US Law Enforcement Response, Time, Scale and Coordination (Galveston, TX)

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by tshiggins

I have a couple more ideas to toss into the grind, just for fun.

Friday nights and Saturday nights are the busy times for any municipal police department, so you can probably increase the number of patrol officers on regular duty by at least two, or so.

Both Galveston PD and Galveston County Sheriff's Office (GCSO) seem to have patrol divisions of 50-75 officers on four staggered twelve hour shifts. How many on watch around midnight, then? And what rank is the shift commander, Lieutenant or Sergeant?

Originally Posted by tshiggins

Given that a crime so recently took place, a couple more might be puttering around the station, too. The PD is definitely paying some overtime, this week.

There is still someone working the case, yes. Two detectives of Galveston PD Major Crimes, Joe Cartwright (no relation) and Frank Kelly (actually some sort of cousin to Traci Cartwright), turned up at the Penemue hoping to be able to speak with 'Gwen Delvano' and likely there is someone trying to finish the paperwork for a court order on some financial information related to her, after everything they tried this afternoon yielded nada, other than the card she paid with, which is only six months old.

Originally Posted by tshiggins

Any call received by dispatch that an officer is under fire, or "officer down" causes every cop to drop everything and race to the site with lights and sirens. That includes even an elderly police chief, or the desk sergeant who spends most of his time pushing paper at the station and hasn't put on his vest in years.

Hopefully for the PCs and law enforcement in Galveston, at least someone has the presence of mind to sit still and coordinate from a desk, with computer, phones and comm gear easier to use than radios in cars while speeding. It will occur faster to someone not trying to put on a vest and drive at the same time to contact Houston PD for air support and it's easier to dispatch a helicopter immediately to the right spot when the request is clear, concise and complete, rather than fragmentary and confused.

About vests, do local departments have access to rifle vests, i.e. NIJ Level III or above, for peace officers other than SWAT?

Originally Posted by tshiggins

The Texas Highway Patrol will have several troopers assigned in the vicinity of Galveston, and Fridays and Saturdays are busy nights for them, too. The Texas Department of Public Safety has patrol offices in Galveston and in nearby Texas City.

Figure at least another three troopers driving around in the general area; one of which should be able to respond in a hurry.

While I agree that the Highway Patrol ought to be able to respond with one or more patroling vehicles fairly quickly, the DPS building on 6812 Broadway Street in Galveston is a DMW office that closes at 17:00.

Are Texas DPS Highway Patrol patrolmen always two to a car or do they patrol alone?

Originally Posted by tshiggins

The Galveston County Sheriff's Office has its headquarters in the town, also. That means any deputy not on patrol who hears "officer down" will dash to his or her patrol vehicle, also.

Yes, the two stations are next to each other and either a GCSO car was involved in the shooting or one of the first vehicles on the scene will be that GCSO car, depending on what the PCs say and do for the first few minutes of next session.

Originally Posted by tshiggins

Generally, most first-responder agencies in the United States in such a situation shift to the Incident Command System (ICS). It establishes a standard management hierarchy for emergency situations, in which the person who knows the most about the incident -- usually, the first to arrive on the scene -- takes command of the initial response, regardless of rank.

[...]

The declared IC stays in charge until such time as a person of higher rank arrives to take over the incident. However, if the current commander has made competent decisions, the ranking person may simply decline to relieve him or her.

Thanks, that's great. If two cars arrive roughly simultaneously at the scene, one unmarked with two senior detectives from Galveston PD, and the other a patrol car with the most senior patrol officer on the Galveston PD aside from the shift commander, does the patrol officer become Incident Commander regardless of the rank of the detectives?

Also, if a Sergeant in the GCSO would arrive at the same time, how is the IC determined?

Originally Posted by tshiggins

This raises a couple of interesting points -- the sicarios are actually better off if they don't kill everybody. If the first couple of responders are busy rendering first aid, they won't have time to shift their thinking to "ICS mode." That would buy precious minutes for the escape, and could make the difference between getting away and getting trapped.

Yes, but I think it's unlikely that Raul will be able to make such decisions under the circumstances. After all, a running firefight with rammed cars and confusion will mean that who lives and dies is beyond anyone's control.

