Tricky darn police

[last426]

I was choosing a topic to judge in a moot court competition and one of the subjects was "Ruse Drug Checkpoints."  I had never heard of such a thing so looked it up.  Now what do you think of this?

Seems in several states cops have been putting up signs on the freeway that a drug checkpoint with drug dogs is coming up ahead and then when the drivers take off on the next exit before the "checkpoint", they use that for probable cause to pull the driver over.  Or they simply watch for the driver to throw stuff out of the car and then nab him for littering, check the litter and double nab.  The intriguing point is that the Supreme Court has ruled drug checkpoints are not legal, so they could not even legally do what they are pretending to do.  Something about this just doesn't seem fair, though it is interesting.  No?  Kim

[NHCharger]

A friend of mine was on grand jury duty of six months. He said the number of cases where people committed crimes for drugs or because of drugs was staggering.
An employee I fired last year for doing coke on the job called me last week looking for tax info. He's cleaned up his act, although he is currently under house arrest and wearing a monitor. He told me after I fired him he became a full time coke dealer to support his habit. He's convinced that 90% of all robberies are made by people looking for drug money or items to sell for drug money. He had a few customers that would go through $2,000. of coke in a 24 hour period, and these people had no jobs.
As far as I'm concerned anyone found with coke or heroin should be executed.

[Orange_Crush]

I was choosing a topic to judge in a moot court competition and one of the subjects was "Ruse Drug Checkpoints."  I had never heard of such a thing so looked it up.  Now what do you think of this?

Seems in several states cops have been putting up signs on the freeway that a drug checkpoint with drug dogs is coming up ahead and then when the drivers take off on the next exit before the "checkpoint", they use that for probable cause to pull the driver over.  Or they simply watch for the driver to throw stuff out of the car and then nab him for littering, check the litter and double nab.  The intriguing point is that the Supreme Court has ruled drug checkpoints are not legal, so they could not even legally do what they are pretending to do.  Something about this just doesn't seem fair, though it is interesting.  No?  Kim

ANother case of treating the symptom while the disease ravages the body.  And yes, completely illegal and unconstitutional..just as much as the "driver's license checkpoints" they use for DUI enforcement...Though I blame the perps for being stupid as much as I do the cops for doing what they're doing. 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I have no problem with that tactic.   Keeps the scum in check and possibly save a life or two in the process.....

[Old Moparz]

I have less & less faith in how the true problem people are "removed" from society. The way I see it, the checkpoint thing, seems to be more of a money making device than actually doing a service to everyone. I've seen the same checkpoint at lunchtime on a regular basis of at least every other month for the last 5 years. The officers stand on the double yellow line & select every 3rd or 4th car to stop & take a look at, or inside.

They look at inspection stickers, seat belts & registration stickers, & then write up tickets like an assembly line. There are always 5 to 6 cars on the shoulder with happy motorists just patiently waiting to get the ticket & be on their way. The way I see it, by nailing the people who work, buy cars, register & insure them, will always keep the municipality's cash flow going.

Arresting a dead beat, unemployed crack head who doesn't have money is just not profitable. These people can be found without any trouble, they just usually aren't pumping any money into the local economy. I'm not anti-police, nor do I have any answers, I'd just rather see the enforcement done where it's actually needed.

[dkn1997]

maybe it's me and I have been watching too much law and order on tv, but I seem to recall that while the police question you about a crime, they are permitted to lie to you about other evidence they have.   it sounds pretty similar to tricking people with the "drug checkpoint" sign. 

if the checkpoints truly are illegal,  then the cops are not setting them up.  They are just tricking people into tipping their hand.  seems the same to me.

I will tell you what is another serious problem, maybe not as quote "bad" as the narcotic problem.  Its alcohol abuse.  The older I get, the more I notice just how many total boozehounds are out there.  I had to fire a guy last year for totalling one of our company vans.  He was totally plastered at noon on a weds.  Then another kid gets a DWI in another truck about a month later.  Granted, this just my little slice of the world, but think about how many people you know who are hitting it (not pussy) regularly? 

Now I'm depressed, I think I need a drink now...

[Todd Wilson]

I was choosing a topic to judge in a moot court competition and one of the subjects was "Ruse Drug Checkpoints."  I had never heard of such a thing so looked it up.  Now what do you think of this?

Seems in several states cops have been putting up signs on the freeway that a drug checkpoint with drug dogs is coming up ahead and then when the drivers take off on the next exit before the "checkpoint", they use that for probable cause to pull the driver over.  Or they simply watch for the driver to throw stuff out of the car and then nab him for littering, check the litter and double nab.  The intriguing point is that the Supreme Court has ruled drug checkpoints are not legal, so they could not even legally do what they are pretending to do.  Something about this just doesn't seem fair, though it is interesting.  No?  Kim

Last summer I noticed those signs on the I-35 on my way to Iowa from Kansas. Saw 2 sets of signs and thought it was BS they were doing it. I never did see a checkpoint anywhere.   I get to Iowa and on I-80 outside of Des Moines they have the same set of signs up except this time theres cops out there pulling folks over and checking their vehicles out. A few highway patrol cars and the standard black cruisers and Chevy Tahoe type of trucks.

Bottom line is cops can do what ever the f*ck they want to do out there on the road. Impound your vehicle and take you to jail. You post your bail (Spend money)  and then go hire a lawyer (spend more money). After spending thousands of dollars you are let off the hook but that thousands of dollars spent to get you off the hook is gone! I'd  like to see a way to recoop your legal costs because of some jackass cop on the side of the road has had a bad day and is being a dickhead with you.

I am interested in hearing how your competition comes out on this one!


Todd

[Shakey]

The easiest way to avoid getting hassled by the fuzz is not to break the law.

The thread could have also been called "Foolish Citizens", depending on how you look at it.

[89MOPAR]

maybe it's me and I have been watching too much law and order on tv, but I seem to recall that while the police question you about a crime, they are permitted to lie to you about other evidence they have.   it sounds pretty similar to tricking people with the "drug checkpoint" sign. 

I suppose I thought that you had to be a "person of interest"  in order to qualify you for that kind of treatment. IE - they have some evidence against you but not as much as they need to make additional charges stick.
Are we "persons of interest " or "suspects" simply for driving down the highway. ??

I also fail to see how pulling off on a normal freway exit is "probable cause" - maybe you have a valid legal reason to want to be on that exit road - such as going to the store or a relatives house.
Now if a guy, slams on his brakes and backs up to the exit, or goes flying across the median to turn around - well thats a bit more obvious....

