high-powered weapons, and a newly released video shows that the siblings know how to use them, police said.

Ryan Dougherty, 21, sister Lee Grace E. Dougherty, 29, and half-brother Dylan Dougherty Stanley, 26, have been on the run since Aug. 2 when they allegedly shot at a Florida police officer attempting to pull over their white Subaru Impreza for speeding. A few hours later, they allegedly robbed a bank in Georgia.

"We know that Ryan several years ago purchased an AK-47 at a pawn shop," Pasco County (Florida) Sheriff Chris Nocco said.  "We know his brother, Dylan, also purchased several high-caliber rifles and handguns...We were also informed by family members that they do have a large arsenal and when we searched the house, there were no weapons or any ammunition left so we know they took them with them."

Nocco said the siblings could be anywhere.

"We want to reiterate to the Dougherty family, we want you to turn yourselves in, we want a peaceful resolution, but at the same time we understand if they want to battle with us, we have the resources and we will win," Nocco said.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office on Monday released dash-cam video of the high-speed chase that launched the nationwide manhunt to find the siblings, now dubbed the Dougherty Gang.

The chase started the same day that Ryan Dougherty had allegedly cut off his court-ordered ankle monitoring device.  He'd been forced to register as a sex offender for sending explicit text messages to an 11-year-old girl.

The video shows the Doughertys' white Subaru zooming by the Zephyrhills, Florida police car.  The police officer can be heard saying, "Speeds over 100 mph at this time."

The siblings allegedly take aim at the car.  The officer says, "Fired several shots at me."

Nocco said the Doughertys weren't just trying to disable the police car, they were trying to kill the officer.

Luckily, the officer was uninjured.  The chase came to an end when one of the 20 shots fired at the officer punctured his patrol car's tire.

A few hours later, the siblings allegedly robbed a bank in Valdosta, Georgia.  A masked woman who appears to be Lee Grace Dougherty is seen allegedly holding an Uzi submachine gun.

"She had her finger on the trigger.  We know they are trained in these weapons, they're not afraid to use them and they are extremely dangerous," Nocco said.

A week into the manhunt for the violent criminals, spottings have been reported throughout the southeast, including one in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  A digital billboard campaign is also being used by law enforcement.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Fugitive Siblings Still on the Run; Mom Urges Them to Surrender

FBI Atlanta Field Office(TAMPA, Fla.) -- The mother of three fugitive siblings who allegedly engaged in a shootout with a Florida police officer during a high-speed chase, then robbed a bank in Georgia, is urging her children to turn themselves in.

Barbara Bell of Palatka, Florida told ABC News affiliate WFTS-TV in Tampa that she's worried for their safety and with every passing moment feels that the chances of a peaceful ending are quickly fading.

"Only mom knows what good people you are inside" said Bell.  "Please prove me right and everybody wrong by doing the right thing now and turning yourselves in."

Officials say the trio appear to have communication with their mother, sending her a text saying: "There's a time for all of us to die."

Law enforcement experts said it seems unlikely the trio will follow their mother's wishes.

"It's going to be a violent ending unless you catch them by surprise," former FBI agent and ABC News contributor Brad Garrett said.

The hunt for the three siblings began Tuesday when an officer attempted to pull over the siblings for speeding along state road 54, in Zephryllis, just north of Tampa, police said.

Ryan Dougherty, 21, his sister Lee Grace E. Dougherty, 29, and half-brother Dylan Dougherty Stanley, 26, were allegedly driving as fast as 100 mph in a 2006 Subaru Impreza with New York State tags.

A high-speed chase ensued, during which the three allegedly sprayed the police car with at least 20 shots, finally escaping when a bullet hit a tire of the officer's car.

The officer was not injured but police said they found 20 "high caliber" shell casings along the route.

A few hours later that same day, about 200 miles North in Valdosta, Georgia, the Dougherty clan allegedly robbed a bank wearing masks and armed with AK-47s, firing shots at the ceiling.  They escaped with an undisclosed amount of money, police said.

All three of the siblings have troubled pasts, with 20 felonies among them.  Ryan Dougherty just registered as a sex offender last week, after being convicted of sending explicit texts to an 11-year-old girl.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

A Rhode Island City Turns to Pensioners to Avoid Bankruptcy

Comstock/Thinkstock(CENTRAL FALLS, R.I.) -- Central Falls, R.I.'s motto is "city with a bright future," but now its tomorrows are not only bleak, they could be nonexistent.