If the ambush succeeds perfectly, with the ambulance and escorting patrol car(s) stopping at the stop sign on the corner of Broadway Street and 71st Street without noticing the OpFor ambush, Igor will be able to disable the engine of the ambulance while it is stationary and then switch to targeting potentially armed officers only about 2-3 seconds after the first shot. Igor will be firing at 30-40 yards, depending on the exact spot the ambush is sprung (33 yards if it's perfect), and under GURPS rules, won't have much difficulty hitting anyone sitting in vehicles that don't start accelerating until the next second.

Meanwhile, Diego with skill 12 and the LWRCI R.E.P.R. Mk.II .308 rifle and thermal scope, will be around 30 yards away from the patrol vehicle behind the ambulance, shooting from the side. Next to him, at the same distance, Morena, with skill 13 and the LWRCI IC-SPR 5.56x45mm rifle and NV scope. Neither has Pacifism (Reluctant Killer) and both have killed men before (Morena allegedly dozens), both will engage any visible officers with disciplined aimed semi-automatic fire. The windows might deflect a bullet or two, but the unless the driver of the patrol vehicle sees the ambush coming, he still probably dies before he reacts in any way.

Now, much depends on whether there are two escorting police vehicles, which could be the case if GCSO and Galveston PD both want to escort this important witness/suspect (because the PD considers no doubt that they are lead on the case, but the GCSO will want to remain involved due to the Kessler connection). If there are, they aren't there for security, they are just staking a claim.

The Galveston PD is likely to win any jurisdictional tussle and have an officer in the back of the ambulance, which means the officer driving is probably alone in the PD patrol car. The GCSO patrol car that might be along, however, will probably have two deputies in it, Deputy Ana Esperza De La Cruz, a new deputy commissioned in May 2018 and Sergeant Bob Higgins, a twenty year veteran of the GCSO who is also a MSG of the Texas Army National Guard, with two Iraq deployments and one to Afghanistan.

If so, deputies De La Cruz and Higgins would probably take fire from four sicarios with AR-15 type rifles concealed in the trees and shrubbery on the other side of Broadway Street from the sharpshooters, only 5-15 yards away from where their vehicle probably stops. This would be fire at the vehicle, because these sicarios do not have night vision, but still, just the first seconds are murderous. Also, at some point about three to five seconds after the first shot, Igor, Diego and Morena will have successfully engaged their first targets and can direct aimed fire at deputies De La Cruz and Higgins.

All in all, it's entirely possible that everyone outside the ambulance would be dead in five seconds. And the officer inside the ambulance will have drawn a weapon and Raul needs him taken out as soon as possible, without risking 'Gwen Delvano', which probably means a head shot by someone competent with night vision, after the sicarios get the door open. I suppose it's possible that the ambulance driver or EMT(s) in the back of the ambulance could be left alive, if they are unarmed

It is primarily those people whom Raul might make a conscious decision to wound, but not kill. Still, that pretty much requires his ambush succeeds perfectly, without anh complications, and Raul retains enough presence of mind after witnessing a firefight to make an inspired deduction and give a cold-blooded order.

Originally Posted by tshiggins

Secondly, given the serendipitous location of the offices of The Daily News, the reporters might actually see the vehicles of the perpetrators. Since the cars driven by newspaper reporters are, at best, described as "nondescript," the hit-team might pay no attention to the car that just pulled on the highway behind them.

If the reporter realizes what he or she sees, and doesn't freak out (an experienced one will get a bonus to a fright-check), he or she will drift back and try to get a one-handed shot through the windshield. If the car has a dash-cam, the reporter won't even do that -- he or she will just follow for as long as his or her nerve holds out.

Ugh, that would be one gutsy reporter!

Igor is going to kill every apparently pursuing vehicle for the initial three minute drive until the OpFor is across the causeway, just because the OpFor don't want eyes on them when they turn off the I-45 and head toward the extraction point.

[Icelander]

I mean to address tshiggins' excellent timeline better later, but before I do, I thought I'd share a detail that might affect that timeline somewhat. That is, because of what has happened in play, I already know where several police patrol vehicles are.

