this was new... check points (Charlotte: live, safer, to move)

[dep8477]

I've been through a check point like that once several years ago in SC. However, I think they are a good idea. It's amazing how many things they catch when they do them...driving on revoked licenses, driving with no license at all, DUI's, open containers of alcohol, possession of drugs, etc. I'd rather have people like that off the road before they have the chance to cause worse damage than to consider a check point an infringment of my rights.

[89quattro]

Originally Posted by appalachick

today at 11:00 am I drove down Old Monroe Rd and saw 2 Stallings officers with 1 vehicle pulled over.

Not surprised.

They have a habit of setting up on Campus Ridge Rd and pull over students going to CPCC. My daughter got stopped at last year when we first moved here, and they gave her all kinds of grief because she had a NY license, and was was driving my vehicle, registered here in NC.

Guess they have plenty of time on their hands...

[Catrick]

About a year ago, my husband ran into these checkpoints in Davidson County. He was in a company car but they were more interested in his driver's license. One of his cutomer's told him the checkpoints were set up to look for illegals and he had heard they found a few. Whether that is true, I don't know. The only other checkpoint I know of was in Alamance County. One of the parents of a child i watch at work was delayed by one on her way to pick up her son. They didn't tell her what they were checking for though.

I suppose if they work in finding anyone with an expired license or things don't add up they will keep doing them.

[Sean_CLT]

The checkpoints do give police more avenues to work with. There is plenty of case law that when an officer visually observes something suspicious inside a vehicle, regardless of the reason for it being stopped, they can continue to investigate. A motorist could try and deny permission to search the vehicle, but that just results in more police arriving ... and eventually an uncooperative person will be handcuffed and the vehicle searched.

I understand the Libertarian angst about this, but the time to oppose these extensions of police priviledge would have needed to happen 30 years ago. The courts have largely sided with police and the Legislature didn't want to look "soft on drugs/crime" so ... this is where we are.

[Sylbeth]

My feeling over the years about the checkpoints, has been that the police department had new recruits, and that was part of their training during the day....possibly to protect them when they have to set up at night. I feel that if you have all of your papers in order and you are not hiding anything, then you don't have a thing to worry about.

[momtothree]

I too think they are an excellent idea. I don't mind stopping in one and hope they cut down on people driving on suspended licenses and DWI. Just this morning a lady died with a drunk driving their vehicle. If there had been a checkpoint....

[Orangeish]

Saying that these checkpoints cut down on DUIs is like stating arresting the user of a drug is going to solve the problem. I am more for DUI prevention then more enforcement. I am ok with arresting someone for DUI obviously, but these check points aren't going to solve anything. I would like more drug users/dealers/ drunk drivers off the street as well, but not at this cost.

[Chromekitty]

Originally Posted by Orangeish

Saying that these checkpoints cut down on DUIs is like stating arresting the user of a drug is going to solve the problem. I am more for DUI prevention then more enforcement. I am ok with arresting someone for DUI obviously, but these check points aren't going to solve anything. I would like more drug users/dealers/ drunk drivers off the street as well, but not at this cost.

when you live in a neighborhood/community and there is KNOWN drug activity, you set up check points for two reasons; chances are you could very well catch someone moving the goods OR send a very large message to move the crap out of the neighborhood as it is not tolerated. To accomplish either is a good day, it may not be the ultimate goal but it is a good day and a good step to solving the problem.

[Orangeish]

Originally Posted by Chromekitty

when you live in a neighborhood/community and there is KNOWN drug activity, you set up check points for two reasons; chances are you could very well catch someone moving the goods OR send a very large message to move the crap out of the neighborhood as it is not tolerated. To accomplish either is a good day, it may not be the ultimate goal but it is a good day and a good step to solving the problem.

Or you could play your cards closer to the chest and just pull over those who you suspect instead of harassing every citizen that drives down the street. Mallard Creek and Harris is not exactly a drug hotbed. A couple miles down on Sugar Creek maybe.

[Huckleberry3911948]

they got it here. they say its DWI checks, but the harvest is huge of illegals w/o anything driving a car.
bye bye car--- bye bye illegal.