SWAT Gone Wild in Maryland

Reason Magazine ^ | July 13, 2009 | Radley Balko

[halfright]

I am sorry for your feeling that way. I come from a long line of professional police officers. I can assure you they did the job they agreed to do with out regards to the usual caveats.

I sleep well knowing the men and women serving do so with the best intentions.

[Pontiac]

• Eleven days before the raid on Calvo's home, Prince George's police raided the home of a Secret Service agent after receiving a tip that he was distributing steroids. They found no drugs or incriminating evidence.

They make a no-knock raid on no more than a tip. What kind of judge issues a warrant on no more than a tip?

• In November 2007 Prince George's police raided the wrong home of a couple in Accokeek. Though the couple presented the police with evidence that they were at the wrong address, the police still detained them at gunpoint, refusing even to let them go to the bathroom. The couple asked the police if they could bring their pet boxer in from the backyard. The police refused. Moments later, the police shot and killed the dog.

Now how can this be acceptable behavior? How can they get away with not paying restitution for damages in this case? They were at the wrong house they knew they were at the wrong house and they kept the home owners in restraints and killed their dog. This in my mind is unlawful imprisonment or kidnapping.

This no-knock raid stuff is gutting the Forth and Fifth Amendments.

[Repeal The 17th]

After nearly 60 years on this planet,
I ain’t never had no need for ‘em,
other than clerical duties for insurance claims.
All I ever ran into were grown-up school-yard bullies.
But now with a badge and a gun.
Nope, just don’t like ‘em.
Not my kind of folks.

[spald]

You're a sick puppy then. Breaking the law, lying for the blue line and all that's included in the article at the top? These illegal search and seizures.

Yeah, you say? You totally relate to all that?

[dragnet2]

Read my post ya fruitcake.

[spald]

Fruitcake? Watta you a homo?

[wastedyears]

Maybe he should disband the local SWAT team.

[Interesting Times]

Ping.

[dragnet2]

you are so disingenuous

OK, I'll play. Specifically what part of my post where you called me a sick puppy was disingenuous? Remember what I said, as opposed to what you said and or added. lol..

[dragnet2]

You're a dirty dog alright.

LOL

[bamahead]

Libertarian ping! Click here to get added or here to be removed or post a message here!
(View past Libertarian pings here)

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

So, who peed on their donuts?

Maryland “Freak State” PING!

[zot]

Thanks for the ping. This can happen to anyone in PG County at any time. The attackers are supported by the politicians and the courts.

[fireman15]

About ten years ago our house was mistakenly raided and searched by the King County Swat Team. They made a mess, upset my wife and our dogs and refused to give a coherent explanation for their actions. They were rude and offered no apologies. I work with the police on a daily basis as a Fire Lieutenant. I still don't know what to think or how to feel about what happened. Every police officer I have ever mentioned it to has just laughed about it. They seem to take this type of mistake pretty lightly.

[Drango]

Every police officer I have ever mentioned it to has just laughed about it. They seem to take this type of mistake pretty lightly.

Thin blue line. The brotherhood of cops prevents them from admitting the cold facts of their error.

[gogogodzilla]

I’m thinking that should their houses ever catch fire... that the fire department might be ‘delayed’ in arrival, eh?

[bamahead]

You are very lucky they didn’t just kill your dogs...like they did Mayor Cheye Calvos.

[DCBryan1]

This is a disgrace. When will citizens start shooting back? The time is fast approaching to water the tree of liberty with the blood of patriots and tyrannts.