In addition to the Galveston PD patrol car that will probably escort the ambulance and the GCSO patrol vehicle that might follow, there are two other police vehicles located very near the ambush point.

That is, the unmarked vehicle assigned to Galveston PD detectives Joe Cartwright and Frank Kelly, as well as at least one other vehicle of Galveston PD patrol, remain at the private pier adjacent to the Pelican Rest Marina, where the yacht Penemue is moored. From where the cars are parked to the scene of the ambush, there are about 400 yards, a short distance of it on a parking lot, but about 330 yards directly ahead on Broadway Street.

Granted, when the officers hear the shots and then possibly something on the radio (possibly not), they'll need a few seconds to react, realize and start acting. They'll also need to get from below decks on the Penemue on to the pier and then from the pier to their cars, a total distance of some hundred yards.

All of which could take from thirty seconds (instant reaction, instant analysis of situation, no doubt or hesitation, Olympic athlete level running, vaulting stairs, T.J. Hooker jump into vehicle with car keys Ready) to 2-3 minutes, for more human cops, who take a few seconds to understand, first try to reach the escort on the radios, are less athletic in leaping stairs and gangways and pause to arm themselves from the vehicle trunk.

But after that, it will take less than a minute to drive the distance to the scene. Which means that the the first responders will be either the two detectives or the two patrol officers aboard Penemue, who will be talking to different PCs at the moment the shots ring out 350 yards away.

And that the car which makes it there faster can be there anywhere from 60 to 240 seconds, depending on the reaction speed, athleticism and driving of the officers.

Detectives Joe Cartwright (45) and Frank Kelly (41) are both in their forties and neither is a recreational athlete, but both of them are veteran peace officers and will probably figure out what is happening fairly fast. Cartwright's service weapon is a Colt M1991A1 .45 ACP pistol customized by Wilson Combat and Detective Kelly carries a Glock 19 Gen 3 9x19mm. Detective Cartwright stores a customized Mossberg 590A1 Class III 12G shotgun in the car, mounting a SureFire 623LMG Ultra-High-Output Forend WeaponLight for Mossberg 500/590 and Aimpoint PRO sights, and Detective Kelly keeps a privately acquired patrol rifle in the trunk of their vehicle, a KAC SR-15 E3 CQB MOD 2 M-LOK 5.56x45mm carbine (11.5" bbl AR-15 carbine) with Trijicon RX01NSN reflex sight and SureFire M600 Ultra Scout Light, despite that model no longer being on the approved list after Chief Hale altered the departmental guidelines on privately acquired weapons.

The patrol officers are both in their twenties, with Officer Sam H. Talley (26) being a three-star recruit as a defensive back at the University of Houston in 2011 and Officer Midge Dugger (23) having played power forward for the Ball Tornados basketball team in high school. Talley is growing into his role as a police officer, but Dugger is very inexperienced.

In addition to his Glock 19 Gen 4 9x19mm service weapon, Talley keeps a privately acquired patrol rifle in the trunk of his patrol vehicle, one authorized by regulation, a Rock River Arms LAR-15 Entry Tactical 5.56x45mm with Aimpoint PRO sight . Dugger carries only her Glock 19 Gen 5 9x19mm.

The OpFor is aware of these vehicles and Raul and Tomás are surveilling them along with the ambulance, checking who follows and who remains behind, before Raul means to drive after the official cars along Broadway Street, to where the ambush awaits. He's even leaving an ATN X-Spotter HD 20-80X spotter scope pointing at where these cars will enter Broadway Street, with a video feed to his tablet, so he will not miss it when they start toward the scene.

Edit: It remains to be seen what patrol car(s) escort the ambulance with 'Gwen Delvano' to the UTMB TDCJ Hospital. As noted earlier, there are also two other vehicles parked at the Penemue as the law enforcement officers prepare to transport the suspect.

One vehicle is from the GCSO, driven there by Sergeant Bob Higgins (52) and the rookie patrol officer he is training, Deputy Ana Esperza De La Cruz (22). His service weapon is a weathered Colt 1911A1 .45 ACP and her is a brand new Glock 22 Gen 4 .40 S&W. They have GCSO approved patrol rifles, acquired at massive discounts thanks to influence from Kessler, KAC SR-15 E3 Carbine MOD 2 M-LOK 5.56x45mm carbines (14.5" bbl AR-15 carbines) mounting Aimpoint CompM4S sights.

