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Police: Twitter used to avoid DUI checkpoints
Sacramento Bee / McClatchy Newspapers ^ | 28 Dec 2009 | Brad Banan

Posted on 12/28/2009 6:33:55 AM PST by relictele

FRESNO, Calif. -- In a ritual nearly as familiar as Santa Claus and crowded stores, police agencies have again stepped up enforcement of drunken-driving laws this holiday season.

Studies have found sobriety checkpoints reduce alcohol-related crashes because they create awareness about the risk of arrest.

But some public-safety officials say that message might be lost on the group most at risk - young drivers. Trying to elude arrest for drunken driving, young people use technology to keep each other informed about the location of sobriety checkpoints, said Sgt. Dave Gibeault, head of the Fresno Police Department's traffic unit.

(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: 4thamendment; dui; police
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To: aSeattleConservative
the Silly Putty known as ‘alcohol-related crashes.’ “...you might be careful when you use the word “silly” around one of the thousands of MADD parents that have lost a child to an alcohol related accident.

"Silly Putty" is what it is... something you mold into whatever you want it to be.

If they were referring to deaths, they'd say "deaths". They want the numbers to be bigger so they can scare the public and justify their police-state enforcement tactics. Hence, the intentionally vague "alcohol related crashes".

And making this about drunk driving only works if the majority of the fines they write at these blockades are for drunk-driving. They're not... and it's not even close. They'll hit you for whatever they can find. These blockades are catch-alls, not "DUI checkpoints".

41 posted on 12/28/2009 7:58:35 AM PST by WhistlingPastTheGraveyard (Some men just want to watch the world burn.)
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To: Nuc1

“Driving is as much a privilege as riding a horse was in the past. For most it is absolutely vital. It is interesting how quickly we lovers of freedom tow the statest propaganda line whenever emotional subject matter is involved. “

Well stated. Like it or not, when you have tons of steel and glass moving at 100 feet per second, people will die. As someone else pointed out, these checkpoints are simply cash-cows for the cities, given the 0.08 standard (even lower if they can come up with other evidence). They are also easy work for the police, much easier than, say patrolling an area and trying to find criminals. As to saving lives, I have a HELL OF A LOT MORE FEAR of some young women driving and texting at the same time when I’m just trying to get home from work (which I see WAY too much of now, and always BLAST my horn at them every time), than some testosterone-teen driving with a 0.08 at 1 AM on a Friday night...but guess who’s getting their lives ruined, and guess who’s ruining other lives.

Conservatives like to think that they’re rational, but once the (orchestrated, in many cases) tugs at the heartstrings start, they typically buckle like most others.


42 posted on 12/28/2009 8:06:58 AM PST by BobL (When Democrats start to love this country more than they hate Republicans, good things might happen.)
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To: LuvFreeRepublic

Congrats on being such a good person


43 posted on 12/28/2009 8:07:52 AM PST by Raider Sam (They're on our left, right, front, and back. They aint gettin away this time!)
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To: aSeattleConservative
Shame you didn't read my entire post: "Before the 'DUI affected me' posts come out of the woodwork nobody is supporting, advocating, defending or excusing drinking and driving."

Your analogy doesn't hold up, unfortunately. Fishermen may go to the fish but if cops wanted to catch drunks they would sit outside every tavern and bar in town - which they don't. Instead, they stage their dog-and-pony show with no strobe light left unlit on main thoroughfares.

Your categorical statement that society wants a cop on every corner is unprovable therefore invalid. For the record, I certainly don't want a cop on every corner. The fewer the better and I had better see every violent and property crime solved before they get on with the important business of randomly violating the 4th Amendment. In addition these checkpoints are frequently in suburban areas where the car is a necessity and where, by sheer coincidence I'm sure, the local residents have the ability to pay the fines.

Finally, if it's about DUI then not a single ticket should be written for burnt-out taillights, seat belt use, or other revenue-raising 'violation.'

44 posted on 12/28/2009 8:11:27 AM PST by relictele (Profiling luggage instead of people is futile)
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To: driftdiver

I’ll drink to that!


45 posted on 12/28/2009 8:11:40 AM PST by Jeff Chandler (:: The government will do for health care what it did for real estate. ::)
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To: LuvFreeRepublic

You didn’t address the random stops at all.


