DC police to set up military-style checkpoint for cars entering violence plagued neighborhood

[000 0]

The checkpoint will stop vehicles approaching the 1400 block of Montello Avenue NE, a section of the Trinidad neighborhood that has been plagued with homicides and other violence. Police will search cars if they suspect the presence of guns or drugs, and will arrest people who do not cooperate, under a charge of failure to obey a police officer, officials said.

...

Oh this will be good ....

Unless the officers see (witness) from the outside of the car …. paraphernalia or the actual drugs/guns ... all the driver needs to do is keep the doors closed and say "no you can't search without a warrant".

I hope they have a huge stack of signed ... fill in the blank warrants ... and good lawyers.

Well I am guessing the police can say your not going in this neighbourhood at least.

I'm sure there is property and goods for sale in the neighborhood ... so will the cops restrict business too ?... oh wait ... local business can lose $$$ in this deal ... another potential lawsuit.

"paraphernalia" can be a wide range of things, if the person happens to really enjoy smoking regular Phillies Blunt they can be subject to search under that "paraphernalia" reason. Fact is Police have a wide range for many of the things they do, as we have all seen people can be shot and killed by the police with little repercussions even when no weapon is found, or little evidence to support their story. And while we can all say "I would tell the police no they can not search my car without a warrant" why would anyone want to? They are asking for a little understanding of the citizens of that area and hope that people can see the little bit of time taken to oblige them could be a starting point in keeping their area safe. Dont want to be searched or have to answer questions? Dont go into that area. If you know that there is a possibility that it might happen and still decide to go then I assume you have a reason to do so and dont have anything to worry about. As for the business owners, it would be very hard to prove that it was the police actions that caused their business sales or property sales to decrease and not the 8 chalk outlines of dead bodies.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

but i thought dc had a gun ban..........

But don't most of the guns come in from MD, VA, and NC?

blameshifting?

[Jack and Barbara 0]

A ban can only be as effective as long as there is cooperation and controls in place to prevent weapons from coming in from other states, wouldn't you agree?

The ban could be effective in preventing more guns being created or bought within DC, but outside of DC is another story. Therefore, fewer guns bought in DC could lead to fewer deaths in DC; however, if many more guns are coming in to the city unchecked, major violent crime statistics will continue to increase until that problem has been addressed.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

imo it shows how ineffective a citywide ban is.......criminals certainly won't respect it, and the law-abiding find themselves really screwed.

[Jack and Barbara 0]

imo it shows how ineffective a citywide ban is.......criminals certainly won't respect it, and the law-abiding find themselves really screwed.

In an ideal world it would be nice to not have the need for guns. Not going to get into the 2nd Amendment and the intention of why that was created, but sometimes its unfortunate when somewhat effective bans or those countered by loopholes (i.e. guns coming form other states) are discarded altogether when they probably did save some lives. I am sure some were happy to see the AR ban overturned so they could wait in their living rooms with an AK-47 pointed at the door in case someone tried to break in.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

imo it shows how ineffective a citywide ban is.......criminals certainly won't respect it, and the law-abiding find themselves really screwed.

In an ideal world it would be nice to not have the need for guns. Not going to get into the 2nd Amendment and the intention of why that was created, but sometimes its unfortunate when somewhat effective bans or those countered by loopholes (i.e. guns coming form other states) are discarded altogether when they probably did save some lives. I am sure some were happy to see the AR ban overturned so they could wait in their living rooms with an AK-47 pointed at the door in case someone tried to break in.

it's never gonna be a perfect world. my stance is - don't take guns from the law abiding citizen as that makes them easy pickings for criminals.

[natty bumppo 297]

The checkpoint will stop vehicles approaching the 1400 block of Montello Avenue NE, a section of the Trinidad neighborhood that has been plagued with homicides and other violence. Police will search cars if they suspect the presence of guns or drugs, and will arrest people who do not cooperate, under a charge of failure to obey a police officer, officials said.

...

Oh this will be good ....

Unless the officers see (witness) from the outside of the car …. paraphernalia or the actual drugs/guns ... all the driver needs to do is keep the doors closed and say "no you can't search without a warrant".

I hope they have a huge stack of signed ... fill in the blank warrants ... and good lawyers.

Well I am guessing the police can say your not going in this neighbourhood at least.

I'm sure there is property and goods for sale in the neighborhood ... so will the cops restrict business too ?... oh wait ... local business can lose $$$ in this deal ... another potential lawsuit.

"paraphernalia" can be a wide range of things, if the person happens to really enjoy smoking regular Phillies Blunt they can be subject to search under that "paraphernalia" reason. Fact is Police have a wide range for many of the things they do, as we have all seen people can be shot and killed by the police with little repercussions even when no weapon is found, or little evidence to support their story. And while we can all say "I would tell the police no they can not search my car without a warrant" why would anyone want to? They are asking for a little understanding of the citizens of that area and hope that people can see the little bit of time taken to oblige them could be a starting point in keeping their area safe. Dont want to be searched or have to answer questions? Dont go into that area. If you know that there is a possibility that it might happen and still decide to go then I assume you have a reason to do so and dont have anything to worry about. As for the business owners, it would be very hard to prove that it was the police actions that caused their business sales or property sales to decrease and not the 8 chalk outlines of dead bodies.

there needs to be probable cause (legally sufficient reasons) and/or permission. Otherwise it's an illegal search .... well guess an illegal search is ok for some people.

and ... just because you are driving in an area does not meet this requirement. they can look into the car (through the windows) from the outside while talking to the driver/passenger yet to remove the occupant(s) because they are simply driving on a public road .... not good

Business owners ... will have an easy time. Example:

for the past 20 weeks they made $$$ per weekend.

now traffic is stopped and rerouted for the "protection" of the neighborhood and the owners now have sales of $ per weekend

[britty 1]

I live in Old Town Alexandria, just 10 minutes away from DC across the river. This is a nice neighborhood and cirme is relatively low. I hardly ever go across to DC - its a hole and too dangerous. Give the residents in DC the right to defend themselves like Virginians have. The mass of criminals will start to decline and that is no loss at all.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

but i thought dc had a gun ban..........

imagine that

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Directive Details Trinidad Checks

Friday, June 6, 2008; B01

When D.C. police begin stopping cars at a "checkpoint" this weekend in the Trinidad neighborhood, they will record all license plate numbers, verify residents' addresses and ask others for phone numbers of those they are visiting, according to a directive issued by Chief Cathy L. Lanier.

...

Lanier's directive also says that anyone who does not give a reason for entering a designated safety zone may be turned away, said law enforcement sources who declined to speak on the record because they were not authorized to release the directive. "Legitimate" purposes to be in the area include going to a doctor, church or community event or visiting friends or relatives, officials said. Individuals can show a flier for an event to gain entrance, for example.

...

Lanier said the plan has passed muster with other top law enforcement officials in the District -- it was vetted by the U.S. attorney's office, and Interim Attorney General Peter J. Nickles said his office also approved the program.

...

Police will search cars if they suspect the presence of guns or drugs. The enforcement will occur at random hours and last for five days, with the option of extending it to 10.

...

Council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), a law professor at George Washington University, said the police department is establishing a distressing pattern. She cited its recent plans to arm patrol officers with AR-15 semiautomatic weapons and another plan to ask residents to submit to voluntary searches of their homes for illegal guns.

[*JG* 2]

Directive Details Trinidad Checks

Friday, June 6, 2008; B01

When D.C. police begin stopping cars at a "checkpoint" this weekend in the Trinidad neighborhood, they will record all license plate numbers, verify residents' addresses and ask others for phone numbers of those they are visiting, according to a directive issued by Chief Cathy L. Lanier.

...

Lanier's directive also says that anyone who does not give a reason for entering a designated safety zone may be turned away, said law enforcement sources who declined to speak on the record because they were not authorized to release the directive. "Legitimate" purposes to be in the area include going to a doctor, church or community event or visiting friends or relatives, officials said. Individuals can show a flier for an event to gain entrance, for example.

...

Lanier said the plan has passed muster with other top law enforcement officials in the District -- it was vetted by the U.S. attorney's office, and Interim Attorney General Peter J. Nickles said his office also approved the program.

...

Police will search cars if they suspect the presence of guns or drugs. The enforcement will occur at random hours and last for five days, with the option of extending it to 10.

...

Council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), a law professor at George Washington University, said the police department is establishing a distressing pattern. She cited its recent plans to arm patrol officers with AR-15 semiautomatic weapons and another plan to ask residents to submit to voluntary searches of their homes for illegal guns.

So, if you see a bunch of people getting off buses and the subway with big duffle bags, you'll know they figured out a new way to bring it all in to the neighborhood!

[000 0]

Directive Details Trinidad Checks

Friday, June 6, 2008; B01

When D.C. police begin stopping cars at a "checkpoint" this weekend in the Trinidad neighborhood, they will record all license plate numbers, verify residents' addresses and ask others for phone numbers of those they are visiting, according to a directive issued by Chief Cathy L. Lanier.

...

Lanier's directive also says that anyone who does not give a reason for entering a designated safety zone may be turned away, said law enforcement sources who declined to speak on the record because they were not authorized to release the directive. "Legitimate" purposes to be in the area include going to a doctor, church or community event or visiting friends or relatives, officials said. Individuals can show a flier for an event to gain entrance, for example.

...

Lanier said the plan has passed muster with other top law enforcement officials in the District -- it was vetted by the U.S. attorney's office, and Interim Attorney General Peter J. Nickles said his office also approved the program.

...

Police will search cars if they suspect the presence of guns or drugs. The enforcement will occur at random hours and last for five days, with the option of extending it to 10.

...

Council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), a law professor at George Washington University, said the police department is establishing a distressing pattern. She cited its recent plans to arm patrol officers with AR-15 semiautomatic weapons and another plan to ask residents to submit to voluntary searches of their homes for illegal guns.

So, if you see a bunch of people getting off buses and the subway with big duffle bags, you'll know they figured out a new way to bring it all in to the neighborhood!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Really. Or, they could just walk the guns in. Pedestrians are exempt.

Have a friend drive you right up to the checkpoint. Disembark and walk through!

[000 0]

Really. Or, they could just walk the guns in. Pedestrians are exempt.

Well that is just sad. I wonder if the large group of people wearing the colored bandanas with what appears to be abnormal folds or lumps in their clothes will set off any light bulbs that it would be a good idea to search them too

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Really. Or, they could just walk the guns in. Pedestrians are exempt.

Well that is just sad. I wonder if the large group of people wearing the colored bandanas with what appears to be abnormal folds or lumps in their clothes will set off any light bulbs that it would be a good idea to search them too

Those lumps are just tumors