Posted on 11/28/2007 5:36:45 AM PST by SoldierMedic
In the coming weeks, Boston police will begin asking parents in several impoverished, high-crime neighborhoods to allow searches of their homes — without the need for warrants. The surprising reaction: many parents and community leaders are all for it. And that is making for an intriguing civil liberties debate.
Under the experimental program, dubbed "Safe Homes," teams of police officers assigned to Boston's public schools will hunt for leads on youths believed to have guns. Tips might come from neighbors, or even parents or guardians, who are often fearful of their own children. Three plainclothes officers and a clergyperson or community activist will show up at the youth's home. The officers will ask parents to sign a form allowing the search of the home, including the child's room. Weapons found in the child's possession will be seized, and no charges will be filed unless the weapon is linked to a violent crime. "This is an interaction between human beings, where common sense will prevail," Edward Davis, Boston's police commissioner, told TIME.
(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...
The Boston Police are hoping that the average American doesn’t remember their Constitutional rights when asked if their home can be searched. If you watch the show, “COPS” it happens all the time. The police are very good about posing the question to search that’s amiable to the suspect. Often, the suspect gives in and of course they find drugs or something illegal.
However, that person can refuse but often doesn’t.
what e v e r. Just get the guns from these African-American, Haitian, Dominican, Cape Verdean murderers.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Although I don’t think they’re quite up to twice yet.
A broken clock is right once a day...
Oh. PAH LEEEEESE
“However, that person can refuse but often doesn’t.”
There are a lot of shows on TV where the police do anything they want and it’s taken as a matter of course. Hardly anyone on these shows says “No!, Get a warrant” and when they do they’re treated as objects of derision by the cops. I love it when they’re questioning a suspect and the guy just starts babbling a confession. The message these shows send is to let police do anything they want and don’t question authority.
“This is an interaction between human beings, where common sense will prevail,” Edward Davis, Boston’s police commissioner
Oh. PAH LEEEEESE”
Its TRUE, Honest. Never mind that they wanna send you and your babies to prison. But hey, its easier than real police work.
faloi : Says a broken clock is right twice a day.
You say a broken clock is right once a day.
I wonder if it’s a generational thing.
You know, digital clocks vs old-style dial watches?
Off-topic, but these changes in our colloquialisms fascinate me. For example, I’m wondering when “dial” will cease to have any meaning in the context of phone calls.
So I imagine that if you decline you will end up on a “speacial list” of someone with something to hide...
We had a conservative politician in a local race attacked because a group he had a consulting contract with put information on their web page informing their members that talking with the police was voluntary, and they could request to have a lawyer present if they desired.
After 9/11, there is a LOT of pressure to give up our liberty for a little more security, and this is another example (although not in the context of terrorism).
I think the police screwed up by not including clear information about the voluntary nature of the program ON the paperwork.
Clever.
The socialists can’t take rights away from the people so they try to talk them into it - for safety of course.
It seems really odd. Why are the parents giving police the permission to do something that they could do themselves ie look into their kid’s room for a weapon?
“The surprising reaction: many parents and community leaders are all for it.”
What the surprise? Even on Free Republic many tell us that they have nothing to hide and would gladly give away privacy rights.
I’ve said it many times: People don’t want to be free. They want to be taken care of.
When I find out, I'll wire you.
“clergyperson”???
If permission is given there is no need for a warrant. The key word is asking.
For last rites in case you resist ; )
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