Police ransack locked truck during warrantless drug sweep of concert parking lot

[rambone]

A businessman attending a concert returned to discover that his locked, parked truck had been opened and aggressively searched by a police dog. Not only were his rights violated but his vehicle and electronics were ripped out and damaged by the search.

Nothing was found, yet he had to foot the bill for repairs and reinstallation of his stuff.

Tampa police were evidently performing a dragnet search through the concert parking lot, using dogs to generate probable cause where none existed. Apparently they saw the hip-hop concert as an opportune place to generate some arrests for victimless crimes.

“You think if anyone is going to break into your vehicle...the last person you think, it’s going to be the cops.”

Police ransack locked truck during warrantless drug sweep of concert parking lot



This is another perfect example of how the Drug War erodes everyone's rights and privacy, even if you did nothing "wrong."

 

[drillsgt]

Why does he have to pay for it?

 

[indykid]

Remember, a dog's nose is considered 100% reliable in the war on drugs.

 

[poppy]

I gotta echo drillsgt's question. Why does the owner have to pay?

 

[Lebowski]

Sometimes thugs get employed as police officers. Sadly they can't all be good guys. There is no reason for him to have to pay to have his own vehicle (which appears to customized from the article) fixed on his own dime after some thugs went in and tore it up.

 

[buckstopshere]

I agree he shouldn't have to pay for it but isn't the bigger point the complete FU to this mans 4th amendment rights???

 

[Libertarian01]

To All,

I am surprised no one has commented on his name?

It would be great if this guy sued all the way up to the Supreme Court and won! It would be Heller v Tampa.

Imagine the grief Mr. Heller's case would cause to lawyers and judges across the country. "Your Honor, in the Heller case... No, not that one, the OTHER one..." or "According to Heller... No, the one with the dog, the Court ruled..."

Oh, the joy of wishing it so.

Regards,

Doug

 

[jon5212]

What sucks even more, most insurance policies exclude coverage done by government actions, like what they did here.

 

[Magneto]

I would be furious. I would be on the phone with every tv station, radio station, newpaper, and blog in the area. They either make it right, or I would sue the frak out of them.

 

[Destro]

not saying it didn't happen, but thats a seriously janky note given the circumstances. If I saw it my first thought would be somebody broke into my car and tried to play it off that the PD did it.

 

[BIGKAT9]

Who goes to a concert an leaves their drugs in the car?

 

[Cameramonkey]

not saying it didn't happen, but thats a seriously janky note given the circumstances. If I saw it my first thought would be somebody broke into my car and tried to play it off that the PD did it.

Now that you mention it, it IS rather curious that the officer's card isnt attached or his badge number isnt jotted down. Isnt that SOP officers? To include your badge # in the case of TWO officer Smiths, etc.?

 

[rambone]

Tampa police immediately declared that the search was legal, regardless of what was left behind in the truck.

The officer left his unique phone number if you want to chat.

 

[ModernGunner]

Well, considering that article comes from a website called "Police State USA", so there's already an 'air' of 'hokiness' to it.

So, no response from the Tampa PD, hunh? Nothing provided as a 'counter'. Cops just "evidently" did a random drug search at that parking lot 'cause the forum was hosting a Hip Hop concert? 'Cops hate air horns sooooo much they just ripped his out to teach that air-horn loving b*****d a lesson'?

Heller, a 'businessman', has his truck broken into by the cops and damaged sustained then just fixes it and does nothing? No complaint filed with the Chief or IA, no complaint to the 'City Fathers', no contacting a lawyer, no suit against the Department or the specific Officer (who 'obviously' left his name and phone number on a poorly handwritten note) for damages? Nothing?

Of course.

LOL, Heller being AT that concert should be 'probable cause'. ANY car at that concert should be 'probable' cause. LISTENING to Hip Hop should not only be 'probable cause', it should be prima facie evidence of guilt, no further 'proof' needed!

The story, while it MAY be true, sure has an 'air' of about it.

 

[Destro]

The officer left his unique phone number if you want to chat.

did you call him?

 

[Hotdoger]

Officer Chompy lies again. Where is Kirk Freeman whyen you need him.

My Grandfather retired from TPD. Sad what they have turned into.

 

[Principal Skinr]

Well, considering that article comes from a website called "Police State USA", so there's already an 'air' of 'hokiness' to it.

So, no response from the Tampa PD, hunh? Nothing provided as a 'counter'. Cops just "evidently" did a random drug search at that parking lot 'cause the forum was hosting a Hip Hop concert? 'Cops hate air horns sooooo much they just ripped his out to teach that air-horn loving b*****d a lesson'?

Heller, a 'businessman', has his truck broken into by the cops and damaged sustained then just fixes it and does nothing? No complaint filed with the Chief or IA, no complaint to the 'City Fathers', no contacting a lawyer, no suit against the Department or the specific Officer (who 'obviously' left his name and phone number on a poorly handwritten note) for damages? Nothing?

Of course.

LOL, Heller being AT that concert should be 'probable cause'. ANY car at that concert should be 'probable' cause. LISTENING to Hip Hop should not only be 'probable cause', it should be prima facie evidence of guilt, no further 'proof' needed!

The story, while it MAY be true, sure has an 'air' of about it.

For sure, police dog noses are far from 100% reliable. However, from the looks of this, they may be far more reliable than the noses around here used for checking BS. This story smells fishy, at a minimum.

 

[ViperJock]

not saying it didn't happen, but thats a seriously janky note given the circumstances. If I saw it my first thought would be somebody broke into my car and tried to play it off that the PD did it.

That was my first thought after seeing the note. Seems like the police would have a more official looking "sir, your rights have been violated." note.

 

[LP1]

not saying it didn't happen, but thats a seriously janky note given the circumstances. If I saw it my first thought would be somebody broke into my car and tried to play it off that the PD did it.

This ^^^

Between the hokey note and the viewpoint of the website on which it is reported, it all points to a practical joke. And yet, a number of folks on INGO swallowed it whole.

 

[Rookie]

This ^^^

Between the hokey note and the viewpoint of the website on which it is reported, it all points to a practical joke. And yet, a number of folks on INGO swallowed it whole.

Not me, I'm waiting on the court of appeals.