profileing

[Basia]

There is profileing everywhere in the world, and I was shocked to find it happening to me.

I'm your typical kid, right? fairly good grades, go to an urban school (or I did at the time of the incident), lived in a nice neighborhood on the outskirts of town.

It was a hot summer day, and myself, my other-half and a friend of ours decide to go two towns over (suburbs) to go swimming in one of the best ponds in the area.

The local police pulled up next to our car as we where pulling into the parking lot, and demand that the three of us get out of the car and step away from it while they searched the car (with no warrent). They found plastic tubeing in the car that we had just bought that day (for the fish tank we would be picking up later that day) and demanded to know what it was for. The three of us explained that it was for a fish tank, but the officers did not believe us and arrested us for possision of drug parafaniela (sp).

What I don't get is this:

Three cars down there was a car full of drunks getting ready to leave the pond, and the officers did nothing to them. I believe that my friend and myself where profiled for not following the "mainstream" teenagers should.

 

[Wiggles]

This happens all the time.
Beware if you have long hair and any kind of cool stickers on your car.
Or if you go out past 12:00 at night.
Or if you have more than two people in your car and you're *gasp* listening to music!

This reminds me of those mall cops who love to pick on kids having a good time. Looks like some of them moved up in the world!

 

[lobito]

NO it's not fair, and yes it happens everywhere. Does that make it right because alot of cops do it? NOPE!

Cops are more likely to search a car with kids in it, no matter what race they are, than they are to search a car with adults in it. We may call it illegal search and seizure, while the cops call it suspicion of illegal activity. Is it any different? NOPE!

I'm not a lawyer, but I know plenty of cops, and some have told me many stories about how they are able to circumvent the actual laws. Most "citizens" don't have enough knowledge of all the laws, so how would they know if the cops are doing something illegal or not.

Now, all those who know or claim to know the law more than I, can disect that, and ream me for being wrong in their mind. Thanks you, and goodnight.

 

[EthiopianPrince]

That's aweful, Bassia. I hope you have/had a good lawyer to get those ridiculous charges dropped.

 

[mig]

Getting pulled over can also depend on what car you drive.

The Ford Capri,also known as the boy-racers car,is a favourite.

I like the look on a cop's face when he pull me over and sees a 60 year old driving.

 

[dqrich]

There is profileing everywhere in the world, and I was shocked to find it happening to me.

I'm your typical kid, right? fairly good grades, go to an urban school (or I did at the time of the incident), lived in a nice neighborhood on the outskirts of town.

It was a hot summer day, and myself, my other-half and a friend of ours decide to go two towns over (suburbs) to go swimming in one of the best ponds in the area.

The local police pulled up next to our car as we where pulling into the parking lot, and demand that the three of us get out of the car and step away from it while they searched the car (with no warrent). They found plastic tubeing in the car that we had just bought that day (for the fish tank we would be picking up later that day) and demanded to know what it was for. The three of us explained that it was for a fish tank, but the officers did not believe us and arrested us for possision of drug parafaniela (sp).

What I don't get is this:

Three cars down there was a car full of drunks getting ready to leave the pond, and the officers did nothing to them. I believe that my friend and myself where profiled for not following the "mainstream" teenagers should.

You got pulled over for "nothing" on your part what so ever? Nothing? You can get pulled over for the "stupidist" thing even if you don't think they are stupid.....

 

[pabloback]

when i originally started driving at the age of 18 i used to get stopped in different parts of town every thrusday night. then one thursday i never got stopped but the week after i got stopped twice , happened for several months

 

[dqrich]

In case you've not realized it, federal authorities can use the smallest offense in order to TRY and hold the peace.

Younger people are more likely to have to deal with the repercussions of this simply because they are at a stage in their life when it seems more viable for them to do this type of experimenting.

A good lawyer in this day and age is not a bad thing...

 

[dqrich]

I understand I made a pressumption, but I've yet to hear a response.

 

[Basia]

in this case, the charges were dropped, because the owner of the fish tank we where picking up came to the station and royally reamed out the officer who arrested us...

As for the kind of car we where in, a 1990 Oldsmobile cutlas calius, light blue with a bit of rust near the front drivers side head light.

 

[ksmybuttons]

Profiling, I like it now.

There is nothing better than being a middle-aged white woman driving a Volvo.

I know I am profiled. No one will stop me and I can get away with just about anything.

The officers always let me go, a warning, never a ticket. Of course they did when I was young, too, but that was for different reasons.

