Real-Life Superhero Fights Crime In US City

Originally posted: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Strange-News/US-Real-Life-Superhero-Called-Phoenix-Jones-Helps-To-Make-Streets-Of-Seattle-Safer/Article/201101115882064?f=rss
11:11pm UK, Thursday January 06, 2011
Adam Arnold, Sky News Online
A real-life Superhero dressed in tights, a mask and a black and gold lycra suit, says he is helping to make the streets of Seattle safer by scaring away criminals.
The man, called Phoenix Jones, wears a bullet proof vest, and also has stab protection as well as being armed with a taser and tear gas.
He says when he walks into an area, criminals leave because they see the suit and do not want to take him on.
It is almost a case of Superman meets Batman as on most nights Phoenix walks into a comic store, enters a back room hidden behind shelves and is transformed into his character.
He has already managed to stop a man breaking into a car and possibly stealing it.
The would-be victim, known as Dan, was walking back to his vehicle in a car park when he saw a man with a metal strip trying to open his car.
Dan said: “He started sticking it down between the window and the rubber strip.”
Dan began to call 911, but said help arrived before he even finished dialling.
He explained: “From the right, this guy comes dashing in, wearing this skin-tight rubber, black and gold suit, and starts chasing him away.”
Phoenix is not the only costume-clad crime-fighter in Seattle.
There are eight other members of his Rain City Superhero group who also walk the streets, looking out for crime and prepared to fight it.
Since Phoenix started his crusade nine months ago, he has been stabbed and was threatened with a gun several times, but received no serious injuries.
Unfortunately, he did not find the man who was breaking into Dan’s car.
He told CBS: “When I walk into a neighbourhood, criminals leave because they see the suit.
“I symbolise that the average person doesn’t have to walk around and see bad things and do nothing.”

Phoenix Jones: Real Life Superhero Stops Wash. Car Theft

Originally posted: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20027464-504083.html
Posted by Crimesider Staff
phoenix_jones
LYNNWOOD, Wash. (CBS/KIRO) A Washington state man said he came within seconds of having his car broken into, and perhaps stolen, until a real-life “superhero” came to his aid, wearing tights, a mask and a skin-tight super suit.
The encounter started in Lynnwood Sunday evening when a man, who asked to be identified only as Dan, was walking back to his car in a parking lot when he saw a man with a metal strip trying to pry open his car, reports CBS affiliate KIRO.
“He started sticking it down between the window and the rubber strip,” said Dan.
Dan began to call 911, but said help arrived before he even finished dialing.
“From the right, this guy comes dashing in, wearing this skin-tight rubber, black and gold suit, and starts chasing him away,” said Dan.
What Dan didn’t know is that just about every night, an anonymous Seattle man strolls into a comic store, enters a hidden back room and emerges transformed.
KIRO reporter Monique Ming Laven met him.
“My name is Phoenix Jones,” said the man.
The man is the hero Dan’s been trying to tell his friends about.
“People are saying, ‘No way, dude, you were probably drunk,'” said Dan.
But the superhero sounded familiar to Ming Laven. She had heard about how he and the other eight members of his Rain City Superhero crime fighting movement walk the street, eyes out for crime and prepared to fight it.
On Monday night, the fully-clad superhero and Dan met.
“That’s crazy. Nice to meet you, brother. Nice to meet you. That’s insane,” said Dan, who finally got a close-up look at his savior.
“Phoenix” explained his whole super suit, including bullet-proof vest and stab plates, to Dan.
“That’s a Taser night stick. And I have Mace slash tear gas over here,” said Phoenix.
Then it was time for Phoenix to get back out on the streets, maybe not quite a super man, but an extraordinary one.
“So when I walk into a neighborhood, criminals leave because they see the suit,” said Phoenix. “I symbolize that the average person doesn’t have to walk around and see bad things and do nothing.”
Phoenix said since he started his crime-fighting crusade nine months ago, he’s been stabbed, and had a gun pulled on him a few times, but received no serious injuries.
Unfortunately, he didn’t catch up with the man who was breaking into Dan’s car.

Real-Life Superhero Fights Crime In Seattle Area

Originally posted: http://www.kptv.com/news/26375683/detail.html

POSTED: 8:02 am PST January 5, 2011
UPDATED: 8:41 am PST January 5, 2011

SEATTLE, Wash. — Criminals beware — there’s a real-life superhero fighting crime in Seattle.
So far, the man underneath the mask and rubber suit has remained anonymous, but he goes by the superhero name of Phoenix Jones.
Jones started his crime-fighting crusade nine months ago. Since then, eight other people have joined him in his search for injustice.
They walk the streets at night and try to stop criminals from doing harm whenever they have the chance.
One man, who only wanted to be identified as Dan, said Jones recently helped him out when he caught someone breaking into his car in Lynnwood, Wash.
“From the right, this guy comes dashing in, wearing this skin-tight rubber, black and golden suit and starts chasing him away,” he said.
Since starting his night time gig, Jones said he has been stabbed and even had a gun pulled on him a few times. Now, he carries mace, tear gas and a nightstick equipped with a Taser. He also wears a bulletproof vest and “stab plates” that offer protection from knives.
Of course, law enforcement officials frown on people taking the law into their own hands.
So far, Jones hasn’t been seriously hurt.

Real-Life Superhero Walks Streets, Fighting Crime

Originally posted: http://www.kirotv.com/news/26363364/detail.html
Posted: 8:07 am PST January 4, 2011Updated: 12:08 pm PST January 4, 2011

LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Posted: 8:07 am PST January 4, 2011Updated: 12:08 pm PST January 4, 2011
LYNNWOOD, Wash. — A local man said he came within seconds of having his car broken into, and perhaps stolen, until a real-life “superhero” came to his aid, wearing tights, a mask and a skin-tight super suit.The encounter started in Lynnwood Sunday evening when a man, who asked to be identified only as Dan, was walking back to his car in a parking lot when he saw a man with a metal strip trying to pry open his car.“He started sticking it down between the window and the rubber strip,” said Dan.Dan began to call 911, but said help arrived before he even finished dialing.
“From the right, this guy comes dashing in, wearing this skin-tight rubber, black and gold suit, and starts chasing him away,” said Dan.
What Dan didn’t know is that just about every night, an anonymous Seattle man strolls into a comic store, enters a hidden back room and emerges transformed.
SLIDESHOW: Superhero On The Streets
KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Monique Ming Laven met him.
“My name is Phoenix Jones,” said the man.
The man is the hero Dan’s been trying to tell his friends about.
“People are saying, ‘No way, dude, you were probably drunk,’” said Dan.
But the superhero sounded familiar to Ming Laven. She had heard about how he and the other eight members of his Rain City Superhero crime fighting movement walk the street, eyes out for crime and prepared to fight it.
On Monday night, the fully-clad superhero and Dan met.
“That’s crazy. Nice to meet you, brother. Nice to meet you. That’s insane,” said Dan, who finally got a close-up look at his savior.
“Phoenix” explained his whole super suit, including bullet-proof vest and stab plates, to Dan.
“That’s a Taser night stick. And I have Mace slash tear gas over here,” said Phoenix.
Then it was time for Phoenix to get back out on the streets, maybe not quite a super man, but an extraordinary one.
“So when I walk into a neighborhood, criminals leave because they see the suit,” said Phoenix. “I symbolize that the average person doesn’t have to walk around and see bad things and do nothing.”
Phoenix said since he started his crime-fighting crusade nine months ago, he’s been stabbed, and had a gun pulled on him a few times, but received no serious injuries.
Unfortunately, he didn’t catch up with the man who was breaking into Dan’s car.

More on Phoenix Jones and the Rain City Superhero Movement:

Real-Life Superheroes in Seattle

Originally posted: http://thesnowballeffekt.blogspot.com/2010/11/real-life-superheroes-in-seattle.html
Here is an interesting article on the recent emergence of a superhero-movement in Seattle. They call themselves “Rain City Superheros  movement”, and claim to be part of a US-wide network of similar alliances. With names like Thorn, Buster Doe, Green Reaper, Gemini, No Name, Catastrophe, Thunder 88, Penelope and Phoenix, the group patrols the city by night looking for crime and danger.
The national website of the costumed heroes works as a sort of manual of the trade, as well:
The term Real Life Superhero is variously applied to real-world people who dress and/or act like comic book superheroes. Sometimes, this label is bestowed upon them by those whom they have helped or the media, while at other times, the aspiring superheroes apply the label to themselves.
Some media reports have focused on an Internet-based community that’s developed around creating superheroic identities and helping others. These people wear masks or otherwise disguise themselves in order to perform “heroic deeds” like community services or fighting crime when they come across it
Yes, these people are real. Apparently MySpace works by augmenting the movement through a communication network amongst the caped crusaders around the world. ( if in need of a local vigilante, happy Hunting in MySpace.) According to Rain City Superhero Movement”- website, they do this, because “somebody has to do something”. And also, “they get a kick out of this”- which is understandable. Every time my Monday looks rainy and grey, I just slip on the Silk Spectre- outfit, perform a few kicks in front of the mirror while the soundtrack plays on the background and feel all powerful -a warrior woman. But these people go a bit further in they pursuit of action and justice.
The police in Seattle are worried that the heroes might hurt themselves, or someone else in the process.
In one instance a man dressed in black costume was nearly shot when running from a dark park. In another case, an innocent bystander mistook the heroes as robbers (sitting in a car with ski masks by the gas station does that to you, don´t think otherwise) and called the cops. The owner of the parked heroe-mobile claimed her godson just drives around going “good deeds”. Nice godmother, lending her Kia Fate for such heroic activities. Not many would understand, such a cruel world we live in.
Seattle police discovered the true identity of “Phoenix”, a mysterious character who is driven around the city by a civilian young woman (read: not into costumes). Phoenix was interviewed by the detectives and arrived to the station in most of his costume (parts were being repaired after an intervention to a drugtrade). In his usual attire, the character wears body armor, ballistic vest, arm and leg trauma plates and a ballistic cup. All this safety helped in stopping a bullet during a previous action incident last year. Note: all our heroes in the alliance do not carry firearms, just plain old pepper spray, tasers and nightsticks.
Seattle police state that there is nothing wrong in ordinary citizens getting involved in the criminal justice process – as long as they exercise caution, call 911 and remain as witnesses.
Call it what you might, I still find it incredibly impressive that these people are trying to do their part in stopping crime. Somewhat crazy, maybe, but incredibly sexy. In the utmost theoretical sense.

Police alerted to 'superheroes' patrolling Seattle

Originally Posted: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/430430_super19.html
By CASEY MCNERTHNEY
SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

Vigilante justice has come to Seattle, and the caped crusaders drive a Kia.
Seattle police say a group of self-described superheroes have been patrolling the streets at night trying to save people from crime. They call themselves the Rain City Superhero Movement and say they’re part of a nationwide movement of real-life crime fighters.
The national website — cited in a police bulletin sent to Seattle officers Wednesday — states “a Real Life Superhero is whoever chooses to embody the values presented in super heroic comic books, not only by donning a mask/costume, but also performing good deeds for the communitarian place whom he inhabits.”
Police say the “costume-wearing complainants” are lucky they haven’t been hurt.
In one instance, police say a caped crusader dressed in black was nearly shot when he came running out of a dark park. In another case, a witness on Capitol Hill saw the crusaders wearing ski masks in a car parked at a Shell station and thought they were going to rob the place.
Police got the license plate and found those masked characters drove a Kia Fate registered to one of the character’s godmothers, department staff said. She told police her godson goes around doing good deeds.
Costume includes ballistic cup
Investigators identified nine people dressed in costume going around Seattle after dark. A police source said the characters go by Thorn, Buster Doe, Green Reaper, Gemini, No Name, Catastrophe, Thunder 88, Penelope and Phoenix Jones the Guardian of Seattle.
But don’t listen to Captain Ozone or Knight Owl, police were told. They’re apparently not part of the group.
Officers have learned the true identity of Phoenix — a 22-year-old man whose costume includes a black cape, black fedora, blue tights, white belt and mask. Police say he’s often driven by a young woman not in costume.
Officers say she usually doesn’t get out of the car, instead letting the “superhero” do his thing.
Phoenix was interviewed by detectives this month and came to police headquarters dressed in most of his costume, police said.
“(Phoenix) apologized for not being in full costume, as it was being repaired after (he) was stabbed while trying to intervene with a drug dealer and a citizen,” the police bulletin stated, according to a police source.
The man was not seriously wounded during the incident under Interstate 5, and police say he may not have actually been wounded.
Now, police were told Phoenix wears body armor, a ballistic vest, arm and leg trauma plates — and a ballistic cup. Police were apparently told that bulletproof vest helped stop a bullet during an incident in Tacoma a year ago.
Others are expected to be at police headquarters this week for identification.
“I don’t condone people walking around on the street with masks,” said the man who called himself Phoenix Jones. “Everyone on my team either has a military background or a mixed martial arts background, and we’re well aware of what its costs to do what we do.”
Jones said he would talk in greater detail after a television news story was broadcast this weekend by our news partner, KOMO/4.
Keeping in superhero fashion, he didn’t leave a return number.
Police say another incident with the self-proclaimed superheroes came about 3 a.m. November 4 at Sixth Avenue and South King Street in the International District.
Police responded to a harassment complaint and found Phoenix the Guardian of Seattle dressed in a “black colored Batman costume and a black ski mask,” department spokesman Jeff Kappel said.
He was standing with four other men and one woman, all in costume with their faces covered by ski masks and bandanas. They were dealing a man making threatening statements and swinging a golf club.
Police took the golf club as evidence. The “costume-wearing complainants” refused to press charges because they didn’t want to identify themselves to officers, Kappel said. So the suspect walked.

