Posted on 11/17/2007 5:41:02 AM PST by stevie_d_64
Boston police are launching a program that will call upon parents in high-crime neighborhoods to allow detectives into their homes, without a warrant, to search for guns in their children's bedrooms.
more stories like this Witness intimidation ruling upheld Trooper says police halted his gigs as DJ Police chief pledges probe 26 arrested after Red Sox win pennant Fans celebrate Sox' World Series berth The program, which is already raising questions about civil liberties, is based on the premise that parents are so fearful of gun violence and the possibility that their own teenagers will be caught up in it that they will turn to police for help, even in their own households.
In the next two weeks, Boston police officers who are assigned to schools will begin going to homes where they believe teenagers might have guns. The officers will travel in groups of three, dress in plainclothes to avoid attracting negative attention, and ask the teenager's parent or legal guardian for permission to search. If the parents say no, police said, the officers will leave.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
I think the gun search is by invitation only , and I have no problem with this. Parents who are afraid of their children or teenagers who have guns, that call the police to search for them, need help.
“HI, will you allow us to search your house without a warrant?” “NO? Okay”. “Officer Smith contact the Judge and have him issue a warrant for mister Greens house”. “ Not so fast mister Green, stay right where I can see you until that warrant arrives.”
After all, if you have nothing to hide...
Great minds, and all that...
This is police state intimidation.
One other question, if it turns out that the gun has been used in a crime, is it admissible as evidence in a court of law?
Sure thing, after 20 minutes of intimidation & coercion.
You have no probable cause.
Good night officer.
Right, because folks in the hood will assume three white dudes in suits must be insurance salesmen. They will be completely unnoticed. /sarcasm
Maybe some 1940's era leather boots will spiff up these plainclothesmen.
Just the beginning. Then they try the “voluntary compliance” thing - which means do it or get in trouble. Don’t trust them. They are not your friends.
Just as long as they understand that that will never happen where I live.
Much to my wife’s dismay, our new welcome mat states: “COME BACK WITH A WARRANT”. We’ll see how long it lasts...
Rule number 1, never let gov’ment officials in your house without the proper paperwork. They tend to be stupid and find trouble where no trouble exist. It is also good protocol. Keep them SOBs in check.
Uh oh....
Bad, bad
Yep, it’s the guns, not the perps that are the problem.
As my old Boy Scout camp shooting instructor used to say when somebody complained that they missed because the “sights were off”, “it’s not the gun, it’s the nut behind the butt”.
as if a parent is too stooooopid to search a room?
How strange.
Another question, suppose police glance into the parents' bedroom and see a pistol laying on the nightstand. Could they check that pistol as well, or are they limited to the child's room?
How strange.
There are parents who go to extremes to ignore trouble, or deny anything is wrong.
Some of the Columbine parents come to mind.
"Here's a car, here's a computer, get out of my sight and stop wasting my time..."
If the parent calls the cops, that I am ok with. Walking up to the door and asking, not ok with that. When will “No”, turn into probable cause for the cops.
That slope is pretty darn slippery.
Hey, Stevie, on a side note, moved into the new house this week. My front door is behind my locked gate, it would be hard for them to knock. :-)
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