Missouri: Police Roadblock Harassment Caught on Tape.

TheNewspaper.com ^ | 12/30/2006 | Brett Darrow

[The KG9 Kid]

Missouri: Police Roadblock Harassment Caught on Tape
St. Louis County, Missouri threaten to arrest a teenager for refusing to discuss his personal travel plans.

A teenager harassed by police in St. Louis, Missouri caught the incident on tape. Brett Darrow, 19, had his video camera rolling last month as he drove his 1997 Maxima, minding his own business. He approached a drunk driving roadblock where he was stopped, detained and threatened with arrest when he declined to enter a conversation with a police officer about his personal travel habits. Now Darrow is considering filing suit against St. Louis County Police.

"I'm scared to drive for fear of being stopped at another checkpoint and arrested while doing nothing illegal," Darrow told TheNewspaper. "We're now guilty until we prove ourselves innocent to these checkpoint officers."

On that late November night, videotape confirms that Darrow had been ordered out of his vehicle after telling a policeman, "I don't wish to discuss my personal life with you, officer." Another officer attempted to move Darrow's car until he realized, "I can't drive stick!" The officer took the opportunity to undertake a thorough search of the interior without probable cause. He found nothing.

When Darrow asked why he was being detained, an officer explained, "If you don't stop running your mouth, we're going to find a reason to lock you up tonight."

The threats ended when Darrow informed officers that they were being recorded. After speaking to a supervisor Darrow was finally released.

"These roadblocks have gotten out of hand," Darrow told TheNewspaper. "If we don't do something about them now, it'll be too late."

A full video of the incident is available here. A transcript is provided below as the audio is at times very faint.

[HIDEK6]

Think "I'm on my way to the local crack house" would have satisfied the officer?

How about, "Headed to my bar. It's been a week since I've had a drink."

[Cogadh na Sith]

Good for you! I'm sorry the cops treated you like that....

[TexasTransplant]

>>>>>"I'm definitely installing a camera in my truck.
I will also ride around hoping for a big paycheck on my time off...lol"<<<<<

Maybe I can help you make more Money, contact GM and see if they can incorporate that feature with ONSTAR and then you will have a recording offsite with GPS location, time, date etc.

TT

[Brett Darrow]

Thanks for the welcome. I'm sorry about the language. I'll watch it in the future. Thanks for the warning.

[Brett Darrow]

"BTW, did you have to replace the clutch? Was it damaged? Did you file a claim as directed with the police department's insurance as instructed? Inquiring minds want to know!"


A few days later I had problems within my linkage I had never had. I actually had to have it towed in almost the identical spot as the checkpoint was at. (Like I said I go thur that area a lot)

No I havn't filed any formal complaints as of yet.

[DocRock]

Thanks for the reply and hope you keep up with this thread. It has been very enlightening as to "who is who" when it comes to protecting the Constitution.

[hodaka]

There was this sheriff in Davidson County NC named Gerald Hege, who I believe might still be in jail. He was major player in the local Republican party, and whenever the local Democrats would have some function, Sheriff Hege would always set up road blocks around their events hoping to embarrass some of the local Democrats. I know some people including myself would find some humor in this story, but we can't have police trampling over citizens rights just because they are the police.

[rawcatslyentist]

>" Be civil to people with guns, solely because they have guns.

You want to live in a society like that, feel free to leave this one."

An armed society is a polite one.

Feel free to tell someone off while staring down a barrel.

[rawcatslyentist]

"It none of your business."

Did I even axe? Do I even care? Did I insult you?

3 nos knows no knowledge of your statement.

[rawcatslyentist]

>"now they are just tax collectors running speed traps and filling quotas who sometimes take a break to do a little law enforcement."

Crime doesn't pay.... Traffic violators do!

Gettin the drunks offa the road is just gravy.

[dennisw]

Why would the drug checkpoint be on a dead end road.... plus I've never heard of a drug checkpoint. Only drunk driver road blocks

[Lower55]

Maybe I can help you make more Money, contact GM and see if they can incorporate that feature with ONSTAR and then you will have a recording offsite with GPS location, time, date etc.

TT
GREAT IDEA!
Because if it gets heated enough for a good payday, they'll probably find it onboard and steal/erase it.

[DocRock]

"You're a no good punk."

You are good at name calling. In your Post 631, you called me a "phony rebel". This is my second request for a definition of that label.

[The KG9 Kid]

At some point, I'm expecting that people will read the whole thread without sending me nasty-grams about my post at #2 in this thread. :D

[dennisw]

I've called the kid a punk numerous times on this thread. As far as phony rebel please forget that. I don't know you well enough. OK?

[Torie]

Is the police department doing any investigation of your incident? Do you know whether or not the police followed procedures in how they handled their interaction with you? Do they have any written procedures, at drunk driver checkpoints? Is there any political buzz back and forth in your community over this matter.

I salute you for dropping in. I for one beleive the police have a duty to follow the law, along with the rest of us. Best.

[TexasTransplant]

>>>>>"Why would the drug checkpoint be on a dead end road... "<<<<<

Can't help you, this is not an open book test.

(Hint...Try drawing a picture)

TT

[HiTech RedNeck]

"Hi[gh]"

Logical question for cop should be "Did you just say you were high?"

[HiTech RedNeck]

How do we know you're the REAL Bret Darrow, and not a troll?