Frederick, MD — Jason Childs used his cell phone’s video camera to demonstrate the level of harassment he says he and fellow citizens are experiencing on an all too often basis. In the latest of 10 traffic stops, Childs was pulled over by Frederick police for allegedly crossing the white line at a stop sign.

That type of stop isn’t unusual in the small town where some of Childs’ fellow residents claim police have nothing better to do. Approaching the vehicle, an officer whose identity cannot be confirmed, told Childs:

Okay sir, do me a favor. Roll your windows up, put your keys on the dash and place both hands on the steering wheel.

 

Childs objected. He did not believe Frederick police had probable cause to search his vehicle, according to the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures.

Maybe Childs knew just how hot his vehicle could get with the windows rolled up on the warm summer day which saw temperatures in Frederick reach almost 90 degrees. Maybe he was simply tired of the ongoing harassment by Frederick police. At any rate, he simply refused. He chose not to comply with officer’s commands as he felt as though he had done nothing wrong enough to warrant the search of his vehicle.

Childs insisted he was not “resisting arrest” but would not roll up his windows and that he did not consent to a K9 search of his vehicle.

As TFTP has reported, dogs can bark on command, signaling the presence of drugs in a vehicle, but in all actuality they’re just responding to a K9 handler’s cue. After the dog signals the officer needs no more justification by law to enter the vehicle for a search and possible seizure of assets.

The surrender of assets is called a “civil asset forfeiture (CAF)” and is simply a legal way for police to steal property that belongs to someone else. The CAF programs are highly controversial and rife with scandal, causing police departments to cross ethical lines, blurring conflicts of interest…..More Here