The densely packed community of 19,000, comprising an area a little larger than a square mile, faces bankruptcy and is calling on its bravest and finest for help.

The city's 141 retired firefighters and police officers were asked at a meeting Tuesday night to voluntarily give up as much as half of their pensions. It's called the "big ask," and with the library and community center already shut down, the city is running out of options to fix its dire financial prospects.

"It came as a shock yesterday [Tuesday] when it was presented to the pensioners," said William Zachary Malinowski, who has reported for the Providence Journal for 26 years. "If they don't give up a good chunk, they may end up with nothing."

The city faces $80 million in unfunded pensions and benefit programs, and a $5 million to $6 million deficit that shows no sign of decreasing in the coming years.

Under the proposed pension plan, anyone who retired at age 55 after 30 years on the job would see their pension cut in half from about $40,000 to about $20,000 a year.

Col. Joseph Moran served 27 years on the police force, contributing seven percent of his salary each month. Now retired, he stands to lose $1,000 a month. Making matters worse, workers here didn't participate in Social Security, so there are no other benefits to fall back on.

If retirees refuse the "big ask," Central Falls will likely have to declare bankruptcy, jeopardizing the entire pension system.

"I would advise a haircut looks better than a beheading," said a state-appointed receiver, Robert G. Flanders Jr.

Flanders would like a decision from the pensioners in the next seven days, Malinowski told ABC News.

"I could be wrong, but I don't see them taking it," Malinowski said. "I think this ends in bankruptcy."

Central Falls is not the first city to run out of the money needed to pay its retirees. In 2009, Prichard, Ala., stopped sending out pension checks to its 150 retired workers.

With the economy still sputtering and city budgets collapsing, similar "big asks" and broken promises could be coming to more towns.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Ex-Cop Who Called 911 About Girlfriend's Shooting Now Charged with Murder

Doug Menuez/Thinkstock(CHICAGO) -- A 911 call reporting the drive-by shooting of a Chicago woman was made by her ex-cop boyfriend who is now being charged with her murder.

Devin Bickham Sr., 39, his son, Devin Bickham Jr., 20, and a third man, Cardell Taylor, 35, have all been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly orchestrating and committing the murder of Chervon Alexander, Bickham Sr.'s girlfriend.

Bickham Sr. was a former North Chicago police officer, according to local reports. The State Attorney's office said that he and Alexander were in a romantic relationship. According to local police, Bickham was married.

"Bickham Sr. thought that the victim was interfering with his life and wanted her out of the way, allegedly," said Chief Deputy Craig Rutz from the River Forest police department. "[Alexander] had told others that she was going to be getting married in August."

According to Rutz, on the night of the drive-by, "two people stopped their car on Division Street right in front of victim's car. One walked through the bushes and shot [Alexander]." Andy Conklin from the State's Attorney's office said that Taylor shot Alexander with a handgun several times in the mouth, shoulder and chest.

In his frantic 911 call, Bickham Sr. claimed ignorance of the shooter's identity, crying, "My girlfriend got shot." When the 911 operator asked Bickham who shot his girlfriend, the former cop replied, "I don't know. Some guy but he kept going. Help me." When asked if his girlfriend was breathing, Bickham's emotional response was almost unintelligible. "No. She's gone. She's not breathing. Oh please."

Four minutes after Bickham's 911 call, combined task forces from Forest Park and Oak Park police led the arrest of Bickham Jr. and Taylor.

The State Attorney's Office said that Bickham Jr. and Taylor have now both made videotaped confessions admitting to the scheme, including that they had been recruited to kill the victim and that they were in communication with Bickham Sr. Conklin also said that the older Bickham made statements saying that "he had admitted the gun was his. He admitted to telling his son where he was and that he was bringing the victim to the area where the shooting occurred."

Bickham Sr.'s attorney, Mike Clancy, maintains his client's innocence.

"This is something that I believe, at the end of the day when it goes to trial, my client is going to be found innocent," said Clancy to ABC affiliate, WLS.

According to local authorities, father and son lived together in Blue Island. The elder Bickham had filed for bankruptcy twice in the past. Currently, both family members, as well as Taylor, are being held without bond in Cook County Jail. A preliminary hearing is set for July 21.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

DC Police Taking Heat for Celebrity Escorts

Comstock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- Sirens wail, motorcycles block intersections, and black SUVs cut through congested streets amid the flashing lights of police cars.

Motorcades such as this are a common disruption to commuters in Washington, D.C., where the president, vice president and foreign diplomats are whisked through the capital city every day.

