[MLeake]

It usually draws a good crowd, as well as representatives from the Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Department, and sometimes area fire departments and EMS.

According to my father, tonight OCSD was represented by a deputy who had arrested the 16yo who was recently convicted of killing the off-duty Orlando police officer in the parking lot by an ATM last year. (Officer stopped at the ATM on his way home from a shift at Orlando International Airport; kid walked up and shot him as he retreated to his car, where he had left his off-duty weapon)

The deputy told my father and the neighbors that the face of crime had changed in recent years in central Florida. He said the worst offenders were in the 13-15 year old bracket, and that while in the old days, robbers said "Don't look at me or I'll shoot you," they now say "Don't look at me" and then shoot anyway. The deputy's advice to all present was:

1) Buy a gun;
2) Get training in how to use a gun;
3) Be prepared to shoot anybody who invades your home.

My parents have taken this to heart, and will be spending some time at the range later this week.

Regards,

M