Archive for the ‘police’ Category
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3
Sep
2010
Watch Out!
Japan is a giant big ball of contradictions. That statement in itself might seem entirely vague and a little presumptuous, but speaking as someone who lived there for 3 years, I stand by my belief that though beautiful and magical in so many ways, the world that the Japanese inhabit has more than its fair share of brain boggling contradictions. By this point I’m sure that most of you out there know that tattoo in Japan is fantastic but also quite taboo. Yes, things are slowly but surely changing, but the general opinion toward tattoos and tattooed people is more than a little archaic. Ditto for marijuana. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to encourage anyone to smoke pot, but it seems that in Japan when something is taboo, there are often very extreme opinions of that specific thing. A Japanese friend once confessed to me that she believed that marijuana and heroin were one and the same thing. It may sound bizarre, but it’s not an uncommon belief in Japan at all. This extremity of opinion is also a part of the reality that affects those who are tattooed, as well as tattoo artists themselves. The most common belief in Japan of tattoos is that they are a direct link to organized crime, or the Japanese mafia, known as the Yakuza. This misunderstanding of the unknown sometimes gets a little crazy in Japan. An example of such craziness is a new idea by the Kobe municipal office in Kobe, Japan. This summer during a music event at a beach in Kobe’s Suma Ward, several college students were arrested for alleged marijuana possession. Taking this as their cue to “make a safer environment for the citizens”, the municipal office is now coming up with a law that will ban tattooed people from the beach. ‘‘It is our duty to make a safer environment for the citizens,’’ said a city official as senior officials of the city and Hyogo prefectural police are set to form a special team to work out details such as ways to restrict entrance to the beach. Suma beach saw the lowest number of visitors in 25 years this summer, with about 620,000 people in 46 days. Some citizens have told the city office that they ‘‘hesitate to go near the beach’’ amid an increase in young people with tattoos, the officials said.’ I haven’t seen something this stupid and ignorant for a long time. Banning people with tattoos from a beach because some kids were arrested for what may or may not be marijuana possession? Are you kidding me? First of all, this is Japan we’re talking about. These people who are complaining about hesitating to go near the beach because of people with tattoos? They’re living in a dream world. Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the entire world. It’s not like these fear-filled residents are dealing with ghetto beaches, as if Kobe’s Suma Ward was worse or even comparable to South Central LA or something. Come on. Second, I fail to remotely see where there is any link between people with tattoos, marijuana and some sort of level of crime that apparently has still not occurred, but the threat of which is alive and well in the minds of local residents. It consistently blows my mind how a country that is so many light years ahead of the rest of the world in technology and industry, to name a couple of examples, remains so depressingly ancient with regards to attitudes towards tattoos and the reality of the people who have them. Get a clue, Japan. Tags: Dislike , Japan , Japanese , japanese opinion of tattoo , kobe , marijuana in japan , News , south central la , Stories , suma beach , suma beach banning tattoos , suma ward kobe , tattoo blog , Yakuza Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? Who’s #1? When I Grow Up
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Watch Out!
29
Aug
2010
I Smell Corruption
Although living in New Mexico has it’s upside, corruption and failure in the judicial system are hard to ignore. A recent example involved a local tattoo parlor and it’s proprietors. The two men charged in the attack on the owners of this tattoo parlor are politically connected and one of the brothers was even employed as a policeman at the time. To make matters worse, the two brothers charged also have a brother currently running for sheriff. Just by chance, there was another police officer present getting a tattoo! The charges included battery, assault and criminal damage for the mess they made of the shop. This week the judge through the case out due to “lost” evidence. Missing evidence included handwritten written statements, a photo lineup and a statement by the officer that happened to be getting a tattoo. Now all sorts of discrepancies are popping up. The State Police spokesman said they never received the evidence in the first place although several witnesses said they gave written statements. The whole case reeks of corruption. In addition, the judge dismissed the case with prejudice which means charges cannot be refilled. This doesn’t make any sense to me. It seems like with all the witnesses present at the time and the involvement by both local and state police, this case should be a no brainer. And why not gather up the witnesses to testify at trial? Meanwhile, the owners of the shop were attacked, their shop was trashed, and they’ve incurred legal fees in the mean time. And the bad guys will walk scot free. Life ain’t fair. Related posts: Tummy Tattoo Toddler Gets Tattoo Officers Told to Cover Up
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I Smell Corruption
14
Aug
2010
Snake Guards Cocaine
