Thanks for the link--- seems pretty logical to me this should be illegal.
Actually, it probably is illegal. But you'll find that legal and illegal make little difference. It's what can we get away with and what can't we get away with.
The Supreme Court has consistantly found that targeted vehicle stops (like this 'Safety Check') for general enforcement is illegal.
For instance, when you go into California you'll probably be stopped with the intent of keeping certain crop foods from entering the state. Who do they stop? EVERYONE! And there is a specific and stated reason. They aren't fishing for whatever they can find.
Same with the illegal alien check stops. All vehicles, specific purpose. Not an open ended fishing expedition. Neither opperation is a revenue producer for the state.
These 'Safety' stops, on the other hand, are quite different. They are not specific, and they don't address the intent (safety). They simply start with a check list looking for whatever they can find. And they stop only a specific vehicle type. Which again, has been found by the S.C. to be unconstitutional.
So, why do they still do it? The incentive money is coming from the White House, so we can only speculate.
Sure, the officers are just doing what they are told. But that doesn't make it right.
While in the fire service there were a few rare times when I was ordered to do something that was not right. I found a way around it.
