Hostage Taking at Mountain View

((WE CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! ))

((Hey guys. I notified Burke that I would be away on vacation, I think. But I'm here now. Sorry for the delay, picking up right at the negotiation...))

*I continue talking with the hostage taker. I'v taken my notepad out and placed it on a flat surface besides my seat that serves as a desk, and start noting down usefull info.*

Me: 'You're right, we're out in force as you can see. But try to relate... I don't know you, you don't know me. I can't know if you're going to start blasting at us when we show up, or just talk, like we are doing now. So we need to take steps to stay safe, just like you are doing inside. Right?'

Hostage taker: 'I see what you mean, but there is no way I'm coming out there. Never! I'm not signing my own death sertificate!'

Me: 'Allright, let's take this down a notch... No one is signing any death certificates today. Look, we have time. The other cops won't lift a finger while I'm still talking with you, so let's keep it this way for a while, right?'

Hostage taker: 'Make no mistake, I have my finger on the god damn trigger all the time! But yea, why not, let's talk.'

Me: 'Great, great! My name is Andy by the way. You don't have to tell my yours, but it's kind of strange talking to someone anonymous...'

Hostage taker: 'Call me Greg. Just Greg, that'll do.'

Me: 'Allright, Greg. That's fine by me, no obligations here. Just us two talking, no cops meddling...'

Hostage taker: 'Yea yea, I'm not lowering my guard here! Just talking.'

*I motion a thumbs up to Bucello to indicate I have good contact and making some progress.*

**Overhearing the conversation, I can tell that this person won't be fooled by the 'make noise' routine. A raid is going to be very challenging. I decide against going through the motel records to see if his name is there; he probably used a fake name anyway.**

'Entry team, a grenade launcher might be strong enough to knock out the vent cover. If we have to, we can launch a flash grenade at the vent, and then blow the door open.'

((Do we have under-barrel grenade launchers, or handheld stand-alone launchers? Also, welcome back.))

(We do have a regular grenade launch, but realistically, it isn't that much better than a good throwing arm)

"Update Teams?"

"Still in negotiations. He's not going to kill the hostage if we don't make a move on our part, but it's going to take a lot of coaxing to get him out. We have a first name that he gave us - Greg - but no last name and no other useful information."

'Sir, shall i get the breaching kit?'
'We will need more than two to breach. Should i contact COPA?'
(( Damn i can't breach cuz all i got is a rifle and a pistol and nobody breaches with rifles but i might breach with a pistol))

'The door isn't locked. The main concern is the hostage taker himself and that he might shoot the hostage. If we can toss a flash grenade at the ventilation and have it detonate on impact, we will be able to get in the door relatively quickly and overpower him. I would use your UMP45. We're going to be in tight quarters, and you don't want a long-barreled M16 in an small enclosed space.'

(Remember, you can godmod to have the four if you need, Holmes and The other guy on the HR)

I pull up outside the perimeter, noticing me, Officer Lafferty lets me in. I pull up on the sidewalk, switch off my lights and sirens and take the key out of the ignition. I get out of my vehicle, go to the trunk and grab a Remington shotgun and ERT jacket. I put the jacket on and walk over to the perimeter where Officer Lafferty is standing.

*I notice Mandrose walking over*

'Hey, how are you doing?'

*I say as I trip over the curb*

'I meant to do that'

'Nice one.'

'Anyway, TAC is just getting ready, so lets sit back and enjoy the show and keep people out.'

'Lafferty, there's no way I'm putting you on entry detail.'

**I extend a hand and pull Lafferty up from the ground.**

'Mandrose, what we have here is a barricaded suspect in the storage area. He's talking to us, but he also has a shotgun to the head of the motel manager and won't come out. He hasn't made demands or anything. What's more, there's only one way in, and he's already jumpy as it is. We're working on ways to overwhelm his senses - flash grenades, audio weapons and the like.'

'haha, I don't blame you LT'

'I stepped in some oil over there'

*I point to a puddle of oil*

'I guess I didn't get it all off my boot.'

*I then walk back over and direct a car to turn around.*

**I walk over to a patch of grass, dig some dirt and put it over the oil. We don't want flammables in the open; best to put some absorbant over it. I then walk back to the RRT truck and draw up the entry plan.**

Prior to entry, both the RRT Truck and the HR Truck will turn on their LRAD audio weapons systems on a setting well above the threshold for pain, forcing the suspect to drop his weapon and protect his ears. While this is happening, an officer with hearing protection will go to the vent and throw a flash grenade, disorienting the suspect.



Afterwards, the teams will enter, shooting the door handle or hinges with a shotgun if needed for rapid entry. It is crucial that the hostage and hostage taker are separated and that the hostage taker is disarmed. As this happens, the HR Truck will drive to the door.



