SEARCH WARRANT!
These images are from a photo shoot that the 1910 squad of SNU did for the RUSH/WADE studio in Kansas City. Sure, its the Hollywood version... but pretty freakin' cool looking.

The photographer of these awesome frames is David Lindsey Wade.

One Eyed Mikes
Congrats to One Eyed Mikes and the OEM crew. They just picked up a few awards from the Baltimore City Paper's 2006 Readers Poll.
The gentleman appearing to be coy in the photo above was named BEST BARTENDER in Baltimore. Thats right the DEUCE is loose! Look out Charm City the good times are here.
OEM was also honored with Best Bar Food. Which is to say that the amazing food on the OEM menu is available at the bar. C'mon, name a bar where you can eat a stuffed lobster and a NY strip while watching your favorite local sports team on a vintage TV from the 80's.

But the premier award is well deserved. OEM was named BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR by the people of Baltimore. Hell yeah! Baltimore was founded in 1729. One Eyed Mikes was founded in 2003. It took 274 years to create the BEST damn Bar ever!! Well worth the wait. Cheers!

FREE THE DOG
Does the U.S. Gov't have nothing better to occupy their time than doing the petty bidding of the Mexican government? This is a joke.

I'm sure the authorities could have found a better way to reconcile this.

If you haven't read the news... click THIS!

Let's just hope Osama Bin Laden's cave doesn't turn out to be in Mexico.

Aviation Expo
The Blue Angels are in town this week for the Kansas City Aviation Expo. They have been screaming over my apartment in downtown KC all day. It sounds like Baghdad outside my window. I filmed them for a while... SWEET!

SAY NO TO DRUGS...... or these guys will kick your @$$! This is the SNU 1910 Squad as photographed by David Lindsey Wade of the Rush/Wade studio here in Kansas City. Pretty much some of the coolest cats in the KCMO.

The A&E website with all the SWAT team stuff has been updated to feature the KC SWAT dudes. There are photos, bios and clips to view.

The Ultimate RV
I found this little beauty posted on craigslist.com. It has everything you might need for vacationing and more. And if your family is the type that doesn't get along on road trips this camper is equipped with a police negotiator!

The Varsity SquadAfter a day of training with (most) of Sgt. Carmody's 370 TAC squad I got to pose KC style.

We have experienced the skills of 370 first hand on several ops. I wouldn't be exaggerating if I were to tell you that these guys are the best at what they do. They also read this blog... so...

I'm gonna miss hanging with them.

GM in KCCouldn't resist taking a shot (pun intended) of our favorite tasty beverage. Hopefully there will be some converts in KC after I'm gone.

The Boogie to B
Click CLIP to PLAY

WEED INDEED

The Street Narcotics Unit recovered a little more than 58 pounds of marijuana today. I couldn't resist posing with the motherload.

Jealous?

TRT Team 1 - 170 SquadWe spent the afternoon with the 170 Squad filming the Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs). The SWAT boys have some pretty cool toys!

Can you find me in the group?

Mace at a Gun Fight?
Click Clip to PLAY

A Taste of HomeThis photo is by, the soon to be world famous wine critic, Neil Dundee. I just thought I'd share it seeing as I will be headed back to Baltimore Saturday, September 9th.

You don't see the connection?

Well, then you have to visit Fells Point Baltimore, Maryland.

THE KC CREWToday was media day. A warrant with the 1910 squad of SNU attracted the attention of the local TV news. I think we might have made it on two stations. And we were photographed by the KCPD media division for inclusion in their monthly newsletter.

(l to r: Chris Kinch, Kate Walz, Seabiscuit, Erik Sulcs)

ACTION POSES
The next scariest thing to the SWAT team bursting through your door is... ME with a HD video camera lurking on your front porch.

Thanks to my colleague, Xackery Irving, for the pix.

Birthday Champagne!
My colleagues, Erik & Chris, took me out for cocktails and dinner at the Spanish tapas restaurant La Bodega. Amazing food!

Then it was back to my local haunt, JP Winebar, for some real French bubbly. It was my birthday after all!First, a bottle of the Laurent-Perrier Rose Brut, an elegant wine that admirably showcases the beauty of Pinot Noir in a sparkling wine.

Champagne Laurent Perrier Rose Brut is pale red-orange in color with bright acidity and light tannins. Medium/full in body, it offers aromas and flavors of strawberry, cherry, biscuit, cinnamon toast, and mint. Aged at least 4 years on its lees, it is complex and elegant, with a lingering finish.
I follwed that with a bottle of the Perrier Jouet 1996, a delicate fresh champagne. Its deliciously rich while remaining light, full of fruit and very elegant.

