21.07.2017
Aerial lift shooting
A man in Florida, USA was caught on camera shooting at two truck mounted platforms being used by telecoms company AT&T… because they were parked outside his house.
The AT&T employees were working on telephone lines in Hialeah when Jorge Jove approached them as he was upset that they were parked in front of his driveway. When he was told that they would move when the repairs were finished, he went back into his house and returned with a gun.
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Jove points the gun at the truck
Jove then walked to the first truck and shot out all four tyres, then shot at the engine radiator of the second truck. Slightly odd given that he wanted the trucks to move. He has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and two counts of felony vandalism.
None of the linesmen were hurt. This is certainly not one of the risks highlighted in IPAF operator card training.
Have a safe weekend!
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Some of the several bullet holes in one of the trucks
Red
My Dear Benji,
I reread my comments and No where did I take the side of the nut case with the gun. I did not agree with or condone his actions. My point is the operator's actions ( or lack of ). At the very least common courtesy dictates the operator try to accomodate the citizen so he can access his driveway. If someone blocked my driveway and wouldn't move, while I would never grab a gun, I would be perplexed, and maybe a little upset.
Eric L
America, F*** yeah!
Society is turning to s***...
Benji
Hello Red,
Are you saying that the person at fault here ISNT the man who shot up the vehicles?
I remember the reported incident with the utility trucks. They were asked to put out better hazard warnings further up the road. I completely agree that in that instance, the operators should have acted with more sense and performed a very simple action to resolve the matter, as well as treat the bystander with more courtesy. After all, their work was creating a hazard and risk to the general public.
In this instance though - the AT&T operators are carrying out work at set points on the road. They have limited ability to carry out the work from another position. Why SHOULD the AT&T operators 'immediately move' their trucks? They are carrying out temporary works, which I can only assume is in the benefit of their customers, and they are working from a public highway. There is zero danger to the general public.
The man with a gun is a complete loon to think he can just shoot the vehicles up. What's more, as pointed out in the article, it undermines what the man hoped to achieve - which is to move the trucks.
Diplomacy and cooperation goes both ways. The public (as with customers) aren't always right. Your sentiment (in relation to the utility trucks)I agree with. But in terms of this incident, I find the fact you agree with what he did just barmy.
Red
What an unfortunate incident. A citizen upset because a utility co. bucket truck is blocking his driveway. The operator tells the citizen he will move when his work is completed. The citizen returns armed with a handgun and shoots up the utility truck(s)
This should never have happened.
In today's world one never knows what will set off a person. The operator, when faced with the citizen's concern, should have immediately moved his truck, so as not to block any driveway(s).
All employees, in addition to their normal duties, must consider themselves goodwill ambassadors for their companies.
The story from last winter comes to mind about utility trucks parked on the road at the bottom of a long icy grade. A neighbor raises concerns about the traffic hazard and is blown off by the trucks operators , even as cars are crashing into each other around them.
A little diplomacy and cooperation always goes a long way when dealing with John Q. Public. Perhaps today's training should include a course on public relations.