Fairmont, WV - Police Checkpoint

Police invading the privacy of citizens, by pulling them over en mass without probable cause. A clear but government sanctioned violation of our 4th amendment rights. Police don't just pull you over and ask where you're going and where you're coming from when you're driving down the road, and if they did you'd likely feel like there was some legal error or violation of power at work. Why would it be okay for them to set up a "check point" at which they do what is essentially the same thing.

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[NAGGERNUTZ]

@pkemrin - It's legal so long as they stop everybody. That way, they're not singling out any one person. They do this everywhere. Depending on where they set up the checkpoint, they could be looking for someone in particular or looking for drunks. That's how they get them without a search warrant. Here in NC, they'll sit at the end of the exit ramps on the interstate or in a place where you can't do a U turn to avoid them. I stick to the back roads as much as possible. I agree, it is Orwellian.

[pkemrin]

@NAGGERNUTZ Indeed. I'm not saying it's illegal, I'm saying it's unconstitutional and yes, Orwellian.

It's unconstitutional, but it's dressed up benign enough that most people either never think to challenge it, or don't think it's a big enough deal to complain about. And I'm not about to Martyr myself about it or anything. I will put up a video and complain to my congressman though.

[NAGGERNUTZ]

@pkemrin - Cool. I grew up in Fairmont. Where is this checkpoint? Fairmont Avenue across from Highgate? It's been a few years since I was in Fairmont.

[pkemrin]

@NAGGERNUTZ It's on Locust Avenue a few hundred feet from the college.

[NAGGERNUTZ]

@pkemrin - Fairmont sure has changed since I lived there. My wife graduated from FSC... or is it FSU now? We both went to FSHS. Moved to NC for the jobs. I still remember the night Mary Lou Retton came home after winning the gold medal.

[pkemrin]

@NAGGERNUTZ It's FSU now.

[MegaChevyMan79]

@NAGGERNUTZ

No its by the old Larry Myers dealership

[MegaChevyMan79]

Fairmonts finest I live here to but you think this is bad the the sheriff dept is worse they have 38 deputies in Marion County thats one deputy for each town in Marion County they dont do check points they just step up in patrols in there tactical gear like there goin to war or something they intimadate people I think they all should be in there dressed blues from there hat to there shinny shoes

[pkemrin]

@Pizznad Indeed. I actually think licence and registration are positive things, but I agree with the general tone of what you're saying in that they shouldn't be stopping people on the road without probable cause.

If they're stopping everyone in case someone driving on that road is drunk today, who's to say they don't crack down and start having permanent checkpoints placed along the road at regular intervals. Maybe next they'll just have to frisk everyone daily in case anyone has drugs.

[Pizznad]

@Pizznad .....This post was directed @pkemrin.......not @mcgervey.