Why Cops are ...

[1HTBRRD]

Originally Posted by Ravenworks

Before calling my assertion "idiotic" perhaps you should do some research, officer...
https://secure.downsizedc.org/etp/end-asset-forfeiture/

"Civil asset forfeiture instead refers to legal property or cash owned by individuals not charged with any crime, which is nevertheless seized by law enforcement agents who merely suspect it was used in a crime.

* If tens of thousands of dollars in cash are found in a person's home, it is automatically suspected of having been used in drug dealing, because no "normal" person would have that much cash lying around. "Odd or eccentric people", who distrust banks and keep their savings at home, are at risk.
* If trace amounts of marijuana are found in a vehicle, the vehicle may be seized, even if the owner was unaware that any drugs were transported in the vehicle."

This practice does exist and became so abused in some areas that thay had to reform the laws! (CAFRA) H.R. 1658 - 2000
If the used car I bought last year was owned by someone who used weed and some was left some under the seat I could have my car seized, even though I don't drink and react to the smell of pot being smoked by vomiting violently.
The ACLU (NOT my favorite organization but occasionally they get things right) researched it found approximately $7billion in seizures since the extension of RICO in 1986, all from people who were never charged with any crime.



Again, my issue is not with the cops, it's their bosses. No, perhaps I didn't here of those cops getting killed but I have known the widow of a great guy who was shot 4 times in a botched SWAT raid. I also read about the 2 women delivering papers in the early morning hours that had their truck riddled with 102 police bullets in a case of mistaken identity, even though it was a completely different make and color of the one they were looking for.

The town that I spoke of, the one with the Sheriff and his new Charger, left a hell of an impression on me. Within a month of starting work in that town my cracker-white, 47 year-old self, driving a non-pimped and bone-stock (not even tinted) Lexus was pulled over by one of the local deputies for, hold onto your seat, speeding (58) in a 45 zone. Only problem? It was a 55 zone and I suspect he just wanted to search my car. If not, then he was a true idiot who didn't know the local speed limits and was offended that I dare sit 20' behind his car as he crept down the road. I politely told him "No" and since I was pulled over in the parking lot of my employer, at 8:30 in the morning, I told him to "get the warrant, I'll be inside". This is just one of 3 such pointless interactions I've had with police over the past 10 years. I'm as law-abiding as it gets and if I'm getting harassed I can imagine some of the more obscene claims of abuses from minorities and others could be legit.

Does all this mean I hold police in contempt? Absolutely not. I respect the job they do, I wouldn't want to do it, and again, my issue is with the bosses in political office. I know the tremendous pressure police face with thugs and killers on one side, rabid lawyers on another side, reporters hungry to exploit a miscue for rating and glory on another side, and the public perception of their actions on yet another side. The majority of police carry all that weight on their shoulders and remain polite and professional. There are some, however, who seem to master the lowering of public perception and respect with poor attitudes and carrying a chip on their shoulder. Those officers need to go, if you can get the unions to fire them (which in many areas is next to impossible without a felony act on their part). Some good PR work needs to take place in many localities and some police officers need to be reminded that the vast majority of citizens are on their side. Perception goes a long way and many average citizens are starting to view some police agencies in a different light than in the past. When the general public starts seeing you as the enforcers of political agendas and revenue gathering, you've got serious problems on your hands.

I also think the general public is becoming a little "battle-weary" with the "war on drugs". 50 years of "The Great Society" has done nothing to lower poverty levels just as 30 years of "The War on Drugs" has done nothing to lower it. It's not that they want to do drugs themselves, they are just tiring of their rights being trampled in the perceived over-zealous tactics being used by law enforcement in general and the absolutely absurd amount of money being spent at every level of government on it. I, personally, have grown quite tired of 4th amendment trampling with drug-dogs and DUI checkpoints just as I have grown tired of politicians going after my guns every time some whack-job pops a gasket and starts killing multiples of people.
Easy answers to these problems don't exist but they will have to be confronted at some point...

God Bless, and

Sorry if I offended you with the word idiotic.... I am not going to even start the argument of the credible source you quoted from the internet, I will let everyone else click on it, look around for a bit, and make their own judgements.

I'm done, I like this site for the cars and I need to focus on them and not get pulled into the off topic forums.