Sergeant Higgins of the GCSO is also a MSG in the Texas Army National Guard, with two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. He is universally respected by Texas peace officers, as a thoroughly professional first responder and patrol officer who never wastes words and never needs to raise his voice. When his old partner retired, the bubbly and irrepressable Deputy De La Cruz was an odd choice to replace him, but in the eight months they've spent together, De La Cruz has won over her grizzled mentor with her cheerful devotion to learning how to be a good peace officer.

The other vehicle is another Galveston PD cruiser, the vehicle of Officer Keontay Washington (30) and Sergeant Wendell 'Buddy' Duke (63). Officer Washington is armed with a Glock 19 Gen 4 9x19mm pistol, while Sergeant Duke carries a 1929 vintage revolver, the S&W Registered Magnum in .357 Magnum (5.5" bbl), which fit the requirements for service weapons when he started and which he has managed to retain as an authorized alternate carry weapon. They both have shotguns in the car, Officer Washington has a shiny new Mossberg 590M Mag-Fed with a 14" bbl, SureFire 623LMG Ultra-High-Output Forend WeaponLight for Mossberg 500/590 and Trijicon RX01NSN reflex sight, and Sergeant Duke has a beat-up old Remington 870 Magnum (20" bbl, blued, rifle sights, walnut stock, no checkering) made in 1975.

Buddy Duke is the oldest active officer in the Galveston PD, rotund, garrulous, folksy and something of an unofficial spokesman for the faction inside the department hesitant about accepting an 'IBC' outsider as Chief of Police. He's also probably Kessler's most fervent supporter in the Galveston PD and strongly opposes Chief Hale's attempts to restrict the charitable programs officers are allowed to take advantage of from private corporations or organizations perceived as linked to Kessler. Many wonder why he hasn't done what almost a third of the Galveston PD have done in the last four years and quit the force in favor of another nearby department (due to a labor dispute over pensions and retirement rules), in Duke's case probably the GCSO, but figure he must be too stubborn to leave before he retires.

Keontay Washington struggles with his weight, but is a good, solid, dependable officer, who is being considered for a detective position. While Washington will not push himself forward, he is very interested in getting a chance to speak with 'Gwen Delvano' and see if he can learn anything that advances the investigation.

At the very least one Galveston PD vehicle will follow the ambulance, with an officer on board responsible for the suspect, who'll be cuffed even in the ambulance. Whether or not the GCSO vehicle also goes with the ambulance depends somewhat on what the PCs do or say.

I'm not sure which Galveston PD vehicle should go with the ambulance and who should stay to speak with the PCs and Kessler's people. The two young officers, one of them barely more than a rookie, or the very long-service Sergeant and a decent steady young officer?

Does anyone have thoughts?

[Icelander]

In the post above, I mention the Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs), six Galveston PD cops and the two GCSO deputies, that are present on the yacht Penemue.

The first officers to arrive on site, Galveston PD Officers Talley and Dugger, are there because they are responding to the anonymous tip that 'Gwen Delvano' had been kidnapped by the PCs and was being held aboard the yacht.

The two Galveston PD detectives, Cartwright and Kelly, are there because they heard dispatch talking about that anonymous phone call, immediately registered the name of the person they most want to talk to and know that this name is far from common knowledge. Detectives Cartwright and Kelly weren't sure what they'd find on the Penemue, but were curious enough to roll over there before going home for the night, hoping to get to speak with Ms. Delvano, if, indeed, she was there.

The other two vehicles are harder to explain. Granted, Jean-Michel Alexandre, Kessler's valet, steward and right-hand man, promised the PCs that he'd delay the police as long as he could without ever actually lying to them (about anything they could prove was a lie) or refusing to cooperate. So it's possible that Buddy Duke, the Galveston PD Sergeant, came down there to make any decisions that risked offending a pillar of the community, because that sort of thing is a bit heavy to put on two young officers. Still doesn't explain what Sergeant Higgins of the GCSO is doing there.