46 posted on 12/28/2009 8:12:46 AM PST by Balding_Eagle (Overproduction;, one of the five top worries of the American farmer.)
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To: BobL



47 posted on 12/28/2009 8:17:41 AM PST by Jeff Chandler (:: The government will do for health care what it did for real estate. ::)
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To: relictele

They don’t set up nearly enough!

There ought to be several every day of the week!

Not only drunks but to confiscate cars from anyone without a license or insurance, especially illegal aliens!!!!


48 posted on 12/28/2009 8:20:53 AM PST by dalereed
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To: Jeff Chandler



49 posted on 12/28/2009 8:22:21 AM PST by Jeff Chandler (:: The government will do for health care what it did for real estate. ::)
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To: relictele

The law requires the police publish the locations of the checkpoints. (per USSC)

I have even heard them publicised BY THE POLICE on the radio as to specific locations.

it still holds true...A policeman’s job is easy in a police state.


50 posted on 12/28/2009 8:24:01 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: longtermmemmory
The law requires the police publish the locations of the checkpoints. (per USSC)

Yes and my original post said as much.

51 posted on 12/28/2009 8:28:51 AM PST by relictele (Profiling luggage instead of people is futile)
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To: relictele

agreed.

So then why are the police complaining? Is it because the checkpoints are being avoided or

checkpoints are a cushy job and easy work or

checkpoints may be cancelled because people now avoid them as a matter of right or

checkpoint income is reduced or

the checkpoints are all near donut shops...


52 posted on 12/28/2009 8:55:18 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: Jeff Chandler

Farding, not good...but at least the babe (I think) is has her head pointed the right way (rather than down).


53 posted on 12/28/2009 9:08:26 AM PST by BobL (When Democrats start to love this country more than they hate Republicans, good things might happen.)
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To: LonePalm

Yes such as the right not to incriminate yourself. I think that is the 5th amendment. Here it is called implied consent.


54 posted on 12/28/2009 9:18:55 AM PST by screaminsunshine (!!)
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To: IYAS9YAS

Florida. Implied consent you waive the 5th amendment. You know self incrimination and such mundane things. Watch and learn.
You agree to take the test that may incriminate you. You are penalized for not doing so. In fact you go to jail for not taking the test.


55 posted on 12/28/2009 9:22:40 AM PST by screaminsunshine (!!)
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To: screaminsunshine

yes implied consent does state by having a license it IMPLIES you have waived any objections to blood or breath tests.

However here we have police complaining about people using tech to just avoid the issue entirely.

Remember these “checkpoints” all have chase vehicles to catch those who make a u turn to avoid the hassle of the checkpoint. The police ASSUME guilt. In theory you are supposed to be able to select not to go through, in practice the police don’t care.


56 posted on 12/28/2009 9:27:36 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: Nuc1

Read the fine print. By signing the liscense you agree to be subjected to incriminating tests. BA level, sobriety etc.
The 5th amendment prohibits self incrimination and testifying against yourself last I checked. Amazing how few people realize it.
When you work on classified black projects you do the same thing.
Some even say that signing up for Social Security is a waiver of Constitutional Rights.
Ignorance is rampant.


57 posted on 12/28/2009 9:27:44 AM PST by screaminsunshine (!!)
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To: screaminsunshine
You waive you rights when you sign your driver liscense.

And the government quickly concocted schemes, forcing those that need to drive to survive, to register their vehicles over and over and over and over...instead of when he vehicle changed ownership.

What a corrupt scam!

58 posted on 12/28/2009 9:28:16 AM PST by dragnet2
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To: longtermmemmory

If you refuse you are subjected to criminal penalties including incarceration.


59 posted on 12/28/2009 9:29:25 AM PST by screaminsunshine (!!)
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To: screaminsunshine

you don’t go to jail.

it is an automatic one year suspension.

if there is any question then refuse EVERYTHING.

Do not consent to the roadside exercises. (they have only a 65% accuracy anyways)

Do not conset to the breath or demand a blood test

THEN

GO TO THE DMV and demand a formal review and HIRE A LAWYER to represent you and subpoena the officers to that quasi judicial administrative hearing.


60 posted on 12/28/2009 9:30:38 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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