I Guess The Rules Have Changed

[onebugle]

From a Vermont Paper:

Firefighters' scavenger hunt leads to charges

September 27, 2007

By Daphne Larkin Times Argus Staff

BERLIN — Four Berlin volunteer firefighters scavenged up more than they bargained for when boredom drove them to a night of stealing and destruction sometime last month.

Three brothers and one friend allegedly broke into two teams and conducted a scavenger hunt throughout the town that included stealing windshield wipers and license plates off cars and destroying signs, according to police.

Howard Silk, 23, John Silk, 20, Shawn Silk, 20 and Matthew Squires, 23, were cited to appear in Vermont District Court on Nov. 1 to answer multiple counts each of larceny, unlawful mischief and reckless endangerment.

The reckless endangerment charge stems from an allegation that the group used a piece of department equipment known as a "combi-tool" similar to the "Jaws of Life," a high-powered cutting machine used to rescue people from vehicles.

"It was a pretty vital tool that wasn't available to the fire department that night," said Berlin Police Officer Daniel Gowans.

Each of the four defendants will face charges based upon their individual involvement in the case; the number of charges ranges from six to 10.

Fire Department officials said the three Silk brothers charged in this case have been members of the department since they were teenagers; their mother, father and another brother are also members of the fire department.

"We're all very saddened and disappointed this occurred," said Scott Bagg, president of the Berlin Fire Department, Inc. "We're saddened they allegedly decided to use department equipment."

The four firefighters have been suspended from the department and an internal disciplinary process continues, Bagg said.

Police said the group collected items and then dumped them into a quarry in Barre, except for a large Handicap sign attached to a 200-pound concrete base that was too large to throw. The sign was the only piece of evidence police recovered; it was found by the side of Berlin Pond Road.

Police learned of the crime spree but their case was stumped for lack of evidence until one of the suspects confessed and told police where to find the sign, police said.

Gowans said the group told police they did the scavenger hunt because they were bored.

Police said they anticipate citing two more people who allegedly helped with destroying the evidence in connection with this case by the end of the week.

[doughesson]

This is also in another thread.However,I am of the opinion that if they try the old excuse"We din't have nothin' to do..."then I am sure a Lieutenant or maybe a Captain can find them something to do.
How about it?What do you think would be appropriate?Taking a rig out of service to have the hoses removed,reversed and replaced in new folds?

[Nine3Probie]

This is also in another thread.However,I am of the opinion that if they try the old excuse"We din't have nothin' to do..."then I am sure a Lieutenant or maybe a Captain can find them something to do.
How about it?What do you think would be appropriate?Taking a rig out of service to have the hoses removed,reversed and replaced in new folds?

That is assuming they will be allowed to stay on. I am of the opinion that they, bearing in mind we have no access to really anything other than the media reports, should be bounced from the department permanently. OMMV.

[eaglesrule1024]

so does this go into the stupid criminals folder ?

Rob