Media's Unnecessary Attack on FFs

[Alpinerunner 61]

Look at the title to these articles. They clearly wrote it for shock value, as there was no need to drag the woman's husband into it.

Wilton fire lieutenant, wife arrested for scamming elderly woman in New Canaan

Staff Reports Tuesday, March 1, 2011

A Wilton fire department lieutenant and his wife -- a former stock broker -- have been arrested in New Canaan for allegedly misappropriating more than $1 million of funds from an elderly Greenwich woman suffering from dementia.

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/policereports/article/Wilton-fire-lieutenant-wife-arrested-for-1035791.php

This is how the article should have been titled:

Police: Greenwich woman with dementia scammed by former financial advisor

Staff Reports Tuesday, March 1, 2011

An elderly Greenwich woman suffering from dementia was scammed out of more than $1 million in funds by her financial advisor, a former Smith Barney employee from New Canaan, over a period of time from April 2006 to November 2008, according to New Canaan police.

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/policereports/article/Police-Greenwich-woman-with-dementia-scammed-by-1035798.php

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

anything to sell headlines. You see bias and attacks, they see dollar signs and copies sold.

[PEMO3 523]

Separate note in this article that seems interesting. The wife supposed ly stole the money and was released on a written promise to return to court. The husband by all accounts was an accomplice in this alleged crime and gets his bail set at $25K.

[INIT915 1,119]

Public official are always held to a higher standard. That's always the way it's going to be. No one might be all that surprised that a "stockbroker" took advantage of this women, but the thought of a FF or a LEO doing, that's a harder concept to accept, and as a result, is seen by some as more newsworthy.

Speaking only for myself, I have no problem with being held to a higher standard.

[Alpinerunner 61]

Public official are always held to a higher standard. That's always the way it's going to be. No one might be all that surprised that a "stockbroker" took advantage of this women, but the thought of a FF or a LEO doing, that's a harder concept to accept, and as a result, is seen by some as more newsworthy.

Speaking only for myself, I have no problem with being held to a higher standard.

That is certainly also true. I guess that creates the shock value that the media can capitalize on.

[efdcapt115 1,511]

If he is found guilt of this conspiracy the headline will read;

"Firefighter Convicted; Another Reason To Abolish Collective Bargaining Rights!"

[mfc2257 464]

They clearly wrote it for shock value, as there was no need to drag the woman's husband into it.

I hate negative firefighters press, but I'm not sure that this article is an unnecessary attack on firefighters. Read carefully and the article appears to be relaying facts and not filled with personal opinions of the writer.

The husband was arrested too. It would be wrong if only she was arrested and they mentioned him by name and his position as a firefighter...

"A Wilton fire department lieutenant and his wife -- a former stock broker -- have been arrested in New Canaan..."

"Funds from the victim were paid to charities, credit companies and other financial institutions, then transferred by Halloran and Michelsen for their own personal use, police said."

"One "charity" was supposedly created to support firefighters. Michelsen is a career firefighter and the president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2233, according to the town. Neither the Wilton Fire Department nor the union was implicated in the scam, according to police."

There are plenty of rags out there slamming our brothers.... This guy, just like if he were a Mayor, Town Supervisor, Foreman of the DPW, or any other public official has been named and identified by profession.

Edited March 1, 2011 by mfc2257

[FFPCogs 863]

I too have no problem being held (and having been held) to a higher standard as we are in positions of trust.

As for the headlines, as most have said nothing but shock value. I remember a case here in Stamford not too long ago involving a volunteer FF and allegations of child pornography. Now this individual was an accountant (?) yet our wonderful Ragvocate had to make sure the headline said "VOLUNTEER FF arrested blah blah blah. How about "accountant arrested"..hmmm just isn't as eye catching is it.

Unfortunately by virtue of our service (paid and violunteer alike) we will be scrutinized more closely and our failings used publically for the amusement of others. Best to stay clean and have no worries.

BTW IMO if guilty they both deserve whatever they get and more for preying on the weak.

Cogs

[jayhalsey 6]

I hate negative firefighters press, but I'm not sure that this article is an unnecessary attack on firefighters. Read carefully and the article appears to be relaying facts and not filled with personal opinions of the writer.

The husband was arrested too. It would be wrong if only she was arrested and they mentioned him by name and his position as a firefighter...

"A Wilton fire department lieutenant and his wife -- a former stock broker -- have been arrested in New Canaan..."

"Funds from the victim were paid to charities, credit companies and other financial institutions, then transferred by Halloran and Michelsen for their own personal use, police said."

"One "charity" was supposedly created to support firefighters. Michelsen is a career firefighter and the president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2233, according to the town. Neither the Wilton Fire Department nor the union was implicated in the scam, according to police."

There are plenty of rags out there slamming our brothers.... This guy, just like if he were a Mayor, Town Supervisor, Foreman of the DPW, or any other public official has been named and identified by profession.

I agree with this post. If the lieutenant wasnt arrested, then I think the OP would have a point. But to say that "There was no need to drag the womans husband into it" is simply ludicrous. He was, after all, arrested in this matte. The article I read made a point to explicitly state that the lieutenants department and union had nothign whatsoever to do with the alleged crime. If the writer really wanted to disparage the fire service, they would have left that part out. Also, the OP states that there was a proper way to title the article. That proper way lists the womans profession, but not her husband. Why would that be proper and not disparaging to financial advisers?

[ny10570 745]

Every day we ask for special treatment and perks because of what we do. Well it cuts both ways. When we screw up we get treated special as well.

[firecapt32 282]

I had in my lecture just last night--Intro to Fire officer- a segment about being held to a higher standard. Guys thats just the way people see us, they see the shirt-the hats- the uniform- the fire car--the apparatus. We are in position of trust. We go into peoples homes when they might not be there. Our EMS handles children and the elderly. We have to be carefull. Every day someone is watching us and some of them dont like us. I know its hard to believe but it is true.