Hello all (walks in late at the back of the room, but cleverly wearing a full faced helmet and pads).....
) I see the spirit of the ID card debate is alive and well on this topic.
In short, I fully support the police blocking as many roads as they want for as long as they want for whatever reason they want with NO ANPR. I consider it a proper use of police resources, and am pleased to see this happening. I also see it as 'fairer' than picking on an estate, or similar, where you are clearly targeting a social bracket. A road is a public place, and I firmly believe that the people using it represent a random cross section of society.
I have experienced such roadblocks in Australia - in fact I got booked by one for two things - 1) not having a front numberplate and 2) not carrying my license as a provisional driver. I knew that I was wrong on both fronts, and happily accepted the fine. Some stop every car, some randomly select a sample from the oncoming traffic.
I've also seen them funnel three lane motorways into one lane, where absolutely every single vehicle using that road is subjected to a driver's breath test for alcohol. In fact it was quite common every friday night on the main roads out of the CBD. The sheer amount of people that would be caught for 1) Driving under the influence or 2) outstanding warrants, fines, insurance, license issues was impressive. (My definition of impressive was measured by the number of cars left by drivers under arrest).
I often look on in sheer amazement at some of the comments that people post in this forum in response to some issues (but with respect and tolerance), but this one has probably entertained me more than any other I can think of.
What sensible, reasonable person would object to any type of law enforcement when focused on a random selection of the public? Surely it's the only fair way to approach law enforcement without specific information.
Everyone's so critical of any policing issues that may have gone wrong, then you also criticise them for trying to do something right. For god's sake people - police are humans too, just staff of a business with guidelines, and they do their best on whatever they are tasked with. Like every other group/org/entity, they are allowed to make mistakes. If you think you can do a better job of running a police force, get yourself down there and join up. Or perhaps become a politician?
Why not just help the cops to do their job by supporting, co-operating, carrying your documents and co-operating? Works very well for me.
Scott (likely no more mates, but prepared for that)
PS - I would be interested to know if anyone here has been the subject of bungled policing in this type of scenario and has suffered greatly in anyway, for anything more than slight inconvenience. Might add weight to the argument, rather than just talking about the possibilities.
drove straight into the back of his car.