Dangers of vigilante justice

“There’s nothing wrong with citizens getting involved with the criminal justice process — as long as they follow it all the way through,” Kappel said, adding they want people to call 911 and be good witnesses, even if a case goes to court.
Police say they don’t want people who aren’t sworn officers putting themselves in danger.
They point to an unrelated case earlier this year in Maple Leaf. A man in his late 40s was working on his rental property near Northeast 77th Street and 16th Avenue Northeast when he saw men prowling his vehicle.
The man fought the prowlers and was winning, but one was able to inflict two knife wounds 3-inches deep. Large amounts of blood covered his clothes when medics arrived, and police say the man nearly died.
In another Northgate case from 2008, a man shot a car prowler who was trying to steal his stereo. The prowler died and the suspect was charged with manslaughter. He’s out now, but was sentenced to nine months in prison.
A member of the Rain City Superhero Movement told police they carry Tasers, nightsticks, pepper spray, but no firearms.
Police say they hope the self-proclaimed superheroes are realistic and act as good witnesses instead of putting themselves in danger. The bulletin said a KOMO/4 news crew plans to follow the caped crusaders Friday night.
According to the national superhero website, the characters don’t have to engage in violent fights to be a crime fighter, but should embody the values presented in super heroic comic books.
“Inspiration plays a major role in this, of course,” character Entomo wrote on the page. “You can inspire people to believe in a symbol.
“You can inspire people to believe they can CREATE themselves a symbol and embody it — and it’s not a lie.”

Casey McNerthney can be reached at 206-448-8220 or [email protected]. Follow Casey on Twitter at twitter.com/mcnerthney.

