Drivers of White Vans are being treated as criminals

Vanity | Self

[SamAdams76]

The photos above currently on the Drudge site concern me. I followed the link and the article clearly stated that nobody was arrested last night.

Why then, do we have drivers of white vans, innocent civilians, evidently being pulled out vans at gunpoint and treated like dangerous criminals? One photo shows a man on the ground, evidently in handcuffs, with police officers standing over him as though they have just captured Whitey Bulger. When I first saw the photo, I figured the man was obviously a wanted criminal that police just so happened to come across during their search. But since there were no arrests last night, this man was obviously released and was no criminal after all.

The other photo shows a man by another white van with his hands in the air and a police officer has a gun drawn on him. Again, this was evidently just another innocent civilian who had the misfortune to be driving a white van on I-95 last night.

Now I understand the need for these roadblocks and for the police to be very thorough in their search for the sniper(s). But I cannot see the point of innocent people dragged out of their vehicles at gunpoint with no pretext other than the fact that they happen to be driving a white van.

Now maybe somebody here has an explanation why these two individuals were treated like criminals. Maybe they tried to evade the police or maybe they were driving stolen vans. But again, there were no arrests made last night. So what is the deal with our citizens being treated like Jesse James just for driving a white van?

[chadsworth]

I would cooperate, be grateful for their diligence and wish them luck.

Good statement - one that SA76 obviously does not understand. If more people had this attitude the law enforcement officers would have an easier job. IMO they do an excellent job with what the law makers have "handcuffed" them with.

[rintense]

And what is your solution to catching the sniper?

[NittanyLion]

You guys sound as bad as the Al Queda using our own laws to support a killer. If you guys can do so much better then the LEO's then I suggest you get your guns and get out there and kill that guy and then you won't have to worry about anyone stomping on your "rights". In the meantime, there's a madman out there who is intent on picking us off one by one while you're sitting safe at home at your keyboard second guessing the men and women who are out on the front lines taking their lives in their hands each time they approach an unknown vehicle. If you haven't got the guts to be out there with them, then SHUT UP!

Get hold of your emotions, man. You're clearly scared, and that's understandable. But that isn't reason to allow improper searches, or excuse the actions of others who're giving orders for said searches.

[SamAdams76]

If your idea of cooperation is to be thrown face-down into the street at gunpoint and handcuffed because you happen to be driving a van, then I certainly hope you never get in a position of authority in this country.

[snippy_about_it]

Sam, I watched some film on the news this morning showing the police pulling over a white van (no ladder rack) and they had two police, guns drawn and pointed right at the driver.

My husband said, how long before they accidentally shoot someone by accident/stupidity/carelessness?

[FootBall]

"Bonanza..(Ponderosa Ranch) is on TV 2 Times a day in Ashland, Virginia....2pm and 5pm on PAXTV Channel 55 Monday through Friday"

Can you imagine a Terrorist or Wacko in a motel being influenced by watching Bonanza 2x a day for a week to shoot at PONDEROSA steak house?

How many places in this Country still shows Bonanza 2x A day Mon through Friday?

[ladyinred]

How do the police know the drivers are innocent? " Are you really that stupid or didn't you read what you wrote? Worse. She votes.

You bet I do! And I get out there and campaign too, for candidates I believe in! Drives you crazy doesn't it?

And BTW: I actually know how to mark a ballot!

[ladyinred]

Could anyone so elusive as the sniper be so dumb as to drive a white van? I myself, would be pulling over women in red.

LOL! And I would comply!

[ladyinred]

Thanks for the head's up Howlin! I had missed that one! Wouldn't want to deprive myself of that bit of wisdom!

[GirlShortstop]

My husband said, how long before they accidentally shoot someone by accident/stupidity/carelessness?   Step carefully now... you or your husband could be be tagged as cop-haters seedy, or worse! And, by the way, whatever you do, *don't* think about considering a reply as pointing towards the sheeple mentality. FReegards.

[HairOfTheDog]

We still have no evidence anyone was thrown down.... just a reminder.

[angkor]

The other day and counted 18 white vans/minivans/panel trucks in about 10 minutes

I did the same thing, and stopped counting at 20+ within 2 miles of my house.

In one parking lot I spotted 4 white Astro-type vans, all with roof racks. Before that, I had stopped at a traffic light, and there was one white van directly in front of me, and two immediately to the right.

The worst thing is, I have always through they were in some sort of family-type minivan, and I maintain that view to this moment.

This is getting entirely out of control.

[TankerKC]

IMO they do an excellent job with what the law makers have "handcuffed" them with.

Yeah, it annoys me when they have to respect our civil rights while doing their job too. </sarcasm>

[chadsworth]

I have nothing but respect for law enforcement officers.

Boy, that aint too obvious, SHOW US ALL WHERE!!

[Texas Mom]

White van profiling... Discription says, white van. The police were looking for a shooter in a white van. Until they know the driver isn't the shooter, they need to assume it couild very well be. What would you have them do..

Officer" Excuse me sir, are you the beltway shooter?
Drivers answers: No,
officer says, okay, I believe you.. Go on and have a nice day.

Or maybe,
Officer: are you the beltway shooter?
Driver: No
Officer, thank you,
Driver: Hahaha, we got away again.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"You've done this successfully before? What was your plan for catching the sniper you caught?
"


By that statement, I just know that you are saying that the broad-based searches are your favorite way to perform police work. I hope you never hold office.

[NittanyLion]

My husband said, how long before they accidentally shoot someone by accident/stupidity/carelessness?

You mean, like someone reaching to unfasten their seatbelt? Can't be - that never happens...right?

[SamAdams76]

That's exactly what I am talking out. People in white vans are arbitrarily being pulled over at gunpoint and ordered face-down in the street. Sooner or later, a mistake is going to made, maybe a naive citizen will reach for his wallet and a cop will shoot him thinking he's reaching for a gun, and we'll have to add one more victim to this tragedy.

I'm not bashing cops here but this is definitely not the way to go. The snipers watch the news just like they do. Chances are that they will never use a white van again.

When I started this thread, I felt that it might turn into a flamefest with people calling those who would question the tactics "cop-bashers." I turned out to be right. I also felt that it would split along gender lines. I was right about that too.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"Worse. She votes."

Actually, I would like ladyinred to support the idea that, as a woman, she would support vice cops pulling her over when they perform hooker raids. She would then be handcuffed, placed face down on the pavement until her vehicle and purse were searched, and then she would be hauled to jail awaiting her trial. The charge? Being a prostitute. After all, she was caught equipped for the job and had money in her purse, but, then again, it is her opinion that people should be treated as guilty until they prove their innocence.

[NittanyLion]

For the sake of arguement, let us say there is no better method available, you will argue then that pulling white vans over randomly and checking them at gun point without probable cause is a greater crime (against our rights, perpetrated by the government, in this instance) than the murders of these 9 (maybe 10), and the attempted murder of the 2 who have survived.

In the first case, I believe there is a better method available. I believe my post is #168 above... In the second case, checking people at gunpoint is certainly NOT a greater crime than the original murders. It's a bit silly to assume I'd think that, isn't it? Anyway...the original murders still don't justify searches without probable cause.

That is how I understand your case: It is better to let the killers continue killing than to engage in this kind of police action.

Actually, you've oversimplified my case. I don't accept your choice: it isn't either employ these tactics or let killing continue. The police have a range of options available to them that are within the bounds of law, some of which would likely be more effective than these roadblocks. My reasoning on that is also somewhere upthread.