[Drop Top]

I agree with Shakey. If your car is leagle to drive. Or if your not doing anything wrong. Then what do you have to worry about? So what they choose to pull you over. If there is something wrong and your caught then you should have taken care of it before hand. It probley would have been cheaper in the long run. They (the cops) are doing their jobs. You know the old saying. "If you can't do the time. Don't do the crime."

[73dodge]

So do they actually have a drug check point? Or do thy just post signs saying they have a drug checkpoint  but don't actually have one because they are illegal? That's what it sounds like and then bust the suspicious ones that think there is a CP and bail. What about the people who legitimately pull off the next exit ramp that the cops are sitting at and then get pulled over for a drug check. That can come back and bite them for violating the law against illegal search and seizure.

This sounds like a speed trap where they post a sign behind a tree for a 32 MPH speed limit and then nail people going 35.


I would think that this would come close to violating the illegal search and seizure law. Pulling off at an exit ramp is not illegal and why would it be deemed probable cause. I would think that a good lawyer would be able to shoot that down as reasonable doubt.

[Arthu®]

I'd  like to see a way to recoop your legal costs because of some jackass cop on the side of the road has had a bad day and is being a dickhead with you.

Well there is insurance for that.

Arthur

[89MOPAR]

I agree with Shakey. If your car is leagle to drive. Or if your not doing anything wrong. Then what do you have to worry about? So what they choose to pull you over. If there is something wrong and your caught then you should have taken care of it before hand. It probley would have been cheaper in the long run. They (the cops) are doing their jobs. You know the old saying. "If you can't do the time. Don't do the crime."

So then define the difference if you are walking down the street , shopping with your wife at local stores,minding your own business, and the police force you up against a wall and put you spread -eagle for a pat-down, with no complaint against you.   Would that be wrong ?       Guilty until proven innocent ?

What if someone got your home address and called the police saying "I think something is amiss at DropTops house"  - the dispatcher asks "is there fighting, or smell of dead body, or crack, or is the house  burning ?"  - and the caller says "No , I just think the inside of the house should be looked at" -  then the police come over at 2am, and bust down the door because you fell asleep with the TV on and didn't hear them knocking because you were so tired from work.   IS that OK ??

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I agree with Shakey. If your car is leagle to drive. Or if your not doing anything wrong. Then what do you have to worry about? So what they choose to pull you over. If there is something wrong and your caught then you should have taken care of it before hand. It probley would have been cheaper in the long run. They (the cops) are doing their jobs. You know the old saying. "If you can't do the time. Don't do the crime."

So then define the difference if you are walking down the street , shopping with your wife at local stores,minding your own business, and the police force you up against a wall and put you spread -eagle for a pat-down, with no complaint against you. Would that be wrong ? Guilty until proven innocent ?

What if someone got your home address and called the police saying "I think something is amiss at DropTops house" - the dispatcher asks "is there fighting, or smell of dead body, or crack, or is the house burning ?" - and the caller says "No , I just think the inside of the house should be looked at" - then the police come over at 2am, and bust down the door because you fell asleep with the TV on and didn't hear them knocking because you were so tired from work. IS that OK ??

Apples & oranges......

[Afturhrz]

Dont do drugs, then you dont have to worry about any of it.

[Drop Top]

I agree with 6T9CHGR.... Where did that come from?

[last426]

I am not too sure how I feel about it.  I understand that the newest twist is the same scheme, a freeway sign, saying that a there is a registered gun/weapon checkpoint ahead and then they search the folks who turn around.  I suppose if we get some drugs and weapons off the streets it's a good thing, but it still does not seem fair.  Anyway, this is not the topic that I chose to judge (the arguments were on a Sunday and I wanted Saturday).  Kim 

[MyMopar]

Well I tell you this, I personally am afraid of the police.  Why you ask?  Well over 10 years ago I was working as a driver.  Another driver went to make a p/u in the sticks but the freight was too large for his vehicle.  I headed out to swap van for truck.  After loading up and saying goodbye we were off.  As soon as we pulled out I was lit up. 
Well, apparently a dealership just down the street was broken into and they wanted to check me out.  The van was empty and I told the officer where I was and what I was doing and they could check.  Instead they didn't believe me and took my DL.

This is where the night got fun, apparently there was a Grand Larceny warrant out on me.  They arrested me, towed the company van and I sat waiting transport back to the town w/the warrant.  I KNEW I didn't do anything.  I sat wondering what the hell is going on.  If I was smart enough, I should have refused fingerprinting but they wanted them to check them against the dealership scene. 
Anyway 6 hours later and I'm back to the town w/the warrant.  A detective sits down with me and starts asking questions.
Know hold on for this one - He tells me I'm being arrested for not returning VIDEOS from a rental store I DON'T EVEN GO TO, I didn't even live in this town, I lived 25 minutes away!  I was released in no time.
So what was the deal there?  I was out the impound fee, towing fee and cab fare to go and get the company van back not only to mention trying to explain this to the company. 
Afraid of the police, damn straight, I don't do a single thing wrong and I still get in trouble.  I'm afraid of them because I think they can do whatever they want, plant whatever they want just to get a case. 
I contacted 4 lawyers who said to forget about it.  I was screwed out of my money, nearly lost my job and now in the end have a bad attitude toward police.  I see them coming, I go the other way. 

[Wakko]

I think the drug checkpoint idea is kinda dumb.  Pulling off the highway is not probable cause for a stop and any good lawyer worth his salt should get that thrown out right away.  However, doing a safety or registration checkpoint and while talking to the driver having a drug dog sniff the car...THAT'S fine.

A cop cannot "throw you against the wall".  During a consentual stop (you are FREE TO GO if you're not specifically being investigated for something, just ask!) the cop is allowed to Terry frisk you only.  It's a light exterior pat down for weapons.  Throwing you up against the wall is against your civil rights and is battery.

A cop cannot just kick in your door unless he has a warrant, is in fresh pursuit, believes reasonably that someone's life or health is in iminent danger (fight or heart attack) or if you have a warrant and live there.  I've had people see me coming, walk inside and refuse to answer the door and ya know what I can do? Nothing, I leave and go eat lunch.

A cop cannot write you for 35 in a 32.  There's a five mph blanket/safety margin for improper speedometer readings.  Writing 35 in a 30 is a dick ticket, but still legal.

Yes, there are cops out there that do a bad job and are a disgrace to the badge.  Unfortunately a dirty cop can make an honest man pay. My advice is to not give a cop any reason to stop you or any reason to say "Hmm, this guy is an ass...let's find a reason to put him in jail!"

[Todd Wilson]

I think the drug checkpoint idea is kinda dumb.  Pulling off the highway is not probable cause for a stop and any good lawyer worth his salt should get that thrown out right away.  However, doing a safety or registration checkpoint and while talking to the driver having a drug dog sniff the car...THAT'S fine.

See thats BS right there!  YOU are bending the law by doing that.  There is no need to have a drug dog when doing a safety check or registration check.   You go out with the full intent of looking for drugs and you use the BS to make it legal! So why cant you flex your muscle and use your badge to create problems for some one that didnt do anything wrong. Cops do it all the time. Highway Patrol pulled one of our antique truck club guys over. He had an antique semi truck pulling a tractor. HIS tractor. HP says he is violating DOT and the guy has the laws with him that an antique truck is not for hire and he can haul anything of his own on a trailer behind the antique truck. HP says well I am still writing you a ticket and we'll let the courts decide.   You know what. AFter hundreds of dollars spent and time off from work to attend court he was free of the ticket. But still out the money spent  due to the dickhead cop that doesnt know the laws!


Todd

[Wakko]

Once again you're comparing apples and oranges.   Did the cop dick your friend over?  Yes.  I've seen some shoddy police work where cops didn't know what the hell they were doing and rather than admit it, they just kinda made it up as they went along. 

There's nothing illegal or immoral about having a drug dog sniff a car.  Supreme court ruled that providing you are not detained longer than you would have been detained ANYWAY (i.e. if you get one ticket you can't be expected to sit there for an hour, but 15 minutes is acceptable) it's perfectly legal for the drug dog to sniff the EXTERIOR of your vehicle.  And if he hits, that's PROBABLY CAUSE to go INTO your vehicle.

People smoking weed and crack while driving on the highways scare the hell out of me.  If I can do something to help get those sons of bitches off the highways, I'll do it.  Alcohol is the same...and worse!

[Todd Wilson]

Once again you're comparing apples and oranges.   Did the cop dick your friend over?  Yes.  I've seen some shoddy police work where cops didn't know what the hell they were doing and rather than admit it, they just kinda made it up as they went along. 

There's nothing illegal or immoral about having a drug dog sniff a car.  Supreme court ruled that providing you are not detained longer than you would have been detained ANYWAY (i.e. if you get one ticket you can't be expected to sit there for an hour, but 15 minutes is acceptable) it's perfectly legal for the drug dog to sniff the EXTERIOR of your vehicle.  And if he hits, that's PROBABLY CAUSE to go INTO your vehicle.

People smoking weed and crack while driving on the highways scare the hell out of me.  If I can do something to help get those sons of bitches off the highways, I'll do it.  Alcohol is the same...and worse!

But thats not right. You might as well drag the people out of the car and go inside and start ripping stuff open looking for drugs.  A drug dog cannot read there by not able to determine if the registration and insurance are current and correct.  A drug dog also cannot do a proper safety check and know if tires are bad or a light is out.

You are pure and simple  using the law the wrong way to make a drug bust. That drug dog has NO BUSINESS being at a routine "safety and Reistration" check point!!!!!!! That drug dog is only used in drug busts searching for hidden drugs!  Every person you pull over is guilty of drugs until your dog sniffs the car and walks away!

Its illegal to have a drug check point so you bend the law to do it anyways.


Todd

[bad1032]

Its been upheld by Court of special appeals its legal to have a drug dog at any roadside check point, Our dogs are trained in Drug work and attack work, so that means once he finds your drugs he can bite you on the ass as you try and run, Its the Law live with it, If your a druggie stay home with your dope , don't be on the road smokin and jokin.

[Wakko]

The point is to get the drugs off the street...if the police want to be sneaky in how they do it, so what?  It's proven over and over again to be LEGAL and I have zero moral or ethical problem with it.  Most narcotics are found on accident during interactions based on other reasons.  What are we supposed to do, pull over a car for weed?  Hope that while they're walking down the street a suspect will just let it fall out of their pockets?  We constantly find drugs by stopping someone for a BS taillight out and simply asking to look in the car.  

I'm not really sure what your argument is for...don't you want drugs off the street legally?  

[John_Kunkel]

I have this vision of a bunch of cops sitting around in a bar, consuming vast quantities of a legal drug, bragging about all the "druggies" they busted in their latest ruse.

[Wakko]

It happens.  When I first got on the job I hung out with cops all the time and started drinking more than usual.  Didn't take me long to realize that this was a bad idea, so I completely stopped hanging out with cops outside of work and I'm back to rarely drinking.  Definitely better. 

[Dale The Bold]

I've had a few encounters with police officers that I'd call "a thief with a badge."  I think a lot of those cops see a young, strikingly handsome guy like me and assume that I must be up to know good, so they desperately look for something.  When they find nothing, they make stuff up.  But, I would have no objections to having a drug sniffing dog give me or my property a random whiff from time to time if it helps keep the druggies off the streets.  But I do get offended at the assumption that I'm a druggie. 

And, as far as drinking, I've probably had a grand total of one and a half beers in my life.  Just never took the time to acquire a taste for something so bad-tasting.  I'm about as G-rated as you can get.  I don't even take aspirin.

Sometimes I get offended living in a world where everyone expects a 20-40 year old guy to be a partier, druggie, pervert, etc.  It's not too far for them to go from that to accusing you.

[Drop Top]

I have lived all my life just on the outskirts of a little town that is full of druggies/tweaker. These people will do anything for their next fix. Including kill anyone that gets in their way. Or sell their body for a $5 dollar bill. I have grown up with these people first hand. I can spot a tweaker a mile away. I will be the first to step up and have a dog sniff out my shop, home or car at any time. For that matter any property I own. I despise anyone at all that uses any kind of illegal substance. That includes the smoke. The small stuff can easily lead to the bigger stuff. I have seen it happen to people that you would never believe it would happen to. Including my own family. I am all for anything that will help cut down on drugs of any kind. This will lead to less crimes on the street. Even if it where my own son or daughter. I would be the first to have them locked up. This way I might be able to start to help them. If they where caught with it in their car. They know how it got there. Let the dogs loose!

The way some people are going off on this subject you would think they where guilty of possession, wouldn't you?

[TK73]

The point is to get the drugs off the street...if the police want to be sneaky in how they do it, so what?  It's proven over and over again to be LEGAL and I have zero moral or ethical problem with it.  Most narcotics are found on accident during interactions based on other reasons.  What are we supposed to do, pull over a car for weed?  Hope that while they're walking down the street a suspect will just let it fall out of their pockets?  We constantly find drugs by stopping someone for a BS taillight out and simply asking to look in the car. 

I'm not really sure what your argument is for...don't you want drugs off the street legally? 

So, when you stop someone for a taillight WHY are you asking to search the car?  Just asking...

I quit the drugs last century and the drinking last year so my cars are clean.  If I get pulled over for any reason can I just refuse to let my car get searched?  And if I do, what will happen next?

[Wakko]

I'm asking to search the car to see what they have that's illegal.  Sometimes we find firearms, sometimes it's narcotics.  I usually tell people up front to be honest and I'll work with them.  If they have a nickel bag or a joint, I really don't care.  If they have 10 grams or something, then they're going for the ride.

[bad1032]

You never know what you will find. We had one pulled over and asked if he had anything illegal and he said yep guns and drugs. He was Honest so we had consent to search, found the stuff and towed the car, Gave him a ride to his house and got a indictment later. If your honest, its the best way to be, If ya lie it only makes it worse. As far as search you don't have to let them, but if its in plain view, like seeds on a seat or roaches in the ash tray or floor, oh well  ya get a ride to the cross bar hotel for the night. Story changes when ya act like a dick. yes I admit i work with some dicks, and I would just love to bitch slap some of them for the way they act, All cops are not dicks, some are, Just like John Q Citizen,

[Wakko]

I have a guy I work with that does that..."If you tell me I'll take care of you." then he takes them for the ride anyway....bullshit policework.   

[bad1032]

Yep. I have a few of them, even have some that I have thrown off the scene before,I have given rides home many times. Been questioned by upper management  before about it, but it helps build repore with the bad guys. If I take care of them they are a wealth of info later.

[Wakko]

Does your Fire/Rescue do that to you?  Go on scene of a one car crash and say "This guy's drunk!  Aren't you going to arrest him??"   "No.  I don't tell you how to stick a needle, don't tell me how to use handcuffs."   

[bad1032]

Yep. we had one chief here he was a dick, They ended up locking him up and towing the fire truck,

[89MOPAR]

 Ok, let me expand what I said earlier.
DropTop is shopping at the local deptartment  store with his wife. Upon leaving they are stopped by police who ask them to empty their pockets and get spread eagle against the wall [ no throwing against wall] .  DropTop does as he is asked.  So they both get a "terry frisk" .
   After being searched Droptops wife is led away in handcuffs. It turns out she has a counterfiet $5 bill in her purse.  Droptop complains that she recieved the $5 bill as change in that store.  Police say, "well we will work that out if she is innocent"
    Turns out that someone had been passing counterfeit money in this department store previously.  Droptop and his wife have not been at this store in over a month.
  Is it OK for Droptop to be searched ?   With only the vaguest of connections to the counterfeiting [ she shopped at the same store as 1000's of other people]

What then if Droptop later finds out that the counterfeiter was KNOWN to be an Albino ? 
Something he and his wife obviously are not .    Where was the "probable cause"  ?
That is my issue- probable cause.

Wakko- is it not true that a police officer can force entry into a building / home if he believes that someone is inside the home and hurt/ needs assistance ?

[Wakko]

A cop cannot just kick in your door unless he has a warrant, is in fresh pursuit, believes reasonably that someone's life or health is in iminent danger (fight or heart attack) or if you have a warrant and live there.

Yes, we can make forced entry in certain cases, such as someone in need of medical assistance.

As far as DropTop and his wife:  If a police officer asks them to empty their pockets and put their hands on the wall, THEY DON'T HAVE TO.  Unless they are being investigated for a specific crime (i.e. they receive a tip that a couple matching their description is passing false five dollar bills at Macy's) it would have to be a consentual search.  DT can say "Sorry officers, we don't have time to talk to you." and they can keep right on walking.  If they decide to talk to the cops and DT's wife allows the cops to toss her purse and they find the five dollar bill, the chances are not good that she would be charged with it for being bogus.  There's what you call "Mens Rea" or criminal intent.  It's pretty easy to prove that DT's wife got the bill in her change in the store and had no knowledge of it being false.  She's not guilty of a crime and therefore cannot be arrested for it.  She'd lose the five bucks though.   If for some reason the cop was a rookie or a real ass that hates DropTop and DID arrest his wife, the State Attorney wouldn't go near it and the charges would never be filed. 

However if DT's wife had a small container with pills Xanax or something and didn't have them in the prescription bottle, she could be arrested for that

[bull]

I quit the drugs last century and the drinking last year so my cars are clean.  If I get pulled over for any reason can I just refuse to let my car get searched?  And if I do, what will happen next?

I'm not a cop but I believe they can make you sit there until they get a search warrant authorization over the radio. I assume they would have to have probable cause to get that warrant but probable cause is a pretty vague system IMO. Basically it's the opinion of the officer as to whether or not you're a druggie, and maybe they don't care. Maybe they just want to mess with you and make you sit there for 30 minutes so you're late for work or to school to pick up your kids. Like Wakko says there are bad apples in every profession and they seem to stand out above the other 95% who are good. In a sense we really are at their mercy but so far in this country there seems to be a fairly good system of checks and balances. It doesn't feel that way for those who've been harrassed but I don't think it happens to a majority of innocent people.

[Wakko]

You would have to have some serious probable cause to get a search warrant on a traffic stop. 

[bad1032]

Yep and If ya waited the 3 or 4 hours on side of the road waiting for the search warrant to be signed and executed a good lawyer would have you off and walking and case dismissed.

[SuBLimE 69]

Yep and If ya waited the 3 or 4 hours on side of the road waiting for the search warrant to be signed and executed a good lawyer would have you off and walking and case dismissed.

Nope, if you have enough PC to obtain a warrant then there is no need to wait, just search.  The unreasonable time delay starts when you have nothing to go on and no reason to search.  maybe you got some info from a snitch that "dope" is in the car you have stopped but the driver won't let you search the vehicle.  If thats the case get a dog there fast or if the snitch is a good one and has been used before, go and get your warrant.  Getting warrants for car stops almost never ever happen.  not from my experience anyway. 

As far as the opinion of the dog walking around vehicles at a "licesne checkpoint"....perfectly fine.  The dog isn't searching your car is he?  No, he is walking around sniffing the car and looking for a reason to search.  If you don't like it don't carry anything in your car that is going to get you locked up.  Better yet do us all a favor and don't drive.  Driving on the roadway is a privelage and not a right.  If you can't play by the rules then your privleage should be taken away.

The "drug checkpoint" is an old tactic and it still works to this day.  If you don't wanna get popped keep your nose clean.

The cop bashing around here never seems to end.  "DON'T HATE DA PLAYA, HATE DA GAME"

[dads_69]

My dad was a cop for 9 years here. He worked undercover as well drove the daily beat. He did what some of you say, Wakko for won, he gave some people a break sometimes and hauled many of them into jail. Were we lived, many knew he lived were we did. He didn't want to piss in his own yard persay, but still had a few people try crap once in a while. I wanted to be a cop myself after high school, but my dad kept telling me, know you don't, be something else he always said. I took the first test a few years ago and passed it, but the second test I failed big time. Reason, the physiological test. I scored a 43 or 47 % on it questioned by three FBI guys and man, I wanted out of that room so bad, I was pissed and laughed a lot also. Long story made short. I believe its  a good idea for the stops, think about it, the crap that goes in this world today, a check point could save your life maybe. I applaude the cops we have here.

Mark

[bad1032]

There are certin rules for check points. Like a DWI  one,  you have to give them an escape route, why, no clue its what the supreme court has rulled, that is why we have chase cars to watch and see who turns off, Most of the time they commit a violation and thats your p.c for the stop. Some just roll right up and its up to the Police to detect alcohol or .Most states HAVE to do so many or they loose there Hiway safety money. we have to conduct 4 a year. If you search a car because a snitch told ya it had dope you will run a 50/50 chance on loosing it, He best be past proven an reliable  or good by case. We  have had many like that and alot have been dismissed, Do cops make up stuff sure,  it is tricks of the trade, If your a good talker you can get a consent search with no problem, Been doing it for 16 years.

[SeattleCharger]

I was choosing a topic to judge in a moot court competition and one of the subjects was "Ruse Drug Checkpoints."  I had never heard of such a thing so looked it up.  Now what do you think of this?

Seems in several states cops have been putting up signs on the freeway that a drug checkpoint with drug dogs is coming up ahead and then when the drivers take off on the next exit before the "checkpoint", they use that for probable cause to pull the driver over.  Or they simply watch for the driver to throw stuff out of the car and then nab him for littering, check the litter and double nab.  The intriguing point is that the Supreme Court has ruled drug checkpoints are not legal, so they could not even legally do what they are pretending to do.  Something about this just doesn't seem fair, though it is interesting.  No?  Kim

  Are you in law school?     Just curious.    This reminds me of the trap the police had in Tacoma, WA where they told hundreds of people with warrants that they had won an exotic vacation or something like that and when all the people showed up to claim their prize, they were individually escorted from the crowded vacation registration line/desk to a back room one at a time, and "surprise", handcuffs awaited.    So those people had already broken the law, or at least had a warrant saying the court was soon to prove they were guilty of breaking the law, but they were still tricked by a fake scam.     

    Busting people by lying and tricking them seems like a bad idea, just doesn't sit well with me.   Its a pretty tricky idea though I gotta admit.

[Todd Wilson]

Yep and If ya waited the 3 or 4 hours on side of the road waiting for the search warrant to be signed and executed a good lawyer would have you off and walking and case dismissed.

The cop bashing around here never seems to end.  "DON'T HATE DA PLAYA, HATE DA GAME"

I may seem a little hard on cops but its due to all the corruption we have around here in my town. Anyone can research my town and read up on it. We have a Sherrif doing time for stealing money from the town while running a jail annex and making sure certain people and companys got contracts from bids while he got a kick back.  We had a group of local cops go to prison for theft as they had a big theft ring going on here in town. They would search business's at night that had alarms go off doing a thunderstorm. They got to see what all was inside and then weeks later go steal them blind. DId that to a lot of houses they went to on calls to see what they had at the house. We had another group of cops go to another town for a training meeting and they never went to the meeting but instead party'd all weekend using city expense accounts. We wont even go into the drunk driving at the police golf tournament every year where cops play golf and 99% of them cant walk a straight line when they leave due to the beer drinking on the course. I see our local cops every day not want to sit at a red light so they turn their lights on and go thru the intersection only to shut them off again and go downthe street to pull into a parking lot and sit and chat with the other copcar. I see them drive 10-15mph over the speed limit all over town. No red lights and siren or yellow flashers. I understand they have to run silent sometimes to sneak up on something thats going on but we have a local transcript online and printed in the paper every day showing all the court stuff and arrests and so forth and theres not that much serious crap that goes on in this town.


As for the drug dog sniffing your car  he is in fact searching your vehicle but the laws dont show that. Its another way to bend the rules.  I dont do drugs and I have seen what they can do to people and familys. I am all for trying to knock out the problem but theres lots of other ways to do it that would be more effective then thinking everyone is a dope head at a traffic stop until the dog walks away.

When I was younger and out in the party scene a lot drugs were everywhere. It was very easy to get them. Why cant the cops get them and bust some people that way?! I can count the # of times I have smoked pot on one hand. Tried some speed one time and didnt like it and have never sniffed anything up my nose. I drank a lot of beer back in the day and went to a lot of keg and house partys and there was plenty of drug use going on at those partys as well as drinking. If I could see what was going on and know where to buy drugs so easily why cant cops get more good busts?!?!


Todd

[John_Kunkel]

The cop bashing around here never seems to end.  "DON'T HATE DA PLAYA, HATE DA GAME"

So, it wasn't Pete Rose's fault; it was the game?

Blaming the system didn't work in '46 Nuremberg.

[SuBLimE 69]

I knew better than to put my .02 in this thread.  It's takes more than a room temperature IQ to understand what I do for a living...AN HONEST LIVING.  Until you can have some respect for the law and understand that not all Officers are bad...... please don't call 911.  We shouldn't have to run and rescue a hypocrite just so you can bad mouth me later from the other side of a computer screen.

Kansas...corrupt...please man, you are talking to someone who is from Atlanta.  get a grip. 

[Todd Wilson]

  Until you can have some respect for the law and understand that not all Officers are bad...... please don't call 911.  We shouldn't have to run and rescue a hypocrite just so you can bad mouth me later from the other side of a computer screen.

Kansas...corrupt...please man, you are talking to someone who is from Atlanta.  get a grip. 

I would just as soon handle a situation on my own and not call the cops but I cant. I have to dial 911.  I have to wait for you guys to come shoot the intruder in my house because I cant or you will haul me to jail for shooting them!


Get a grip.....so Atlanta is full of crooked cops too eh?



Todd

[Dave22443]

Here in Virginia, we have concealed carry permits and the cops like it that way.  Besides, where I live its 30 minutes minimum to get a cop at your door, blue lights and all. The only reason we call the cops is to do the paperwork, because by the time they get here, thats really all thats left to do.  However, they rarely have to do that because with our concealed carry laws, there isn't much crime here to worry about.  But go to up Washington D.C., where they pretty much ban ALL gun ownership, and see how warm and fuzzy you feel.

I've been reading and thinking about the drug sniffing at traffic stops and in all reality, I guess I'm cool with it.  I don't use drugs.  I don't sell drugs.  And I don't associate with anyone who does.  Some may not think its moral to have a drug sniffing dog check your car out at a "registration and license" check, but it is legal and I'm cool with that, so long as the dog doesn't wet my tire in the process.

However, I am not cool with asking someone coming out of a shop to put their hands on the wall and consent to a search without some pretty serious probable cause.  Yes, the people may have the right to rufuse and walk away, but how many people will actually do that?

Officer: I'm going to have to ask you to place your hands on the wall and spread your legs.

"Suspect": (looks at uniform, notices gun on hip, badge on chest, bullet proof vest)  Uh... sure... anything you say Officer.

[Wakko]

I would just as soon handle a situation on my own and not call the cops but I cant. I have to dial 911.  I have to wait for you guys to come shoot the intruder in my house because I cant or you will haul me to jail for shooting them!


Get a grip.....so Atlanta is full of crooked cops too eh?



Todd

Why can't you shoot an intruder in your home?  Cop or not, I'd blow his shit away.   Why are you calling Doug crooked?  Do you know him?  Do you have experience with him being dishonest?  Would you call me crooked as well, simply because I wear a gold star? Honest questions, no sarcasm.

[Todd Wilson]

I would just as soon handle a situation on my own and not call the cops but I cant. I have to dial 911.  I have to wait for you guys to come shoot the intruder in my house because I cant or you will haul me to jail for shooting them!


Get a grip.....so Atlanta is full of crooked cops too eh?



Todd

Why can't you shoot an intruder in your home?  Cop or not, I'd blow his shit away.   Why are you calling Doug crooked?  Do you know him?  Do you have experience with him being dishonest?  Would you call me crooked as well, simply because I wear a gold star? Honest questions, no sarcasm.

Never did call Doug crooked. Just asked if there were crooked cops in atlanta as well in kansas here. Dont know how calling you crooked came into the picture. But since you brought it up are you a crooked cop?

As far as shooting someone in your house it better be from the front and appear like they are coming at you and going to do harm to you or you will go to jail. You walk into a bedroom and see a thief with his back to you snooping in a closet and you smoke him then you are in trouble. I say anyone breaks into your house can be shot but thats not how the laws works.


Todd

[bad1032]

Live by this moto, Rather be tried by 12 then carried by 6. If it takes killin the SOB, sorry about his luck, see ya in court.

[John_Kunkel]

Until you can have some respect for the law and understand that not all Officers are bad...... please don't call 911.  We shouldn't have to run and rescue a hypocrite just so you can bad mouth me later from the other side of a computer screen.

I think you need to recognize the difference between protecting citizens from the threat of theft/bodily harm, etc. and busting hookers and guys with a couple of joints in their pocket.

As far as calling 911, as others have stated, I would love to protect myself but here in the PRK if you shoot a perp you go to jail with them and then they sue you for injuries when they get out.

[Silver R/T]

I guess they should use that to bust more drug dealers etc. Drugs are bad, Ive seen few people go bad, some even died from it. Just say NO to drugs

[Steve P.]

Damn good reading here.. Many good points. I agree with some and disagree with others. The big thing for me is that the number of accidents in Florida and death related accidents is stagering. Of course not all accidents are caused by people on drugs or booze. BUT those numbers are huge!! They report this on the news often along with the use of seat belts.

Three weeks ago a friend of my 20 year old daughter was killed and his passenger badly hurt as they were both ejected from the car they were driving. It was early on Sunday morning as they were making the trip home from partying Friday and Saturday in Ebor City. They had allready had one accident less than an hour before the fatal crash. They went off the road and hit a road work sign. They stopped as a tire was thumping. They found a bolt sticking out of the tire. Too screwed up to change it they drove on. Suddenly they found themselves out of control. In then out of the median and then airborne and the car was rolling forward bumper to bumper. They were thrown from the car smashing one of them.

Yup, do what you can to get the message across.. 21 years old and no more..

[John_Kunkel]

Of course not all accidents are caused by people on drugs or booze.

Like most, Steve separates booze from drugs; booze is a drug and therein lies the enforcement problem. Adults can go to a liquor store, buy any quantity of booze, get snockered out of their mind and as long as they don't do it in public or drive a vehicle they break no laws.

Substitute "cocaine", "mary-jew-ahna", etc. for booze and you're busted. All are addictive, all are bad for your body and society yet one intoxicant is legal and the others aren't. Total hypocrisy.

The grand experiment known as the Volstead Act proved the fallacy of trying to outlaw the source of peoples' addictions. The old saying goes "Those who ignore the past are condemned to repeat it" and the current War on Drugs proves that. Billions in wasted dollars and tens of thousands incarcerated for what?

[71Charger500]

A friend of mine was on grand jury duty of six months. He said the number of cases where people committed crimes for drugs or because of drugs was staggering.
An employee I fired last year for doing coke on the job called me last week looking for tax info. He's cleaned up his act, although he is currently under house arrest and wearing a monitor. He told me after I fired him he became a full time coke dealer to support his habit. He's convinced that 90% of all robberies are made by people looking for drug money or items to sell for drug money. He had a few customers that would go through $2,000. of coke in a 24 hour period, and these people had no jobs.
As far as I'm concerned anyone found with coke or heroin should be executed.

Thats the most ignorant thing Ive heard in a while.

[SeattleCharger]

A friend of mine was on grand jury duty of six months. He said the number of cases where people committed crimes for drugs or because of drugs was staggering.
An employee I fired last year for doing coke on the job called me last week looking for tax info. He's cleaned up his act, although he is currently under house arrest and wearing a monitor. He told me after I fired him he became a full time coke dealer to support his habit. He's convinced that 90% of all robberies are made by people looking for drug money or items to sell for drug money. He had a few customers that would go through $2,000. of coke in a 24 hour period, and these people had no jobs.
As far as I'm concerned anyone found with coke or heroin should be executed.

Thats the most ignorant thing Ive heard in a while.

Ya, no doubt, ignorant.   Stop the drugs at the source,  addicts are sick and need treatment.   No excuse for robbery though, tough problem. 

[Charger Aficionado]

  I hate drugs.  They RUINED my life, and I've never had the priveledge to enjoy them lol...  (My ex got into them)...  Now I don't have my son...  I do get two weekends a month...  I guess that is something... But still a life-wrecker for me...  I want him EVERYDAY, >HERE.  I guess she is off of the streetdrugs now, but still abuses Demerol, and Clonapin etc...  Rrrrrr...  I'm ALL FOR P.D. STOPPING those CREEPS that deal it...

[71Charger500]

A friend of mine was on grand jury duty of six months. He said the number of cases where people committed crimes for drugs or because of drugs was staggering.
An employee I fired last year for doing coke on the job called me last week looking for tax info. He's cleaned up his act, although he is currently under house arrest and wearing a monitor. He told me after I fired him he became a full time coke dealer to support his habit. He's convinced that 90% of all robberies are made by people looking for drug money or items to sell for drug money. He had a few customers that would go through $2,000. of coke in a 24 hour period, and these people had no jobs.
As far as I'm concerned anyone found with coke or heroin should be executed.

