Sheriff's plan to urge people to report suspicious behavior unleashes storm of criticism

Sun Sentinel ^ | May 17, 2013 | Ben Wolford

[Rennes Templar]

A program in Palm Beach County intended to encourage residents to report suspicious behavior is attracting resistance from around the state.

Under the proposed "Violence Prevention Program," anyone who sees a potentially dangerous situation — a schizophrenic person with weapons, a war veteran making threats to passersby — could call a 24-hour hotline. Legitimate-sounding calls would trigger a visit by specially trained deputies in plain clothes or by mental health professionals.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff says violence prevention unit could thwart would-be killers like the recent mass shooters in Connecticut and Colorado. The program will cost $3.2 million in the first year. The Florida Legislature agreed to pay $1 million of it.

Despite Sheriff Ric Bradshaw's ostensibly good-willed intent, the plan has been compared to Big Brother, the KGB, Castro's Cuba...

Conservative bloggers around the country are condemning this as a First Amendment violation. They say the government of Palm Beach County is trying to encourage residents to tell on their neighbors for anti-government speech. Email messages have spilled into Gov. Rick Scott's inbox, where hundreds of Florida residents urged him to line-item veto the state funding for the program.

~snip~

In the article, Bradshaw said, "We want people to call us if the guy down the street says he hates the government, hates the mayor and he's gonna shoot him. What does it hurt to have somebody knock on a door and ask, 'Hey, is everything OK?'"

~snip~

Dmitry Levin, of Boca Raton, grew up in the Soviet Union, where he said the government encouraged neighbors to "snitch on everybody."

"It's a specific telephone line to report your neighbor who doesn't like the government," Levin said. "When I read that, my jaw dropped. That's KGB in its finest form. The next step would be, what, bonuses for reporting?"

[Gaffer]

Legitimate-sounding calls would trigger a visit by specially trained deputies in plain clothes or by mental health professionals.

Someone please tell me how "legitimate-sounding" actually translates to legal definitions of actual infractions of established law?

Further, will the "trained deputies in 'plain' clothes" announce to this 'deluded killer veteran' they are actually LEOs?? Will these "mental health officials" be actual government, or will they be just local hacks there Johnny-on-the spot to hand out that instant diagnosis of schizophrenia?

If I saw three of these people on my doorstep, the shotgun would be 'just out of sight' at the ready.

[George from New England]

I’ve heard that Palm Beach has 1 cop for every 8 citizens. Talk about too much $$$ in LE hands.

[WomBom]

Good point

[Conspiracy Guy]

Plain clothes will quickly become full tactical units and armored vehicles. Heaven knows that no one would ever report a neighbor as threatening just because they don't like them. No stigma associated with a squadron of armed LEO’s knocking on your door. Seems like a very solid plan to me. Why don't we have everyone undergo a psychological evaluation and imprison anyone that is deemed a threat. Start this program by checking on all conservatives. Because they are the biggest threat to the hive and the cause of 95% of domestic terrorism. /sheesh!

[WomBom]

If wifey sees me cracking a Stella at 10:30 there would be some “splaining”
to do... Better to suffer in silence.

Thanks.

[VeniVidiVici]

Under the proposed "Violence Prevention Program," anyone who sees a potentially dangerous situation — a schizophrenic person with weapons, a war veteran making threats to passersby — could call a 24-hour hotline. Legitimate-sounding calls would trigger a visit by specially trained deputies in plain clothes or by mental health professionals.

Ignoring the slam against "war veterans" for a moment, just how would any of these situations be dealt with now? Would the PBSO just not respond at all? Seems to me just a different way to soak the taxpayers out of more money for something they should already be doing.

[Second Amendment First]

You’ve been reported WomBom. Impaired judgment FReeper probably has guns and hates government.

[MountainDad]

Any good Freeper hangover remedies out there??

Just start drinking again!

[DariusBane]

you need to get your head right.

[WomBom]

Guilty as charged... But don’t tell anyone

[Second Amendment First]

Now go crack open that Stella and clean your weapons on the front step.

[WomBom]

Sir!
Yes Sir!

[WomBom]

Sir!
Yes Sir!

[TribalPrincess2U]

Yep, just like the IRS is doing. Go after anyone that speaks their mind.

[JW1949]

“...a war veteran making threats to passersby...”

After I came back from Vietnam, it seems that on every “cop” show on TV, the bad guy was a “deranged Vietnam vet”.....

[WomBom]

I didn’t like that line, and I hear you guys loud and clear.

I am like minded

[WomBom]

I didn’t like that line, and I hear you guys loud and clear.

I am like minded

[WomBom]

Does Stella make you “fat thumbed”?

Lol sorry for the double posting

[Conspiracy Guy]

I remember that too. That is when I quit watching TV. I was USAF 72-76 and did not go to Nam but I was constantly astonished at how Vets and Active dut like me, were treated by too much of the general civilian population. Just wearing the uniform during the early 70’s subjected you to taunts and stares. It was and is still shameful how Vets were and are treated. The left has done everything they can to demonize those who serve today and Vets of recent conflicts. Spit on a democrat not a Vet.

[Lurker]

A cold beer and a grubbing bacon cheeseburger usually does the trick for me. A fried egg on top is required, though.