 

[sch00lteacher]

The local police pulled up next to our car as we where pulling into the parking lot, and demand that the three of us get out of the car and step away from it while they searched the car (with no warrent). They found plastic tubeing in the car that we had just bought that day (for the fish tank we would be picking up later that day) and demanded to know what it was for. The three of us explained that it was for a fish tank, but the officers did not believe us and arrested us for possision of drug parafaniela (sp).

This was quite simply an illegal search.

Had they seen something in plain sight, they could have seized that, which they saw, no further search with out a warrant.

If they arrested one of you, they could have searched only the area that the arrested person had access to, where you could reach.

They can ask the driver if they can search the vehicle, driver can and should say no, then they have to get a warrant.

Otherwise they could not search the vehicle. To do so is a crime. Do not be afraid to complain. Call Internal Affairs or any similar office your local district has.

The same goes for your person. Cops can not touch you without a reason, they can not just walk up on you and ask "hey do you mind if I search you real quick for weapons, so I can feel safe". They do it, and of course people say sure go ahead, because they know they don't have a weapon, and they don't want to make the cop mad.

I get such a kick outta watching shows like Cops. Do you mind if we just search your car real quick? Sure. Dumb asses. They just gave the cops the right to dig through everything in that car.

Say no. NO. Make them get a warrant, odds are they are just fishing, and won't go to the trouble of getting a warrant.

However, if a licensed drug dog hits on your car, they have probable cause to search your vehicle.

 

[SimplySouthern]

Generally, Sch00lteacher and I have the same opinions, but this time I have to disagree.

In NC, at this time, the police have the authority to arrest you for the most minor of offenses, including having a tag light burnt out.

So, when an officer asks to search your car, unless you have something to hide (in which case it won't matter anyway)your best bet is to let them search. Otherwise, you may find yourself under arrest. After you are placed under arrest, the police have the right to search your car (search incident to arrest).

I am a firm believer in protecting your rights and nothing makes me angrier than to see a law enforcement officer abuse his power....but, at the same time, I see nothing to gain whatsoever by intentionally provoking an officer by refusing to let him search. If you have nothing to hide.....why?

I don't know the situation (with regard to Basia) however I would venture to say that if we asked the officer involved there would be quite a different story. Again, I'm not sure what state she lives in and the laws therein, but in NC a charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia is limited to certain very specific items (rolling papers, etc.) unless they are found in conjunction with illegal drugs. My point here is that it would have been impossible to be charged for having plastic tubing (at least here).

Slightly off topic, I have to say -- As with any profession or group of people, I think police officers are being judged by their worst members. You hear about "bad" cops all the time....but, when do you hear about those who help people -- Those who go far out of their way to help people?

By the same token, how many of you really understand what it's like to be a police officer? How many of you have "been there and done that" and can really honestly say that you know what it's like and what fears and challenges they face on a daily basis?


[/rant]

 

[sch00lteacher]

I don't know about other parts of NC but in Charlotte even stop and frisks can get a cop in hot water.

My two best friends her are both Char/Meck Policemen. I get my info from them. I used to teach a Practical Law class. I let the police officers teach the search and seizure portion of the class. Then there is the issue of the 4th ammendment.

You do not and should not submit to a search of your person or car. Make them arrest you. Hell if they want to search it that bad... About all they can do is call for K-9 to do a drug sweep of the outside of your car. If the dog alerts then they can search.

Everyone is in such a hurry to prove they have nothing to hide that they willingly give up their rights.

A cop in any state can arrest you for any violation of the law. But with the court system as backed up as it is Judges tend to frown upon arrests for stupid minor violations.

Just don't put yourself in the situation that you have to worry about this stuff in the first place. Not always possible I know. But a car full of teenagers is going to draw attention. Be polite. Tell the wiseass to bite his/her tongue. Cooperate as much as possible, with out giving up your civil rights. Getting a search warrant is not a simple matter of calling for one on the radio.

Slightly off topic, I have to say -- As with any profession or group of people, I think police officers are being judged by their worst members. You hear about "bad" cops all the time....but, when do you hear about those who help people -- Those who go far out of their way to help people?

Very true. And not off topic.

By the same token, how many of you really understand what it's like to be a police officer? How many of you have "been there and done that" and can really honestly say that you know what it's like and what fears and challenges they face on a daily basis?

I have. And I would give two steel hips up to still be one. I worked at many different levels, local, state and federal. I miss the job something awful.