One explanation that might explain them is that Mr. Alexandre, seeking to delay having to produce the unnamed woman aboard, called the most senior law enforcement officer on duty on the GPD night shift who was loyal to Kessler and also called the Sheriff's Office (if not the Sheriff himself) to further complicate things.

Whoever is in charge at the GCSO on the night shift might then have asked Sergeant Higgins to ride down there and see that the idiots at Galveston PD didn't offend or mistreat Mr. Kessler, who was obviously completely willing to assist the police in this matter, but simply had very particular ideas about honour, courtesy and the consideration due to guests, so it wouldn't do to just demand that he hand over someone on his yacht.

In any case, after what seems like endless anxious hours of twiddling their thumbs, the LEOs receive confirmation that there is an unconscious woman aboard, that she may or may not be 'Gwen Delvano', but was at any rate carrying a purse contained some papers with that name, and that Mr. Kessler would consider it a favour if the officers would please see to it that the poor girl is transported to a hospital where she might be examined for any head injuries or a concussion.

Now, I figure that Detectives Cartwright and Kelly, while eager to speak with 'Ms. Delvano', would be aware that they were unlikely to be able to use a single thing she might say unless they waited to interview her until after a doctor has proclaimed her at least moderately responsive and aware of her surroundings, which seems like a prerequisite for understanding her rights.

So, probably the best use of their time right now would be to ask some more questions of the previous day's kidnapping victim, Alice Talbot, see if Alice recognized the alleged 'Gwen Delvano' or had any reason to believe this woman was involved in her kidnapping. The detectives could then drive up to the UTMB TDCJ Hospital after getting another statement and maybe talking a bit with the other PCs.

As it is unclear what the GCSO deputies are doing there, it is also unclear if Sergeant Higgins and his partner will join the escort to the hospital or not, but that's something that will become clear in play, as two PCs know both deputies and will speak with them, possibly asking them to do something, either not letting the suspect out of their sights, or, alternatively, perhaps to stay behind to help them deal with the Galveston PD detectives.

Galveston PD is claiming jurisdiction, so while 'Gwen Delvano' will be transported in an ambulance, she will do so escorted by officers from that department. Two patrol officers in one vehicle are perceived as enough, at least from a tactical law enforcement point of view, but which of the two Galveston PD vehicles will be the one that is assigned to escort the ambulance?

Will it be the vehicle driven by Officers Talley and Duggan, for the simple reason that having one person stay with a cuffed girl in the back of an ambulance while the other drives a vehicle behind it is just the sort of necessary, but simple and all-but foolproof, task young officers should handle, in order for their elders and betters to have time to deal with policing matters that actually require skill?

If so, it would leave Sergeant Buddy free to stay a bit longer aboard the Penemue, maybe take the statements of the other PCs, ensure that in their tired and emotional state, they have a friendly officer taking down their story, not trying to trip them up. After all, they were technically accused of kidnapping Ms. Delvano, even if the phone call was likely from some criminal associate, and given the confused state of the PCs, they look likely to say something that might get them (and by extension, Kessler) in trouble, if not suitably guided through the interview.

Or should it be Sergeant Buddy Duke's vehicle that escorts the ambulance, perhaps because Ms. Delvano is important enough as at least a material witness to make it prestigious to be the arresting officer of record? Or, maybe, because Sergeant Duke feels it would be what Kessler would want?

What do the denizens think?

[Icelander]

Can any eagle-eyed forumite, who knows more about cars than I (so, anyone), tell me what kind of car this Galveston ambulance is?

Seen here from the front and here in motion.

The symbol in front looks, to this complete ignoramus when it comes to cars, like a Chevrolet logo. Googling reveals that Chevrolet G4500 Cutaway chassis look similar to this, at least to my untrained eye, and that many firms offer Type III ambulances on that cab and chassis, though I can't confirm what Type of ambulance this is. A small one, it looks like, less than 15', at least. Is it a 12'?

Does any denizen of the forums have a better answer for me, so I can estimate the difficulty of stopping the vehicle with 2-4 .50 BMG rounds into the engine and/or blocking it off with a Ford F-450 truck with a 16' enclosed box?

[Þorkell]

Looks like you're correct about it being a Chevrolet G4500 Cutaway. About the only thing I can add is that it seems like it isn't a 2019 or 2012 model. Other than that I've got nothing.

