Should police be allowed to stop adults from retrieving items from their flooded hom

[einnor1040]

I think they have no business keeping people out of their homes. They also have no obligation to save them if they get into trouble after they cross into an unsafe area. Pointing guns at people and arresting them is not the answer.

A police officer with one hand on the hood of the car and the other on his gun warns resident Rick Blazek to back off as he tries to drive around a security checkpoint in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Monday, June 16, 2008. Frustrated residents expected to return to their homes today but the hazards encountered by inspection teams were deemed unsafe for the general public; it is anticipated that people will be able to retrieve items from their homes starting Tuesday.

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

An angry resident that tried to drive around a security checkpoint is stopped by one police officer, right, while another tries to break his window to extract him in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Monday, June 16, 2008.

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

An angry resident that tried to drive around a security checkpoint is stopped by one police officer, right, while another tries to break his window to extract him in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Monday, June 16, 2008.

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Rick Blazek, 54, is arrested by police officers after trying to drive around a security checkpoint in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Monday, June 16, 2008. Frustrated residents expected to return to their homes today but the hazards encountered by inspection teams were deemed unsafe for the general public; it is anticipated that people will be able to retrieve items from their homes starting Tuesday.

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Rick Blazek, 54, is escorted to a police car after being arrested for trying to drive around a security checkpoint in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Monday, June 16, 2008. Frustrated residents expected to return to their homes today but the hazards encountered by inspection teams were deemed unsafe for the general public; it is anticipated that people will be able to retrieve items from their homes starting Tuesday.

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

:mad:

[einnor1040]

I wonder if these are local cops or did they bring in outsiders to do the douchbaggery stunts.

I think life would be difficult for a local man after this clears up.

[Guest bkelm18]

I think there has been too much cop bashing here as of late, but I will say, that I do not believe they have a right to stop me from going to my own home.

[saintsfanbrian]

Okay- as a health issue, it probably isn't safe for him to return. If police are actually cordoning this off and preventing anyone from going in and is also babysitting the inspectors that are going in to prevent them from pilfering other peoples belongings, it is probably a good thing to keep citizens out. Then again, what right do they have to keep me off of my property? The reason you shouldn't have left in the first place.

Now, the gestappo tactics of the State Troopers? Unless his car was originally pointed at an individual they have no business pulling guns on him and damaging his property to get him to stop.

P.S. - This is actually a matter for the National/State Guard. Oh, wait, they are in Iraq.

[Guest sling]

Meh. If the people want to go to their flooded homes let em. I dont think the police should necessarily prevent them from going on in... just warn them that they wont be responsible for saving their butts if they get into trouble.

[einnor1040]

Unless his car was originally pointed at an individual they have no business pulling guns on him and damaging his property to get him to stop.

My guess is the cop stepped in front of the car. It wasn't pointed at anyone until then.

[G27]

Well, they also likely have the area shut down to avoid looting. I agree, they shouldn't keep folks from their homes, assuming they can prove they live in that area.

Edited June 16, 2008 by crimsonaudio
changed my mind...

[memphismason]

Hey they can do whatever they want....They are Super Citizens!!!!!!

[Guest TNDixieGirl]

I think there has been too much cop bashing here as of late, .............

I agree with that.

[strickj]

I would assume this guys property is under water,therefore he would be unable to go to it anyway!

As far as the way he was arrested,I think the LEO's done a good job! The arrestee was diverting a road block,the same would be done at any road block.

And it does appear the Guard is there,along with two other LE departments

Edited June 16, 2008 by strickj

[Mr. Brooks]

EDIT - Nevermind - too late.

[strickj]

I will also add that if these blocks were not in place,or people were allowed to return at there own risk that it would leave them open for some massive law suits from idiots saying "why didn't they stop me?The police are here to protect me,and they didn't!"

[memphismason]

I will also add that if these blocks were not in place,or people were allowed to return at there own risk that it would leave them open for some massive law suits from idiots saying "why didn't they stop me?The police are here to protect me,and they didn't!"

You are right. It does seems like a "Damned if you do, and Damned if you don't" type situation.

[TGO David]

The guy tried to run a roadblock. That same roadblock was put in place to also keep out the looters and opportunistic thieves. If you let one person in, you have to let them all in.

The roadblock was put in place to keep people out of dangerous territory. Swift currents, underwater debris, unstable bridges, roadways and utilities are all tremendously hazardous to anyone who tries to navigate flooded areas. They cordon off areas hit by tornadoes also!

If this guy had gone back into the restricted area and gotten into a bind, that puts emergency personnel at risk because they then have to go in and save his ass. But no, let's not use reason and common sense. Let's run around like this and scream "Police state! Police state!" and use it as a reason to further hate and distrust the people who usually end up standing in harms way for you.

[Guest db99wj]

To protect. There might be a health issue, there might be other issues, like the levee's in danger of failing, which was being discussed on the radio earlier. That in one area of Iowa, they weren't letting people in because of that. There is one area near Ottatuma, were the Des Moines River was over 20' above flood stage.

These guys jobs are to protect the public, even the stupid ones. They can warn them, and if they decide not to listen, LEO and rescue crews still have to save them, thus putting more people in harm.

