Comments on: NYCLU Protests Voluntary Bag Searches

By: No, We Cannot Refuse Random Bag Searches In MRT

No, We Cannot Refuse Random Bag Searches In MRT — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 12:57:34 +0000

[...] So instead of a half-hearted effort in enforcing security, either we don’t have any bag checks at all, or the bag checks should be mandatory. The ability to refuse search in NYC just smacks of a half-hearted attempt at detering terrorism, and ultimately acheives no concrete goals. http://txfx.net/2005/08/06/nyclu-protests-voluntary-bag-searches/ argues succinctly why in this case, NYC has got it wrong. Ultimately, i would prefer that there be no bag checks at all, but if it must be implemented, then it must be a firm and consistant policy for it to have any deterrent value. Posted by Nevin* on 22 August, 2005 – 8:45pm reply to this comment [...]

By: Cox & Forkum: Search Seizure

Cox & Forkum: Search Seizure — Sun, 14 Aug 2005 06:50:13 +0000

[...] UPDATE — Aug. 13: Mark Jaquith has already noted an important aspect of the searches — they’re voluntary [...]

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 11 Aug 2005 19:07:17 +0000

Gil… who is saying that the searches are a violation of rights? I’m just saying that their random nature and voluntary nature makes them useless. Terrorists will just decline, if they happen to get randomly selected.

By: Gil

Gil — Thu, 11 Aug 2005 17:47:43 +0000

I respectfully suggest thst your position regarding bag searches is misguided.

While I certainly value my liberties as a citizen, it is difficult to excersize them if you are dead because of a bomb. Unfortunately the searches seem to be a necessity for the obvious purpose of preserving our lives.

Please reconsider your opposition to bag searches.

By: Kira Zalan

Kira Zalan — Tue, 09 Aug 2005 17:41:00 +0000

First, we must stop pretending that the terrorists so far, by-and-large, have not been of the same ethnic origin. This will reasonably narrow down the search for potential perpetrators. But, it makes ALMOST as little sense to stop every Arab or North African in NYC today as it does to stop every 5th random person. Therefore, the profiling must be even more exact than race to be effective.

Israel has been perfecting the art of profiling, and has successfully prevented El Al (national airline) hijackings since 1970. The profilers are trained to look for signs of suspicious behavior (body language), which provides effective clues of whom to question. Barring exceptional con artists, body language is a dead give away of suspicious behavior. In fact, police officers are trained to look for such clues when dealing with everyday criminals.

The results: plenty of Arabs fly El Al, and yet enough people have been turned away to prevent terrorist attacks since 1970.

So why not fly some Israelis to NYC to train New York’s finest on such tactics?

By: Charles W. Stricklin

Charles W. Stricklin — Mon, 08 Aug 2005 03:18:53 +0000

The only thing I can possibly think they’re thinking of is that the searches themselves are unnecessary, and as such are prohibited under the Constitution.

If the police stop me for speeding and ask if they may look in my trunk, that’s legal. If they pull me over for the express purpose of asking if they can look in my trunk, that’s not.

Maybe what they should be doing is asking subway riders if they may search their bags, then, when they refuse, hold them until a warrant can be made out.

Kidding! I’m kidding!