Thats the most ignorant thing Ive heard in a while.

Ya, no doubt, ignorant.   Stop the drugs at the source,  addicts are sick and need treatment.   No excuse for robbery though, tough problem. 

Perhaps our money would be better spent on a war on crime and drugs and poverty in our OWN country, before we spend it in a war on terror in other countries.  Just my opinion.

[Wakko]

I do agree with that.  George Washington warned not to become the world's policeman...and what have we become..?

[SeattleCharger]

   
           "How did our oil get under their sand?"            

[derailed]

Perhaps our money would be better spent on a war on crime and drugs and poverty in our OWN country, before we spend it in a war on terror in other countries.  Just my opinion.

not to mention the education system.

[itsbacon]

i am a county officer. i cant conduct a d.l. check point without a state trooper because d.l.'s are issued by the state. if i am with a trooper i can demand a d.l for the sole pourpose of checking it, absent of any violation. i can conduct a ''seatbelt'' check point. if i observe any violation inside or on the vehicle i can demand the d.l. in either case, if there is no violation its ''we at the sheriff's office are concerned with your safety, please drive carefully''. if i observe a violation I'll deal with it as i see fit. most cops know the limits of their authority and get the job done within those limits. I'll go out on a limb and say cops are still the good guys.

[Mike DC]

I like the individual police officers just fine 90% of the time. 
I hate many of the municipalities/laws that set everything up.

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

I currently live in a safe suburban area that's policed constantly. 
My friend lives in a semi-dangerous ghetto with little police presence.

His current losses from stolen stuff this year?  $100.
My current total from stupid minor traffic tickets & the ensuing lawyers this year?  $800.

There is such a thing as having too much police presence for an area.  Past a certain point it just means the teenagers get extra harassement & the adults get unnessecary minor traffic tickets.  Boss Hogg is a very real problem.

       

[dodgecharger-fan]

Stop the drugs at the source,  addicts are sick and need treatment. No excuse for robbery though, tough problem.

That brings to mind another train of thought....

I agree with the intent of this statement, but one problem with this idea is that some people think that the way to deal with both the source and the treatment is to legalize and control drugs - much like alcohol. Here in Ontario, you buy your booze at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario and your beer at the Beer Store. The bars and restaurants buy from them as well.
Everything is controlled and the government collects their taxes to run the treatment programs (and some).

I don't agree with the idea of legalizing drugs because it doesn't really address the robbery problem, does it?
The addicts will still need money to feed their habit. How will legalizing it change what they do to get that money?
Sure, maybe it will get cheaper, but "cheaper" isn't "free."

At the same time, you don't really hear about a lot of alcohol related crime - in the sense of robberies to obtain alcohol as opposed to alcohol-induced violence or traffic violations..
Is that because we've already accepted alcoholism as a disease and those type of criminal acts are looked upon with pity and everyone does the group hug and that's the end of it? *shrugs*

[Mike DC]

         
A lot of peope want to legalize pot.
They picture a world where that nice dreadlock-wearing Dave Matthews fan in their dorm wouldn't be getting busted anymore. 

Wrong.

It would mean Winston & Marlboro would be marketing packs of joints to 12-year-olds.  And they'd be jacking the stuff up with addictive chemicals so the kids can't quit later.

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

Decriminalized drugs?  Yes.

Legalized drugs?  Hell no.

       

[451-74Charger]

My view is that Drugs should be stopped  by any means possible. if that means Checkpoints, im all for it... I have nothing to hide !!!
it SEEMS the people who object probably do.

I will admit that it sounds like there are less than honest officers out there (and I have heard a few stories). But, if you are truthful, have nothing to hide and cooperate, i dont see where you have much to worry about.

In England Cops nearly allways travel in pairs, and if you get stopped by a single cop, usually even if you did something wrong (like speeding) you have a good case to dispute. (only got 1 speeding ticket for 97 in a 70, and I had been doing 115 !). All the other times I got "verbal Warnings".

I guess what im tryng to say, is Keep yourself clean, obey the laws and sleep at night, after all the cops are her to protect us from those that dont, and I have the utmost respect for any man or woman that daily puts THIER life on the line for my well being !!!

[SuBLimE 69]

My view is that Drugs should be stopped  by any means possible. if that means Checkpoints, im all for it... I have nothing to hide !!!
it SEEMS the people who object probably do.

I have the utmost respect for any man or woman that daily puts THIER life on the line for my well being !!!

Thanks,...... These are the type of people I want to work for.  This is the type of support we should generate from more people.

I like the individual police officers just fine 90% of the time. 
I hate many of the municipalities/laws that set everything up.

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

I currently live in a safe suburban area that's policed constantly. 
My friend lives in a semi-dangerous ghetto with little police presence.

His current losses from stolen stuff this year?  $100.
My current total from stupid minor traffic tickets & the ensuing lawyers this year?  $800.

There is such a thing as having too much police presence for an area.  Past a certain point it just means the teenagers get extra harassement & the adults get unnessecary minor traffic tickets. Boss Hogg is a very real problem.

       

Just when I thought you were a complete moron you said something I halfway agree with.  Yes, you can put to many to many traffic cops in one area but never to many "real cops".  Real cops go look for crime and enforce traffic laws that should be enforced, such as running through the red light after it has been red for seconds not while it is turning red....hell we all do that.  Not speeding 10 or 12 mph over...maybe even 15.  Hell I do that everyday !  Now 20, 25+ and faster needs a ticket.  Whats you F'ing excusse at that point ?  You know its considerably faster than the posted speed so if you arent willing to sign my driving award ....don't drive that damn fast.  Expired tag......I paid for mine on time so you had better do it too.   If you drive an Escalade and you "tag tax" is too expensive buy a car you can afford.  You get the point correct...some violations should be enforced but the guy who stops grandma for her "jesus loves me" tag frame blocking her expiration sticker is an asshole cop....plain and simple.  They are out there and I hate they have the job because they make the rest of the "real cops" look bad.

