I woke up this morning at about 0830 to the sound of my Husky Sasha barking. I go to the window, and there's a van parked in my driveway, with a bunch of cops piling out of it, wearing balaclavas and flak jackets.  I tell my girlfriend to hand me my pants, in case they want to talk to me (I currently have no weapons in the house, never have done drugs, and have no warrants for my arrest (that I know of), but I didn't want to be buck naked if the COPS camera shows up...)
BUT...
They run to the house 2 doors down, and bust in the door with a ram.  About 10 minutes later, they come out with the owner of the house in cuffs, and have an animal control officer take away 2 Staffordshire terriers (beautiful animals) that I've never seen outside, and a green Rubbermaid container, which appeared to hold some brick-like packages.

I just moved in here about a month ago, and I haven't seen any police activity at all, but WOW.  What a wake-up call.

We're talking a white-bread country road, here, folks.  NOT inner city.  I just moved from the north side of Chicago, and never saw a SWAT raid, though I've been shot at a couple of times, there.

Well, it just goes to show that anyplace can have its share of bad apples.  This certainly did NOT appear to be a mistake, and with the terriers and the big tub of drugs, I think this type of raid was appropriate.  I don't believe in all warrants being served as No-Knocks, but sometimes, they ARE called for.  I want every cop to go home at the end of their shift, but still respect the rights of those ACCUSED of a crime.

No one got hurt, and those bricks of whatever won't be hitting the street, or the apartment complex 1/4 mile down the road.

Semper Fi!

Ken Little

Guys, I'm with you on not using No-Knock warrants on every bust.  I would much prefer that if the Sheriff or prosecutor want to talk to me, to have someone knock on the door and tell me, rather than knock the door down.  

As I stated, I want everyone's rights PROTECTED, and not just make it easy for the cops to come in and destroy/sieze your property, but if they announce themselves and give you a chance to respond BEFORE they knock in the door, I'd be more inclined to allow these "dynamic entry" warrant services.  I do want every cop to go back home with the same number of holes in him with which he started the shift.

I didn't see any weapons confiscated, and it would have been a little tough to flush that much junk in 10 seconds, but the dogs were DEFINITELY not on the friendly side.  They were beautiful, but STRONG.

The female Animal Control officer really had her hands full.  The wife of the arrestee was cooperating with the cops, and helped calm the pups down, but if she hadn't, we'd probably be short 2 beautiful Staffordshire terriers.  I sure wouldn't have wanted to have my weapon in my holster had I been going up to that house.  I wouldn't have found it necessary to have a balaclava over my face, though.

Semper Fi!

Ken Little

Be glad they had the right house.........

i'd like the answer to this as well. Would have been much easier and safer in my opionion. Take him down in the parking lot at work where they can control the traffic and be on their terms. Much safer than kicking in a door at 3am.

mike

OK, fellas.  I believe STRONGLY in the 4th amendment, as well as the other 9 in the Bill of Rights.

I do find it curious that there was a "necessity" for a no-knock warrant less than 100 feet from my front door.

I am GLAD that no one got hurt, and after seeing the aftermath, that a connection was severed.  I don't believe that anyone's rights should be violated, but I also believe that if you warehouse drugs 100 ft. from my house, you're lucky the police got to you first.

If it's for your personal consumption, in the sanctity of your own home (SANCTITY chosen intentionally), then I have no say in the matter.  BRICKS of junk, I have a problem with.

There have been times in my life where the presence of a firearm in an emotionally charged situation has SAVED lives.  I want to be able to protect myself, my country, my family, my neighbors, and my friends.  I want a lot of things.

I DEMAND that I be given the same rights as any other American, and that I consider the rights of those that I apprehend. An apprehension is NOT a conviction, and that is where these "ASSET FORFEITURE" laws go wrong.

The Bill of Rights is not a pick and choose proposition, as I have told Ollie North to his face.  It is a piece of interwoven cloth, and if you unraval any thread, the entire tapestry becomes undone.

I'll fight for the rights of the worst criminal, but also be first in line to be in his firing squad, should he be convicted.  There are innocent people in prison, and there have been thousands of guilty slugs go free for every one of them.  We have to strike a balance.  That requires that we all STRENUOUSLY support ALL of the rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights.  Even for your worst enemy, and the consequences should be applied to yourself or your best friend.

Rights and responsibilities, folks.  That's what we're here for.

SEMPER FI!

Ken Little