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  Unclear on the Concept

One of my pet peeves is Public Relations Flacks. These are not to be confused with Public Relations Professionals -- PR people who do a good job getting the Word out about their clients. They hate the word "flack", but when they make their clients look bad -- well, they're inviting the derision. The following story ran in the 30 April 2000 issue:

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  True -- You Doubters!

Let's start with the story. It was in True's 2 June 2002 issue:

Fill 'Er Up!

Construction workers in Dublin, Calif., watched a man drive up in a new-looking Volvo to their cement truck. He "asked the concrete workers to fill him up for a job he was doing," a police spokesman says. While the driver remained behind the wheel, the workers aimed the concrete chute through the window and did as he asked. He then drove away with wet concrete filling the inside of the car up to the steering wheel. Police say they are "at a loss to explain the case." (Fremont Argus) ...It's not so odd. The man found the car in his driveway. It belongs to his wife's boyfriend.

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  At Least She's Smiling

From our 28 September 2003 issue:

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  Cops Confirm: He Was Nailed!

Sometimes the story just isn't complete without a photo ...or two. From True's 30 May 2004 issue:

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  What Police Car Videos are For?

Video Captures and Update Below

So much for taping drunk drivers stumbling around. This cop had a much better use for his vehicle camera system, spending hours of on-duty time making, and later watching, recordings. From True's 5 March 2006 issue:

Bad Boy, Bad Boy, Whatcha Gonna Do?

Jack Munsey, 36, a Martin County, Fla., sheriff's deputy, has been fired after an investigation showed he was using his patrol car video system "for unofficial purposes." Video from Munsey's car camera included zooms of bikini-clad women, "an extreme close-up of a motorcycle passenger's breasts," and scores of other "inappropriate" images, the investigation found. A Police Benevolent Association attorney says the various shots of multiple women were not a "regular" thing, but "only an isolated, dumb, stupid and [juvenile] event." (Palm Beach Post) ...The PBA's message: for a citizen, twice is "multiple offense". For a cop, dozens and dozens is an "isolated event".

Screen Caps from his Camera
Nice Zoom
Nice Zoom
Just two frames from hours of video. Deputy Munsey contested his firing, calling the situation an "isolated event." (Photos courtesy Martin County Sheriff)

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