TX - Police Taser Councilman Jonathan Miller, Prairie View, 8 Oct 2015

[KaaBoom]

I don't know the background of any of the players,except for having seen the female cop in action in the past. From what I can see he was intent on finding out why LE were on his property and seeing what was going on with his guests. He also was trying to convey to LE that he lived on the property and the men were his guests. I think that is reasonable behavior.

Exactly, it's a two way street. The police have an obligation to cooperate with citizens and answer certain questions. Such as, What am I being arrested for? What am I being detained for? What is your name and badge number? What are you doing on my property?

 

[katydid23]

So that area is prone to drug activity but why pick those three men out to question? What cause did they actually have?

It was said that one of them was sitting and changing his shoes. That might have seemed odd and attracted attention. So they stopped to question them.

 

[bluesneakers]

Well, if it can be shown that LE stopped many people in that particular area on an on-going basis for say a couple weeks, then I would see the stop to begin with.

If no LE stops in that particular area within a short period of time, then I still have questions.

I can too, and honestly I don't have a problem with LE checking on people and asking what's going on, but if it escalates or turns into harassment I have a problem.

 

[LaLaw2000]

Over and out!

 

[kimlynn]

BBM:

Answer to question 2 & 3 is YES, they can, and no, they do not have to give a reason.

MOO

I always thought that in order for LE to ask for ID there had to be some infraction or if they were looking for a suspect in a crime. IMO

 

[kimlynn]

It was said that one of them was sitting and changing his shoes. That might have seemed odd and attracted attention. So they stopped to question them.

I'll have to keep that in mind as I sometimes change my shoes in my vehicle.

 

[KaaBoom]

A man interfering with a police investigation was tased by LE when he refused to comply with a lawful LE order.

Both points, debatable.

 

[JLSChook]

Well, actually you quoted my post and bolded different statements in it. That was not in general. What I wrote is from my personal experience and how I see it. When you stated that I wrote words that were not stated, I don't understand because I pointed out that this was my opinion only.

I have read many posts that start out "this is not a popular opinion".

Well, anyway, in no way was I trying to keep this from being a clean discussion and I find your post insulting.

MOO

LaLaw, I don't know why you started your post with 'this is not a popular opinion' because the majority of people out there, who are law-abiding, normal individuals--share your exact opinion. It's just a small handful of those who always scream "POLICE BRUTALITY" at every turn.
Mountain meet molehill.

Great posts, by the way! :loveyou:

 

[Woodland]

Yeah, can't remember that last time I was harassed by LE for changing my shoes in public. Mind you, can't remember the last time I did that though. A new one on me, but I don't live in Texas - maybe it's suspicious activity there. We'll see - surely someone will visit and advise the statute on that.

We need a little more back up by way of links or a little more imo's. Jmo.

 

[Woodland]

LaLaw, I don't know why you started your post with 'this is not a popular opinion' because the majority of people out there, who are law-abiding, normal individuals--share your exact opinion. It's just a small handful of those who always scream "POLICE BRUTALITY" at every turn.
Mountain meet molehill.

Great posts, by the way! :loveyou:

Well, now we have another one putting words in the keyboards of others. I'm a law abiding citizen - try an OPP check on me, they will agree. I don't agree with excessive use of force - it's a loss of control by the people. Jmo.

 

[katydid23]

Crime: visiting friends while black.

My son's best friend is a black officer with the LAPD. He works in a rough neighborhood and he wants to patrol there because it is his hometown neighborhood. But he says it is very difficult.

There is a 'riddle' going on, as he calls it. One, all the locals want him and the other cops to prevent the rampant crime in their hood. They always ask them to come around to their streets and get rid of the gang members shooting up the neighborhood and flooding it with drugs etc. but two, they don't want to be stopped and questioned nor want any of their friends and family to be stopped and questioned etc.