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by Þorkell

Looks like you're correct about it being a Chevrolet G4500 Cutaway. About the only thing I can add is that it seems like it isn't a 2019 or 2012 model. Other than that I've got nothing.

Well, I can confirm that the Chevy G4500 ambulances were operated in Galveston at least from 2014-2018 (because I have pictures and also, one overturned) and that it looks like they are older than the Ford Transits and F-450s they got in 2016-2018.

It seems fairly plausible that they were acquired around 2013-2014, judging by the fact that a neighbouring ambulance service got rid of a 2012 model of what seems to be the same vehicle last year, as too worn for reliable service.

Do you happen to know anything about how robust the Chevy G4500 engine is? Or, for that matter, what kind of engine does it have? Diesel or gasoline?

Edit: Every Chevy G4500 Cutaway ambulance of similar configuration and age I can find uses a 6.0L V8 gasoline engine. That means that Igor's 2017 Ford F-450 box truck, while similar in weight, has about 125% the horsepower and 250% the torque of the ambulance.

Of course, Raul and his OpFor are hoping that four 750 grain A-MAX .50 BMG bullets damage something critical enough inside the ambulance engine for it to cut out instantly. That way, the OpFor truck will hardly even be smudged, let alone damaged, as if the ambulance engine cuts out while it is doing 10 mph at a stop sign, Alberto can just block it gently to stop it at the intersection.

From watching Youtube videos of Internet enthusiasts shooting engine blocks and, for the more dedicated, running trucks, it seems that this is possible, but not assured. From what I can tell, one perfectly placed .50 BMG round will cut out a truck engine in 1-2 seconds, but it is often possible to turn the engine on again and have it 'live' in some sort of damaged state for minutes while smoking and leaking fluids, until it is irreversibly dead. Which is why Igor will start the ambush by putting four 750 grain rounds from 35-40 yards right where he believes will most likely destroy the engine

Game terms, Aim + ROF 3 AoA + Follow-Up Shot AoA. Range penalty -8, Assume that the ambulance driver is not going to actually stop at the stop sign, but is at least minimally prudent and slows down to 10 mph, which gives -2 for Speed. SM +3 ambulance, aiming for Vitals (-3). Igor has skill 17 + Acc 7+1 + 1 Braced + 2 for AoA* = Effective skill 18. Puts all three right where he wants them on 14-.** Follow-up shot will hit on 16-.

Of course, what would really ruin the chances of the OpFor is if the EMT driving the ambulance notices Alberto stopped at an odd spot in his box truck or something else, like the two SUVs concealed under the overpass or the four guys camouflaged in the trees, shrubs and greenery next to the road. That might make a truly paranoid driver do something unpredictable, starting with rapid acceleration and illegal running of a stop sign. Which, I suppose, is a valid reaction to camouflaged guys with rifles, but something of an overreaction to seeing a box truck apparently broken down in a private driveway.

The driver of the ambulance is Anne Marie Roth (28), who has been working herself through nursing school for a decade now. She's got a sarcastic wit and wry sense of humour, which stands her in good stead during the 24-hour shifts she often stands, not to mention her recent acerbic breakup. Roth is certified EMT-Advanced, has ST 9; DX 10; IQ 11; HT 10; Per 10; Will 11; Charisma 1; Fat; Pacifism (Reluctant Killer) and Sense of Duty (Patients). She also has Diagnosis-10; Diplomacy-12; Driving (Automobile)-12; First-Aid-13; Physician-10; Lifting-11. No combat skills, no military experience, no law enforcement skills.

The other EMT in the ambulance is Henry 'Hank' Arnold (59), who will be in the back with the officer and 'Gwen Delvano'. Arnold has been in the Galveston County EMS for thirty years and is certified EMT-Paramedic, with every specialized skill set and advanced seminar conceivable. ST 11; DX 10; IQ 12; HT 10; Per 11; Will 12. Code of Honor (Professional); Overweight; Sense of Duty (Friends). His professional skills range from 13 in Driving (Automobile) to 16 in First-Aid.

