I am all for reducing and eliminating crime. I am also all for the protection of people's civil liberties and basic human rights. It might be a fine balance that needs to be struck, but it is a balance that must be found and so struck. It is outrageous in my mind that police can covertly search your home and property without your knowledge. And, that they can do it impersonating someone else, such as an electrician or something.
The problem as I see it is that a covert search is going to be sans independent supervision of the process. This is undoubtedly going to lead to claims of the planting of evidence. Running a video camera is hardly going to be a convincing mechanism to prove that the searchers were at all times being videoed. I would much prefer that warrants be served and the target of that warrant be allowed to watch what happens as there home and property is searched.
It is a scary thought that people unknown to you and without your knowledge can be in your home and rifling through your property, and doing God knows what.
Nevertheless, it is an extraordinary power considering most people would consider their home their castle and as such free from covert searches.
These are indeed interesting times that we live in.
4 comments:
I agree with you on this one. I thought you might post on The Buddha Bar sit-in??
Lawbugger...
Haven't seen you round in a while ;) I am glad that I have written something that has warranted (pun intended) a comment.
Gotta say, somewhat ill-informed on the Buddha Bar thing. Actually, not ill-informed but rather not informed at all.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/03/05/buddhist-students-seal-buddhabar.html
I cant warrant this link will open (p.i.)
Thanks...
I had a look and wrote a post.
The post has attracted one comment so far from someone in the know.
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