Posted on 06/10/2013 3:32:45 PM PDT by Bodleian_Girl
PELL CITY, Alabama -- St. Clair and Bibb county authorities are confirming there were roadblocks at several locations in their counties Friday and Saturday asking for blood and DNA samples. However, the samples were voluntary and motorists were paid for them as part of a study, they said.
According to Lt. Freddie Turrentine of the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department, it isn't the first time such roadblocks have occurred in the area.
"They were here in 2007," said Turrentine, the supervisor in charge of the roadblocks, which took place in several locations in St. Clair County Friday night, early Saturday morning and Saturday night and early Sunday morning. "It's just with social media and Facebook now, word of it has just exploded."
Turrentine said the roadblocks were part of a study conducted by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, working with the National Highway Safety Administration. St. Clair County was asked to participate by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs because it had worked with the group six years ago.
Sheriff Keith Hannah in Bibb County said they too had previously participated in the study.
Here's how the road blocks worked, Turrentine said:
Off-duty St. Clair County deputies stopped cars at random at road block areas. The road blocks were marked with signs stating it was a paid survey. Cars stopped were asked for voluntary cooperation. Drivers were offered $10 for a mouth swab, and $50 for a blood test. If they refused, they were free to drive away.
[ POLL: Would you voluntarily submit DNA, blood sample for government study at roadblock? ]
Road blocks took place Friday at the New London Fire Department, Alabama 34 in Pell City near the old Dan's Car Wash, U.S. 231 at Alabama 144, at White's Chapel Parkway and Moody Crossroads in Moody. In Bibb County, the road blocks took place in five areas in the county on Friday night through early Sunday morning.
If drivers participated, they were directed to an area where someone from the group carrying out the study took the samples, he said.
"It was completely voluntary," Turrentine said, saying reports that people were detained if they did not cooperate were untrue. "If they didn't want to take part, they could drive off."
The samples were anonymous, he said.
Poll: Would you voluntarily submit DNA, blood sample for government study at roadblock?
"They were taking the samples in other parts of the country," he said. "They want to find out of all the people surveyed, how many people were driving with alcohol in their system, or prescription drugs, things like that."
This will be the only time this year the survey takes place in St. Clair County, he said.
Turrentine, who was at one of the roadblocks, said the group carrying out the study would ask for a certain number of volunteers. Deputies would stop drivers until that number of drivers needed agreed to the survey. Then they let cars pass while the samples were taken.
"We would have a lot who didn't want to take part, especially at night," he said. "But then we'd have a few that when we'd tell they could make $60 bucks, they said, 'What do I need to do?'"
If you were stopped in one of the roadblocks, or took part, and would like to talk, email eastalabama@al.com.
See the question mark? That indicated a question.
when there is a compelling public safety rationale.
Who sets the standard for "compelling public safety rational"? The court, the sheriff, chief of police, town constable?
you don't actually want to discuss the merits or legality or morality of this particular roadblock..
Have the courts ever found roadblocks to be immoral? Can state legislatures decide which roadblocks are legal in the face of the US Constitution?
I actually think we are uniting against it. If it seeks to dissuade or divide, it is a failure.
Not sure if it was this thread or maybe it was another where we clashed.
Really, the way i see it for good reason.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/3011194/posts?q=1&;page=94
I’d like to think you’re actually a pretty decent fella but, it seems whenever we meet, friction ensues.
.
* * * ASH ALERT* * *
Answered above. For all your defense of these practices, I'm disappointed you don't know it is case law that controls here.
Have the courts ever found roadblocks to be immoral?
Nobody here said they would or should. But we can talk about whether we think it is moral, and we can provide supporting evidence for our position. I think this is what you are trying to stop, for some reason.
Can state legislatures decide which roadblocks are legal in the face of the US Constitution?
Nope.
In my younger days I was driving with expired tags and as I rounded a bend I spotted a police roadblock. I attempted a turnaround but one of the cops spotted me. I saw him run to his car, turn on the lights and siren and before I knew it he was alongside my car and ordering me out of the car.
In this instance, all I got was a stern lecture about trying to avoid roadblocks. I could have been charged with any number of serious violations.
Alaska Wolf might be smug with his experiences, but past performances don't guarantee future results.
So law enforcement is required to have a court decision on whether a particular reason for a roadblock is legal, or does the court just set some general parameters for law enforcement interpretation?
For crying out loud, I'm attempting to stop nothing. I'm not the one posting TROLL in capital letters or fouling the thread with inane profanities.
The body of case law carves out the exemptions to Constitutional guarantees such as the right to travel from place to place unmolested, or the right to be secure in your person or papers.
There have been numerous cases of law enforcement using checkpoints for a variety of reasons. The federal circuits and the US Supreme Court have all issued decisions explaining when a roadblock/checkpoint can and cannot be used.
For all of you law-enforcement-can-do-no-wrong types:
Grow up for crying out loud.
bfl
I'll even give you an example. Before I retired from DC, we had a rash of violent crime (even worse than normal) in a particular neighborhood called Trinidad. Our Chief decided to throw up roadblocks on the streets leading into Trinidad, and we were to stop every vehicle and check their driver's license. This was supposed to "take back the neighborhood".
I immediately recognized this as unconstitutional. Even though the Chief had articulated what she felt was a "compelling public safety interest", the checkpoint was found to be illegal in court, because the people entering and exiting the neighborhood have a right to travel freely absent some immediate public safety exception.
“and now WE are infighting”
No, we are on the same page. The zot will eventually happen, seen it happen over and over and I help that happen every chance I get. I have even been awarded the kitty shield for zots. I searched out trolls during the election cycle and earned that kitty shield.
So how did we end up with the TSA? Why is it still in existence? Who is defending "these practices" as you allege?
Not really directed to you, sorry.
Alaska;
I want your bona fides:
These are simple yes or no questions and you need to answer then all.
Do you own a gun and/or do you support the 2nd amendment as it was written to challenge the authority of government ?
Do you wear a helmet when riding your bicycle ?
Do you have free will ?
Do you think that people need to be TOLD or manipulated to think the right way ?
Do you think you are smarter than most people ?
Do you trust or want to trust authority ?
Are you GAY ?
What do you know that is true ?
I’m beginning to think you’re in the minority of those that read past the title of the article.
I don’t have a problem with voluntary blood and DNA sampling. But it should have been advertised like a car wash, well off the roadway.
Non-police related road blocks are not normal in my experience. So coupled with the DNA sampling, this particular road block is a lightning rod to the libertarian mindset, and for good reason... despite the drama.
Exactly what was it that I posted that you took offense?
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