The hostage will be rushed out of the room and into the HR truck. The truck will drive away, out of sight of the hostage taker. The hostage taker will be put into the RRT Truck or a patrol car and driven to Alpha Base, where he will be read his rights and questioned. The hostage will be debriefed in the HR Truck and receive a quick medical evaluation. She will not be released until the hostage taker is out of the area.



If you don't know what an LRAD is, here's a video:

(I love the LRAD)

*I check the plans and approve them on my office computer*

**I watch the approval message flash through on the EAT and change the settings on the RRT and HR truck LRAD systems to about 125 decibels, which is above the pain threshold of 120 decibels. I then look through the RRT truck for earplugs. Fortunately, I have a set of them that are normally used for firing range practice.**

((I will be at school, so don't mess with my character if it's not necessary.))

*I walk to my Hr-1 Truck, placing my rifle there, taking out a Glock 17, putting in my holster.
I also take out my UMP-45 and my earing protecting*
*I walk over Bucello Again*
'I'm ready.'

I turn to Lafferty and say "Hi, I'm just going to the perimeter and keep people away."

I walk off to the perimeter. It is made up of blue and white PPD barriers, stretching across the road and sidewalk. I notice a gang of press and onlookers, wondering what's going to happen next. I stand up to the perimeter, making sure no one pushes past.

"HR-1 to Mandrose , what is the situation over there?"

*I've talked a bit with Greg now, trying to get some tidbit information. He has shared very little, but I've gotten that this crime is caused of some personal reason... He's not a terrorist. I continue speaking with him.*

Me: 'Allright Greg, we're getting along pretty well aren't we?'

Hostage taker: 'Call it whatever you like.'

Me: 'Is there anything I can get you Greg, any food, drink?'

Hostage taker: 'Yea...' *he pauses for a brief moment then continues* 'You can get me some water and some sandwhiches. But it all needs to be in the sealed packaging! You ain't drugging me, oh no, I'm not that stupid...'

Me: 'Allright Greg, I'll see to that it gets to you. Maybe you'd allow me to deliver it myself?'

Hostage taker: 'Great idea. Call me when it's ready, I'm getting paranoid.'

*He hangs up. I set down the reciever and walk over to Bucello.*

'Bucello! He's still stable, but he wants food and water, unopened. Grant or deny?'

'Tell him we'll bring four prepackaged sandwiches, a 12-pack of bottled water and a box of cereal bars, all individualy wrapped, within the next half hour.. I don't want to run too many food missions, but we'll do what we have to do.'

**I make a note of what is needed.**

'Lafferty, I know you're dealing with the crowd, but I need you to run to the convenience store. We're sending in four prepackaged sandwiches, a 12-pack of bottled water and a box of cereal bars. Everything you get has to be prepackaged and untampered with, understand? He's very paranoid. We need that within the next half hour. If you're running late, radio in so that we can let the hostage taker know before something drastic happens.'

'Sir, maybe i could get there?'


((I bet 20$ dollars if i am going to pay.(ERT MONEY))))

"PC-7 to HR-1, situation is under control. Crowd is getting bigger but they can't see much. They haven't tried to push past me very hard yet either."

"Roger that"

((I dint call you PC 7 cuz you dont got it in the sig

(Thats okay. But I looked on the site and thats what I am.)

'I appreciate the offer, Manuel, but you're needed here. Besides, how would you drive there? In the heavy rescue truck? I should hope not. Actually, Mandrose, why don't you get the things we need and Lafferty will watch the crowd? You know what we need, right?'

"I could do it. It's 4 sandwiches, 12 water bottles and a box of cereal bars isn't it?"

'That's right, but make sure it's all prepackaged. Nothing handmade, nothing tampered with - just prepackaged food. Not only will he not eat it, he might break off negotiations and refuse to come out.'

"Copy that." I run up to my Dodge Charger, unlocking it, and then I get in. I close the door and put the keys in the ignition. I switch on the sirens and lights, as I reverse and turn onto the road. I drive toward the perimeter and Lafferty moves one of the barriers as I drive past. I speed up hitting speeds of 65mph, I then swerve out onto Boader Road. I remember that there is a Convenience Store on North Twin Road.

I start speeding up to 75mph as cars moved out the way of me. I pass the road end of South Twin Road and within seconds, turn onto North Twin Road. About half way along the Convenience Store lay. I pulled up on the sidewalk, the brakes screeching from the sudden stop. I ran inside, I noticed that the shop assistant looked alarmed but when I started looking through the shelves, he sort of realised what I was doing and calmed down. I found what I was looking for, the sandwich section. I picked up 4 plastic-boxed Ham sandwiches. I also grabbed two six-packs of water bottles and a box of cereal bars. I went up to the check-out and after the shop assistant had finished scanning everything, the announced "$13.40". I reached into my pocket, pulled out my wallet and looked inside. I grabbed a twenty dollar bill and gave it to the shop assistant. He gave me the change and I put my wallet back.

