My week started off with preparing my video for my first package for Broadcast 2. In addition to school making it not feel like summer, there has been a TON of rain. This is why I decided to do my story on flooding.
I enjoy going driving around Columbia and the neighboring towns, so I decided to get on the website for MODOT and find a road closed due to flooding. I chose Route 179 in Sandy Hook in Moniteau County. It was about a 45 minute drive through some beautiful and pretty interesting areas. (By the way, to anyone who spends the $65 to go to Great America and ride Raging Bull....just take 179 South from I-70, same drops and thrills, only gas money!)
On my way I passed through a town called Wooldridge.
Yep...that sign reads about population: 49. Coming from a high school of about 2,000 this was definitely a new experience. There were a bunch of houses along the side of the road, and I saw several people outside. I'm pretty sure from Route 179 you can count all the people in the town.
This was another new one for me, but nothing beats the beautiful sky and open land in the background.
Finally, I reached the stretch of Route 179 in Sandy Hook that was supposed to be closed. The road was still wet, but the water had already receded to the sides of the road. I knew I needed to interview someone from the area to see if the road really had been closed and if it had affected them.
I drove up about three long windy gravel driveways to random people's houses, hoping someone would be home and talk to me. To my luck, no one was home (or they didn't want to answer the door to a stranger) except each house had a dog. I didn't see the dog at the first house before I got out of my car. It approached me as I was standing at the front door and my heart started racing. I didn't have much cell phone service and there was no one in sight. What was going to happen if this dog attacked me? I quickly but calmly retreated to my car.
At the next house the dog met me at my car, I waited a few minutes. The dog seemed sweet and finally left me alone to take a nap on his front lawn. I got up the courage to get out and ring the door bell, again....no answer.
At the third house, the dog seemed so vicious when I was still in my car that I decided I didn't feel like risking my life THAT much.
Feeling hopeless I went down the road a bit and then I saw what I needed. There was a man outside working on his house on the side of 179. I lucked out, he helped me with my story and it was so interesting to hear about someone who lives in such an unpopulated area.
I had an adventure at an old gas pump on my way home, then continued to track down MODOT officials for the next few days until I got the information I needed.
I'm really excited for my package, and I hope it turns out well.
I also went to the City Council meeting this week. I was hoping to get a story about the new noise ordinance and I have been looking into the town reaction to the Columbia Police SWAT team incident. At the meeting I was able to interview protestors outside, and listen to their emotions and feelings inside. They asked for reform in SWAT team policy and answers from the CPD. (oh, and the noise ordinance passed). I can now play my viola outside downtown until 10 during the week and 11 on the weekends!
The new rules are: Live or amplified Music Outside: Until 10 pm Sunday - Wednesday
and Until 11 pm Thursday to Saturday.
Car radios can't be heard further than 50 feet from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. or at any distance any other time.
Other noise is limited to:
300 feet: Sunday - Wednesday 7 A.M. - 10 P.M. and Thursday - Saturday 7 A.M. - 11 P.M.
150 feet: Sunday - Wednesday 10 P.M. - 1:30 A.M. Thursday - Saturday 11 P.M. - 1:30 A.M.
50 feet: Everday 1:30 A.M. - 7:30 A.M.
I shot video outside Fieldhouse Wednesday night, just in case I do a noise ordinance story. To my luck a few intoxicated people wanted to dance and wave to my camera.
Back to the SWAT controversy. Police Chief Burton held a press conference Thursday afternoon to answer questions. He announced that there is new policy for using dynamic entry and they will try to avoid using it as much as possible. They said they new there was a child in the house beforehand, but with old policy that didn't matter. Now they will consider dynamic entry and the location of a child before entering. Burton also says they will be purchasing helmets with cameras on them for all SWAT team members. He apologized for what happened, but stated that the team members were acting under correct protocol. He had an emotional moment discussing how he handles challenging processes of the department with his force, but says they are an excellent group of people.
In case you missed the video that started the controversy.
The Statement Burton Read
The Summary Chief Burton Released of the Video.
Narcotics Search Warrant Policy Change.
And...the Media Release of the Investigation.
A video of the Press Conference is available here too.
I also attended a training/informational session the Citizens Police Review Board requested from the Columbia Police Department about the use of TASERs.
Officers use an "Ask, Tell, Make" procedure: they ask someone to put their hand behind their back, state it sternly again, tell them they'll have to use a TASER, take the cartridge out and do a spark test, then actually use it.
The effects of a TASER only last for about 5 seconds, it makes your muscles tense up, then relax, and then you have your full strength back.
One officer says it is unbelievable pain, but it only last for a few seconds (that feel a lot longer than they actually are). He says pepper spray still hurts him the day after.