But when it was revealed last week that D.C.'s police were blaring sirens and blocking roads for celebrities like Charlie Sheen and Jay-Z, drivers -- and officials -- were less than thrilled.

"We can't afford to have taxpayer dollars spent on private events," Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier told the City Council Judiciary Committee, adding that she has launched an internal investigation into the matter.

Sheen says he was escorted from the Dulles Airport to a live performance in downtown D.C. on April 19.  During the ride Sheen tweeted, "In car with Police escort in front and rear! Driving like someone's about to deliver a baby! Cop car lights #Spinning!" along with a photo of the speedometer reading 80 mph.  The actor was running almost an hour late to his show, after spending the day in a Los Angeles divorce court seeking custody of his twin sons.

Chief Lanier said the escort violated department protocol and launched an internal investigation and audit of escort practices.

Sheen is not the only celebrity to receive a police escort in D.C.  Lanier told the council there are 17 documented instances of stars like Bill Gates, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Paul McCartney and Billy Joel being swept through traffic by police vehicles.  The officers involved in the escorts were off-duty and were reimbursed for their time.

But local politician, Phil Mendelson, a member of the D.C. city council, said escorts should only be used when there is a public safety concern or for honorary purposes like funeral processions.  He stressed that patrol car lights and sirens should be reserved for a select few circumstances.

But the nation's capitol is not the only city police force that has come under fire over police escorts for celebrities.  In New York, the city police faced criticism in April after allegations that a police van escorted Sean "P.Diddy" Combs for one city block after his concert.

And what about the city of angels, where many celebrities reside?  A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said it does not officially sanction any police escorts for celebrities.  But the LAPD does provide an escort when the president is in town and will escort England's royal couple during their upcoming visit to Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Times reported in 2008 that the LAPD sent more than a dozen motorcycle officers, two police cars and a helicopter to transport pop star Britney Spears from her home to the UCLA Medical Center.

The LAPD spokesperson said "it wasn't a celebrity escort" and the security detail was necessary to push through the throng of paparazzi lining the streets outside Spears' house.  The helicopter, she said, was to monitor any issue that might arise.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Gunman Updated Facebook Page During Standoff

NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images(OGDEN, Utah) -- Jason Valdez allegedly held a woman hostage and police at bay during a 16-hour standoff in Ogden, Utah, until they finally burst into the motel room where he was holed up and he shot himself in the chest.

Valdez is under guard at a nearby hospital, and it would all be another ugly crime story, except for this: Police say Valdez, 36, updated his Facebook status all through the confrontation -- and friends replied with encouragement and, in at least one case, help.

"I'm currently in a stand off wit these shady [expletives] from old, kinda ugly but ready for whatever," Valdez wrote in his first post at 11:23 p.m. Friday. "I love u guyz and if I don't make it out of here alive that I'm in a better place and u were all great friends..."

Another person replied, "jason be strong , you have family here for you. We love u!"

Police were trying to serve Valdez with a felony drug warrant Friday, when he barricaded himself in a room at the Western Colony Inn in Ogden, blocking the door and windows with furniture. He said on Facebook there was a woman with him named Veronica. At 2:04 a.m. he posted two pictures of himself with a young woman, apparently taken in the motel room.

"He had a smartphone with him and he was making updates," said Ogden Police Lt. Danielle Croyle, the watch commander. "The officers on the scene were aware of it and they changed tactics accordingly."

There was at least one post to Valdez from someone else, saying there was a SWAT team member hiding close to the room.

"Gun ner in the bushes stay low," said the post.

"Thank you homie," Valdez replied. "Good looking out."

Police said they tried to negotiate with the gunman, but he missed several deadlines they set. At 3:30 a.m., he sent this post: "They shut down all power and our phones are dying but I'm keep letting u all know I'm okay til these foolz make some dumb [expletive] move! Told em ill come out WHEN IM READY!!!!"

Valdez's last post was at 7:25 a.m. Saturday: "Well i was lettin this girl go but these dumb bastards made an attempt to come in after i told them not to, so i popped off a couple more shots and now were startin all over again it seems..."

An hour later, police said, they broke through the wall to arrest Valdez, but he shot himself before they could get to him. They said he is recovering from the gunshot wound, though they have not been given a prognosis. Police said officers on the scene never fired their weapons.

Charges are pending; Croyle said they could include kidnapping and attempted homicide. She said his Facebook friends could also face charges for trying to help him.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio