Washington D.C. marches on toward a police state

[Universe Prince]

http://www.examiner.com/a-1423820%7ELanier_plans_to_seal_off_rough__hoods_in_latest_effort_to_stop_wave_of_violence.html

D.C. police will seal off entire neighborhoods, set up checkpoints and kick out strangers under a new program that D.C. officials hope will help them rescue the city from its out-of-control violence. Under an executive order expected to be announced today, police Chief Cathy L. Lanier will have the authority to designate "Neighborhood Safety Zones." At least six officers will man cordons around those zones and demand identification from people coming in and out of them. Anyone who doesn't live there, work there or have "legitimate reason" to be there will be sent away or face arrest, documents obtained by The Examiner show. Lanier has been struggling to reverse D.C.'s spiraling crime rate but has been forced by public outcry to scale back several initiatives including her "All Hands on Deck" weekends and plans for warrantless, door-to-door searches for drugs and guns. Under today's proposal, the no-go zones will last up to 10 days, according to internal police documents. Front-line officers are already being signed up for training on running the blue curtains.

Forced by public outcry to scale back warrantless searches for drugs and guns? While I am glad they had to "scale back" that program, there is something quite sad that a police chief in Washington D.C. of all places would even propose such a plan.

[fatman]

I have my doubts that this will hold up against a court challenge.  Free and unimpeded movement is a benchmark of American freedom.

[Universe Prince]

It's bound to upset some people. I'm wondering what the police will use as criteria for "legitimate reasons".

[fatman]

Criminal prevention and public safety would be my guess.  Similar to sex offender lists, sounds good, but doesn't do a whole lot to address the problem.