Memorial Day weekend checkpoint

[Sherrynboo]

This is what took place yesterday in my locale. Police state USA! I am used to the little checkpoints at intersections around the two counties and I am not happy about those but stopping traffic on an interstate is taking it to a whole new level! Watch the video as the article doesn't do it justice.

http://www2.wrbl.com/news/2012/mar/1.../bit.ly/x0hZN1

Sherry in GA

[Grantbo]

Your papers please.

[Dex]

Blatant violation of 4th amendment. It's one thing to "target" suspected drunk drivers during hours and in places where they are likely to be found but these daytime "fishing trips" are a violation. This truly is fascist police state tactics. There is no probable cause thus no due process or protection of the law.

[Ice Guy]

"Reason"??...... you have no rights, we will determine if there is a "reason" to stop you, we will determine how far we violate your rights, we are the peoples republic of Columbus and you will obey (sarcasm off)

[medic38572]

I think they violated federal law. If they conducted this check point on the interstate then I am pretty sure they did. It is against the law to impede traffic for interstate commerce. They may have the right to block the rd in their respective counties but not an interstate.

[Publius]

I have not looked, but you can bet the federal D.O.T. has sent out memo's to every state ordering them to do this.

[medic38572]

I have not looked, but you can bet the federal D.O.T. has sent out memo's to every state ordering them to do this.

The reason I say this Publius is many years ago a certain sheriffs dept bordering my local decided to post signs of impending check point ahead on I-40. What happened next was funny people were getting of the next exit and actually running into the check point. Many arrests were made and a fella who had over 800 lbs of pot in his camper was arrested and was to get many many years in the pen. The supreme court reversed the decision and set the man free. Because it was against the law to set road blocks up on the interstate and by them posting signs of the impending roadblock caused many people alike to get of the interstate thus being in trapped. If my memory serves me correctly.

I will say this the THP will shut down the interstate but they do not like it at all.

[Buckster]

They have been mass raping the public at airports, so why would they stop there?

They will do whatever they darn well please.

The scary thing is, the people doing this are fellow citizens. They could be you neighbor.

[Sherrynboo]

Probably an edict from the DHS! I am furious over this! What can the average citizen do?

Sherry in GA

[Publius]

Probably an edict from the DHS! I am furious over this! What can the average citizen do?

Sherry in GA

Write letters to the local editors and complain about it and make sure you add that you do not feel safe, but threatened about being stopped at gun point.

[Tennessee gal]

This doesn't set well with me either.

I was on a grand jury one time and the judge stopped by to see us after our three days of serving was over. He made the comment that 1 in 5 traffic stops on interstate 24 illegal drugs were found.

For the record I think this is wrong on so many levels.

[Masterchief117]

Probably an edict from the DHS! I am furious over this! What can the average citizen do?

Sherry in GA

Call for change and vote 'em out (your congresscritters)! - Sarcasm Yeah, like that does any good.

[Red Baron]

Nazi Germany and Communist Russia coming to a street near you.

"Show us your papers."

"Foxtrot Oscar!"

[nharrold]

Blatant violation of 4th amendment. It's one thing to "target" suspected drunk drivers during hours and in places where they are likely to be found but these daytime "fishing trips" are a violation. This truly is fascist police state tactics. There is no probable cause thus no due process or protection of the law.

Yeah...and how many of those supposedly "sworn" cops do you think told their bosses, "uh-uh, that's unconstitutional, I'm not gonna do it."....?????

[goatlady2]

Many of those people are not even in uniform! I don't stop for a stranger dressed in sweats on the highway!

[colonel holman]

does not one have the right to say I do not consent to a search, and then what? .... such as muttering "nice, I am going to make out pretty well with my lawsuit over this, as they rifle thru the vehicle

[Dennis Olson]

I would NEVER consent to a search. I would provide ID as long as the people holding the checkpoint were in uniform. Nothing else.

[2ndEviltwin]

Don't consent to a search, give them you id and insurance card. Don't say another word. If they ask to search say no and give them no reason to search. If they do, without a warrant sue the crap out of them.

[Flashyzipp]

What state?

[TWSTR]

Youuhr papuhz ahr not een ohduhr...

[DrJerry]

I was pulled over and my car ransacked in Oregon. I tried to fight it when I was ticketed for a non-offense (Alcoholic beverages in the trunk). The judge informed me that by virtue of using the public roads, one gives consent for stop and search.

[Publius]

I was pulled over and my car ransacked in Oregon. I tried to fight it when I was ticketed for a non-offense (Alcoholic beverages in the trunk). The judge informed me that by virtue of using the public roads, one gives consent for stop and search.

Our founders thought differently on the matter.

[Duke]

It's sad what this country is becoming. - Duke

[Sherrynboo]

Flashyzip it is in Ga

[Lone_Hawk]

Add to this the VIPER teams that they are expanding within TSA. I am not planning any trips just because of these things. I will not submit!

[Countrymouse]

Ok, when they said "Columbus" Ga I knew where it was---this route is the MAIN route to panhandle FL that MOST folks from Atlanta and points north are going to take to get to PCB and such---so stopping traffic to do that would have made traffic a disaster.

You do know, if they find cash (above what level I don't know) or any valuables they deem "suspicious", they just "confiscate" it and KEEP it to enrich local city and county coffers, and you have to PROVE a negative (that it "wasn't" there illegally or intended for illegal purposes) in order to get it back, right?

Looks like the local PO-lice were trying to build up their coffers with a good haul that day.

By the way, anyone have any documentation to confirm that simply "driving on a public road" IS "giving consent to a search"? I'd like to see that.

[Countrymouse]

Whoa!

I just noticed near the end of the film they were opening a lady's SUITCASE and going through it!

Now maybe searching the CAR is covered under "driving on a public road"---but going through the SUITCASES?

The stupid reporter ended this with statement: "Meanwhile, Columbus police have a message for the public...(cut to voice of police officer)...'Don't bring drugs into Columbus. We don't want 'em here.'....(then back to the stupid reporter)...In Columbus, WRBL News 3 on your side."

uh--huh.....

[summerthyme]

Unreal.

I'm guessing the "reason" to search was one of the drug dogs "alerting" on any particular car- and yeah, they were going through suitcases, duffel bags, all sorts of personal items. I can't believe this is America...

OTOH, "just" going through suitcases is pretty mild compared to some searches I've seen cops do- which included ripping seats out, tearing door panels off, etc. And if they don't find anything... "sorry, have a nice day" and they leave you on the side of the road with a destroyed car. No, it never happened to me- I don't fit the "profile", but several young men who grew up with my sons had the experience.

Summerthyme

[madkaw]

how many of these heroes will drive drunk or speed this weekend knowing all they need do is flash the 'gold card' and give a hearty 'hey brother' and get sent on their way. been in the car with a trooper more than once and saw it so don't tell me it doesn't happen.