5 Shocking Stories of Police Taking Cash, Cars, Even Infants from People Never Accused of a Crime

[AmyStrange]

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5 Shocking Stories of Police Taking Cash, Cars, Even Infants from People Never Accused of a Crime
August 6, 2013

http://www.alternet.org/5-shocking-stories-police-taking-cash-cars-even-infants-people-never-accused-crime

"As law enforcement officers continue to ramp up use of a controversial practice known as civil forfeiture, police are seizing cash, cars, houses, and other assets in the name of drug enforcement without ever having arrested or charged their owners with a crime. Funds collected from these seizures frequently go directly back into law enforcement, creating a dangerous profit incentive for police and other law enforcers. Both the New Yorker and ProPublica have new investigations of this practice, in which officers seize property they believe is connected to drug or other illicit activity, with a much lower burden of proof than when charges are filed against a person. Below are five of the most egregious incidents to emerge from these reports... "

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[darkangel218]

1. One word:

Pigs.

That's all they are.

[AmyStrange]

4. It's the pig cops that make the rest of them look bad...

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Why don't good cops stop the bad cops?

d

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[Cronus Protagonist]

19. If there were any good cops, they would

However, the academy screening tests and training ensure that these "good cops" simply don't exist.

[kardonb]

30. cops

what a load of BS ; "there are no good cops "? Where would we be without the police officers daily laying their lives on the line to protect us all ,eleven you eternal whiners , when we are in trouble .

[Cronus Protagonist]

34. A good cop would arrest the perps - the other cops

Show me the several thousands of them that you think exist in this country. The concept that there are "good cops" is a myth. The evidence does not lie. A suited up trained killer delivering milk is not necessarily a "good cop", by the way.

It sucks that there are psychos, and that we need psychos to protect us from psychos, but it stretches credibility to claim that any of them are "good" when the police admissions screening tests favor violent and psychopathic traits.

[Egalitarian Thug]

47. Speaking of bullshit...

Where would we be? Right here with one less thing to worry about.

[AmyStrange]

49. I agree, there are some good cops...

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I've met some myself while hitchhiking around the US in the 70s and 80s.

The system is probably heavily weighed against them though. Just my opinion.

Thank you k for sharing,

d

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[AmyStrange]

48. Another interesting theory...

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somebody should do some studies on that.

Good input Cronus and thank you,

d

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[Nevernose]

39. It's just a few bad apples

That make the remaining five percent look bad.

[AmyStrange]

51. ha ha...

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I like the way you wrote that. Thank you Never knows,

d

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[Logical]

2. The New Yorker has a great story about this exact topic this week. n-t

[AmyStrange]

5. That's where these 5 shocking stories came from n/t

[TreasonousBastard]

23. I was reading it earier today on my Nook...

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/08/12/130812fa_fact_stillman?currentPage=all

[TreasonousBastard]

25. Hmmm.. I got an error posting, so reposted, but it looks like it wasn't an error...

but, more to the point is why not link to the New Yorker piece rather than Alternet which is just ripping it off?

[AmyStrange]

54. I didn't think of it?

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Besides, I like Alternet. Sorry,

d

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[ohheckyeah]

62. One of the most chilling things I've ever read. n/t

[TreasonousBastard]

24. I was reading it earlier today...

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/08/12/130812fa_fact_stillman?currentPage=all

[RandiFan1290]

3. Video Shows Officer Offering Truckers Freedom For Cash

No doubt it was a large amount of drug money and they get to drive off to pick up more. They just want the cash.

[AmyStrange]

7. Sad...

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this is why a lot of people hate cops,

d

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[noiretextatique]

9. give me your cash, and i'll let you go

doesn't seem much different than any other robbery, except the weapon is the threat of jail time.

[AmyStrange]

18. ...or a loss of property too

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You're right, it's legal robbery plain and simple. It is so sad and maddening that making money is more important than real justice,

d

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[Politicalboi]

31. That woman defending the indefensible

How much is the cops cut? This is ridiculous. I thought these guys were innocent drivers like we hear about. But this is even worse. They let the guys go so they don't have to tell the truth about how much they collected.

[AmyStrange]

57. definitely ridiculous

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we are one step away from throwing you in jail for an x amount of years without evidence or a trial... wait a minute, aren't we doing that already.

You know calboi, it would be an interesting (and almost perfectly legal) way of giving the cops a bribe... what do you think?

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[TheBlackAdder]

6. Dateline, Nightline, 20/20 (one of them) did a report on LA Parishes seizing cars for drug offenses.

The Judge, Sheriff and arresting officers would split the proceeds of the cars stolen.

The officer would look for an out-of-state driver, the farther away the better. The officer would claim a person crossed over the line while driving, they would then pull them over and perform a vehicle search where there would be the claim that drugs were found in the vehicle. The driver would be arrested and face the judge. The judge would make an offer... either surrender your vehicle and you would not face jail time or be remanded in prison and face trial... while they would still keep your posessions.

No sane person would fight a case like that.

[AmyStrange]

8. How do you stop this kind of thing?

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this stuff just makes me so mad. Not only for the people who are hurt by these STUPID people, but for good cops who try to REALLY "protect and serve",

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[TheBlackAdder]

10. Don't know if you can. It's a cash cow for most states and towns.

The Dateline thing was around 15 years ago. The producer placed hidden cameras in a rented Lincoln Town Car and tried to see if he would get pulled over and searched. The cameras showed his speed, his lane positions and the driver's window. Sure enough, he passed a cruiser and they immediately got behind him and pulled him over. They said he crossed over the line but let him go. Now whether the cop noticed one of the cameras, who knows. But just the fact that the cop pulled him over on a false charge was bad enough.

[AmyStrange]

14. Why would a cop lie about that?

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you hear that a lot in court and on TV and even in the newspapers and other media, and when you try and explain that cops will lie for many reasons and none of them should be believed simply because they are a cop, it just seems to be an education in wasted effort, but maybe someday...

d

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[surrealAmerican]

13. It should be unconstitutional:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

... as per the fourth amendment.

[AmyStrange]

15. You nailed it.

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Which makes me ask, why is this allowed especially considering the 4th amendment obviously forbids it,

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[TreasonousBastard]

27. Years ago a NYC judge retired and had a long talk with the local press...

he admitted that cops lie all the time. As do prosecutors, defense attorneys, witnesses, defendants...

But, he said, if you exposed all the cops' lies, the entire system would fold. Better to deal with it "sideways" at trial piece by piece.

The system stinks, but it's the only system we got.

[AmyStrange]

38. Sadly, you're right...

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and so is the judge.

Sometimes though, some things do change quickly, but unfortunately that's rare.

Thank you T for sharing,

d

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[X_Digger]

52. Short answer? The War on (Some) Drugs

Civil forfeiture really hit it's stride in the mid-80's as a result of the W.O.D. All the Pablo Escobars and Paul Alexanders of the world were making a mint, and laundering money so well that they and their assets were virtually untouchable. Civil forfeiture was designed to combat organized crime and the drug lords at their heads.

Of course it didn't take long for podunk PD departments to see the gold mine passing along their rural interstates for what it is- an opportunity to get a new police criuser or radio.

[AmyStrange]

56. That's when I remember first hearing about criminal forfeiture too...

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it's bad enough when the 1% take from us, but when the same people who are suppose to protect us do it too... it just adds insult on top of injury.

Thank you X,

d

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[noiretextatique]

11. and i am sure they target minorities, in particular

positive, in fact.

[Logical]

12. You would be right. They also target people who cannot afford to fight back. If you can afford....

a lawyer they will cut you loose.

[AmyStrange]

17. Someone needs to start an organization to fight his stuff...

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because you are so right. But it even seems sometimes that being able to afford a lawyer don't solve the problem,

d

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[oldhippie]

20. There has been such an organization since 1992 .......

This is not new. It has been going on for decades. And courts at all levels have let the cops get away with it.

So what are you going to do?

FEAR.ORG

[AmyStrange]

35. Good link, thank you oldie (but goodie)...

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I'm kind of an old hippie too so I hope I didn't insult you.

And, I went to the link. Looks like people have been hacking them?

Sometimes, I just hate people. Sorry,

d

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[Comrade Grumpy]

32. The most active group these days is Americans for Forfeiture Reform. Link below:

www.forfeiturereform.com

[AmyStrange]

36. that eagle is AWESOME!!!

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that's the picture that came up when I went there.

Nice link. Thanks Grump,

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[AmyStrange]

16. No doubt...

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you are probably right. As a matter of fact, I'm almost as positive as you are,

d

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[DeSwiss]

21. In Tennessee, it's a tradition:

- K&R

[AmyStrange]

40. i like that

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...it's a tradition. I'm sorry, but I had to stop and chuckle a little at that one.

