Posted on 10/27/2010 1:13:37 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
HIDALGO COUNTY-- Small. Deadly. Spikes are being used more often to harm police.
"Punching out a couple tires is no big deal but when you do it at 60 or 70 mph you can very easily kill the deputy behind the wheel," said Sheriff Lupe Trevino, Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Trevino is trying to get these weapons classified as "deadly." He's working with the Department of Public Safety and U.S. Border Patrol.
If it's clarified, it could change the way they pursue vehicles.
"These things are going to be used for one thing and one thing only that's to disable police pursuing in high speeds," said Trevino.
The most recent attack disabled two sheriff's units. Smugglers in a white F-250 tried to get marijuana across the border. When deputies tried pulling the driver over, someone threw out spikes. The truck crashed into a tree. The smugglers bailed out. They left nearly a thousand pounds of marijuana behind.
Those living nearby are afraid. They see this all too often.
"Of course, we're all afraid here. We have to work. We have our houses, our kids. Those people don't care," said one man who lives near the crime scene.
The man didn't want to his identity revealed. He was afraid he'd be targeted. He says smugglers destroy his property almost every day. They tear down his fence to transport drugs.
"I fix them I put them like two feet apart and they take them out so they can cross their cars," said the man.
He thinks they may have connections in the area. Sheriff's investigators agree. Deputies believe someone picked up the two men who got away. Someone who could be equipping them with more deadly gear.
If the spikes can get classified as a deadly weapon, it would allow officers to return the "deadly force" during pursuits. Sheriff Trevino says that could make them re-think the way they chase.
fine by me!
They’re called caltrops, ignorant reporter.
In most states, anything can be classified as a deadly weapon based upon the “manner of its intended use”. Does Texas have a strict statutory definition?
“The man didn’t want to his identity revealed. He was afraid he’d be targeted. He says smugglers destroy his property almost every day. They tear down his fence to transport drugs.
“I fix them I put them like two feet apart and they take them out so they can cross their cars,” said the man. “
Sounds like he needs to seed his fence boundary with road spikes.
“They’re called caltrops, ignorant reporter.”
Yep, great for breaking up cavalry charges too.
Cops have no problems throwing spike strips at civilian vehicles they are chasing. How about the bad guys just use those instead?
New word for me.. checking out google shopping results for ‘caltrops’ shows they cost only US$5 for a set of 10, discounts available for bulk orders.
Seems like we’re heading down the British anti butter knife laws if this slippery slope is started.
Maybe the police need to issue “safe” spike strips to criminals so they’ll use them instead of the “deadly” ones they’re using now.
Kinda like handing out clean needles to druggies....
Ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
Spike strips are designed to put hollow spikes in the tires that slowly let the air out. The spikes come out of the strips and stay in the tire as a little valve.
They aren’t designed to cause the tires to burst.
‘Cause those are expensive - not s. Sticking some nails through a block of wood or welding some big nails together and bending them into shape are relatively cheap.
I don’t want, but I agree with the Sheriff. They dump this stuff - start shooting.
What are called "caltrops"? What does it mean? Ignorant FReeper, here.
I think anyone who causes a fatal accident while while evading capture for a felony, should be charged with capital murder.
The Thin Blue Line whines again. You’d think after all this time they’d catch on that there are people in this world willing to hurt them. Hey, get over it already and act accordingly. Reminds me of the ATF nitwits who assaulted the Davidian’s compound w/ handguns. Then they whined about getting shot up. Ah well, guess it demos that being a govt employee doesn’t require intelligence.
Never mind. I educated myself. Thanks!
Texas Penal Code Chapter 1.
Sec. 1.07. DEFINITIONS. (a) In this code:
(17) “Deadly weapon” means:
(A) a firearm or anything manifestly designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of inflicting death or serious bodily injury; or
(B) anything that in the manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.
I support the Sheriff’s intent, but disagree that the spikes need to be classified as a deadly weapon.
In any such situation wherein the actions of a bad guy causes an LEO to believe that his life and/or the life of another is in immediate jeopardy of grievous bodily harm or death, the LEO may use reasonable force to stop the threat, up to and including deadly force, (short form, there is more).
If you were tossing marshmallows at me and I believed that your actions were capable of killing me or some other innocent person, I would use whatever force was necessary to stop the threat. Then, after stuffing your worthless remains into a body bag and the completion of all the paperwork, I would buy a box of graham crackers, a Hershey’s chocolate bar.... and roast your damn marshmallows. ;>)
At most, the Sheriff may need to change the departments written policy.
Fire at will, Sheriff Lupe!
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