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?

[Texas Mom]

So you defend these tactics? I assume your husband, son or boyfriend doesn't drive a white van.

I drive a white van and my husband drives it at times, and my son also drives a white van. Do you have any suggestions what else the police should do who are looking for a shooter in a white van? Of course I would imagine if you were a middle eastern male between the ages of 18 and 40 with a " I Love Osoma tee shirt" on, they would probably let you through.

[HairOfTheDog]

So you don't have any suggestions? - You don't have a better idea?

Broad-based searches are not my favorite thing. I think this whole situation is horrible. People are getting killed, and the guy seems to be able to slip away easily so far without anyone seeing even which direction they went. I think broad-based searches like these roadblocks are grasping at straws.... but straws are all we have got, and I don't find it to be productive to criticize them for trying, unless perhaps I have a better idea. I thought you must have just the "better" we are all looking for.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Cops are no longer cautious: They are flat out paranoid.

They draw guns on traffic stops. Perhaps, a topic for another thread, but the use of firearms by cops has gone through the roof. Frankly, it has gotten to the point that citizens should have their guns drawn when involved with the police, as it is the police who shoot far many more innocent civilians than cops ever are shot.

[HairOfTheDog]

I thought you must have just the "better" idea we are all looking for.

[luvtheconstitution]

Where does it say anyone was thrown down? Don't make untrue, inflammatory statements. If you were in a position of authority, I suppose you would do what? Hope this mad man turns himself in?

[McGavin999]

suspend the Constitution.

Suspend the Constitution? Get a grip man. The women on this thread are less emotional then you "the sky is falling" types. Good grief, am I glad there are adults in charge of this country. If we women had to depend on a bunch of worried nellies like you guys, the species would have died out decades ago.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"Why don't you tell us what YOU do so we can mock your profession?
"

My profession doesn't use a British social term in order to seem socially significant. Not all lawyers use that term, either, BTW. Many mock the term's use as well. I have several close friends who are lawyers, and each of them thinks such use is tantamount to playing D&D and never having grown out of it.

Many in my field have earned a PhD but do not use the term, "doctor", although they very well may. We have a bit more respect for ourselves and do not think more of ourselves than the rest of society.

[GirlShortstop]

calling those who would question the tactics "cop-bashers."   When I asked an accuser to cite an example I got nada.   Reminds me of Slander.

[NittanyLion]

So you don't have any suggestions? - You don't have a better idea?

There are lots of better ideas posted on this thread. Even assuming there were no better ideas, I'd like to point out that their absence is not justification for improper searches.

[McGavin999]

Get hold of your emotions, man.

I see you have a reading comprehension problem too. It seems it's you men who are the ones who are being overly emotional. Screaming like a bunch of children about the Constitution being suspended just because someone wants to look inside your car. The Constitution is in more danger from you guys since it depends on a population with commonsense.

[jwalsh07]

Frankly, it has gotten to the point that citizens should have their guns drawn when involved with the police, as it is the police who shoot far many more innocent civilians than cops ever are shot.

Indescribable stupidity.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"I don't have a thing to hide and I consider it my DUTY as a United States citizen to protect my fellow law abiding citizens at all times.
"

Then drive your van to the police station and have it cleared. Ask the police to maintain VIN numbers of such people who have also had their vehicles cleared and be a good citizen.

Your argument sounds just like the argument to ban guns: "If it saves just one life..."

[SamAdams76]

Of course I would imagine if you were a middle eastern male between the ages of 18 and 40 with a " I Love Osoma tee shirt" on, they would probably let you through.

I know you were joking, but in some parts of this country, they probably would! Political correctness rules the day.

Like I said before in this thread, we really have to catch these guys red-handed or within a few minutes of the attack. Or...through some old-fashioned detective legwork. (I assume they are doing that now.) But we can't just stop white vans all day long willy-nilly and pull guns on everybody. We have a Constitution in this country that protects the citizens from unlawful search and seizure. If all law enforcement has to go on is a "white van" then that's just not good enough. They need to dig a little deeper. Sorry, but that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

BTW, I personally believe that law enforcement knows a lot more about who might be carrying out these attacks then they let on. At least, I certainly hope so.

[luvtheconstitution]

lol! You're right. They're beginning to sound like a bunch of girlie boys to me, too.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

This morning we saw a driver sitting cuffed in the median today on U.S. 29 near Burtonsville, MD. Two cruisers had pulled him over and the police were looking over his white panel van with ladders on roof racks.

[NittanyLion]

I see you have a reading comprehension problem too.

I do? How so? If you can point out instances where my reading comprehension caused a misunderstanding I'l like to address them again. Thanks in advance.

It seems it's you men who are the ones who are being overly emotional.

Seems that, for some reason, you're making a distinction between men and women. What difference does gender make, and why is it even on your mind?

Screaming like a bunch of children about the Constitution being suspended just because someone wants to look inside your car.

Well, absent probable cause the Constitution is actually in play. Folks don't have to let anyone look inside their car under that scenario, no matter how many times folks like yourself say...it depends on a population with commonsense.

[GirlShortstop]

This morning we saw a driver sitting cuffed in the median today on U.S. 29 near Burtonsville, MD.   I am curious ... what did the person look like?

Without any composite sketches or descriptions released by LE, I wonder what they *know*.

[HairOfTheDog]

On another thread, with a real situation before us instead of a generalization by a person who I suspect has an axe to grind against all cops, and I might even agree. I see jumpy cops on COPS too sometimes... I see things I don't like, and I would love to discuss that at another time. This is not that situation. We can't compare this shooting spree and these roadblocks with any general trend you see and have me stay on board. I support them on this one fully, and in general usually.

[jwalsh07]

Well, absent probable cause the Constitution is actually in play

If the police have information that a terrorist has just killed an American and they were seen in a white van, is that probable cause to search white vans attempting to leave the area?

And if its not, how do they ever catch the skell?

[HairOfTheDog]

Suspend the Constitution? Get a grip man. The women on this thread are less emotional then you "the sky is falling" types. Good grief, am I glad there are adults in charge of this country. If we women had to depend on a bunch of worried nellies like you guys, the species would have died out decades ago.

ROFL! - You're right!