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.
Apparently like you, they failed to read the article.
Law “enforcement” should not be stopping people without probable cause.
And they were trying to determine if people were driving with prescription drugs in their system? Legal, prescribed prescription drugs, too? So, if you’re taking blood pressure medicine, or cholesterol medicine, what business is it of the police or the Soros group Pacific Institure for Research and Evaluation?
Lt. Freddie Turrentine, Sheriff Keith Hannah....shame on you both for participating in this BS.
There is nothing voluntary about being stopped by armed police and “asked” to do something. When a cop says “would you please step out of the car?”, it is understood as an order backed by lethal force.
If they wanted to do a survey, they could have done it at a rest stop.
Police departments all over the country all ready have the technology to read your license plate as you drive by and around certain cities.
How is this any different than tracking who you called, when you called and for how long ?
They both fund McCain too, or did. And they funded his campaign staff between gigs as well to the tune of six figures per.
The article states that plainly at least twice.
Giving up freedom for $60! Lead me to the cattle cars!
This deputy says “they” wanted to know. Who the hell is “they”? This proves we can’t count on local cops to be on the side of patriotism. Of course, it doesn’t matter since way more than half the citizens will voluntarily give up their freedoms.
As for the road blocks, wanting to know who’s on prescription drugs.....obamacare?
So? What does that have to do with this thread?
I read the article. I also read all of the comments. I also searched for other people talking about it and what actually happened.
I would not stop.
“Voluntary” under color of authority is not voluntary.
“Cars were stopped.” Nothing voluntary about that.
Was driving off interpreted as probable cause of an unknown offense, sufficient to be stopped again and have one’s car searched? I’m guessing yes on the basis of similar roadblocks in the past elsewhere. It so, illegal search!
HF
I would never voluntarily give any information to a gubmint rep .
Not for all the tea in China.
The article points out the information collected is completely anonymous.
Asinine.
Your DNA is an identifier and no way you are anonymous once given.
Where is it stated that all drivers and passengers are required to provide them?
It certainly means that the DNA was not anonymous since the involved police harvest all of the tag numbers.
Invasion of privacy.
4 Amendment.
No probable cause for the stop.
Cops trying to create Probable cause.
Restricting my freedom to travel.
Are they going to ask me for my papers ?
Are you claiming that drivers couldn't turn around and avoid the roadblock?
I’m guessing
That and not reading the articles is what gets conspiracy theorists into trouble so often.
I can’t find the comments.
I click on it but, it takes me somewhere else
Do you get angry when the girl scouts stop you at the mall and ask if you would like to buy some cookies? You can always turn and go in the other direction to avoid them, can't you?
Do me this favor. Next time YOU see a roadblock you do just that. Let us know what happens next! :)
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