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Stupid Cops and the Stupid People That Hate Cops
Josh: I just saw this: "Can we decide we don't want to say the alphabet, or count backwards from 100, during a traffic stop in which the officer suspects us of being intoxicated?" Yes, we absolutely can. You don't have to do any of those tests at all. It's your fifth amendment right, positively recognized by California law. You are only required to take the breathalyzer AT THE STATION. Dude, you've gotta learn your rights. Here's a pretty good video on police encounters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqMjMPlXzdA— July 6, 2009 8:55 p.m.
Stupid Cops and the Stupid People That Hate Cops
Josh: Your post is full of things that didn't happen. I can't argue with your first hypothetical because its not a provable point either way. I can say if the cop didn't have reasonable suspicion to detain them, (which doesn't include how they were dressed) the people complaining would be right. As far as the actual event, this is not a "PERFECT EXAMPLE" of how cops work. The noise that ostensibly generated the complaint was the amplified voice of Francine Busby. When the cop arrived, she had long stopped talking and people were leaving. Four Neighbors surrounding have said they didn't hear ANYTHING at all. There was nothing to "investigate." He should have been on his way which as you seemed to indicate in your original post was standard practice, not ending the night by pepper spraying everyone and calling for ABLE (helo) fire and 7 car backup. He created more of a disturbance than he was there to "investigate." As far as her not cooperating, I have no idea why she didn't want to give her birthdate. Perhaps she didn't want everyone to know how old she was. Maybe she felt as though she were being unfairly accused and didn't want to help make the cops job easier. That's her right. I understand the concept of going along to get along with cops and I'm not going to condemn it. But one should be under no pressure from society to do so at all. If everyone gives up rights one little step at a time, we'll have none left. Your last hypothetical doesn't prove your point either. An officer may enter a home without a warrant when "exigent circumstances" exist. This means someone in danger. If you're trying to use this as a justification for entering during a noise complaint, then it fails.— July 6, 2009 8:48 p.m.
Stupid Cops and the Stupid People That Hate Cops
I love your column but are you crazy? You just might be. I don't even know where to start. I've heard of being pro-cop but your post goes over the top. You are talking out of your rectum when it comes to this incident. It was a bunch of old ladies leaving a political fundraiser. You even acknowledge that the cops should have figured it was a bogus call. Instead, he entered the woman's house without her permission and started demanding information. Did you read the reports? It doesn't seem like it. If you want to be a cowardly sheep giving away your rights, so be it but it is lame to disparage people who have the balls to stand on theirs. I don't want the cops coming into my own house for no reason and it sucks that you don't seem to mind if they come into yours. I think you would do very well in a dictatorial regime. Papers please!!— July 6, 2009 4:11 p.m.