Body Armor: Bulletproof Vest

By Dark Guardian
You don’t have superpowers. No matter how much training you have it can only take one bullet to end your life. This is real life and if you are going to be doing anything that might put yourself in danger you need to keep yourself protected. You should make sure you have a bullet proof vest. Buying vests can be pricey, but you always have to think; how much is my life worth?
Here is a list of the different level vests and the protection they provide.
Type I
Type I body armor is light. This is the minimum level of protection. This armor would protect against 2.6 g (40 gr) .22 Long Rifle Lead Round Nose (LR LRN) bullets & .380 ACP Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose (FMJ RN) bullets. Type I body armor is not what you would want if you are possibly going to be in danger.
Type IIA
(Lower Velocity .357 Magnum; 9mm). This armor protects against .357 Magnum jacketed soft-point bullets, with nominal masses of 10.2 g (158 gr), impacting at a velocity of 381 m/s (1,250 ft/s) or less, and against 9mm full-metal jacketed bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr), impacting at a velocity of 332 m/s (1,090 ft/s) or less. It also provides protection against such threats as .45 Auto., .38 Special +P, and some other factory loads in caliber .357 Magnum and 9mm, as well as the Type I threats. Type II–A body armor is well suited for those seeking protection from lower velocity .357 Magnum and 9mm ammunition.
Type II
(Higher Velocity .357 Magnum; 9mm). This armor protects against .357 Magnum jacketed soft-point bullets, with nominal masses of 10.2 g (158 gr), impacting at a velocity of 425 m/s (1,395 ft/s) or less, and against 9mm full-jacketed bullets, with nominal velocities of 358 m/s  (1,175 ft/s). It also protects against most other factory loads in caliber .357 Magnum and 9mm, as well as the Type I and II–A threats.
Type II body armor is heavier and more bulky than either Types I or II–A. It is good for those seeking protection against higher velocity .357 Magnum and 9mm ammunition.
Type IIIA
(.44 Magnum; Submachine Gun 9mm). This armor protects against .44 Magnum, lead semi-wad cutter bullets with gas checks, nominal masses of 15.55 g (240 gr), impacting at a velocity of 426 m/s (1,400 ft/s) or less, and against 9mm full-metal jacketed bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr), impacting at a velocity of 426 m/s (1,400 ft/s) or less. It also pro-vides protection against most handgun threats, as well as the Type I, II–A, and II threats. Type III–A body armor provides the highest level of protection currently available from concealable body armor and is generally suitable for routine wear in many situations. Type III-A offers great protection but can start becoming bulky and warm especially in hot and humid climates.
Type III
(High-powered rifle). This armor, normally of hard or semi rigid construction, protects against 7.62mm full-metal jacketed bullets (U.S. military designation M80), with nominal masses of 9.7 g (150 gr), impacting at a velocity of 838 m/s (2,750 ft/s) or less. It also provides protection against threats such as 223 Remington (5.56mm FMJ), 30 Carbine FMJ, and 12-gauge rifled slug, as well as the Type I through III–A threats. Type III body armor is clearly intended only for tactical situations when the threat warrants such protection, such as barricade confrontations involving sporting rifles.
Type IV
(Armor-piercing rifle). This armor protects against .30–06 caliber armor-piercing bullets (U.S. military designation APM2), with nominal masses of 10.8 g (166 gr) impacting at a velocity of 868 m/s (2,850 ft/s) or less. It also provides at least single-hit protection against the Type I through III threats.
Type IV body armor provides the highest level of protection currently available. Because this armor is intended to resist “armor piercing” bullets, it often uses ceramic materials. Such materials are brittle in nature and may provide only single-shot protection, since the ceramic tends to break up when struck. As with Type III armor, Type IV armor is clearly intended only for tactical situations when the threat warrants such protection.
I do not advise putting yourself in a situation where you are in danger of being shot. If there is any chance please keep yourself protected. Decide what level vest suits your needs. I have not been shot at yet, but there are times where it could have came close. For myself and especially for the people in my life I make sure to wear my vest.
Stay protected and stay safe.
Here are some site suggestions to check out bullet proof vests.
http://www.bulletproofme.com/
http://www.turtleskin.com/Body-Armor.aspx
http://www.usabodyarmor.com/
http://www.globalarmour.com/
http://www.galls.com/category2.html?assort=general_catalog&cat=2992