That's all for this week!
I enjoy going driving around Columbia and the neighboring towns, so I decided to get on the website for MODOT and find a road closed due to flooding. I chose Route 179 in Sandy Hook in Moniteau County. It was about a 45 minute drive through some beautiful and pretty interesting areas. (By the way, to anyone who spends the $65 to go to Great America and ride Raging Bull....just take 179 South from I-70, same drops and thrills, only gas money!)
On my way I passed through a town called Wooldridge.
Yep...that sign reads about population: 49. Coming from a high school of about 2,000 this was definitely a new experience. There were a bunch of houses along the side of the road, and I saw several people outside. I'm pretty sure from Route 179 you can count all the people in the town.
This was another new one for me, but nothing beats the beautiful sky and open land in the background.
Finally, I reached the stretch of Route 179 in Sandy Hook that was supposed to be closed. The road was still wet, but the water had already receded to the sides of the road. I knew I needed to interview someone from the area to see if the road really had been closed and if it had affected them.
I drove up about three long windy gravel driveways to random people's houses, hoping someone would be home and talk to me. To my luck, no one was home (or they didn't want to answer the door to a stranger) except each house had a dog. I didn't see the dog at the first house before I got out of my car. It approached me as I was standing at the front door and my heart started racing. I didn't have much cell phone service and there was no one in sight. What was going to happen if this dog attacked me? I quickly but calmly retreated to my car.
At the next house the dog met me at my car, I waited a few minutes. The dog seemed sweet and finally left me alone to take a nap on his front lawn. I got up the courage to get out and ring the door bell, again....no answer.
At the third house, the dog seemed so vicious when I was still in my car that I decided I didn't feel like risking my life THAT much.
Feeling hopeless I went down the road a bit and then I saw what I needed. There was a man outside working on his house on the side of 179. I lucked out, he helped me with my story and it was so interesting to hear about someone who lives in such an unpopulated area.
I had an adventure at an old gas pump on my way home, then continued to track down MODOT officials for the next few days until I got the information I needed.
I'm really excited for my package, and I hope it turns out well.
I also went to the City Council meeting this week. I was hoping to get a story about the new noise ordinance and I have been looking into the town reaction to the Columbia Police SWAT team incident. At the meeting I was able to interview protestors outside, and listen to their emotions and feelings inside. They asked for reform in SWAT team policy and answers from the CPD. (oh, and the noise ordinance passed). I can now play my viola outside downtown until 10 during the week and 11 on the weekends!
The new rules are: Live or amplified Music Outside: Until 10 pm Sunday - Wednesday
and Until 11 pm Thursday to Saturday.
Car radios can't be heard further than 50 feet from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. or at any distance any other time.
Other noise is limited to:
300 feet: Sunday - Wednesday 7 A.M. - 10 P.M. and Thursday - Saturday 7 A.M. - 11 P.M.
150 feet: Sunday - Wednesday 10 P.M. - 1:30 A.M. Thursday - Saturday 11 P.M. - 1:30 A.M.
50 feet: Everday 1:30 A.M. - 7:30 A.M.
I shot video outside Fieldhouse Wednesday night, just in case I do a noise ordinance story. To my luck a few intoxicated people wanted to dance and wave to my camera.
Back to the SWAT controversy. Police Chief Burton held a press conference Thursday afternoon to answer questions. He announced that there is new policy for using dynamic entry and they will try to avoid using it as much as possible. They said they new there was a child in the house beforehand, but with old policy that didn't matter. Now they will consider dynamic entry and the location of a child before entering. Burton also says they will be purchasing helmets with cameras on them for all SWAT team members. He apologized for what happened, but stated that the team members were acting under correct protocol. He had an emotional moment discussing how he handles challenging processes of the department with his force, but says they are an excellent group of people.
In case you missed the video that started the controversy.
The Statement Burton Read
The Summary Chief Burton Released of the Video.
Narcotics Search Warrant Policy Change.
And...the Media Release of the Investigation.
A video of the Press Conference is available here too.
I also attended a training/informational session the Citizens Police Review Board requested from the Columbia Police Department about the use of TASERs.
Officers use an "Ask, Tell, Make" procedure: they ask someone to put their hand behind their back, state it sternly again, tell them they'll have to use a TASER, take the cartridge out and do a spark test, then actually use it.
The effects of a TASER only last for about 5 seconds, it makes your muscles tense up, then relax, and then you have your full strength back.
One officer says it is unbelievable pain, but it only last for a few seconds (that feel a lot longer than they actually are). He says pepper spray still hurts him the day after.
That's all for this week!