These crazy snake stories pop up once in awhile. Still fascinates me. Giant snake eats goat accompanied by gross and disturbing pictures of the form of the animal inside the 30 foot snake. Well, this snake story will give you the willies. Italian police confiscated a rare albino python while busting some big time drug dealers. The snake is over nine feet long. The dealers used the snake to guard their cocaine and to intimidate business acquaintances and clients. When it was found, the snake was perched atop 200 grams of cocaine. The police didn’t even try to deal with this reptile. They called in professionals to capture the snake which was then moved to it’s new home in the Rome Zoo. The arrests netted a dozen dealers. Surveillance videos include videos showing customers being intimidated and terrorized by the snake. Freaking out the customers insured these guys would never get screwed out of their money as seems to happen so often amongst people in the drug trade. Just a way to keep a person honest. Related posts: Here Comes Super Snake Worth Repeating How to Tattoo Videos
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Snake Guards Cocaine
13
Aug
2010
Clean Prison Tattoos
You know, there aren’t too many art forms out there can end up as a central point of an argument between jail chiefs and lawmakers. At the same time, there aren’t too many art forms that are as delicate to perform as tattooing is. I mean, if you paint someone’s portrait and accidentally paint their eyes the wrong colour, that’s too bad but not life threatening. On the flip side, if someone is tattooed by an artist who doesn’t sterilize his equipment…Well, you get the idea. Bad news. So I guess that’s why it’s interesting to me to see a story in The Scottish Sun – a paper printed out of Glasgow, Scotland – about prisons in Scotland considering an act that would see tattoo studios opening full-time in prisons. The reasoning behind this idea is pretty obvious: prisoners tattoo one another and they aren’t using the best equipment. To say the least. The risk of blood born illnesses being spread throughout the prisons through unsterilized “needles”, as well as the risk of infection are enough to consider placing clean and legitimate tattoo studios in prisons. Attica! Attica! Atti… Really? Why not? Yeah, okay, some people have a problem with the idea of their tax dollars going toward making sure that some prisoner gets a professional tattoo. But hey, you know what? There’s probably a lot of things that your tax dollars go toward that you may or may not support. It’s just the way that it goes. And if that’s the case, then why not have your tax dollars go to keeping your society – including the people in the prisons – healthy? In case you hadn’t guessed it, I’m all for tattoo studios being opened in prisons. Unsurprisingly enough, not everyone is a fan of tattoo studios being opened in prisons: “But the move was slammed by Labour’s shadow justice secretary Richard Baker. He said: “If prisoners are bored then this is a failure of the system that needs to give them more work to do. “When money is tight the idea of spending taxpayers cash on a tattoo parlour for convicts is obscene.” And TaxPayers’ Alliance spokesman Matthew Sinclair added: “Ordinary taxpayers don’t expect their money to be spent on prisoners to add to their tattoo collections. Prison authorities have to be very careful not to endlessly cave in on these issues.” I can really see this entire thing being a contentious issue if ever it were to be adopted elsewhere. Any tattoo artists out there volunteering for the job? I’ll say one thing about it: you would hear some unbelievable stories… Anyway, I’m very interested to see what happens with this. Tags: glasgow police , glasgow scotland , Health Risks , News , prison tattoos , Scotland , Scratchers , Stories , Tattoo Artists , tattoo blog , tattoot studios in prisons , taxpayers , The Scottish Sun , Workforce Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? When I Grow Up What’s Under That New Tat?
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Clean Prison Tattoos
6
Aug
2010
Tattoo Troubles
A Texas tattoo artist is recovering this week after he was robbed and shot shortly before midnight on August 4th. Baytown tattoo artist, 42-year-old Gary Spratley , was ambushed by two unidentified assailants after he turned up at the Village Lane apartment complex to give a tattoo to an unidentified inhabitant who resides in the complex. The robbers managed to get away with Spratley’s tattoo equipment, which he claims was worth $8,000, and he was also shot in the shoulder. Police arrived and found the wounded Spratley, who was not able to identify his attackers. However, it is believed that at least one of the attackers fled the Village Lane apartment complex in a white Ford Crown Victoria. At the risk of sounding petty and insensitive, perhaps this incident is further proof as to why tattoo artists should be required to be licensed to work at studios. I mean really, wandering around at midnight with a bunch of tattoo equipment in order to do a tattoo on someone in their apartment? It just sounds like you’re asking for trouble. No disrespect to Gary Spratley because, well, that really sucks that he got shot and lost all his gear, but the incident would have been far less likely to have occurred had Spratley worked in a legitimate shop with legitimate hours. Still, I could be all wrong on this. For all I know, Gary Spratley does work from a studio and was only out doing a favour for a friend. But based on the information that I have on this case, it just seems to me that it’s yet another reason for a change in the laws that govern – and protect – tattoo artists and their clients. Tags: Baytown texas , Gary Spratley , Health Risks , News , Stories , Tattoo Artists , tattoo blog , Texas tattoo artist shot , Workforce Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? When I Grow Up VIOLENCE!