Prime Armor

First and foremost, thanks everyone for all the great comments.  I’m glad it meets with general approval.  After all, it and I am here to inspire you and everyone to follow suit (pun intended).
Secondly, I have a lot a questions on the gear which I am happy to answer.  I’ll list the questions and who asked, then answer below.
Superhero
January 10, 20079:27 AM
Obviously ALL custom work! Chicken plate over Leather right? How’s the Mobility?
The armor (with the exception of the helmet, which is steel) is 18 gauge aluminum.  Hard enough to take any non-ballistic hit and obviously stab proof.
The Chameleon
January 10, 200712:30 AM
You can move in that getup, right? Cool!
The mobility is excellent.  I can high kick, low crouch, climb, sprint and somersault, of which I have done all of in the armor.
Superhero
January 10, 20079:28 AM
Just noticed the Mic! Cell?
I have a voice amplification unit as well as listening amplifier and cell phone access.  In future versions, I am considering making this a throat mic, but I kinda like the look of the mic.
Superhero
January 10, 2007 9:22 AM
AMAZING! What are you using as a Holster?
It is custom made.  The inspiration is a Anglo-Saxon battle ax holder.
(civitron)
January 10, 2007 10:15 AM
what is your cape made of?
The cape is made of synthetics.  It is a dress piece.  A am planning on making a ballistic version, probably dark for regular patrols.
Superhero
January 10, 2007 9:29 AM
Just realized that’s a shotgun Side saddle with all your Cylinders, Brilliant. Mind if I follow suit?
Not at all!  I hope everyone finds something they can use!
Superhero
January 10, 20079:30 AM
Kevlar or more steel?
The helmet is steel.  It is armor and is ballistic although truthfully I don’t know if they have rated authentic steel armor helmets.
Blitz
January 10, 20075:17 AM
your head doesn’t look pointy in this one 🙂
The pointy actually has a … er … point.  It defects blows and projectiles more efficiently.
The Wall™
January 10, 20071:03 AM
How do you keep cool in all that gear? It must get pretty hot in AZ during the Summer…
The armor has plenty of ventilation and the under armor is “heat gear” and sweat wicking.  I imagine the summer might get a little uncomfortable.  I will be using an evaporative gorget (they use them in Motocross) and a cool pack in the helmet (used by professional mascots).
(civitron)
January 10, 2007 9:13 AM
is the helmet and the mask one unit or does it consist of two seperate components? I really like the leather mask. Where can I get one?
The helmet and mask are two pieces. I also wear a heat gear Under Armor baklava underneath that.  Its very comfortable.  You can get both by hiring a professional armorer to make them for you.  =)
Again, I’m glad it is met with some excitement.  This is an exciting time, for all of us.  This is the window we should use to fill the streets with heroes and inspire everyone to live with the Heart of a Hero.  Be proud that you are a pioneer in this endeavor.  Be proud to be a real life superhero.
Be the change the world needs.
Citizen Prime
 

Plate Armor

*From Beerio’s Manual
Plate armor was traditionally made of iron or steel in the day of the knight, however due to the use of stronger and better crossbows and bows and the damnable invention of the gun, plate armor became less and less useful until it was abandonned altogether.The main problem with plate armor wasn’t that it couldn’t be made bulletproof. The problem was to make it bulletproof it became too heavy to be worn for a reasonable amount of time during combat.
Today man has learn of new and better materails other than iron and steel.
To make bulletproof plate armor today there are a few materials recommended:
High density plastic
Onnex
Kevlar or other ballistic fabrics incased in a resin.

Kevlar

KEVLAR® is a space-age material designed by DuPont Industries. The material has been used for bullet-proof vests, helmets, masks, and friction absorption in the automotive and aerospace industries among other applications.
General Features of KEVLAR® :

High Tensile Strength at Low Weight
Low Elongation to Break High Modulus (Structural Rigidity)
Low Electrical Conductivity
High Chemical Resistance
Low Thermal Shrinkage
High Toughness (Work-To-Break)
Excellent Dimensional Stability
High Cut Resistance
Flame Resistant, Self Extinguishing

Historic Kevlar Explination Video
From Beerio’s Manual
When working with Kevlar, don’t think of it as sewing, but as making armor such as the medeval warrior did with leather.
1. Find some clothes that fit you as you would like your new suit to fit. I would suggest something old, stained and with holes in it because you are going to be disassembling them.
2. Cut the clothes up along the seam. Becareful to use the seam because that is how the patterns were assembled originally.
3. Use the new patterns to outline where the cuts will be on the kevlar fabric.
4. Cut the kevlar carefully as marked.
5. Assemble the kevlar along the seams as the original suit was.
Some key points:
Practice on some cheap fabrics in case your first attempt does not go good the first time. Kevlar is VERY expensive. Don’t think of the fabrics you practice on as wasted because they can be used for other purposes such as normal day use (if they are really bad looking you can wear it around the house or for bed clothes)
You can also dye them and wear them over your kevlar suit. Kevlar is strong but not very fashionable.
You do not need to use a needle and thread to assemble the patterns together. Rivets, screws and powerful glue are other ways to fashion kevlar together.
Kevlar’s main weaknesses are that it decomposes under alkaline conditions or when exposed to chlorine.
20 layers are needed to stop a 9mm handgun bullet traveling at 1200 feet per second