brother went through first state police checkpoint yesterday

[Brick243]

I've been through several. I've never had a problem.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
Well, at the risk of disagreeing with Equus50 and cop bashing I ABSOLUTELY 100% AGREE WITH GRAYDRAGON ON THIS. If we apply this type of "checkpoint" logic to other areas than why not have a door to door search for illegal firearms, drugs, or illegal backyard chickens for that matter. Hey, if you're not breaking the law you have nothing to worry about right? Wrong. That kind of power in the hands of a few people is exactly what the 4th amendment tried to prevent. Heck, lets go door to door and solve our illegal immigrant problem. I think Germany did something like this a few years back.

For the record I've gone through several checkpoints in my life and have never had a problem. But of course I am a white clean cut guy and don't fit a profile. Oh, my Dad's a retired cop and I grew up around a P.D.. I'm hardly a cop basher.

 

[Equus5O]

Operating a motor vehicle is a privelege, not a right.

And to mention profiling is just inflammatory.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
You know well enough that as soon as you arrest one of those people or issue a summons they will be back in a car the next day. That's a system, not an enforcement issue. How often do you feel your hands are tied?

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
Are you kidding me???

 

[Equus5O]

Of course we have limitations. I can't lock you up for driving while suspended. Although, it used to be so. And it used to be the same for DUI. (In New Jersey)

How can we keep drivers off the road, that shouldn't be on the road? Taser them? Too bad we aren't permitted them in New Jersey, by the way. What else should we, as law enforcement, do to keep them off the road? We summons them, and impound their vehicles and arrest them as the circumstances warrant. We (law enforcement officers) don't keep them off the road. That's up to the judges, and we all know how effective that is, in all states.

The bottom line is, there are laws that govern the operation of motor vehicles.

 

[Equus5O]

Quote:
Are you kidding me???

You know I'm not.

 

[rufus]

We used to get caught up in those road blocks coming back from our summer place on the rim. We learned not to come home on a Sunday afternoon. The traffic is horrendous then anyway, and it is worse if they are checking cars. Being held up in traffic in 120 degrees for six or eight hours in a car full of little kids will make anyone anti cop.

The cars all boil over and that makes things even worse. The secret is to not use your air conditioner and to turn off the engine except when you get a chance to move up. Bring lots of water, both for you and your automobile. Let the engine cool off before you add water. Otherwise, you may get scalded.

People will be asking you for water, but if you give it to them you won't have it when you need it. And, you will need it. This sounds hard hearted, but it is the way it is.

After a couple of hours without moving, people begin to run to the bushes to relieve themselves. Keep a sharp eye out for rattlers. Watch your kids. Turn your radio down, not every likes rap music. Bring something to read, it gets boring. Sometimes kids start impromptu hacky sack games.

The longest we waited in one back up was ten hours. Even the drunkest person would be sober by the time they got up to the cops. They ask for license and registration and proof of insurance. Would you believe, after waiting hours and hours in line some people still have not dug out their documents?

They don't ask immigration status, but if they did, they could haul off about half of the state.

The state refuses to give driving licenses to illegal immigrants. This makes it almost impossible for them to get insurance. And as a result, their cars are not registered in their own names. My personal feelings are that everyone needs to have insurance and a license. But most of all, they need instructions on how to drive and to learn the rules of the road. Coming from the back of a burro to a huge Cadillac is a real step up in this world. Trouble is it kills people sometimes.

The cops would get a lot more respect and cooperation if they were just a little more considerate of the general population.

My two cents.

Rufus

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
First, I hardly have all, if any, of the answers. This thread was about checkpoints, and like I said, I never had a problem but I do not like them either. Here in CT they have to post checkpoints in the newspaper a few days before they actually have them.

I'm quite confident you could pull a lot of illegal vehicles and drivers off the road just but using your experience, training and common sense. Plus, by patrolling instead of being at one location, you are more likely to encounter other illegal activity and display a police presence, something most people appreciate.

This isn't a "blame the cop" discussion, at least in my mind. It's exactly as you said "We (law enforcement officers) don't keep them off the road. That's up to the judges, and we all know how effective that is, in all states.". To me this is a system issue. Actually though, it's a social issue but now I'm just rambling.

I've had many people ask me why I never followed in my father's footsteps. My answer was always "That job sucks. Do you have any idea the things those people see and have to deal with? Plus, you arrest the guys and they are out the next day."



Quote:
Are you kidding me???

You know I'm not.

That was not meant to be inflammatory. I pull up to a checkpoint, roll down my window, say hello, my windows aren't tinted, smoke doesn't billow from my windows, etc. I was implying that most officers would look at me and not sense a threat or any wrong doing. That's all and I'm sorry if it came across differently.

 

[DuckLady]

I think the point has been made here along with the million reports by many different people.

Thanks for your participation.