D.C. cops section off part of the city with Baghdad/Palestine check points

[ensho]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/2095230/%27Baghdad-style%27-checkpoints-in-US-capital.html


'Baghdad-style' checkpoints in US capital


Police in Washington DC have set up vehicle checkpoints in the American capital in a controversial measure aimed at tackling a wave of gun violence.

(it's not the vehicles they are checking, its the people inside the vehicle)


In a move that critics have compared to the security clampdown in Baghdad, police are stopping motorists traveling through the main thoroughfare of Trinidad, a neighbourhood near the National Arboretum in the city's northeast section.

Drivers' identification are checked and those who didn't have a "legitimate purpose" in the area, such as a church visit or doctor's appointment, are turned away.

The checkpoints were set up after eight people were killed in the city last weekend.

-snip-

"It seems interesting that police are willing to easily cast aside fundamental freedoms for quick-fix, lazy law enforcement tactics," said Johnny Barnes, executive director of the local American Civil Liberties Union.

Washington's police chief and mayor have insisted that the checkpoints are a legal and necessary step to stop a spike in violence.

-snip-

The checkpoints will be enforced at random hours for at least five days, though it could be extended to 10 days, police said.

Officers will search cars only if they observe guns or drugs and pedestrians will not be affected.
------------------------------


how conflicted and unprofessional can a police department get?

[Richard Steele]

1. How far we've fallen. Grrrecommended.

[High Plains]

2. That's against the law.

[Boz]

8. I was in DC during the sniper incedent. It was much more unerving

Thee were still antiaircraft vehicles in some locations( from 9/11 ) , regular stop and speaks (same as they are now) on the freeways( looking for white vans at the time ) and even predator drones flying over head.

I dont have to imagine a police state we have practiced it several times in DC, California is next.

[High Plains]

10. Yeah, like instant martial law.

I always wondered what their legal justifications were...

[Freddie Stubbs]

11. Martial law is when the military takes control of the normal administration of justice

The civilian government is doing this.

[Boz]

15. So would that be miltia law, when the civilian force take on military tactics

Not a crack, a true question. What will it be called, not if, when.

[benEzra]

3. "Gunz!" is the text "Terrah!", I suspect.

Gotta get people to give up those civil liberties somehow, after all.

If neither of those works, they'll just yell "Drugz!" some more.

Do they even attempt to justify the direct conflict with the spirit of the Fourth Amendment?

[Fredda Weinberg]

4. And I heard a resident express her gratitude. I guess you have to live there n/t

[High Plains]

6. There's always someone willing to sacrifice freedom for security.

I think Ben Franklin had something to say about that.

I lived in DC from '93 to '02. In the early '90s, DC was at rock bottom, more than 400 murders a year. Somehow, they managed to get those numbers down without unconstitutional law enforcement check points.

The controlling case is Indianapolis v. Edmond: http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/99-1030.ZS.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No. 99—1030. Argued October 3, 2000–Decided November 28, 2000

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Petitioner city operates vehicle checkpoints on its roads in an effort to interdict unlawful drugs. Respondents, who were each stopped at such a checkpoint, filed suit, claiming that the roadblocks violated the Fourth Amendment. The District Court denied respondents a preliminary injunction, but the Seventh Circuit reversed, holding that the checkpoints contravened the Fourth Amendment.

Held: Because the checkpoint program’s primary purpose is indistinguishable from the general interest in crime control, the checkpoints violate the Fourth Amendment. Pp. 3—15.

(a) The rule that a search or seizure is unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment absent individualized suspicion of wrongdoing has limited exceptions. For example, this Court has upheld brief, suspicionless seizures at a fixed checkpoint designed to intercept illegal aliens, United States v. Martinez&nbhyph;Fuerte, 428 U.S. 543, and at a sobriety checkpoint aimed at removing drunk drivers from the road, Michigan Dept. of State Police v. Sitz, 496 U.S. 444. The Court has also suggested that a similar roadblock to verify drivers’ licenses and registrations would be permissible to serve a highway safety interest. Delaware v. Prouse, 440 U.S. 648, 663. However, the Court has never approved a checkpoint program whose primary purpose was to detect evidence of ordinary criminal wrongdoing. Pp. 3—7.

[Fredda Weinberg]

13. And you're willing to sacrifice her security for your freedom. Sorry, but

I've lived through this and understand both sides. There's a way out, but that would be constructive and I don't expect you to do anything but complain.

[High Plains]

7. DELETE: Itchy trigger finger dupe

[Medusa]

5. I've walked all over NYC many times.

Never had a real threat or concern. DC? Not so much.

[On the Road]

9. I Don't Understand the Purpose of Asking for ID

are they running them for outstanding warrants?

I don't mind something like this if it's rare, limited, effective, and serves a purpose. 22 murders is an issue the police have to deal with. They say they are searching only if drugs or guns are visible.

The first time I heard about this, it sounded like the police were protecting upper-class neighborhoods against intruders. But that nieghborhood is littered with low-rent clubs and strip hotels. From this article, it seems like they are trying to reduce violence within a poor area. That seems responsible.

[TZ]

12. Try living in a neighborhood where there were

10 MURDERS in the span of about a week. People won't go outside there.
Why don't you go visit the neighborhood before you make snap judgements. I notice the biggest complainers are the people that live in rich neighborhoods and don't understand what these violent places are like.
The police were getting slammed for not doing enough to protect the people there, now they are being slammed for doing their best to protect.
I would like to hear criticism from other people who live in violent drug infested neighborhoods like this one.

[Wizard777]

14. So this is inpart an illegal drug check point. SCOTUS struck those down. Summary search is a no no.