Delaware Compiles Future Suspects List; Police Compiles Database of List of Likely Law-Breakers

ap ^ | 082502

[InvisibleChurch]

Del. Compiles Future Suspects List Delaware Police Compiles Database of List of Likely Law-Breakers; ACLU Opposes Practice

The Associated Press

WILMINGTON, Del. Aug. 25 — Police in Delaware are trying to get a head-start on cracking crimes before they happen by setting up a database that contains a list of people who officers believe are likely to break the law.

Defense attorneys and the American Civil Liberties Union oppose the database, which lists names, addresses and photographs of the potential suspects many of whom have clean slates.

The precise grounds for putting a person on the list aren't clear. But since the system was introduced in Wilmington in June, most of the 200 people included in the file have been minorities from poor, high-crime neighborhoods.

State and federal prosecutors say the tactic is legal, but defense lawyers object to the practice.

"We should enforce the existing laws, but not violate them, to catch the bad guys," said Theo Gregory, City Councilman and public defender. "We've become the bad guys, and that's not right."

Mayor James Baker called the criticism "asinine and intellectually bankrupt."

"I don't care what anyone but a court of law thinks," he said. "Until a court says otherwise, if I say it's constitutional, it's constitutional."

The pictures are being taken by two Wilmington police squads created in June to arrest drug dealers. The units are known in some neighborhoods as "jump-out squads" because they jump out of cars and make quick arrests.

Many of the people whose photos have been taken for the file were stopped briefly for loitering and let go.

[InvisibleChurch]

INRI

[Vidalia]

"WINSTON?...WINSTON?...

[Polonius]

It's a shame, but I have to agree with the ACLU on this one — if this doesn't scream "police state," I don't know what does.

[Sgt_Schultze]

If one were to poll incarcerated crooks, one would most likely find symmetry with democrat politics and the criminals' beliefs. It's not likely they would prefer tough-on-criminals Republicans. If I were to compile a list of future lawbreakers, I would simply photocopy the democrat voter registration list.

[blackdog]

I would start with your lists of congress-persons, Senator, and state legislators. Next, anyone in the DNC, police, alphabet soup agencies, the entire staff from the entire last executive office holder and his wife(and her staff), one third of the entire present executive administration, home diva's and Vernon Jordan.

That will fill up the jails for about 100 years.

[gcruse]

Well, that explains it. I got a ticket today for attempted speeding.

[blackdog]

Also a silly question......Isn't a future suspects list a redundant term?

[KantianBurke]

if I say it's constitutional, it's constitutional."

Somehow how I doubt this individual graduated from an ivy league university.

[Freedom2specul8]

Hold on to your hat..oughtta send spook this one.

WILMINGTON, Del. Aug. 25 — Police in Delaware are trying to get a head-start on cracking crimes before they happen by setting up a database that contains a list of people who officers believe are likely to break the law.

[Freedom2specul8]

1984, 20 yrs too soon..

[Vidalia]

People forget that the Ivy is now "Poisoned"...

[Jeff Gordon]

I wonder if they have already burried the Minority Report

[Lion's Cub]

Ping

[Lion's Cub]

If this is ruled constitutional, then Delaware citizens should set up a database of pictures of Delaware cops who are likely to go bad...

[Freedom2specul8]

Bump

[qvack]

LOL - not entirely on point, but compare AG John Ascroft's recent proclamation that if he (Ashcroft)says a person is a terrorist, then that person is a terrorist and can be incarcerated.

AG Ashcroft is a 1964 Yale graduate - with Honors, no less.

[Paleo Conservative]

I would simply photocopy the democrat voter registration list

First you would need to find the ones that are still alive. Although many dead people vote for DemocRATS, I haven't heard of many committing crimes.

[SAJ]

Having graduated from one of the above (many moons ago), I would almost be willing to bet that this Constitutionally-illiterste cretin IS an 'Ivy League' grad.

[cinFLA]

It's a shame, but I have to agree with the ACLU on this one — if this doesn't scream "police state," I don't know what does.

All of them keep a "suspects" list which can contain the names of people that have committed NO crimes.

[InvisibleChurch]

a humored bump