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So, drove over to the east side tonight, that is the bad side of town. Was major traffic, cause I was locked into a sobriety checkpoint, a large funnel created by the police, taking three lanes of traffic down to one, cars are stopped, credentials checked, etc.

Took at least 15 minutes to get through. Kind of like too long. There were soooo many cops. At least twenty, if not thirty. And they were all doing absolutely nothing. There were two guys actually stopping cars inspecting sobriety, the rest were just standing there in small groups having casual conversations. Here in town, police are very well paid, can make in the six figures annually. These guys are not cheap.

So like, there are a lot of issues here.

Is this racism? The east side is largely latino and south east asian, as well as some other various asian peoples. I live in a generally speaking, white neighborhood, and I have NEVER seen any kind of sobriety checkpoint.

Is it classism? The people that live in this area are much poorer than other areas of town. A lot of couples with cash and stock compensation can make a half mil a year here in the valley, but not people on the east side. And again, I live in a solidly middle class neighborhood, and I've never been in a sobriety checkpoint.

Is this even a valid exercise of police power? This sobriety check point was clearly costing a lot. You can't put that many cars and police on the street for cheap. Why do this? Is it really to protect public safety from drunk drivers? Honestly, the few times I've been over here, I have seen people swerving around unable to stay in their lanes, so pretty dangerous shit is going on. I really don't want to die in a car crash caused by some drunk piece of shit (had an acquaintance who went for a nighttime bike ride with her fiance and bandmates, they were collectively hit by a drunk driving a van, three were killed, my friend was the only one to live, but was nearly completely shattered, dragged for over a hundred yards under the van - FUCK THAT). But something about this thing is fishy as hell to me. Maybe it is having to show id's, etc. to move about town? Just being detained as you go about your normal everyday business? Maybe it is the colossal waste of policing resources? Is this just flexing of police force, teaching people to expect and accept police control in their lives?

I don't know. This is the first time I've experienced this, it evoked some strong emotions. Anyone have thoughts on this?

i am yet to recall quite a situation that sounds like what your describing over here, to me it sounds like a mixed bowl of everything you have said, mind you, my view is pretty bias'd against police, the abuse of power mixed with discrimination..

the only reason they could justify having that many extra people i guess, was if they expected something serious to occur?
otherwise yeah, maybe the combination of various discriminatory gestures.

but yeah, nothing like that happens here, as far as road rules, the only drivers who seem apparently be constantly under the pressure from the police, are probationary drivers and drivers who drive modified cars, which is obvious anyway.

theres a good chance they were looking for something else but they just needed to disguise it. ya dig?

i usually go through at least one sobriety checkpoint a year; they're pretty common here.

they always just put them in places near major roads, but a little into the residential area to catch those sneaky drunks. considering you can have a billion DUIs in the states before they take your licence, i would bet collecting fine$ is where the real motive is. just breathalyze and fine as many people as you can

I used to live in a college town with a very distinct downtown/bar area...

Every weekend they'd have multiple stops set out...

guilty until proven innocent

+ all these communities need the extra revenue from tickets fines etc.....

I got fined $115 dollars for not stopping ENOUGH at a 4-way intersection.

Yes it is largely about profiling obviously, but most of that stuff is. They hang around the 'hoods with the most calls etc I'm sure. It is a violation of your rights. Remain defiant IMO, but depending on who you are, your past arrests, etc this might just lead to unnecessary trouble for you. See if there's some initiatives in your area to get these types of harassment shut down. There has been successful lawsuits filed by citizens against police for doing that and violating civil rights. Civil rights type lawyers often handle it pro bono or very cheap, similar to cannabis possession charges. Also learn your local rights (it varies) and learn what you do and don't have to answer or let them do. In most cases you don't have to say anything or let them search anything. But it just depends on how much you want to personally rock the boat. It wouldn't be good if everyone just let them think they have more power than they actually do, that will only lead to more of that kind of shit.

Or just do this. I've done it lol (I wasn't drinking though)

those sobriety check points in california are a total farce. i've always thought the point isn't to catch you drunk, the point is to catch someone without papers. i've never seen any checkpoints in rancho santa margarita, never seen any in palo alto nor mountain view and i've spent more then enough time in these areas. but once you cross over..yeah i've had to deal with that shit, it's such a waste of time. some of their offhand comments are fucking ridiculous. i was with three asian girls and one cop just HAD to comment how asians were his specialty. i mean really.

If its the bad side of town there's more if a chance of there being stolen cars etc, I reckon it's justified as long as it doesn't relly delay loads of people

id rather have the checkpoints than getting t-boned by a drumk driver

From what I know of you, it is more likely that you'd be tboning yourself.

LACE wrote:never seen any in palo alto nor mountain view and i've spent more then enough time in these areas.

Yeah, like you are trying to tell me that scores of drunk drivers don't pour out of those high end restaurants and bars? Total bullshit. Don't think it is about drunk driving, bottom line. I do think it is about flexing/intimidating in poorer/ethnic areas.

The only stop I've been through was when they were looking for a fugitive .. ne'er a sobriety stop

wormcode wrote:Or just do this. I've done it lol (I wasn't drinking though)

The fuzz totally closed off all exits from this funnel. There was no escape. I had actually had the first beer in two years a few hours before I went into checkpoint gnarly.

LACE wrote:i was with three asian girls and one cop just HAD to comment how asians were his specialty. i mean really.

LOL what a scumbag

nowaysj wrote:From what I know of you, it is more likely that you'd be tboning yourself.

i took this two ways.

as a masturbation joke? yeh man.

implying i drunk drive? never

Just that you're a drunk, carry on.

Phigure wrote:

LACE wrote:i was with three asian girls and one cop just HAD to comment how asians were his specialty. i mean really.

LOL what a scumbag

Should have told him asians were your specialty too, but these were yours, he'd have to get his own. Would have been the largest deposit in his wank bank ever.