I agree to "legalize" would only cause greater problems.  Easy access for children would be a huge problem and the Driving under the influence of Alcohol and Drugs or the two in combination would go throught the damn roof.  Harrassing teenagers huh.  Since when do they not need it a little "positive influence" ?  Some of the worst stuff I ever did was during my teenage years.  Man I was the worst and if you knew half the things I did you would never believe I was a cop now.  I'll keep those to myself but gives you a hint.  Several Felonies....more like a S-load of them..... Never caught thank god.  If your teenagers are out late....real late, I am gonna stop them...(for a traffic violation of course) and make sure they half thier Shet together and not out drinking and driving, smoking dope, robbing the gas station, stealing car stereos ect.  I have no problem with kids running around and having fun...they need to half fun.  Some of my best years were under 21 running the streets with my buddies, driving from one kids house to the next building faster cars, burning the tires off them in front of the band nerds house ect.  Thats what kids do and I understand this.  Short example:  Friday night high traffic area.  Early 90s fox body Mustang (trunk model) sliver is sitting at a light by himself except for his buddy behind him and a few car approaching the light. Light goes green and he nails it.  the tires go straight up in the air and the damn bumper nearly hits the ground.  it was F-ing beautiful !  but then the traffic that was in the area like mom and dad with the mini van full of kids, grandma and grampa goes to dinner ect are all looking at me like DO SOMETHING ! and I remeber the car I am driving says POLICE down the side.  I catch the kid and stop him.  Slicks, NOS, 4 link, roll cage, 500 something inchs of motor.....two other kids wedged in the back sitting on the mini tub humps with no damn seat belts.  Now, I had a car very similar to this kids .... just not a full drag car and it brought some good time to mind.  I had this lil shet and all his buddys doing push ups and singing stupid songs.  I made them run wind sprints in the parking lot and do jumping jacks ect. while thier buddy drove by honking and laughing.....along with hundreds of other people. I told him he was a dumbass for acting that that on the street with so many people around and to call someone with a trailor to come get his car and his dumbass.  I could have charged him and taken his license and cost hima  ton of money.  Even a trip to the jail.  That "lil bastard"  wokrs for the Police dept now and had to ride with me all last week.  I was right....he was a  good kid just acted stupid and got caught.

[Iceyone]

Back in August 2004, I was towing my freshly purchased 70 Super Bee back to Iowa from Las Cruces, New Mexico through Oklahoma City when I got pulled over by a cop for supposedly failing to maintain my own lane (it was a really windy morning and I was driving a Chevy Tahoe). Myself, wife and my father were all wearing our seat belts, I had proof of insurance, valid registration, valid D. License, and the signed title to the Bee, all in my possession. The Cop wanted to search the Bee for "drugs" since I'd bought it so close to the Mexico border. I was really hoping he wouldn't find anything because all I did was drive it up on the u-haul trailer, tie it down and then proceed to drive back home. Anyway, he spent a whole 3 minutes "searching" my car without even bothering to look in the Tahoe. He came back to the window and said "It looks like you got a project there" as he handed me a warning ticket. I'm pretty sure he just wanted to look at the car. I was courteous to him the whole time and drove off without further incident.   

[Wakko]

Hmm...maybe I should get bales of oregano and put them in the trunk of an old car and trailer it around.  Some rookie cop would think he's made the bust of a lifetime and "Um, it's oregano."  "Oh, shit.  Sorry for the beating."  "No problem.  Have a nice day."

[last426]

I was choosing a topic to judge in a moot court competition and one of the subjects was "Ruse Drug Checkpoints."  I had never heard of such a thing so looked it up.  Now what do you think of this?

Seems in several states cops have been putting up signs on the freeway that a drug checkpoint with drug dogs is coming up ahead and then when the drivers take off on the next exit before the "checkpoint", they use that for probable cause to pull the driver over.  Or they simply watch for the driver to throw stuff out of the car and then nab him for littering, check the litter and double nab.  The intriguing point is that the Supreme Court has ruled drug checkpoints are not legal, so they could not even legally do what they are pretending to do.  Something about this just doesn't seem fair, though it is interesting.  No?  Kim

Are you in law school?     Just curious.   

Not to resurrect the original posting but no, I am not in law school.  Kim www.marlia.com

[Charger_Fan]

But were you in law school last year when this thread was alive??

[last426]

But were you in law school last year when this thread was alive??

No I wasn't.  I got out of law school in 1990 and now just volunteer time to go back and judge moot court.  Kim

[Heck2G14]

If your not doing anything wrong whats the deal? I'm yet to see a drug user/ seller wearing a shirt that states what they are in a car that states what they are and tells the truth to all questions.  So police are suppose to use the same tactics and still provide a service to their community and justify their job and make sure no ones rights are violated.  I'm sorry but that just stacks the chips against them.  Those officers dont make the laws and they dont convict all they simply do is consider evidence at hand and charge. Tricky Darnj Police???  what do you suggest they stand on roadside holding a sign requesting you to pull over if you are a violator.  And if their tactic you claim is tricky gets drugs off the street one way or another all I got to say is THANK YOU!!!

[dkn1997]

  Short example:  Friday night high traffic area.  Early 90s fox body Mustang (trunk model) sliver is sitting at a light by himself except for his buddy behind him and a few car approaching the light. Light goes green and he nails it.  the tires go straight up in the air and the damn bumper nearly hits the ground.  it was F-ing beautiful !  but then the traffic that was in the area like mom and dad with the mini van full of kids, grandma and grampa goes to dinner ect are all looking at me like DO SOMETHING ! and I remeber the car I am driving says POLICE down the side.  I catch the kid and stop him.  Slicks, NOS, 4 link, roll cage, 500 something inchs of motor.....two other kids wedged in the back sitting on the mini tub humps with no damn seat belts.  Now, I had a car very similar to this kids .... just not a full drag car and it brought some good time to mind.  I had this lil shet and all his buddys doing push ups and singing stupid songs.  I made them run wind sprints in the parking lot and do jumping jacks ect. while thier buddy drove by honking and laughing.....along with hundreds of other people. I told him he was a dumbass for acting that that on the street with so many people around and to call someone with a trailor to come get his car and his dumbass.  I could have charged him and taken his license and cost hima  ton of money.  Even a trip to the jail.  That "lil bastard"  wokrs for the Police dept now and had to ride with me all last week.  I was right....he was a  good kid just acted stupid and got caught.

The night before high school graduation, three of us were in my buddy's 74 firebird formula. We had just put a 400 from a trans am in it and we were driving way to fast, getting the ass to kick out whenever we could.  at one point, we lost it and went into the canal.  When the cop showed up, the local lynch mob of senior citizens was out (we did them the courtesy of several full throttle passes through the neighborhood before we went into the drink)  There was even a town councilman there.  All were demanding that we be thrown in jail.  The cop was very cool.  He even let us try to let our buddy tow us out.  When our buddy towed the car smack into a boat and a dock, the cop still kept his cool, called a real tow truck and sent us on our way, no tickets, no arrest.  I think of the trouble we would have gotten into those years if we were not thinking about all of the cops partolling the area. 

[CharlieCharger]

In Florida I have seen the cops sit on construction vehicals with the reflective vest acting like they are construction workers, instead they are holding radar guns? I kinda found it hilarious, ofcourse if I got a ticket I'd be pissed heh.