Pulling a gun on the guy seems excessive. Did the THP guy get in front of the truck and the guy in the truck keep moving forward as if to run over the THP? What is the story?

Edit: Wow, got sidetracked at work, many of these points were already made!

Edited June 16, 2008 by db99wj

[Guest grimel]

I will also add that if these blocks were not in place,or people were allowed to return at there own risk that it would leave them open for some massive law suits from idiots saying "why didn't they stop me?The police are here to protect me,and they didn't!"

Umm, the US Supreme Court has stated the police have ZERO responsibility to protect individuals, ergo, the lawsuit would have zero merit.

An interesting law suit would be holding the police and administrators responsible for any property stolen/lost because the person wasn't able to reach his property. That would be a fun one to follow.

[einnor1040]

Ve are just following orderz.

[Guest db99wj]

Umm, the US Supreme Court has stated the police have ZERO responsibility to protect individuals, ergo, the lawsuit would have zero merit.

An interesting law suit would be holding the police and administrators responsible for any property stolen/lost because the person wasn't able to reach his property. That would be a fun one to follow.

Another one to follow would be the lawsuit that police and governement could file to recoup costs associated with search, rescue and recovery of the body from the guy that disobeyed.

[Guest Verbal Kint]

As far as the way he was arrested,I think the LEO's done a good job! The arrestee was diverting a road block,the same would be done at any road block.

+1

This is the same jackass mentality that most of the U.S. now holds... "I'll do what I want, when I want, regardless."

The road block was there for a reason. Whether he agreed with it or not, that wasn't the case. The cops were there, they sealed it off, not up for discussion. Jackass takes it upon himself to try and use his vehicle (now a deadly weapon) to bypass the barricade and the police officers standing there. Sure the cop probably stepped in front of his vehicle. That's his job. Thus the dip**** gets the business end of a handgun pointed in his direction.

I sympathize with all of them losing everything they had... most of them not having any flood insurance to cover the loss of their worldly belongings. But if you're going to do something stupid like this, I won't have any sympathy for you when you get pulled from your vehicle and thrown to the ground.

I agree with bkelm18... there has been a lot of needless cop bashing as of late. I say declare martial law and then let the real crying begin.

[Guest db99wj]

+1

This is the same jackass mentality that most of the U.S. now holds... "I'll do what I want, when I want, regardless."

The road block was there for a reason. Whether he agreed with it or not, that wasn't the case. The cops were there, they sealed it off, not up for discussion. Jackass takes it upon himself to try and use his vehicle (now a deadly weapon) to bypass the barricade and the police officers standing there. Sure the cop probably stepped in front of his vehicle. That's his job. Thus the dip**** gets the business end of a handgun pointed in his direction.

I sympathize with all of them losing everything they had... most of them not having any flood insurance to cover the loss of their worldly belongings. But if you're going to do something stupid like this, I won't have any sympathy for you when you get pulled from your vehicle and thrown to the ground.

I agree with bkelm18... there has been a lot of needless cop bashing as of late. I say declare marshall law and then let the real crying begin.

I agree as well. My post above where I posted,

Pulling a gun on the guy seems excessive. Did the THP guy get in front of the truck and the guy in the truck keep moving forward as if to run over the THP? What is the story?

That is what I was getting at.

[G27]

I changed my mind after, ahem, actually reading the associated story. Imagine basing your opinion on what actually happened!

The story is here. This part describes the picture sequence above:

One resident, however, grew angry when he was not allowed to pass a checkpoint Monday, according to a news release from the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

After being denied re-entry to a flooded neighborhood, Rick Blazek, 53, returned to his vehicle as a state trooper used his police vehicle to block the checkpoint, according to the news release.

"Blazek drove his vehicle toward the state trooper and struck the state trooper three times with his vehicle," the release said.

Police told Blazek to get out of his vehicle, and when he refused, "the driver's window was broken out because the doors were locked and Blazek was removed from his vehicle," according to the release.

The trooper was not injured. Blazek, who was arrested and charged with assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon, could not be immediately reached for comment.

If the guy actually 'struck' the trooper with his truck, he's lucky he's not dead...

[Guest db99wj]

I changed my mind after, ahem, actually reading the associated story. Imagine basing your opinion on what actually happened!

The story is here. This part describes the picture sequence above:

If the guy actually 'struck' the trooper with his truck, he's lucky he's not dead...

Thanks for posting the story that proved my point!

And yes, that guy is lucky he didn't get dead.

[I_Like_Pie]

+1

+2

If the guy didn't like the roadblock...the last thing he should have done is try and drive around it.

Love how the N.G. guy is chillin' on the other side of the road...just being happy he is not in a 110 degree sandbox.

[TGO David]

just being happy he is not in a 110 degree sandbox.

[Guest grimel]

Another one to follow would be the lawsuit that police and governement could file to recoup costs associated with search, rescue and recovery of the body from the guy that disobeyed.

Only problems with that case is he couldn't pay the bill AND I can't use that as a basis for hammering some place that decides to ban CCW without providing for my protection.