Fake drug checkpoints used by police in Cleveland

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By: Associated Press
MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio (AP) -- Police in the Cleveland suburb of Mayfield Heights know they're not allowed to use checkpoints to search drivers and their cars for drugs.

So they're trying the next best thing: fake drug checkpoints.

Police in the city of 19,000 recently posted large yellow signs along Interstate 271 that warned drivers that there was a drug checkpoint ahead, to be prepared to stop and that there was a drug-sniffing police dog in use.

There was no such checkpoint, just police officers waiting to see if any drivers would react suspiciously after seeing the signs.

Authorities say that four people were stopped, with some arrests and drugs seized. They declined to be more specific.

The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reports that some civil rights leaders and at least one person pulled over by police are questioning the tactic, wondering if it could violate the Fourth Amendment against unlawful searches and seizures.

"I don't think it accomplishes any public safety goals," said Terry Gilbert, a prominent Cleveland civil rights attorney. "I don't think it's good to mislead the population for any reason if you're a government agency."

Nick Worner, a spokesman for the Cleveland office of the American Civil Liberties Union, said his office will be looking further into the fake checkpoints to determine whether anyone's rights may be being violated.

Dominic Vitantonio, a Mayfield Heights assistant prosecutor, said the fake checkpoints are legal and a legitimate effort in the war on drugs.

"We should be applauded for doing this," Vitantonio said. "It's a good thing."


Read more: http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/nation...nd-suburb-mayfield-heights-ohio#ixzz2XoqkX6ZZ
 
I don't think they were stopping people just because they turned off the main road. Courts say that at real checkpoints it is completely legal to perform a safe and legal driving maneuver (Y-turn, U-turn) to turn around or otherwise not go through the checkpoint, and doing so isn't considered cause for an officer to stop you and search your vehicle.

I wonder what exactly the police were looking for that caused the four people to be stopped.

If they were throwing shit out their windows, well, they're dumb asses and frankly deserve it. I guess the circumstances behind those individual cases will determine whether or not they were valid, but I'm willing to bet that they were performed legally. I don't automatically assume that the police perform any activities legally, but when it comes to highway traffic, they don't usually stop people unless they have a real, valid reason. It would be too much hassle to pick out people to harass for the hell of it in highway traffic.

As to the question of whether or not fake check points are illegal, I don't see how they can be. The police weren't actually performing illegal searches and seizures, they simply tricked people into making stupid mistakes. I can't imagine how this could be illegal. I could see why it might be frowned on as a matter of public safety (traffic issues maybe?), but it's not all that bad.
 
Yeah, fake robotic children that priests rape wouldn't actually be peadophilia either, but your sense of morality is just wrong if you think it's ok.
 
Police Using 'Seatbelt Checkpoints' To Search Cars Without Warrants, Make Drug Arrests

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/soci...checkpoints-search-cars-without-warrants-make

The Beckley, West Virginia Police Department set up a "seatbelt checkpoint," which resulted in several drug arrests on July 2.

The Beckley police claimed they did the checkpoint to inform residents and raise awareness of a new seatbelt law that goes into effect on July 9.

However, police brought K-9 drug-sniffing dogs to the checkpoints, which were not needed for seatbelt education.

According to The Register-Herald, police searched cars during the seatbelt checks and made five drug arrests. Officers seized 96 grams of marijuana, crack cocaine and $1,500. Police also issued 25 traffic citations.

A press release from the police department states: “The Beckley Police Department will continue to utilize highway safety funded checkpoints to crack down on impaired driving, violations of our traffic safety laws, and increase awareness for safe driving habits in an effort to make our roadways safer.”

However, there is no mention of searching cars without a warrant, K-9 dogs or making drug arrests.

Police are increasingly using seatbelt checkpoints in Tennessee, Louisiana and New York as a way to search vehicles without a warrant.

cont. http://www.opposingviews.com/i/soci...checkpoints-search-cars-without-warrants-make
 
Sniffer dogs will help them detect if seat belts are being used correctly. Totally justified, completely acceptable in a "democracy".
 
Hammilton said:
I don't think they were stopping people just because they turned off the main road. Courts say that at real checkpoints it is completely legal to perform a safe and legal driving maneuver (Y-turn, U-turn) to turn around or otherwise not go through the checkpoint, and doing so isn't considered cause for an officer to stop you and search your vehicle.

I wonder what exactly the police were looking for that caused the four people to be stopped.

If they were throwing shit out their windows, well, they're dumb asses and frankly deserve it. I guess the circumstances behind those individual cases will determine whether or not they were valid, but I'm willing to bet that they were performed legally. I don't automatically assume that the police perform any activities legally, but when it comes to highway traffic, they don't usually stop people unless they have a real, valid reason. It would be too much hassle to pick out people to harass for the hell of it in highway traffic.

As to the question of whether or not fake check points are illegal, I don't see how they can be. The police weren't actually performing illegal searches and seizures, they simply tricked people into making stupid mistakes. I can't imagine how this could be illegal. I could see why it might be frowned on as a matter of public safety (traffic issues maybe?), but it's not all that bad.
Click to expand...


Its not that bad? They deserve it? Cops need a valid reason to stop people? You aren't black are you? Police have no business searching cars in traffic stops, at DUI checkpoints, or because they feel like it. Maybe you need to stop dick riding cops on some silly assumption this only happens to stupid people or some other group you think you are above.
 
Maybe they were training dogs to sniff unclicked seat belts...but seriously, the states are becoming a place that sucks to live. Even if you aren't a user you still are affected by the waste of resources that comes from. these stings and putting these "criminals" through the judicial system. I can't say I hate this country. I just hate what it is fast becoming. Notice no guns or violent crimes were stopped. And that crack smokers life is now ruined...well even more thancrack use can.
 
Pretty fucked-up state of affairs when private individuals will need counter-surveillance equipment in their cars just to avoid the enemy (which is implied when they decided to call it a war on drugs, which many otherwise law-abiding citizens happen to consume)
 
my3rdeye said:
Its not that bad? They deserve it? Cops need a valid reason to stop people? You aren't black are you? Police have no business searching cars in traffic stops, at DUI checkpoints, or because they feel like it. Maybe you need to stop dick riding cops on some silly assumption this only happens to stupid people or some other group you think you are above.
Click to expand...

I can't understand your angry response to Hammilton.
While I agree that saying that they deserve it is harsh and unwarranted - nobody deserves to get in trouble for drugs - I can't figure out where you saw racism or a "dick riding" cops attitude.
I think that if you got to know him better you would not say that.
He is one of the stars of Bluelight!
I can assure you, he is on "our side".
 
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