Police Will Run “Military Style” Checkpoints in DC Neighborhoods
June 5th, 2008Via: Washington Post:
D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier announced a military-style checkpoint yesterday to stop cars this weekend in a Northeast Washington neighborhood inundated by gun violence, saying it will help keep criminals out of the area.
Starting on Saturday, officers will check drivers’ identification and ask whether they have a “legitimate purpose” to be in the Trinidad area, such as going to a doctor or church or visiting friends or relatives. If not, the drivers will be turned away.
The Neighborhood Safety Zone initiative is the latest crime-fighting attempt by Lanier and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, who have been under pressure from residents to stop a recent surge in violence. Last weekend was especially bloody, with seven slayings, including three in the Trinidad area.
“In certain areas, we need to go beyond the normal methods of policing,” Fenty (D) said at a news conference announcing the action. “We’re going to go into an area and completely shut it down to prevent shootings and the sale of drugs.”
The checkpoint will stop vehicles approaching the 1400 block of Montello Avenue NE, a section of the Trinidad neighborhood that has been plagued with homicides and other violence. Police will search cars if they suspect the presence of guns or drugs, and will arrest people who do not cooperate, under a charge of failure to obey a police officer, officials said.
The enforcement will take place at random hours and last for at least five days in Trinidad, with the option of extending it five more days. Checkpoints could be set up in other neighborhoods if they are requested by patrol commanders and approved by Lanier.
Research Credit: CP
How does that Carpenters’ tune go again…?
“It’s only just begun…”
Lots of little “random” crackdowns can be nearly as effective as the martial law so many speak of with reverent fear. With a nervious edge to their voice, and perhaps a hasty glance over one or both shoulders if they’re really feelin’ it, the “big crackdown” will be the end of it all, they’re certain.
And they forget, as ever, that the SMFs running this scam for their financiers are devotees of Sun Tzu and Machiavelli and the “thousand paper-cuts” approach. They’ll take a big shot now and again if survival or obscene profit demands, but they are more than content to bleed us out slowly.
One “random” checkpoint at a time.
Call it “safety” and go in fighting “drugs and violence” and no one can disapprove without coming off like a person with something to hide. Like me, right now. I’m now a questionable character to a specific percentage of the folks reading this comment by simply questioning the motive. Never mind the execution, pun fully intended.
Of course, this is all fine at this point because it’s in a black neighborhood and the cops are after “those people.” But this is just the beginning. Next, will be the low income white neighborhoods. Then, my friends, it’s your turn and my turn.