I grabbed two plastic bags, put the food and drinks inside and wlaked back out to the Charger. I opened the trunk, put the bags inside and ran back into the Charger. I turned the key in the ignition, reversed back, swerving onto the road as I went. I sped off down North Twin Road, onto Boader Road and back onto Third Avenue. I waited at the perimeter for Lafferty to open it, when he did I drove in, stopped and didn't even bother to take the key out of the ignition. I ran out, opened the trunk and grabbed the two bags, producing them to Bucello.

(Sorry if I wrote in two tenses. I'm going off for the night.)

'I bet that the owner made him pay'

'Thanks, Mandrose. It looks like the crowd is under control, but go over, just in case.'

**I take the food and go over to Halls.**

'Let him know that we have the food, and that I'm going over and leaving it in front of the door. I'm taking off my helmet, armor and weapons, OK?'

**I leave my weapons and armor in the RRT truck. It's risky, but not as risky as going in armed and armored. I wait for Halls to let me know that the hostage taker expects his delivery.**

'I gotcha boss'

*I then notice a convience store down the block and walk in*

*I grab the waters and sandwhiches and pay for them*

*I walk back to where all the Tac guys are at*

'Here you go sir'

'If you need anything else I'll be back on the line'

*I walk back to where Mandrose is*

'They sure are nosy aren't they?'

(Had severe storms and tornados in the area so power is out. I'm using my cell phone but most of our towers are down. So I may be here and there for the next couple days)

((Thanks, Lafferty, but we already got the food.))

**Some of the bystanders are pushed out of the way, as a local camera crew tries to get a close up shot.**

'Lafferty, tell those reporters to set up farther away, OK?'

(Oh, hehe. Well I guess I got yall some food then)

'Sure thing Boss'

*I look to the group*

'Yall get back and get back now'

*They just stand there looking at me.*

'I'm not going to tell yall again, get back now'

*Everyone starts to walk away, except the reporters naturally.*

*I step over to the negotiatior phone again and pick up the reciever. I clear my throath and think a second, then I press the dial-button. It rings one time... two... Greg picks up on the other end.*

Hostage taker: 'Hello?'

Me: 'Hello Greg, it's me, Andy, again. I've got your food.'

Hostage taker: 'Uh-huh... You bring it over here, I wanna see who the fool I'm talking with is.'

*He hangs up again. I put down the reciever, rub my eyes with my hand while thinking for a moment, then I walk over to Bucello.*

'I've talked with him, he wants the food and he wants me to deliver it. Any update on the plan?'

'Well, there was a mishap, and apparently both of our officers went to get food. So, it looks like you have a lot to carry, unless you want me to go with you. The plan is still on, but I'm not distributing ear plugs until we know that it's necessary. Only if you determine that negotiations will fail do we move to assault.'

J. Bucello wrote:'Well, there was a mishap, and apparently both of our officers went to get food. So, it looks like you have a lot to carry, unless you want me to go with you. The plan is still on, but I'm not distributing ear plugs until we know that it's necessary. Only if you determine that negotiations will fail do we move to assault.'

'I wanna continue the negotiations a little further, I think i'm onto something. I'll talk to him about you accompanying me, and we'll see what happens.'

*I walk back to the negotiator phone and lift the reciever to my ear once again. I press the dial button and wait for a reply...*

((I have to go to bed now, sorry. Continuing tomorrow asap if you haven't moved it along.))

((Continuing in new post to bump the thread. ))

*Greg picks up. He sounds nervous, but still pretty calm.*

Me: 'Hey Greg, it's Andy. We're ready to bring the food over, but there is a little change.'

Hostage taker: 'The f*** you mean, change?'

Me: 'Nothing major. But I can't carry all the stuff myself, so I need to bring another officer along to help me. Are you okay with that?'

Hostage taker: 'Wha.... Uh... Ok fine, whatever, but leave your guns behind and stay together, no tactical formation bullshit!'

Me: 'It's a deal Greg, no tactical bullshit or weapons. We're just making a delivery.'

Hostage taker: 'Fine, now move your asses.'

*He hangs up, so do I. I leave my sidearm in the RRT and make sure I'm ready to go. I then walk over to Bucello.*

'Allright, I'm ready to go, he's cool with it. You tagging along or someone else?'

'Liuetenant, if the suspect decides to shot me and Liuetenant Halls, you can still go on with the operation. But if he shots both of you, we will have no leader nor negotiator.'

I walk over to my Charger, taking the key out of the ignition, and grabbing my ERT Jacket. I put it on and walk back to the perimeter to continue telling people to stay back.

((C'mon! WHERE IS EVERYONE?!))

