Sheriff’s deputies to perform warrantless searches as way to curb littering in park The aluminum can menace will be stopped at any cost August 17, 2013Uncategorized4th amendment, bag searchesPSUSA (Source: the11thhour blog) CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OR — County commissioners have implemented an iron-fisted measure to deal with a littering problem along the Clackamas River. To limit the number of beverage containers left in public, government agentswill now be performing warrantless searches of anyone who could be concealing an aluminum can or glass bottle in the county park. Beginning immediately, Clackamas County Sheriff’s deputies and park rangers will perform warrantless searches on anyone’s personal property brought to the Clackamas River. “Inspections” could include backpacks, coolers, purses – anything that could hide a beverage container, reports KOIN. Nevermind that pesky right to be free from unreasonable search and seizures. The threat of litter is apparently too imminent to leave anyone’s privacy intact. “Our job is to protect the public and we do that through the hard work of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office,” Commissioner Jim Bernard told KATU. “And we do that also by enacting laws that protect life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Some point out that it isn’t just partiers who enjoy the river. Some people use it for transportation, even to go shopping. “I think I should have a right to transport a can of beer down that boat ramp and put it in my canoe and float on down to my house,” said river-dweller Frank Eaton. Rather than work on imposing or enforcing a littering fine, the county instead went for scuttling the 4th Amendment. Here’s a list of contact information for the Clackamas County Government if you wish to let the Commissioners and the Sheriff know how you feel about demolishing privacy rights in the name of stopping litter.
Posted on: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:12:23 +0000
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