Are you the victim of a crime? You can go to jail if you report it!

[Th1onein]

I thought I would alert you guys to something that is often hidden in our system--at least it is in Texas.

If you call the police in Texas because you have been the victim of a crime, they will ask you to show them your driver's license. If you do, they will run it through their computer for unpaid traffic tickets/warrants. And they will ARREST you, if they find any.

Guess what this does? It causes people who might have unpaid traffic tickets (usually the poor, for not having inspection stickers, no insurance, etc.) to avoid calling the cops when they've been the victim of a crime. Nice, huh?

The fact is that if you call the cops to report a crime, you don't have to show them anything, as long as you're on public property. They HAVE to take the report or they are in violation of your civil rights.

[Kingshakabobo]

1. They usually ask for your name, date of birth and, IIRC, your social security number???

No?

I suppose they can put the grab on you with just the name and DOB. No? So it doesn't matter what you do or don't show them if you are wanted.

[Nay]

2. Very true. All cops need to run an NCIC on you is your name, DOB,

and your sex and race (which they get from eyeballing you). SSN is nice, but not necessary. They can run a check with just a name (and the race and sex) but if you have a common name, lots of people pop up.

[treestar]

6. And they claim the SS number is not a national ID

well they sure try to make it one.

I believe there is a law saying you don't have to give it out except to the IRS.

Though there are other state laws probably saying you have to give it.

[Th1onein]

7. Your name and date of birth

They can kiss my a$$ if they ask for my social. It's none of their business. Even if they ask for your date of birth, you don't have to give it to them. Just state your name and your age. That's all they need.

[Edweird]

3. Yep, corporate structure in law enforcement. "officer smith your productivity is down

go makes some arrests". It isn't about justice, but how many arrests you make. And maybe you get to shoot someone!

[Crunchy Frog]

4. Same in Florida.

There was a story recently about a young woman who was raped, and was arrested on some old and forgotten incident from when she was a minor. She was then prevented from taking the morning after pill by the person in charge of such things at the jail, due to her "moral objections"

Texas and Florida are two places to avoid like the plague IMO.

[treestar]

5. How sick!

They are just using the contact to maximize their arrests!

Reminds me of a situation where a U.S. citizen went to the office of the INS to get a green card for her spouse and local police from a nearby county were there to arrest her, because she had an outstanding warrant. Apparently, the INS is so helpful to local police organizations that they run a check on the U.S. citizen spouse (not at all necessary for what they are doing) and then helpfully tell any police entity that has a warrant out that the person may show up at the (federal) INS office for an appointment!

Maybe for murder suspects or major fugitives, I could see it, but for this crap? Just do it through normal channels.

I hate that mentality.

[Th1onein]

8. They are interested in one thing: MONEY

Not protecting. Not serving. Not anything but MONEY.

I give them NOTHING but my name and my age, if I make a report. And if they refuse to take it, I call their supervisors and threaten a lawsuit. I've never been turned down on a report yet, but it's pretty sad that you have to force these people to do their jobs properly.