The colour is a greenish-gold, reflecting a magnificent, crystalline brightness. The wine presents an intense, strong effervescence, with fine and regular bubbles.

A reflection of the seasons, with soft notes of white flowers, honey and lemon married with the aromas of fresh fruits of plums and pineapple.

The flavour confirms the richness of the bouquet; initial freshness, light but strong and lively, with some subtle notes of honey and vanilla.

"The harvest is sometimes so outstanding that Perrier-Jouët decides to make a vintage Cuvée Fleur de Champagne. 1996 was one such year, when the quality of the grapes signalled a remarkable harvest from the outset. All the art of champagne making went into keeping the house style while bringing out the exceptional character of the year." - Perrier Jouet

Now - don't you wish you were there? I know Erik does!

What SNU?SNU is the STREET NARCOTICS UNIT. And this is me riding in the SNU TAC van. These guys serve lots of drug warrants and I mean hundreds per year. They also catch a lot of bad guys.
So... if you're even thinking of selling drugs in Kansas City... DON'T.

Its a bird...ITS 690It started like that old Bud Light limo commercial. The pilot, Brent Thompson, asked me if I've ever been in a helicopter before. I said, "Yes, just never one this small."

The helicopter was pretty tight and airy... with the doors off and all. The air was fairly turbulent due to the heat so it made for an interesting ride. I look forward to going up again at NIGHT.

VIDEO AppetizerThank goodness for COURT TV because I can get my COPS fix almost anytime. Sure... its a guilty pleasure. But its so much fun to watch.

It won the American Television Award in 1993, and has earned four Emmy nominations. It celebrated its 650th episode this past May. So they must be doing something right.

Compared to the heavy, hearty, and more complex SWAT show COPS is the video appetizer.

1 0 0One Hundred Tapes. Its tradition, in Hollywood, after 100 rolls of film the crew celebrates with a champagne toast. So tonight, since I shot my 100th tape today, we had some bubbly.

And after several glasses my colleague, Chris, felt it necessary to flip me off! Ain't that a bitch.
Its always fun to take souvenir snapshots on the lawn of a crack house!

DOG the TargetOne of the SWAT team's favorite range targets just happens to resemble my favorite bounty hunter... DOG CHAPMAN!

They like to say, "never bring mace to a gun fight."

My HOODThis is the view looking North from the front door of my building. Downtown Kansas City, MO is just a couple blocks away. That being said... it IS as boring as it looks.

Hydration is KEY!With the heat remaining in the mid-nineties I have vowed to stay hydrated... that's why I drink my vodka on plenty of ICE!

Thanks to my neighborhood joint, JP Winebar, for keeping me healthy.

Second to ROMEKansas City ranks second in the world in number of fountains (160), exceeded only by Rome.

Kansas City's history is reflected in a century of fountain development. First, fountains were established to fill the needs of people and animals and later as beautification, memorials, and celebrations.

ROCKY PATEL & SEABISCUITMy favorite cigar maker Rocky Patel was at Kansas City's famous Outlaw Cigar Company today. So, I got to share a stogie with the man!
He signed a cigar box for me. Who knows... maybe I'll go visit him in Honduras. He did invite me to come tour the fields and factory.

RENO 911!The SWAT show is fun... but season 3 of RENO 911! is on DVD now. These cops are hilarious. I think that the SWAT guys secretly wish their show was more like RENO 911!

STAND OFFA man was found fatally shot in a Northland home early today and two others were arrested after Kansas City police staged an Operation 100 outside the residence.

Police had gone to the house in the 3200 block of Northeast 53rd Street at 1:30 a.m. to arrest a man wanted on a robbery warrant, said Capt. Rich Lockhart. The suspect and another man were working on a car.

When they saw the officers, the suspect ran into the house and refused to come out, police said. The other man fled but was apprehended.

Tactical officers and a negotiator were called to the scene, Lockhart said, but they were unable to establish dialogue with anyone in the house.

Electrical power was cut to the house, and at 5:50 a.m., two men surrendered.

Officers then found the suspect dead on the floor from a gunshot wound, he said. His name has not been released pending notification of relatives.

“It appears to be a suicide,” Lockhart said. “But we’re investigating everything to make sure. The officers did not hear a gunshot. So right now, we’re calling it a death investigation.”

One of the men who left the house was wanted on a warrant and was arrested, he said. Police also said they found a packet of methamphetamine in his sock.