So how are the street cops supposed to know who is bringing guns and drugs into the hood without stopping and questioning people they see standing around or doing something odd?

 

[kimlynn]

Yeah, can't remember that last time I was harassed by LE for changing my shoes in public. Mind you, can't remember the last time I did that though. A new one on me, but I don't live in Texas - maybe it's suspicious activity there. We'll see - surely someone will visit and advise the statute on that.

We need a little more back up by way of links or a little more imo's. Jmo.

The days of LE treating people with respect seem to be over. Whatever happened to sir and ma'am. Instead in this instance we have a female cop screeching during the tasering and the male officer telling Miller he is always causing problems.

 

[katydid23]

Yeah, can't remember that last time I was harassed by LE for changing my shoes in public. Mind you, can't remember the last time I did that though. A new one on me, but I don't live in Texas - maybe it's suspicious activity there. We'll see - surely someone will visit and advise the statute on that.

We need a little more back up by way of links or a little more imo's. Jmo.

So questioning them is harassment?

 

[KaaBoom]

I say it was a smart decision to tase him and not use stronger methods of control.

Who cares if he was a council member or in his own home? The police were investigating some possible drug deals and the suspects were guests of the councilman.

The US Constitution disagrees with you.

Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

 

[katydid23]

The US Constitution disagrees with you.

Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

He came out of his home and began interfering with police business out on the street.

 

[Woodland]

So questioning them is harassment?

Not happening. Nice try though.

 

[katydid23]

Here is what local police are dealing with in Prairie View:

http://www.click2houston.com/news/i...am-and-uh-central-top-list-for-crime/29785564

TSU, Prairie View A&M and UH Central top list for crime


TSU, Prairie View A&M, UH Central top list for crime
Show Transcript


“It’s wicked scary,” said Graham, who said he feels at risk in the parking lots around campus.


Prairie View A&M University had the second highest rate of crime in 2013 at 3.4 crimes per 1,000 students, with 16 burglaries, four robberies, five motor vehicle thefts and three forcible sex offenses.

Stephens pointed to beefed-up patrols on campus and off-duty deputies outside student housing as a reason for a decrease in crime at Prairie View &M.



THIS^^^ is why the cops stop and question people...

 

[KaaBoom]

Why were the police bothering them to begin with? Sorry, but it doesn't sound like there was any probable cause to detain or question any of these people.

If police pulled up outside my house and began harassing my guests, I would come outside, too, to find out what was going on.

I'm taking a trip in the next few weeks where I'll be passing through Texas and staying for a few days (not my choice, but my traveling companion's). I'm not looking forward to being there. I'd like to avoid driving through the state if possible. I'm considering driving on my own and by passing the state entirely, its so dangerous and crazy.

Good luck. Stay safe. If your car brakes down, don't knock on anybody's door for help. There is a lot of crazy people with guns in that state, who may answer the door.

 

[Woodland]

Sure would like to know more about the councilman's neighborhood. Seems it would be more applicable to the thread. Jmo.

 

[Deleted member 39678]

My son's best friend is a black officer with the LAPD. He works in a rough neighborhood and he wants to patrol there because it is his hometown neighborhood. But he says it is very difficult.

There is a 'riddle' going on, as he calls it. One, all the locals want him and the other cops to prevent the rampant crime in their hood. They always ask them to come around to their streets and get rid of the gang members shooting up the neighborhood and flooding it with drugs etc. but two, they don't want to be stopped and questioned nor want any of their friends and family to be stopped and questioned etc.

So how are the street cops supposed to know who is bringing guns and drugs into the hood without stopping and questioning people they see standing around or doing something odd?

BBM

If the persons are doing something that gives LE probable cause to question and/or search them it's legal IMO.

Standing around is a little vague. If they are standing around and someone sees them exchange something with another person and the witness calls the cops, they would clearly have probable cause to search.

LE may even have probable cause to question if a person is hanging around a corner known for drug deals taking place. JMO.