The feds have resumed a controversial program that lets cops take stuff and keep it

WaPo ^ | 03-28-2016 | Christopher Ingraham

[NRx]

The Justice Department today announced that it is resuming a controversial practice that allows local police departments to funnel a large portion of assets seized from citizens into their own coffers under federal law.

The "equitable-sharing" program gives police the option of prosecuting asset forfeiture cases under federal instead of state law. The Justice Department had suspended payments under this program back in December, due to budget cuts included in last year's spending bill.

"In the months since we made the difficult decision to defer equitable sharing payments because of the $1.2 billion rescinded from the Asset Forfeiture Fund, the financial solvency of the fund has improved to the point where it is no longer necessary to continue deferring Equitable Sharing payments," spokesman Peter J. Carr said.

Asset forfeiture is a contentious practice that lets police seize and keep cash and property from people who are never convicted — and in many cases, never charged — with wrongdoing. Recent reports have found that the use of the practice has exploded in recent years, prompting concern that, in some cases, police are motivated more by profit and less by justice.

[Wolfie]

Yeah, but asset forfeiture is what helped us win the Drug War.

[Robert DeLong]

I think the spoils should go to the local government’s general fund - not directly to the police department at all.

Like they would handle it more responsibly?

They already get allowances for personally worn equipment, it's called uniform allowance. They do not buy toys, but rather equipment they need. Unless you are talking about a big city police department, most policemen make extremely low salaries. Smaller police departments can't even afford to have their officers work any overtime. They usually have to augment their income with off-duty details. Which means they rarely even get days off.

[HLPhat]

>>Frankly, I was amazed...

http://www.google.com/#q=2245+Slocum+Road+Peyton+DEA

Rabbit hole, Amazing; 1 each

http://land.elpasoco.com/

[NRx]

You forgot the /s tag.

[unread]

"Seems to me to be a clear violation of the tenth amendment of the bill of rights.."

Sorry....I meant the fifth... See... I told you I wasn't a lawyer.. :)