Police State

100 to 115 SWAT raids per day in the US

"We are talking 100 to 115 SWAT raid per day in the U.S., and if we are going to continue to fight the drug war we need to go after these low and mid level offenders. There’s just not enough police man power, there’s just not enough creative non-violent ways to come up with to get them to turn themselves in. This has become the default way to carry out the drug war…bashing into somebody’s home at night. It’s born from just an overwhelming case flows, and also a lack of creativity. You also have a lot of incentives coming from the federal government that encourage warrants to be served this way." Continue reading →

Continue Reading100 to 115 SWAT raids per day in the US

Police Made One Marijuana Arrest Every 42 Seconds in 2012

"Residents of two states voted to legalize marijuana in 2012, but despite an increase in public support for liberalizing drug policy, American police arrested about the same number of people last year on pot-related charges as in 2011. Data released Monday by the Federal Bureau of Investigation show there were an estimated 1,552,432 arrests for drug-related crimes in 2012 – a slight uptick from the 1,531,251 drug arrests in 2011. Marijuana offenses accounted for 48.3 percent of all drug arrests, a slight reduction from 49.5 percent in 2011, which itself was the highest rate since before 1995." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice Made One Marijuana Arrest Every 42 Seconds in 2012

Pot And Pregnancy: It’s Harmless, So Why Are Moms Still Prosecuted?

"Weighing decades of research, it’s fairly safe to say that marijuana during pregnancy has very little to no effect on the developing fetus. Unfortunately, child welfare laws in many states do not agree. Some states equate smoking marijuana while pregnant — whether to alleviate nausea, vomiting, stress or depression — with felony child neglect or abuse. Given that marijuana is the most widely used drug by women of child-bearing age, and the potential for women to use marijuana without knowing they’re pregnant, this is a women’s rights issue. Why should a woman surrender autonomy over her body, her children and her approach to motherhood to civil authorities, whether she uses cannabis or not?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPot And Pregnancy: It’s Harmless, So Why Are Moms Still Prosecuted?

Homeland Security to Test Face Scanning Cameras at Hockey Game

"The Department of Homeland Security is set to test new facial recognition technology at the the Tri-Cities Americans home opener at Toyota Center in Kennewick next weekend as part of its long term mission 'to identify terrorists and criminals in public areas.' The DHS will work with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to run the test during a portion of a game on September 21. PNNL staff members will participate in the test, which will attempt to match their identities with photographs as they move around the stadium. The staffers will wear ankle bracelets which will send a signal to the cameras when they are close enough to be photographed and matched with the still shots." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHomeland Security to Test Face Scanning Cameras at Hockey Game

Armed EPA raid in Alaska sheds light on 70 fed agencies with armed divisions

"The recent uproar over armed EPA agents descending on a tiny Alaska mining town is shedding light on the fact that 40 federal agencies – including nearly a dozen typically not associated with law enforcement -- have armed divisions. The agencies employ about 120,000 full-time officers authorized to carry guns and make arrests, according to a June 2012 Justice Department report. Though most Americans know agents within the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Federal Bureau of Prisons carry guns, agencies such as the Library of Congress and Federal Reserve Board employing armed officers might come as a surprise." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingArmed EPA raid in Alaska sheds light on 70 fed agencies with armed divisions

Libertarian open carry protester vs 6 police officers

"A police officer without suspicion, assaulted me with a deadly weapon and ordered me to disarm, then stole my weapon. This is mafia behavior and I will not tolerate it. Every Friday we go out and exercise our right to free assembly and protest the government. We call it #ForLibertyFridays. Usually we gather on a street corner during rush hour traffic and waive signs and flags. Some of us open carry rifles and side arms too. We have never had any problems whatsoever from the police or Sheriff, who have always known the laws, and only treated us with respect." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLibertarian open carry protester vs 6 police officers

Open Carry Chicks Hassled by Power Hungry Cop & AR-15

"Four young ladies went for a quick bite to eat in Marshfield Missouri at a local Walmart. Two of them were open carrying not knowing they would be confronted by a Nazi-styled 'show-me-your-papers' local police officer. Of course, they bring out the big guns for these gun-toting 'thugs.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOpen Carry Chicks Hassled by Power Hungry Cop & AR-15

Cop Threatens, Acts Immature After being Caught Breaking Oath

"Officer Gladden of the St Louis Missouri Police Department - Bike Unit, made a choice today. He chose to go against his oath and threaten a U.S. citizen's 1st amendment right of 'freedom of the press' and then threatened to ILLEGALLY seize the same citizen's camera as 'evidence.' This would have been a violation of the citizen's 4th Amendment rights. 'Evidence' of what Officer Gladden? Evidence that you were casting the Constitution to the ground and threatening to violate someones personal liberties?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCop Threatens, Acts Immature After being Caught Breaking Oath

Police officer gets year in jail for conning immigrants out of $13,000

"A former Wappingers Falls police officer has been sentenced to one year in Dutchess County Jail after he admitted he conned immigrants who sought driver's licenses and immigration assistance out of more than $13,000. Rodriguez, who worked as a liaison to the Latino community in Wappingers Falls, admitted he charged victims $500 to $1,000 for 'asylum and withholding of removal' applications. He said he falsely promised the applications would be reviewed by an attorney and filed with immigration authorities. Rodriguez also admitted he charged immigrants $300 to enter a non-existent state lottery where the victims could win valid state driver’s licenses." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice officer gets year in jail for conning immigrants out of $13,000

Officer fired for long list of misconduct, gunplay, crashing police car

"Stahl, a Pelham officer for 12 years, was the focus of a public disciplinary hearing before selectmen last month, where he was accused of: Loudly berating a female drunken-driving suspect in a profanity-laced interrogation. Drawing his gun on two apparently unarmed teens during a traffic stop. Being heard by a Pelham police dispatcher on the radio speaking in a profane manner toward his superior officer, Lt. Brian McCarthy, and broadcasting his desire to punch one female civilian he encountered on duty 'right in the face.' Crashing his cruiser while driving with unnecessary and 'life-threatening' speed - at 50 mph above the listed 30 mph limit." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOfficer fired for long list of misconduct, gunplay, crashing police car