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.
Did anyone take the initiative and question the town mayor, assembly or police chief?
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yes, no, maybe, what IS the F****ing difference.
Your comments reflect that of someone that wishes to rationalize the actions of the state, for the greater good.
You have no place here.
You have no clue.
You are an insecure wannabe.
You do not own anything.
You are the last person on earth that would sacrifice your life for “Liberty”
And who are you to judge? If you don't like what I post, don't read it. I have a very low tolerance for fools, liberals/liars and cowards.
Well said!
Please Marcella, Don’t feed the TROLL.
You twist and obfuscate and misdirect. A "study" is not a compelling public safety rationale for a roadblock.
But I think everyone else here sees what you are doing.
The only question is "why".
Is this from THIS incident? Or photoshopped?
What in the world are you talking about?
Does the girl scout have a gun on her hip and the authority to chase you down and legally detain you (pull you over)?
Yeah, he is just saying obscene crap to try and get on people’s nerves.
Stop beating your chest. You sound like an idiot.
Please don’t respond to it anymore, it loves that.
It is a TROLL, please don’t feed the troll.
Exactly. Because the drunks will gladly pull over and give blood next a cop.
Thank you for voting!
No, not even if the money was good. Why would I want to give that information away? 80.19%
Yes, if the money was good and the sample was anonymous. What have I got to worry about? 8.82%
I’d rather not answer. They might be watching. 8.2%
Maybe, but what kind of money are we talking about here? 2.79%
No, the subject is still roadblocks and legality.
I end up taking breaks from FR. I sometimes forget why. I come back and read a thread like this and remember why. Pot stirrers are not interesting. lol I wish they had an ignore feature on here. Oh well, I lasted a whole day this time! :)
It is reasonable to surmise that innocent people, who are doing nothing wrong, and would rather not have their lives and bodily stuff messed with under normal circumstances, would feel compelled to submit under the pressure of a demonstrable cloak of authority and detention....however brief that may be.
My guess is that this would be struck down by FL courts as an unreasonable search, and forbidden from that day forward.
Just sayin’.
DNA samples to find out how many drivers are under the influence? I don’t think so.
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