Thanx D,

d

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[Faryn Balyncd]

22. The criminal DA's & judges involved should be jailed & subject to triple damages.

[AmyStrange]

41. and they lose their property too... YEAH!

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only seems fair?

Thank you Faryn Balynced (ha ha I just got your nick),

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[LongTomH]

26. This has been going on for years; back in the 90s.....

.....our local paper, the KC Star, carried a series of articles about people who had lost property due to confiscation.

[AmyStrange]

42. I know, it's like no one cares...

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it ain't happn to me so I.. DON'T CARE!

Thank you Tom

d,

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[Egalitarian Thug]

50. +1 And that's the bottom line.

It's epidemic.

[AmyStrange]

72. Sadly yes it is...

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unfortunately there's no cure.

Thanx for sharing Thug, and the +1 too,

d

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[SamKnause]

28. Cops

The barrel is filled to the top with slime and oozing over the sides.

[AmyStrange]

43. Is that you Stephen King!!!

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Just kiddin'. Awesome imagery dude,

d

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Thank you Sam
At first glance I thought your name was Sam Kinison

[WillyT]

29. K & R !!!

[AmyStrange]

44. Thanx Willy n/t

[Spitfire of ATJ]

33. I bet this stuff was common in Nazi Germany too.

[AmyStrange]

45. It was...

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very common, from what I've read anyway,

d

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Thank you Spitfire (What's ATJ mean, if you don't mind my asking?)

[Spitfire of ATJ]

58. Usenet's alt.tasteless.jokes,....I go WAY back...

[AmyStrange]

65. I go back to when dead baby jokes were all the rage...

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and I've also used Usenet also. One step above bulletin boards. Both are still around right?

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[Spitfire of ATJ]

68. "Both are still around right?"

Yeah, usenet goes back to the birth of email.

ATJ was never about the jokes. It was a running flame war that was a fun read. You had to have very thick skin to endure.

I know for a fact that the writers for Letterman and Leno were lurking because there were many times when I would post something and then hear it repeated WORD FOR WORD that night. It got to the point where if I had been introduced to one of their bull sessions they would all have known me.

[AmyStrange]

70. I never thought of that...

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but it makes sense that they would use whatever source they could find to help write jokes, but still, they should have paid you some green for your contributions,

d

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[Spitfire of ATJ]

60. BTW: One thing about the Nazis that was kind of funny....

They took PRIDE in being crooked and promoted crooks to high positions. This led to things like supply trains headed to the front being sold to the black market.

[AmyStrange]

64. It's a wonder they lost the war...

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sarcasm off,

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[Spitfire of ATJ]

69. Even Himmler tried to cut a last minute deal with us.

[AmyStrange]

71. Wonder what he was willing to...

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trade to get this deal done?

Interesting stuff Spitfire,

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[Spitfire of ATJ]

74. He assumed the allies would go home and assign his SS to maintain order. Making him head of state.

[AmyStrange]

75. Really!?

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what a DUMB ASSumption...

[Spitfire of ATJ]

76. It's classic authoritarian mindset. Those in power can't picture the People having a say...

In fact, they come to think of The People as being mindless followers that are incapable of independent thought. As far as they are concerned The People couldn't even tie their shoes without being shown how by one of their superiors.

We see some of that here. Many is the time when you are in an argument with a Republican when they will say, "Who told you that?" as if someone needed to tell you on an issue of common sense.

[AmyStrange]

78. I kinda had a micromanaging boss like that once...

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shudder. It's a little scary what power can do to some people,

d

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[Spitfire of ATJ]

79. What's funny is when one of those types feels their authority is being challenged....

They often overreact.

[AmyStrange]

81. Their whole self worth...

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is wrapped up in their authority, and the way they see it, you're not attacking their authority, you're attacking their ego, what makes them feel like someone, or some nonsense!

That's a no win situation for sure,

d

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ETC (Edited To Change): "sheet" to "nonsense" at the end of the first sentence

[Spitfire of ATJ]

82. It's a HUGE WIN if you aren't under their control.

[AmyStrange]

83. They wouldn't be my boss then...

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but definitely would be huge otherwise regardless. I kinda think of that when a dem gets in the WH. That's definitely huge,

d

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ETC (Edited To Change): "your" to "my" in the title
-didn't do it, now I'll do it

[Recursion]

37. Forfeiture comes and goes in waves; we seem to be in one now

In the 90s there were a lot of bad forfeiture cases until some attorneys wised up and realized they could get huge damage payments (oh, and help their clients) by defending against them, and they dried up for a while. I guess that generation of attorneys retired.