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Tattoo Troubles
4
Aug
2010
Officers Told to Cover Up
I was surprised to see that this story is coming out of liberal minded state like Colorado who has recently become an example of a state responsibly handling the business of medical marijuana. Police officers located in Aurora Colorado have recently been mandated to either get their tattoos removed or keep them covered up while on duty. Officers affected by this new regulation are not too happy and feel that if anything, their tattoos were an icebreaker and conversation starter with the citizens of Aurora. The officers have been given the option of buying long sleeved uniforms, makeup kits or a pair of slide-on half sleeves. According to the authorities that came up with this brainstorm, the regulation was put in place because some people find them offensive and distracting. Although, these same people state that NO documented complaints have ever been made regarding the Aurora Police Department. The powers that be also said the tattoos were intimidating! The department wants to portray more of a professional appearance to the public. Current officers with the department feel that the department is barking up the wrong tree. The tattoos make them more approachable. Officers feel that it helps to open doors with gang members and other young people they are trying to communicate with. They feel the department could be focusing on other more important topics like fitness standards. These days when tattoos are accepted in so many circles, it’s hard to understand anyone going in the opposite direction and adapting policies like this. Since tattoo removal can be very costly , most officers are covering up for now. Sounds like a step backwards to me. I’d be more likely to start a conversation with an officer sporting some ink than one that wasn’t. Related posts: Score One for the Good Guys Tattoo Sting Father of the Year
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Officers Told to Cover Up
4
Aug
2010
Cover Up Controversy
Oh man, will the ancient stereotypes of tattooed people never end? Just die already. Jeepers. Sure, we can sit here and tell ourselves day in and day out that tattoos are completely mainstream now and that everyone is adjusted to seeing tattooed people in the workplace. Unfortunately, as much as I’d really love to believe that, it just still isn’t true. On one hand, yes many jobs are currently becoming increasingly tolerant of employees with tattoos, but once you cross over into jobs that are supposed to reflect some sort of imagined standard of how “civilized” society should behave, it’s a whole other ball game. Take for example, the Lothian and Borders officers (those are police officers, by the way) in Scotland. A recent policy that governs these officers declares that all officers must cover any and all visible tattoos on their bodies. The Lothian and Borders officers are the very same officers who guard Queen Elizabeth II’s Palace of Holyrood as well as the Scottish Parliament. At any rate, a group of these officers are not taking this new tattoo ban lightly and are protesting, with plans to appeal the ruling using Scotland’s Human Rights Act. “Until recently the Edinburgh-based force, responsible for security at The Palace of Holyrood and the Scottish Parliament, only took action against tattoos that were racist, offensive or sectarian. One tattooed officer said: “We’ll have to wear long-sleeve shirts, even in summer.” I say good luck to these officers and their protest against an outdated and just plain ridiculous stereotype. These men are on the force, they have passed their exams, they have proven their worth and what’s more, they have dedicated their lives to protecting the Queen of England and a handful of Scottish politicians. They clearly aren’t a threat to anyone. Hey, I’m sick of seeing the Queen’s face every time that I take a bill out of my wallet to pay for something. But I deal with it because that’s just the way things are. One would think that the same sort of tolerance could be shown for the Lothian and Borders officers and their tattoos. The tattoos aren’t going anywhere. The powers that be don’t have to like them, but they can’t force the officers to cover up. It just isn’t right. Deal with it, folks. Tags: Dislike , forced to cover tattoos , lothian and borders police , News , queen elizabeth II , Scotland , scotland human rights act , scottish parliament , Stories , tattoo blog , the palace of holyrood Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? When I Grow Up VIOLENCE!
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Cover Up Controversy
29
Jul
2010
Do They Stand a Chance?
