A part of gun violence that should be discussed more. Things get worse in Florence, CO.
An interesting avenue to consider in mass shooting research: looking at shootings that were thwarted.
I came across this topic in my wanderings around the internet and wanted to share. One thing I don't know that I hear a lot about in discussing mass homicides or mass shootings is "what happened in the failed cases that was different from the ones where the plot was carried out?"
It strikes me as a fruitful area to examine and I've been collecting papers, a sample of which are below. If this is an area of big interest or a passion, my recommendation is to start here and then use the sources for these papers to continue your learning.
I'll leave it to you to study up on this topic, but I think there are a couple convergences worth sharing:
--In failed plots, they failed because someone was paying attention AND they spoke up (this includes family members).
--Specific plots are easier to avert or thwart than general statements or threats.
The second one just kind of makes common sense (and makes me scared of those who are willing to murder and are more impulsive). I think the first one points to the fact that families HAVE TO take seriously threats that come from their members, especially those that are specific. I have heard too many things in the paper lately where families brushed off what should have been genuine concern with, "well, he's a good kid."
There is the obvious intersection here, too, with Red Flag laws. I am not against Red Flag laws personally provided there is due process and limits. I tend to fit in line with Mr. Kopel of the Independence Institute where the best form of Red Flag law is the one where anyone can report a concern, but the police are the point of contact with the person against whom a report is filed and the police are the ones who decide whether to forward that concern to the courts where there is a hearing.
One last thing. I'm sorry. It's gallows humor and I couldn't help myself. The attached screengrab comes from the last link below.
Again, I'm sorry. I know this is a serious topic. I just couldn't help reading that and laughing at the image of stupidity and cartoonish villainy it made pop into my head.
https://nij.ojp.gov/library/publications/averting-tragedy-exploration-thwarted-mass-public-shootings-relative-completed
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348890007_An_exploratory_study_of_failed_mass_shootings_in_America
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359178916300787?via%3Dihub
The more you dig, the worse it seems to get.
Florence, CO has had some major issues with corruption and the bad news is that it's gotten worse.
In addition to allegations of inappropriate behavior in city leadership (among other things), apparently the City of Florence under its old leadership has been overbilling the Supermax prison nearby (the city supplies water to the prison).
I put a link to an article about this first below, but thanks to a reader and friend, I also was able to include a livechat off Facebook on the issue with the reporter who wrote the article.
Having watched and read as the saga down there continues, I find myself shaking my head. I mean, I get it that there can be poor behavior among elected and appointed government officials, but the scale and magnitude of this one goes above and beyond.
It is a good reminder, too, since I met this friend and reader after discussing CORA requests to ...
--keep an eye on your local government. Read your local paper if you have one and/or read the local facebook pages for your city and etc.
--not be afraid to do open records requests of them if you think something's fishy. If I can help you with that, please ask. I'm happy to connect you with resources.
https://krdo.com/news/2023/05/24/recording-reveals-city-of-florence-overbilling-americas-most-secure-prison-millions-for-water/
https://www.facebook.com/ChelseaBrentzelNews/videos/965255248044907/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v