Toledo's Gang 'Crackdown'

As much as I'm behind getting rid of thugs and street gangs, I'm not willing to see the Constitution ripped to shreds to faciltate this, or any other 'safety' concern. Since 9-11, those that work for us - from the local level all the way up to the President, have continually eroded our Constitional rights and our liberties in the name of 'safety', and the 'beginning of the end' was the so-called 'Patriot Act' - aptly named by the 'spin doctors' and implying that if you don't agree with the Patriot Act, then you're not a Patriot!

Recently, Toledo's Police Chief Mike Navarre put his mouth in gear before engaging his brain and declared a 'crackdown' on the gangs and thugs in the city. To this end, Navarre said they "plan to practice what they call "stop and search." - stopping kids, patting them down, check for warrants and sieze weapons. then said "We're not going to violate anyone's civil rights. We're not going to do anything illegal." (This type of 'stop and frisk' is also known as a 'Terry Stop')

Where in the world did the City Law Director and the Chief take their Criminal Justice courses? In a VERY well known decision - Terry v Ohio - the US Supreme Court held that the police can do a 'limited' search for weapons based on a reasonable and articulable suspicion that the person stopped was "armed and dangerous" and has been, is, or was about to engage in a criminal act. In other words, when 'Terry' stopping someone, there must be a reasonable suspicion that criminal activity has, is or will be committed. It sounds to me like the 'plan' is to 'Terry' stop anyone and everyone that looks like they might belong in a gang, or appears to be a bunch of kids just 'hanging'.

As I said, I'm all for getting these low-lifes off the streets, but it MUST be done by keeping within the confines of the Constitution, and Navarre's 'plan' is way, way out of bounds.

Every city has a 'gang' problem, and Toledo's meager attempt to stop gangs is going to be throwing good money after bad. The City of Los Angeles has an entire Department called 'CRASH' - Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums and was instituted years ago, dedicated to ridding LA of gangs. Lots and lots of money are spent by CRASH, but you'd be hard pressed to drive many areas of LA and not find gang graffiti!

Now, I know some of you may disagree, saying Do whatever it takes!, but let me end by quoting Ben Franklin: "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety"