Posted on 06/10/2013 3:32:45 PM PDT by Bodleian_Girl
PELL CITY, Alabama -- St. Clair and Bibb county authorities are confirming there were roadblocks at several locations in their counties Friday and Saturday asking for blood and DNA samples. However, the samples were voluntary and motorists were paid for them as part of a study, they said.
According to Lt. Freddie Turrentine of the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department, it isn't the first time such roadblocks have occurred in the area.
"They were here in 2007," said Turrentine, the supervisor in charge of the roadblocks, which took place in several locations in St. Clair County Friday night, early Saturday morning and Saturday night and early Sunday morning. "It's just with social media and Facebook now, word of it has just exploded."
Turrentine said the roadblocks were part of a study conducted by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, working with the National Highway Safety Administration. St. Clair County was asked to participate by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs because it had worked with the group six years ago.
Sheriff Keith Hannah in Bibb County said they too had previously participated in the study.
Here's how the road blocks worked, Turrentine said:
Off-duty St. Clair County deputies stopped cars at random at road block areas. The road blocks were marked with signs stating it was a paid survey. Cars stopped were asked for voluntary cooperation. Drivers were offered $10 for a mouth swab, and $50 for a blood test. If they refused, they were free to drive away.
[ POLL: Would you voluntarily submit DNA, blood sample for government study at roadblock? ]
Road blocks took place Friday at the New London Fire Department, Alabama 34 in Pell City near the old Dan's Car Wash, U.S. 231 at Alabama 144, at White's Chapel Parkway and Moody Crossroads in Moody. In Bibb County, the road blocks took place in five areas in the county on Friday night through early Sunday morning.
If drivers participated, they were directed to an area where someone from the group carrying out the study took the samples, he said.
"It was completely voluntary," Turrentine said, saying reports that people were detained if they did not cooperate were untrue. "If they didn't want to take part, they could drive off."
The samples were anonymous, he said.
Poll: Would you voluntarily submit DNA, blood sample for government study at roadblock?
"They were taking the samples in other parts of the country," he said. "They want to find out of all the people surveyed, how many people were driving with alcohol in their system, or prescription drugs, things like that."
This will be the only time this year the survey takes place in St. Clair County, he said.
Turrentine, who was at one of the roadblocks, said the group carrying out the study would ask for a certain number of volunteers. Deputies would stop drivers until that number of drivers needed agreed to the survey. Then they let cars pass while the samples were taken.
"We would have a lot who didn't want to take part, especially at night," he said. "But then we'd have a few that when we'd tell they could make $60 bucks, they said, 'What do I need to do?'"
If you were stopped in one of the roadblocks, or took part, and would like to talk, email eastalabama@al.com.
No, you emote like a spoiled little brat. Now go have a pity party with your gang of paranoid "friends".
It could very well be that they were allowed to turn around. But I bet no one did, because how would they know that this was some sort of volunteer anonymous survey checkpoint until they were right on it? I guess they could have had signs up down the road or something.
“I’ve done it a number of times when I’ve been in a hurry and nothing has happened.”
Did it cross your mind that it might have been a checkpoint to find a fugitive? I have went through two of these, and it didn’t seem like that would have been a wise move.
Freegards
“By chance do you work for our current administration?
No. By chance are you now under the supervision of a mental health worker?”
So if you cant make a factual point you attack me personally?
HMM, where have I seen that before? Oh that’s right, it seems to be a trademark of this administration, AND leftist’s in general.
I will reply with facts, YOURS in particular, ALASKA WOLF.
EVERYONE, LOOK AT ALASKA WOLF’S POSTING HISTORY, AND MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND.
HE IS A TROLL, DON’T FEED THE TROLL!
I think
No, you emote like a spoiled little brat. Now go have a pity party with your gang of paranoid “friends”.
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Ok, this is called a “Tell” the use of the word “Spoiled” is a tell.
I concur.
Y’all, I’m on your side on the roadblock issue.
But get real on this: Alaska Wolf is NOT a troll. That’s just silly talk.
He’s been here a decade; I recall numerous exchanges on a variety of subjects. He’s (in my judgment) a solid conservative who just happens to be pro-law-enforcement. I don’t agree with that “branch of the family” 100%, but they’re not evil, and they’re not pinko liberal trolls.
Ratchet the hysteria down a notch, ok? Thx.
So what's the deal in Alabama? Aren't you a conservative state? My brother has a place in Gulf Shores that he drives to frequently from Illinois and he's never mentioned being detained at a roadblock.
Never heard of such.
Maybe you need to get out more.
You are looking ignorant and pathetic.
Funny because I have the same opinion of you and your gang of paranoids.
One can be pro-law enforcement within the bounds of the Constitution. Alaska Wolf also claimed repeatedly that during the Boston manhunt it was totally optional for nearby residents to participate in the "lock-down", despite video evidence of police pointing weapons at civilians and screaming "Get back inside! Do it now!"
So, whatever.
In addition.
You put the moniker (I) as your tagline.
Prove it, no wait, I’m a conservative republican/independent that has no problem with ROADBLOCKS for the “Voluntary” collection of DNA, for money !!! yaa
I would bet you all the money you have that the police dept. in question here was PAID for how many “Samples” they got.
Alaska Wolf isn’t so much a troll as he is a contrarian of synthetic and contrived means fir the sole purpose of letting attention and into doing feels a sense of relevancy.
He’ll a month ago he started talking tough crap with me and was so irrasible I put him on my do ot respond to list.
Aren't those heavily manned, equipped and armed? Are roadblocks for fugitives legal?
Nothing surprises me anymore... just incredible...
Thanks, but I doubt it will accomplish anything with that emoting tribe.
Prove that you're not an obnoxious, emoting, spoiled brat.
Ok, so he is a former liberal in transition that is testing the ground ?
I’ll buy that.
Prove it,
Prove that you’re not an obnoxious, emoting, spoiled brat.
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You’re like 12.
Don’t know if anyone posted this - from the other thread.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3029457/posts?page=119#119
This is an audio
Off-duty (at the time of the “roadblock) sheriff’s deputy’s interview with Matt Murphy
Lt. Freddie Turrentine of the St. Clair County Sheriffs Department joins Matt to talk ... http://bit.ly/12g0LbB
URL: http://cdn.stationcaster.com/stations/wapi/media/mpeg/Lt__Freddie_Turrentine-1370885824.mp3
How exactly did college students obtain the authority to stop traffic on public roads?
Did you see that poll answer? “I`d rather not answer, they might be watching.” Well with prism...
Are you going to cry now? I had no idea you were so sensitive.
Had I known, I’d have treated you like a child.
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