Helen & Harry Highwater's cranky weblog of news and opinion.
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"News that's not known, or not known enough." Helen & Harry Highwater's cranky weblog of news and opinion. |
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Tell Officer Friendly to get a warrant
I really shouldn't have to explain this (again) but I will, because obviously the message isn't getting across. When the police show up at your door wanting to chat about problems in the neighborhood and to have you answer survey questions, the only appropriate response is: "Do you have a warrant?" If the answer is no, then tell them to have a nice day, and close your door. Omaha is now conducting one of those shams where they send cops door-to-door asking residents about "crime" in their neighborhood. From the article, it sounds like they've managed to enforce some code violations and ticket people for expired tags on the car, but in terms of actually doing something to benefit the people who live in these neighborhoods where people are being robbed and shot -- pretty much nightly-nah. Essentially, they are asking people to rat out neighbors for misdemeanors. They are also scaring the daylights out of people, just by showing up at the door in uniform. I think that is probably the point. Suppose they show up at your door and spot drugs? You shouldn't give up your rights because the cops show up at your door unannounced without a warrant. Why don't you just invite them inside to conduct their survey? They can send a survey through the post, or have a town-hall meeting if they really want to know what people think. There are crime-stoppers hotlines for people to report crime in the neighborhoods. This program is quite frankly, bullsh*t. Right, so let's review. Cops show up at your door -- what do you do? 1). Grab your keys, step outside to talk, and lock the door behind you. Do not, under any circumstances permit them inside your home without a warrant. Don't even let them look in. 2). Politely ask if the have a warrant. If not, decline to answer any questions until they do and then, only answer questions with a lawyer present. Your innocence is no guarantee you won't be charged with something -- so shut up until you have an attorney to represent you. 3). Tell them any further surveys should be conducted by post. I can't believe you need to be told this. Sweet jeebers! Nope, I've never before heard of cops conducting an organized so-called "survey". Uh, do you think the "survey results" will ever be published? Yeah, right -- bwhahahaha!
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