The area I live in has a problem with meth addicts and alcohol related crimes. This story is a typical one for the week. Police were called to investigate a small boy wondering a local neighborhood in the middle of the night, in the rain. The boy was six years old and autistic and was unable to communicate with the police. People in the area were able to help the cops locate the correct apartment. The grandfather, who was intoxicated, answered the door but denied responsibility. They then found a woman walking down the street, who was also – intoxicated, who claimed to be his stepmother. Then, to contradict that statement, she proved she was the kid’s mom by showing them a tattoo of the kid’s name she had on her neck. She was eventually arrested for child abuse. So she felt displaying her tattoo proved she was a mom. How ‘bout taking care of your special needs kid! Shit. Does this poor kid have any type of chance of surviving with parents and grandparents like this? Hell, no. Poor kid will be lucky to survive his childhood. (This great tattoo work is by Jeff Gogue ) Related posts: Another Idiot Parent Toddler Gets Tattoo Amy, Amy, Amy
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Do They Stand a Chance?
21
Jul
2010
Mexican Gang Tattoo Designs
In destitute crime ridden neighborhoods, growing children aren’t given a alternative with regard to joining a gang. The kids engage themselves in gangs for their security and so that they shall belong. In any way, it is ironic because protection is not a warranty when belonging in a gang. As fact states, belonging in a gang causes a set of people to conclusion up as prisoners or even six feet beneath the turf. One of the affiliation marks that members have is the gang tattoos. Noticeable – this is the ideal description of how gang tattoos are made, so that other people involved in gangs would see it. It’s variety of like a title tag for ushers at church or people at stores for others to approach. These tattoos are preordained to be different still comparable to their respective manner. If a person has always watched one of the documentaries shows approximately prisons and prison life, they shall frequently see people with gang tattoos because in prison, most of the people belong to gangs for protection interior the prison. It is ultimate that a gang tattoo is present for people at the prison, because it is what the prison seems for. It is to sure that they do not misplace the people in areas with other gangs. They shall be defeat up or even worse, they shall be killed or stabbed. In most cities crossways America, the recognition of gang members is what the local police word so tough for. Lists and pictures subsist so that the police can simply recognise the gangs. The risk of danger is so lofty in some areas that the police shall merely go with backup support. It is a prearranged that they seem for gang tattoos whenever they go to these areas. Big drug busts on television generally begin with gangs in mind. This is because the gangs generally manage the drugs. Mexican gang tattoos its not ever for amusing and play to have gang tattoos. They are very actual and they stand for sinister in the neighborhoods in which they live. Keeping blameless people secure is a no brainer for gang tattoo bearers; they are regularly prone to slay for any or no purpose at all. With drive by shootings there are frequently people killed who just happen to be in the mistaken place at the mistaken time. Those that have gang tattoos do not get them because they seem cool, they really shall possibly not go away. There might be a diverse range of tattoos, it might be fine looking and might stand out on its own; but a gang tattoo shall ever have its mark specifically though telling everybody to reside away! This picture is certainly is as clear as crystal.
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Mexican Gang Tattoo Designs
6
Jul
2010
Hard to Stomach
Aside from all the stuff about tattoo artists, tattoos, new products, etc, etc, sometimes I see something that just needs to be mentioned on the Tattoo Blog for no other reason than it ranks incredibly high on the idiot meter. To be honest, I don’t really like mentioning a lot of news on the blog that associates tattoos with criminals. I mean, yeah there are criminals out there who have tattoos, but there are also criminals out there who don’t have tattoos. To focus on news that specifically relates to tattooed people is to do more harm than good to the tattoo community, in my opinion. All that being said, sometimes you just have to admit that funny is funny and leave it at that. The incident in question occurred in Fredericksburg, Virginia. A shirtless drunkard, one Daniel Beavers (23), decided that it would be a good idea to throw rocks at some cars. After successfully smashing the rear windows of three different cars, Beavers fled the scene but was quite easily picked up by the police some time later. Why? Well for starters, as I previously said, he was shirtless. The clincher however, would have to be that he had a very easy to spot tattoo on his stomach: his last name. Yes, that’s right, dude had “Beavers” tattooed across his gut. First off, what is this guy, five? I stopped throwing rocks at cars around the same time that I learned to read. Second, if you can’t handle your booze and you’re prone to committing criminal acts, maybe your name – first or last, it really makes no difference which – is not the best thing to have tattooed in huge letters on your body. And third, if you’re stupid enough to do both of the aforementioned things, then you might want to consider wearing a shirt. Daniel Beavers was released on $2,500 bond. Tags: criminal , daniel beavers , Fredericksburg , idiot vandal with a tattoo , News , stomach tattoo , Stories , tattoo blog , Tips , virginia Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? When I Grow Up VIOLENCE!
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Hard to Stomach