Tracking extremistsExperts who track constitutionalist groups say, however, that the extreme political views often lead to violence. "Aside from their stated purposes, this movement on a regular basis produces people who are extraordinarily angry at government, extraordinarily dismissive of all authority,'' said Mark Pitcavage, the Anti-Defamation League's national director of fact finding.
In the initial traffic stop by a state trooper Friday night, Matthews gave telltale clues that he was an extremist: opening the window only a crack, citing the Constitution, refusing to hand over his license and speeding off, Pitcavage said. "This was a textbook example of a constitutionalist traffic stop,'' he said.
Pitcavage, who is based in Columbus, has long followed the activities of anti-government extremists, including militias, tax protesters and constitutionalists. In general, he advises that officers call for backup when possible if they suspect they are dealing with an extremist.
He said police should also try to avoid confrontation, either by playing dumb or distracting the person with questions about the person's beliefs. Anything that makes an extremist explain rather than argue his position can help.
Finally, if a situation looks too risky, the officer should back off and pursue the matter at another time, Pitcavage said.
Also see: Cards guide police with hate crimes /"The Anti-Defamation League did a great job", MassLive.com, January 2, 2001, by Buffy Spencer (posted by freedomnews).
Laminated cards listing strategies for dealing with hate crimes have been distributed to more than 17,000 police officers in 185 departments statewide, and participating police chiefs in the area said they will prove very helpful.The cards were developed and provided by the Anti-Defamation League, an 87-year-old civil rights organization, to give police officers information for responding to hate crimes, working with victims and pursuing perpetrators.
The card includes the definition of a hate crime, questions responding officers should ask and tips for recognizing signs of organized hate groups ...
And: Police Across State Address Hate Crimes (ADL drives police practices in Mass), Harvard University Gazette, December 14, 2000, by _____ (posted by Jack Black).
... The cards were developed and provided by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an 87-year-old civil rights organization, to give police officers useful information for responding to hate crimes, working with victims, and pursuing perpetrators."When hate crimes happen, they hurt whole communities," says ADL's New England Regional Executive Director Robert Leikind. "It is exciting to see so many police departments preparing their officers to respond effectively" ...
JuWanna Taylor, widow of slain Massillon Patrolman Eric B. Taylor, says she has tried to keep their daughter and son on as regular a schedule as possible since their father was shot and killed Friday [August 9, 2002].