[AmyStrange]

46. VERY Interesting theory...

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the thing is, it makes sense. Thank you Recursion,

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[Egalitarian Thug]

55. When the government loses, they just change the law.

I have a good friend that has been going through this for over five years now. No lawyer in the state will touch the case because they can't win, and we're talking about many millions of dollars in his case.

His crime? Bad taste in women.

[AmyStrange]

73. Did he learn anything...

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or does he still have bad taste in women?

You know something's screwed up when not even one lawyer will touch a case,

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[Egalitarian Thug]

77. He's definitely learned that when you're dead-flat-broke your options

in that area become far more limited. And what's up is that the feds started looking at him because he was sleeping with a crooked attorney that was the focus of their investigation.

He, being a very successful contractor, had the means to mount a vigorous defense which made them look like the incompetent fools they are (it's still not even clear that any crime was committed). So their solution was to simply take everything from him, business, money, property, everything. Since they took his means of paying them, his very high priced attorneys dropped the case, and left him with nothing to defend himself. For over five years now, they have not been able to get an indictment, so no charges, no trial, but he's still left in limbo with nothing, and there's nothing he can do about it. It's all "legal".

The lawyers won't take his case simply because there's no payday. Every one of them agree that there's no case, but there's also no avenue to end this.

This is not as uncommon as we like to pretend, and unless you can get some press on your side, it can just go on until their victim dies. They're doing the same thing to medical marijuana operations in CA and it has become standard practice over the last three decades.

[AmyStrange]

80. Yes I agree, lots of people like to pretend it won't happen to them...

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until it does and they look around for help and realize that everyone is so busy pretending it don't happen that they don't have the time to help you out...

And since it don't happen to the people who have the power or means to stop it, no one seems to care.

And if (like your friend) you do have the means, they take that away from you first.

Now Ega, this is not one of those, "I have a friend in trouble" scenarios where you're really the friend in trouble, is it?

Please do not get me started on marijuana and the feds. It's just weird to me that we've been hearing about a lot of marijuana bust lately, but no bust of other kind of drugs.

Legal marijuana has made it easy for the feds to bust people without doing any kind of work, because now there listed in the FREAKIN' PHONE BOOK... why go after other (worse) drugs when they can get all the "see we're fighting and winning this war on drugs" bust (and free publicity) that they need with marijuana... ARRRRRRRRRRgh!!!

Sorry, I'll shut up now,

d

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Thanx for sharing Thug

[Egalitarian Thug]

84. Never shut up. There's already too many people willing to do that and look the other way.

No, it really is a friend and I have to admit I was completely stunned when it happened. Unlike me, he was worth tens of millions. You'd (or at least I would/did) think that that is what we used to call "fuck you money", but since he was legit they were able to take it all.

Isn't that ironic? If he were an actual criminal he would have all kinds of backups and stashes hidden to deal with this eventuality, but being totally straight, he never dreamed that this might happen and so made no preparations for it.

[AmyStrange]

85. or become a lawyer himself...

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sure he'd have no money, but at least he could still defend himself...

but yeah you are right

never shut up

thanx E

[Dawson Leery]

53. This is nothing but legalized theft by the cops.

[AmyStrange]

63. Absolutely

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nail meet hammer (you nailed it),

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[Comrade Grumpy]

59. When Highway Patrolmen become indistinguishable from highwaymen...

I see those troopers lurking on the east-west interstates like vultures awaiting their prey.

I see those cars with California or Oregon or Colorado plates pulled over on the side of I-90 in South Dakota or I-80 in Nebraska or I-70 in Kansas, their belonging strewn on the side of the road, the drug dogs sniffing...They get pulled over for "swerving within the land" or "failure to signal for a complete three seconds before making a lane change" or going 76 in a 75 zone. Just traffic stops, you know.

[AmyStrange]

66. I'm totally against sho oting cops...

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but sometimes, and maybe for just a fraction of a second, a bullet in the foot makes sense when you read about stuff like this,

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[avaistheone1]

61. My understanding as well that law enforcement keeps the seized assets for their own organization's

benefit.

I think that is evil and it is wrong. imo

[AmyStrange]

67. Agreed

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it wouldn't bother me so much if the cops only went after the 1% and the money went to feed children or something, but this... you are right, it's pure evil. Cops have a bad enough rep with this drug war thing, but stuff like this just pushes people's hate over the top

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[Solly Mack]

86. K&R