Posted on 07/31/2008 11:19:39 AM PDT by Mr. Mojo
A police SWAT team raided the home of the mayor in the Prince George's County town of Berwyn Heights on Tuesday, shooting and killing his two dogs, after he brought in a 32-pound package of marijuana that had been delivered to his doorstep, police said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I would prefer the cops go after multiple rapists, murders, and lawyers rather than those possessing 32lbs of what amounts to high octane grass clippings.
Then it’s time for somebody to stand up and say “No, this is NOT acceptable. Only if human lives are at stake should no-knock warrants be justified.” A block of marijuana is no immediate threat to anyone. This is bad police work all around and the public has the right and the duty to speak up about it.
Good point. But why did they not leave it on the porch and call the police for a suspicious package? In this day and age, and especially being the mayor of a town...................
Could it be the same ones who shot Randy Weaver's wife? She was shot through the head while she clutched her child to her breast.
The same bunch also shot their lovable Labs so perhaps it is just a habit on their part.
Care to elaborate on these "excellent results"? I see nothing but turmoil and loss of civil rights.
“you just do not know what is behind the door of a house that has just received 32 pounds of drugs. that is a lot!”
They knew that it was marijuana in the package. When the police raid itself is more dangerous than the substance, it still makes no sense.
“would you be willing to trade a dead cop who went up to knock on the door for the dogs?”
I don’t want officers or citizens killed or injured but, that is exactly what will, and has happened when employing military style raids for something like marijuana busts. Remember what happened in Chesapeak, VA when they raided Ryan Frederick in the same way? This crap has got to stop.
The “War on drugs(TM)” has to go.
They were both Black Labs.
you do not read about all the raids that net large caches of drugs, guns, illegals, counterfeit itmes, wanted felons.
you only read about the ones that go bad. the media reports about man biting dog, not dog biting man.
What happens the first time four or five cops run into superior firepower while doing one of these no-knock raids and a jury finds the homeowner totally innocent?
“Then its time for somebody to stand up and say No, this is NOT acceptable. Only if human lives are at stake should no-knock warrants be justified. A block of marijuana is no immediate threat to anyone. This is bad police work all around and the public has the right and the duty to speak up about it.”
All true
So, zhey vere only followink ordehs, eh? Ze Kommandant says to raid zhis house and zhe svat team raids, no questions asked.
It's a common tactic to blame the informant for incorrect information, yet no one ever seems to investigate *before the raid* whether the informant's information is accurate or a lie.
“What happens the first time four or five cops run into superior firepower while doing one of these no-knock raids and a jury finds the homeowner totally innocent?”
That is about to happen in Chesapeak, VA.
Ok, I read it again, and I apologize for assuming the story meant that the guy turned the package over to the cops. However, I still don’t understand. The cops were waiting in the bushes, and when the guy retrieved the package from his doorstep and carried it inside, they kicked in the door and shot the dogs?
No idea if the mayor was set up or what ... but ya know, if someone leaves a package on my doorstep, I generally carry it in to see what’s inside it. It does not generally occur to me to have it x-rayed to check for contents, or call the police in case there’s a bomb in it, or anything else. I just carry it inside. I guess next time there’s a package on my doorstep, I’ll look around first to see if there’s any jackboot prints on the porch.
i agree bad raids have to stop. but i do not agree that this raid was bad by definition. police agencies are far from perfect. so a certain amount of bad raids can be expected, unfortunately. there really is no right answer.
you can't fault the cops for trying to ensure their own safety. and you can't say you want these drugs on the street just because it's weed.
Interestingly, Calvo publicly opposed some of the drivers license provisions of the REAL ID Act:
http://epic.org/events/id/speakers/
Now, who would be angry about that?
Ok, I got it wrong and I admit it. But I still don’t get it. The cops were hiding in the bushes, and when the guy brings in the package from his doorstep, they kick in the door and shoot the dogs?
So, zhey vere only followink ordahs. Vhat good Storm Troopers zhey make, eh?
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