Like Roth, Arnold has no military experience and no law enforcement background, but from working as a roughneck on oil rigs in his twenties, he has Brawling at 12 and Intimidation-12, from a stint as a firefighter, he has Two-Handed Axe/Mace at 9, from being a Texan man of a certain generation he has the Perk License (CHL), Guns (Longarm) at 11, Guns (Pistol) at 10 and Holdout-11, and from birth, he has no Pacifism. Arnold carries a Colt Combat Commander .45 ACP pistol in a Wright Leather Works Regulator Cross Draw Holster.

*Houserule distinguishing between AoA (Determined) for +1, which allows up to half Move and can be used with any ranged weapon and AoA (Sighted) for +2, which allows no movement, not even a Step, and requires a weapon with sights.
**Another houserule has the Rcl reduced by one step down to 2, for having Trained ST of x2 MinST, when Igor uses the bipod and his Trained ST 25.

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by AlexanderHowl

Another possibility would be bags full of nails for tire destruction. If you have time to weld steel drums, you probably have time to buy large number of roofing nails to puncture the tires of pursuing vehicles. Even if they have run flat tires, they will experience a blow out if they continue the pursuit, as you are likely running away faster than the 50 mph limitation on such tires.

Caltrops made from large nails are very effective when used by cartels, but undortunately for Raul and his OpFor, they only hve time to grab something from Walmart, they don't really have time to construct anything from what they buy.

So, would just throwing out unmodified nails do anything?

How many nails (more relevantly, how much weight) would be needed to cover a lane of traffic on a freeway?

Or is there something else you can buy at Walmart that would make better improvised caltrops than nails, if you hve no time to weld them together or bend them into shapes?

[Verjigorm]

Originally Posted by Icelander

Caltrops made from large nails are very effective when used by cartels, but undortunately for Raul and his OpFor, they only hve time to grab something from Walmart, they don't really have time to construct anything from what they buy.

So, would just throwing out unmodified nails do anything?

How many nails (more relevantly, how much weight) would be needed to cover a lane of traffic on a freeway?

Or is there something else you can buy at Walmart that would make better improvised caltrops than nails, if you hve no time to weld them together or bend them into shapes?

Ditch the caltrop idea. You're not going to find ready made caltrops at wal-mart, and throwing loose nails or screws down isn't going to do much.

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

Ditch the caltrop idea. You're not going to find ready made caltrops at wal-mart, and throwing loose nails or screws down isn't going to do much.

Fair enough.

Is there anything that the OpFor want from Walmart, then?

While Igor and his four helpers ready the box truck for action, two sicarios, Manuel and José Vato, can take one of the SUVs and make a Walmart run. They would have about ten minutes to find stuff and pay, but I don't expect much of a line this late at night, an hour before closing or so.

They have some empty metal-lined coffins and twelve 50-lb sand bags, to make cover in the back of the truck. They also have straps and bolts.

The plan assumes that Igor will use the enclosed box as a firing platform and no one else needs to be in there, but if 'Gwen Delvano' should be injured enough to require stretchers, they would put here in there as well, further front in the box than Igor. Also, depending on the situation at the ambush scene, a sicario or two might jump into the gox truck. Maybe something to improvise places for them to sit?

Given that some sicarios will be put in the back of a U-Haul truck at the extraction point, a few cushions for them aren't a bad idea. Also, some way for them to hold on back there.

What about really bright lights that are easily portable?

The ambush might feature a floodlight or two suddenly blinding the EMTs and cops right after the first shots, from casters 10-15 yards away. As most of the sicarios don't have NVDs, that would be a net benefit for them, especially as they'd still be in shadow.

Is there anything in Walmart you can pick up in ten minutes that would make that worth doing? It would need to be battery powered.

Anything else posters can think of that the OpFor might want from Walmart right before they assume ambush positions?

[Celjabba]

A while ago, half a dozen trucks got punctured tires from a single bolt in a metal plate in a work area. So, it can work - if something keep the spike up, like caltrops do.

Loose nails won't do much unless you get incredibly lucky. I doubt a spool of barbed wire would fare any better.

If you really want to drop obstacles, I would drive by the gardening section and pick a couple spiked harrow (or chain-spike harrow). Push them upside down on the road, and nobody will be happy.