Police Road Blocks

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) started (was born) in 2003. How anyone can still not know the difference between Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers, at the ports of entry, and the U.S. Border Patrol, in between the ports of entry, is beyond me. Now granted, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is still a mystery to me. All I know is that ICE started with the reorginization of DHS in 2003.

As far as the road blocks are concerned....

Maybe I lived in CA way to long but, without an articulable fact or two (a/k/a probable cause), does the VIPD actually have the right, under the constitution, to pull cars over at random (every sixth car, more or less) if they deem necessary? Why not say every white car? I am not saying that I didn't see a checkpoint in CA, but they always had lighted signs up saying that there was a checkpoint (before a turn off to go around, may I add).

I have seen the VIPD checkpoints up on the east end of STX. I have been reluctant to purchase a bottle of wine with dinner at the restaurants in Christiansted because of these checkpoints. I don't want to give any of these guys a reason to stop me, so I usually drink tea when I know that they are set up. I wonder how much business (in alcohol sells) these checkpoints costs the restaurants of STX. I know that I am not the only one who doesn't buy a drink or two when the checkpoints are set up.

I wonder if the restaurants in STX are seeing a drop in sales due to these (unconstitutional?) checkpoints.

I can't drive through Sunny Isle (STX) without seeing the guy in front of me with brake lights out, drives me nuts since I know if I rear end this jack a**, I will be the one at fault. Why not put up a checkpoint that actually does some good and check for break lights, use of indicator lights and child restraint seats?

Bob Marley Quote # 46: ;Just can't live that negative way... make way for the positive day!

Bob Marley Quote # 48: ;Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality . Wake Up and Live!

Bob Marley Quote # 84: ;We should really love each other in peace and harmony, instead we're fussin' n fighting like we ain't supposed to be

To Linda from Michigan:

U mm, what??

Uttica # 1: ;Maybe I should smoke some pot before I read the posts??

Sometimes what we post doesn't come across as the way we mean. It's a problem with written word....
I love the VI - lived there for almost 3 years and will be back down in August to secure my housing for my move back. I really don't think about CBP/BP/ or any of the other stuff - I live life to the fullest - not fill my head with things that don't matter. In the last few years I've done what I wanted, thought what I wanted, focused on what was important to me. I've spent a year living in a national park (Yellowstone) and a season at a ski resort. I commune with nature and Bison (at Yellowstone).

I would much rather sit on the beach and enjoy my life than have a meaningless arguement with someone on this board. I conceded that Betty was right - and that I learned something .

Why must there continue to be put downs and hatred?

I don't smoke marijuana - or anything. I don't even drink alcohol. I just believe that what Bob Marley had to say fits at this moment.

One Love,
Linda

Uttica,

I don't believe it is unconstitutional for cops to randomly stop motorists and ask for license and registration. I have lived in several states (CA, PA, NC, and FL), and it has happened in all of them, without any place for motorists to turn around to avoid the check point. And if the check points really do, as you suggest, reduce the amount of alcohol consumed by people who intend to drive, I would be happy to pay higher taxes for more frequent check points.

The 9th Circuit is so liberal that if a motorist took a road to circumvent a checkpoint, an articulable fact was still needed in order to stop the vehicle. In CA, turning around or using a side road to circumvent wasn't enough probable cause for the stop.

At the police checkpoints on STX, the police can see my registration date on the windshield. They can see me wearing a seatbelt, they can see me not talking on the phone. If they want to randomly detain me because I am the sixth car or they are stopping red cars that day, just to check my license or smell my perfume, I think that officer would/should have to answer to the 3rd Circuit. Seems like an infringement on civil liberties.

I am happy that some want to pay more in taxes, frankly, I pay enough already!!

Having "been there, done that", CA did in fact have places to turn around.

I don't wanna pay anymore taxes either.

It may have already been pointed out, but I believe the REAL reason for these checkpoints is to catch bad people who don't register their cars, are underage drivers, undocumented illegals, --or may have a warrant out for their arrest.

Back in Ohio it was interesting to read the police blotter every week... invariably they would stop someone for having a broken taillight only to find that they also had a WARRANT out for their arrest. ...So I tend to think a little bit of street policing is a good thing.

They can't see whether or not you have insurance.
If a minor inconvenience of being stopped would take a few uninsured cars off the road then I'm all for it.

There have been steady road blocks heading east just past HOVENSA, where the road splits to go to the South Shore road or into Christiansted. Everyone I have talked to says their initial visual is looking for lack of seat belts or cell phone use. From there they look for insurance, registration, license, etc.

Linda from michigan, like your attitude and choices of destinations. i did Yellowstone last summer on my motorcycle and it is more beautiful each time i see it. the same with stx. ohio stinks and what a treat it is to feel the PEACE of both places.negativity is like a slow poison.you make perfect sense to me:

Awe - I love you! 😉 Did you stop by Old Faithful? I was the Asst. Front Office Manager at the OF Lodge last summer. I love it there. And Stx. Bit of a different feel to each - if I could have both I'd be in heaven. Could you imagine driving down Southshore road and instead of a steer crossing the road - it's a flipping buffalo! Heck, we had a grizzley run under the portico at the lodge - out to the OF geyser - pass it and take down a baby bison right in front of about 30 guests! Scared the Bjsus out of this one lady! Her stuff went flying everywhere! One night I was walking home from work in the dark - walked right along the path - all of a sudden I heard a snort. I looked at no kidding - less than 3 feet away was a bison sleeping! Freeked me out - I ran about 10 feet the other way (off the path) and realized I could be running right into another one! I stopped - walked quickly the rest of the way home and laughed my ass off at how stupid it was!

Will you be on STX in August? I'll be down then. I'm thinkin we need to do another Picnic/get together kinda thing for the STX board users.

yes i was there my bike and me had a wonderful time .a bison decided to take a stroll and all the cars in front of me were kind enough to go around him leaving just little ole me in front of him with cliffs to either side and a line of traffic behind me .i had no escape route and he's about 20 yards away and closing . i one choice go around him .i could have wiped his hairy nose as i drove by.i stayed at the lodge with the view of those tetons.please tell me more

We will be there then. I think it is time for another get to gather.
Why don't you start a new thread. The middle of August or later would be good for us.

I thought it would be good to post this - it seems the law is rather vague about checkpoints:

http://www.forensic-evidence.com/site/Police/drugroadblock.html

Here is the Google search for "supreme court roadblocks:"

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS330US330&q=supreme+court+roadblocks