Officers also found a woman hiding in an attic under insulation, Lockhart said. She was also wanted on a warrant and was arrested.

DEVIL STEAKKansas City is a beef town. This package proves what people are saying... Red Meat is EVIL!

Crossroads Arts DistrictThis is my neighborhood. The Crossroads Arts District is an historic registered neighborhood in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, centered at approximately 20th Street and Main Street, between Downtown's Central Business District and Crown Center. It is the city's main art gallery district and center for the visual arts. Dozens of galleries are located in its renovated warehouses and industrial buildings. It is also home to numerous restaurants (including one operated by Lidia Bastianich), housewares shops, architects, designers, and other visual artists. As well, the district has several live music venues.

Oh yeah... and there are a couple strip clubs. Gotta love the arts!

The HEATThe heat and humidity that everyone talked about is here. The mercury pushes up over 100 degrees today and looks to stay there almost all week!

I will keep rockin' the HAWK!

All About The Benjamin$Five million dollars in cash, 10 kilos of cocaine and an M-16...

Well, at least that what its supposed to look like. The scene is a set created by Lyndon & Lindsey Wade photography for some images they will be creating for their 2006 promo mailer.

The Street Narcotics Unit is lending their expertise and muscle to the scenario.

Watch for finished images in the near future!

http://www.davidlindseywade.com/
http://www.lyndonwade.com/

KC is BBQBBQ is to Kansas City what crabs are to Baltimore. So we have made it our mission to sample all the local BBQ restaurants. The latest, Oklahoma Joe's, just happens to be in a gas station.
Every KC local has a favorite BBQ spot and they're all different. Oklahoma Joe's is the sixth BBQ joint we've been to...

(in order of attendance)
1. Arthur Bryant's
2. Jack's Stack
3. Smoke-n-Guns
4. Smoke Stack
5. Rosedale BBQ
6. Oklahoma Joe's

(added since 8/6)
7. Lil' Jakes (the dirty little BBQ joint)
8. Gates

...and Arthur Bryant's is still my favorite for so many reasons.
(see blog entry)

www.neildrinkswine.blogspot.comThis is for Neil...

Apparently, Neil, the prolific wine connoiseur, is able to post to his blog every day. That is awesome. He wonders why I'm not able to follow suit. The only answer I have is...

Quality over quantity.

But you all should check out Neil's blog for great wine tips! Really.

NeilDrinksWine

ELECTRICAL STORMThe great thing about the mid-west in the summer is the weather. And locals say that if you don't like the weather... wait a minute, it'll change.

We had a beautiful light show last night. The temperature is in the mid-90's and climbing. The humidity is nearing 100%! And we are dressed in black with body armor.

TEAR GAS
CS or 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (chemical formula: C₁₀H₅ClN₂) is a substance that is used as a riot control agent and is usually claimed to be non-lethal by the forces who use it. CS was discovered by two Americans, Ben Carson and Roger Staughton in 1928, the first letters of the scientists' surname giving us the name of the substance, 'CS'.

In common parlance CS is referred to as 'CS gas' or 'Tear gas', however this description is incorrect because 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile is a solid at room temperature, not a gas.

It is worth noting that many types of tear gas have been produced with effects ranging from mild tearing of the eyes to immediate vomiting and prostration. CS has become the most popular due to its strong effect and lack of toxicity in comparison with other similar chemical agents. The effect of CS on a person will depend on whether it is packaged as a solution, or if it is an aerosol; the size of solution droplets and the size of the CS particulates after evaporation, are factors determining its effect on the human body.

Well... I had my first taste of the stuff today. We were covering a hostage situation and after hours of fruitless negotiating the SWAT team deployed the GAS. They shot over 60 rounds of it. I got a good whiff before donning my gas mask. It was like rubbing a freshly cut habanero pepper in your eye and nose.

Independence DayWe only set off one firework. It was 4000 firecrackers linked together! SWEET!!

Start Your Engines!Went to the Kansas Lottery 300 Indy Car race today at the Kansas Speedway.
The cars made 200 laps around this mile and a half track averaging 167 mph.
Sam Hornish Jr. won his second consecutive race, breaking free from reigning IndyCar Series champion and pole sitter Dan Wheldon on the final half-lap to win the Kansas Lottery Indy 300 by 0.0793 of a second on a balmy and breezy day at Kansas Speedway.

http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7021

Vernon WellsI've been hearing that people think I resemble this character from "The Road Warrior" played by Vernon Wells.
But maybe there is also a bit of Vernon Wells from "Commando" too.