Miami Police Take New Tack Against Terror (ID Sweeps)

Yahoo/AP ^ | 28 Nov 2005 | Curt Anderson

[af_vet_rr]

MIAMI - Miami police announced Monday they will stage random shows of force at hotels, banks and other public places to keep terrorists guessing and remind people to be vigilant.

Deputy Police Chief Frank Fernandez said officers might, for example, surround a bank building, check the IDs of everyone going in and out and hand out leaflets about terror threats.

"This is an in-your-face type of strategy. It's letting the terrorists know we are out there," Fernandez said.

The operations will keep terrorists off guard, Fernandez said. He said al-Qaida and other terrorist groups plot attacks by putting places under surveillance and watching for flaws and patterns in security.

Police Chief John Timoney said there was no specific, credible threat of an imminent terror attack in Miami. But he said the city has repeatedly been mentioned in intelligence reports as a potential target.

[af_vet_rr]

The police chief says there's no threats, but they are going to check your ID and intimidate you and everybody else.

What are they going to do if somebody says "excuse me, this is a private business, I don't have to show you my ID".

What the hell is the point of even showing an ID? It's not like the Miami PD has some kind of magical crystal ball that can tell them your intentions based on one document - after all, most of the 9/11 terrorists were here legitimately.

Not even a week after West Palm Beach began working on making their city the most closely monitored city in South Florida.

I maybe wrong, but I'm thinking an election is coming up, which would explain the "in-your-face type of strategy" comment by the police chief.

After all of these types of things going on in Florida, glad I don't live there anymore, and good to see the that the police state won't creep up on us, it'll announce itself with an "in-your-face type of strategy", and it'll do it in so-called "Republican" states.

[diverteach]

This is sure to help Miami's tourist industry.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

since they're going to do this, it'd be nice to grab all illegal aliens........but that'll never happen in Jebville.

[Mulder]

What a pathetic commentary on both the state and the sheeple.

The government does nothing to secure the border with Mexico, but is now going to harass honest citizens with Soviet-style checkpoints (I wonder how much of this program is funded from Homeland Security?).

And most sheeple will applaud this since they are unwilling to take the necessary steps to provide for their own security.

Pathetic.

[adamsjas]

surround a bank building, check the IDs of everyone going in and out

Ah, not in My America.....

Back to the drawing board boys....

[af_vet_rr]

The government does nothing to secure the border with Mexico, but is now going to harass honest citizens with Soviet-style checkpoints (I wonder how much of this program is funded from Homeland Security?).

Bear with me, you see, the banks and other businesses, that's how the terrorists entered the country - they walked into a bank in Saudi Arabia or whereve, and were instantly transported to America. Also, they lived in banks the whole time they were here, and when their visas expired, where did they hide? You guessed it, banks.

Now, we all just need to pretend that the 9/11 terrorists didn't have legitmate documents that could easily get them through a bunch of Miami police offers running checkpoints in bank lobbies.

Just erase that from your mind. No need to go there, that's just crazy talk.

We are also going to pretend that the terrorists can't easily bank 10 miles outside of Miami at a branch, and can't get the same service. Furthermore, we have to pretend that the terrorists have not discovered online banking and ATM machines.

We also have to pretend that the terrorists are going to more interested in attacking a bank with a few dozen people in it, rather than the biggest theme park in America that's just up the road, where thousands and thousands of people will be with their families over the holidays, not to mention the various parades that will be occurring in South Florida over the holidays.

We also have to pretend that they've never heard of college football and the Orange Bowl. Just wipe that thought right out of your mind.

[Only1choice____Freedom]

"Show me your paypahs!"

[cynwoody]

Yep. ID checked. Picture matches. All set. Have a nice day.

This is just a pol trying to make the people feel better.

[Mulder]

We also have to pretend that the terrorists are going to more interested in attacking a bank with a few dozen people in it, rather than the biggest theme park in America that's just up the road, where thousands and thousands of people will be with their families over the holidays, not to mention the various parades that will be occurring in South Florida over the holidays

In a couple of years, they will be doing random ID checks in those places too.

Welcome to Amerika.

[ApplegateRanch]

"Show me your paypahs!"

Yahwohl, mein Gutter Herr; unt vun grosse seig phhttt, für Der Führer!

[af_vet_rr]

In a couple of years, they will be doing random ID checks in those places too.

Welcome to Amerika.

And if the people complain (although I'm beginning to think that few will), the politicians only have to say "look, you haven't been attacked by a terrorist, and that's because of these ID checks, and so you can keep your mouth shut and thank us by producing some ID".

[Buddy B]

Deborah Davis   [Refused to show ID on demand.]

Next Stop: Big Brother

Meet Deborah Davis. She's a 50 year-old mother of four who lives and works in Denver, Colorado. Her kids are all grown-up: her middle son is a soldier fighting in Iraq. She leads an ordinary, middle class life. You probably never would have heard of Deb Davis if it weren't for her belief in the U.S. Constitution.

One morning in late September 2005, Deb was riding the public bus to work. She was minding her own business, reading a book and planning for work, when a security guard got on this public bus and demanded that every passenger show their ID. Deb, having done nothing wrong, declined. The guard called in federal cops, and she was arrested and charged with federal criminal misdemeanors after refusing to show ID on demand.

On the 9th of December 2005, Deborah Davis will be arraigned in U.S. District Court in a case that will determine whether Deb and the rest of us live in a free society, or in a country where we must show "papers" whenever a cop demands them

Go to website to read full story.
Deborah Davis

[Blzbba]

What's most hopeful is the fact that not one thread has been posted in defense of this Gestapo tactic since it's "fighting terror".

I wonder how the elderly Jewish community in S. FLA will react to this?

[Blzbba]

"that not one thread" should read "that not one reply to this thread"

[xrp]

[vrwc0915]

sheep ping for later

[Paulus]

America, It was once a free country. I find it very unusual to have much more freedom in a foreign country than in my country of birth. I pity America when the Patriot acts 1 & 2 get rockin. O these times they are a changin.

[An.American.Expatriate]

Dog and Pony Show to impress the sheeple - nothing more.

Must be that recent polling shows that the local police aren't effective against terrorism threats...

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

"Your papers, please!"

[DH]

This is exactly what I would expect to see from any governmental agency------total incompetence and lack of common sense.  However, it makes liberals, women and domesticated males feel secure and will certainly provide more votes for the political party that pushed it.  Freedoms?  Hey, you gotta give up something for government protection.

Now, let's take a look at just how effective this program would be.  I am a terrorist carrying a large bomb in a suitcase.  I am planning to put it in the Holiday Inn and blow it up.  As I am walking down the street I see a line of policemen (excuse me...police persons) patting everyone down and checking IDs who are going into the Holiday Inn.

Now, here's the huge decision I have to make.  Do I carry my bomb into the Inn and get caught by those police or do I simply turn and go somewhere else?  Do I just wait until they are gone and then do the deed?  Do I simply go in the back door to enter the motel?  The government mentality is that I would go ahead and get caught. 

This is just plain stupid and I would expect no less from any governmental function (agency) that say they can protect me.  Don't believe it?  Call the police the next time you REALLY need them and see how long it takes for them to actually respond to your need....or worse yet....see if they respond at all.