Police Begin Fingerprinting on Traffic Stops

[Al-CIAda]

Green Bay
Police Begin Fingerprinting on Traffic Stops

By Sarah Thomsen

If you're ticketed by Green Bay police, you'll get more than a fine. You'll get fingerprinted, too. It's a new way police are cracking down on crime.

If you're caught speeding or playing your music too loud, or other crimes for which you might receive a citation, Green Bay police officers will ask for your drivers license and your finger. You'll be fingerprinted right there on the spot. The fingerprint appears right next to the amount of the fine.

Police say it's meant to protect you -- in case the person they're citing isn't who they claim to be. But not everyone is sold on that explanation.

"What we've seen happen for the last couple of years increasing use of false or fraudulent identification documents," Captain Greg Urban said.

Police say they want to prevent the identity theft problem that Milwaukee has, where 13 percent of all violators give a false name.

But in Green Bay, where police say they only average about five cases in a year, drivers we talked with think the new policy is extreme.

"That's going too far," Ken Scherer from Oconto said. "You look at the ID, that's what they're there for. Either it's you or it's not. I don't think that's a valid excuse."

"I would feel uncomfortable but I would do it," Carol Pilgrim of Green Bay said.

Citizens do have the right to say no. "They could say no and not have to worry about getting arrested," defense attorney Jackson Main said. "On the other hand, I'm like everybody else. When a police officer tells me to do something, I'm going to do it whether I have the right to say no or not."

That's exactly why many drivers are uneasy about the fine print in this fingerprinting policy.

Police stress that the prints are just to make sure you are who you claim to be and do not go into any kind of database; they simply stay on the ticket for future reference if the identity is challenged.

http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?s=2776926

[skylarmae]

1. five cases a year hardly warrants even consideration

for such extremes. It's getting scary when this level of scruitny hits for doing 35 in a 25 zone. WTF is going on. I have a horrible aching feeling they are trying to "chip" us all at birth.
No CHIPS! NEVER -

[izzie]

2. When I was in GRADE SCHOOL I was FP

That was back in the 30's and 40's. State Police came around and did every one. I also had to be re-done when my husband got out of the Navy.

[jarab]

3. I have a problem with this attorney's statement

even if it is likely true:

"On the other hand, I'm like everybody else. When a police officer tells me to do something, I'm going to do it whether I have the right to say no or not."

...O...

[pansypoo53219]

4. well

considering that YOU CANNOT PARK ON CITY STREETS, i suppose i can understand this. just TRY and find someplace to pull over to read a map.

[BrainRants]

5. I live in Green Bay, and this pisses me off!

Money Quote:

"What we've seen happen for the last couple of years increasing use of false or fraudulent identification documents," Captain Greg Urban said.


Then FIX the defective ID's so they can't be fraudulently counterfeited! Where are the Repugs on this? Isn't this a "big gub-mint snoopin' in my bidness" issue?

[cattleman22]

9. RE: "Where are the Repugs on this?"

I agree. YOu would think they would be opposed to this as would most liberals as well.

[seaofcrisis]

6. What happens if you just say "no"

What are they going to do, ticket you again?

I guess I'd better get the ACLU on speed-dial.

[BrainRants]

7. You get a trip down to the jail!

"But in cases where an officer can’t verify a suspect’s identity, that person may be taken to the Brown County Jail — where everyone is fingerprinted and photographed. "

More at:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_19328428.shtml

[seabeyond]

8. i remember when optional finger print on drivers lisc

i threw my shoulders back and said no. was 16. they didnt like it. more people should have not allowed it