In response to an article I wrote last month about Police Shootings that Make You Go Hmmmm..., a Chicago SWAT team member named Erick left an interesting comment. I responded to part of it yesterday in Too Much SWAT, Part 1. Here's the rest of Erick's comment: In response to raids including non-violent crimes let me shed light onto the fact that it's not unusual for a pot … [Read more...] about Too Much SWAT, Part 2
A Great Idea From the Instapundit
Glenn Reynolds blogged the arrested-for-photographing-the-cops story too. Of course, he did it earlier. In his commentary, he offers this terrific idea: I think we need civil rights legislation making this kind of arrest illegal. Treble damages, plus the right to civil forfeiture of any police property or equipment used in the arrest. Oh, and respondeat superior liability … [Read more...] about A Great Idea From the Instapundit
Ignorance of the Law
The story is a little vague, and there may be more to the incident, but it seems a Philadelphia police officer has proven his ignorance of the rights of the free press: PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia family said they are outraged over the arrest of one of their family members. The family of Neftaly Cruz said police had no right to come onto their property and arrest … [Read more...] about Ignorance of the Law
Too Much SWAT, Part 1
In response to an article I wrote last month about Police Shootings that Make You Go Hmmmm..., a commenter named Erick writes: I've been on the Chicago Police SWAT team now without incident for over a year. SWAT teams don't just take random phone calls from anonymous callers, gear up and go smashing in peoples doors. If this were the only criteria people would call in false … [Read more...] about Too Much SWAT, Part 1
The Value of Land Under Eminent Domain
Radley Balko says this: In Tacoma, Washington, the "Sound Transit," a government agency, offered a landowner $439,000 for a piece of property in 2004. Finding the offer low, the landowner sued, and eventually lost in the State Supreme Court. Now, the Sound Transit is offering just $240,000, citing a "reassessment" of the property's value. That's about half what the same agency … [Read more...] about The Value of Land Under Eminent Domain