'Martins has a point. Still, he specifically requested that the negotiator deliver the food. Manuel, you can go with Halls. You know the drill - no sudden movements, threatening gestures or offensive banter.'

'Yes sir.'
*I take out my armor and belt duty belt, putting it on my car.*
*I grab my part of the food.*
'Ready'

'You've left all your guns here? If that gun sees a firearm he's gonna flip a sh**.'

*I grab two bags of food and water bottles, and start walking towards the motel. I approach the door of the hostage takers room, with Martins right behind me. I set the bags down, and knock on the door. A minute passes... I know again, lightly. Suddenly, the door flies up and Greg is there, pointing his gun at me. He sees Martins, and aims the gun at him. Then he aims it at me again, since I'm closest.*

Me: 'Greg... Relax. We have your stuff. Ok?'

Hostage taker: 'Get the f*** in here!'

*I grab the bags and set them inside the room, Martins helps me get the remaining bags inside and I step into the room. Greg closes the door behind me, shutting sgt. Martins outside. Greg puts his back to the door and points the gun at my head.*

Me: 'Do you mind Greg, you might blow my head off...'

Hostage taker: '....Unpack the food.'

*He lowers the gun, and I unpack the food and water, setting it on the bed.*

Me: 'Can I sit down Greg? I feel better sitting... How about you?'

Hostage taker: 'Suit yourself, sit on that chair in the corner. I prefer standing as long as your tactical stormtroopers out there are still here!'

Me: 'Allright, Greg, I see that you're getting agitated... What can we do to calm this down? We don't want someone getting shot right now, not now that we've got the food and water here, right?'

Hostage taker: 'I ain't shooting no one as long as you coppers keep your pants on!'

Me: 'Ok, let me signal that all is well and we can have some food, ok?'

Hostage taker: 'Great idea.'

*I walk over to the window, and give a thumbs up signal for a few seconds towards the TAC position, indicating all is well. I then sit down at the bed while Greg hands out food to me and the hostage. The manager (hostage) seems ok, but afraid. He isn't gonna make any hero moves, I think to myself.*


((Allright, the ball is in your court now Bucello. Negotiate or storm the front?))

((Keep him talking. Now that we've lost communication with you, there are no options but to make a tactical move. We'll try once and only once to get you released.))

**The door slams shut with a clang! and cuts off our view of what's inside the room. It looks like the hostage taker is in front, with the hostages in either back corner.**

'Get into formation, everyone. Libor, I need you to get a raid jacket and a shotgun and join us.'

**Martins, Holmes, and Fisher line up in front of me. I hand out earplugs to everyone.**

'Put these in when I tell you to do so. After those are in, we use hand signals. When I point at the building, that means go forward. A raised fist means stop. If I make a chopping motion across my throat with my hand, that means cease fire. Questions?'

((Ask questions, guys, if you don't know the plan.))

**I go to the bullhorn.**

'Greg? This is the Emergency Response Team. We're willing to negotiate with you, but you have to release our negotiator. Please release our negotiator. If you understand this message, open the door and allow the negotiator to go free.'

**No answer.**

'Greg, we have no communication with you. We need you to release our negotiator. We don't want this to get any worse. This can all end peacefully. Please let the negotiator go.'

**There is, again, no answer.**

'Dammit. Alright, stack up. Fisher, when the LRAD goes off, take this flash grenade, pull the pin and toss it aat the vent. There won't be much time. It's set for impact detonation. Everyone else, stack up on the door. Libor will take the hinges off, and then we go in. Subdue the hostage taker first. When he's down, the hostages must be moved immediately into the HR truck. Lafferty, take the keys to the HR truck and drive it up when the door comes off the hinges. I'll be in the top hatch of the truck to provide support and let the hostages in through the back. Questions?'

((We'll godmod Fisher or anyone else who doesn't acknowledge soon. Halls, feel free to make up stuff that the hostage does - not that we can see any of that, of course.))

'Alright.'

"Pc-8 has outside command."

*I grab my gear and stack up.*

'Alright, give me the signal and we'll go hot. Door locked?'

'Everyone get your plugs in.'

**Libor, Martins, Holmes and Fisher get their ear plugs in, as do I. Once I see everyone's plugs in, I turn on the LRAD at 125 decibels. Even through the ear plugs, it's enormously loud. I point at the building and everyone surges forward. Fisher tosses the grenade at the vent while Libor gets in position with his gun. TAC starts a stack-up formation at the other door, waiting to go in.**

"8 is direct"

*I then stand there and wait*

'This is the hard part I say to Mandrose'

'The waiting part is always hard'

*I say while I notice someone trying to go past our barricade*

'Yeah, you better head right back the other way bud'

*The guy turns around and heads off*

*I move to the front and aim at the hinges. I blow one off as the flash bang goes off and blow the other one off. I kick the door in and move to te side to let TAC take lead.*