MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The Alabama chapter of the American
Civil Liberties Union said today it is concerned about
"excessive" police efforts under the state's "Take Back Our
Highways Program."
ACLU spokesman Sam Brooke said the group has not heard of any
problems. But he said that having administrative officers who may
not be well-trained in highway stops could lead to improper stops.
He said that could mean unnecessarily long stops or violative
techniques being used during the stops.
State troopers who work desk jobs have been mobilized to
increase the number of troopers on the road this week.
Traffic arrests in the state more than tripled on Thanksgiving
Day versus the same day last year. The department reported it made
1,570 traffic arrests on Thanksgiving Day, compared to only 445 on
Thanksgiving 2006. Of those, 1,055 were deemed "hazardous"
arrests.



They have got to be joking, right? Because of the Take Back Our Highways drunks, felons with guns and others have been removed from driving and possibly saving a life. The ACLU needs to go away.

The aclu is just 1 group working feverishly toward the demise of this country. " Take Back Our Highways" like they belonged to the troopers in the first place. But anyway, I believe the citizens need to start a program, Take Back Our Country"!!

I'm sure that of the 1,570 traffic arrests, none were very happy about it. Well obey the laws then. The thing I wonder about is if most of htese go to court to fight it, how much of a clog is this going to cause in many already over docketed court rooms.

Be anxious to see how many fewer fatalities over this Thanksgiving compared to last year. Good job Troopers!

I'm all for the "Take Back our Highway" campaigns. As a person who tries to always follow traffic rules, nothing infuriates me more than seeing the sheer volume of bad drivers around me every time I'm on the road; and nothing makes me happier than seeing some idiot who just passed me exceeding the speed limit by twenty miles an hour stopped up ahead with an officer writing out a ticket.

That said, I'm not sure the ACLU doesn't have reason to be concerned. Racial profiling is not some made-up myth. It exists. It happens all over the country and it happens here. Time and time again we read about studies done in various places that show Hispanics and Blacks are twice as likely to be pulled over and have their vehicles searched than whites. Not only that, but if you're a minority race you're more likely to be arrested and to be hit with multiple traffic citations. And minorities are let off with fewer warnings than whites, too.

Because this happens, I think the ACLU should express concern that in times when there are an over-abundance of officers on our roads, then statistically there may be a reason to think that more of those who've been given authority may be over-zealous when it comes to who they pull over.

In my opinion I don't think that any oversight group who expresses concern over a possibility is not a bad thing in itself. In fact, maybe it will simply remind law enforcement officials who are doing their jobs during this program that all motorists should be treated fairly based only on how they're driving and nothing else. And the ones who aren't following the laws, make them pay or get them off the roads.

-nab

That does not give them a free pass to get out of being ticketed for not following the law. How can you racial profile during road blocks? Let's not interfere with the law. There is enough of that already!

That does not give them a free pass to get out of being ticketed for not following the law. How can you racial profile during road blocks? Let's not interfere with the law. There is enough of that already!

Who said anything about giving minorities a free pass to get out of being ticketed? I didn't read that in the article you've quoted above, nor do I believe it's true.

And I wasn't talking about racial profiling during road blocks. The program in effect now does not encompass JUST random checks. There are more law enforcement officers on the roads in all capacities, not just stopping cars to see if they have the proper documents.

Furthermore, as far as I can tell by your posted article, the ACLU is NOT interfering with the law. I don't see anywhere that the ACLU is out trying to keep law enforcement officials from doing their job.

I think you're making way too much of a possibly legitimate concern. If you're white, that may be why racial profiling doesn't offend you. If you're not, then you'd agree that racial profiling is a very ugly thing that needs to be curbed.

-nab

Nab, Why do you have to bring race into the mix? Nowhere in this article is race mentioned. That's just absurd. The aclu is an awful orginazation that is working to undermine all the values and morals this country was founded on. It amazes me that some people are so blind they can't see how shameful this group really is.

Furthermore, the traffic laws are really very simple to follow. As far as the road blocks in Mobile go, that keeps me at home instead of going dining, movie, or shopping during the times of these. Nothing to fear, have all paperwork in place just don't want the hassle. So who suffers?

I bring race into the mix because the ACLU is mentioned in the article. The ACLU is an organization that among other things tries to ensure that all Americans are given equal treatment under our laws, including those who have traditionally been denied their rights such as women, people with disabilities, gays and lesbians and races other than whites.

The aclu is an awful orginazation that is working to undermine all the values and morals this country was founded on. It amazes me that some people are so blind they can't see how shameful this group really is.

This reminds me of another thread wherein some people think that just because they don't agree with what a particular organization believes, then that makes it "awful" and "shameful". While I certainly respect anyone's opinions on ANY organization or issue, I have to remind you that a personal opinion does not make something fact.

Nothing to fear, have all paperwork in place just don't want the hassle. So who suffers?

The people who MIGHT suffer would be someone stopped - not at a roadblock but while riding down the road - not because they were doing something wrong but because a law enforcement official decided to target them for another reason. I can't believe you'd argue that this doesn't sometimes happen.

-nab

I was replying to what YOU said. Second, I am Choctaw Indian and know plenty of African Americans who are not militant and just want to be left alone. They have the mentality of "get over it" and let's all be equal. If you continue to stir the racial pot then racism will continue on. I WAS referring to road blocks in my post and YOU made it about racial profiling. They ARE interfering by trying to give free passes to those who are uninsured, driving under suspension, possession of weapons by felons, drug trafficking, etc. Under the crime reports in MS, there are Hispanics that are DUI and most of them have caused traffic accidents. I guess the police chose to respond to a traffic accident because it involved an Hispanic. LOL!

I saw some photos the other day of small kids both black and white sitting together at an Easter parade. They were all laughing and having a good ole' time. Race did not bother them. What is wrong with this world today is the political correctness and passive society that we have become.

You have such passion for protecting, when in fact, ask the Indian how they feel. Oh yeah, that is right, they do not complain now do they? YOU have NO IDEA how much I suffered because of my Indian "looks" So, I guess your white comment is out the window.

I am done discussing this with you though because we are NOT going to agree. Have a good day!

Actually who suffers are the restaraunts, retailers, and theaters. Simply because people don't want to bothered. Racial profiling is as big a farce as global warning. Something to stike undo fear and contempt into certain peoples or groups. Open your eyes and look at what is going on around you. If you really want to make a difference, Love Someone today! Tell them show them make a complete stranger feel appreciated today regardless of race, gender, or religious affiliation. I promise it want hurt a bit.

In most areas we completely disagree and putting that aside I'm really glad you're in this world. Certainly life would be less interesting without you. Have a SPLENDID day and may you be blessed richly!!

I am happy with governor Riley's plan to get Alabama back on the track of success. If you dont want to live decently find you another state that will tollerate your behavior. I will continue to show my appreciation for the officers who give thier time and effort to better our community. This county is tracking on a path for a successful future and our local leaders are a big reason for our success. Let your local government know how you feel on the issues and get involved in making mobile county a place that people want to raise thier children and live all the days of thier lives. Remember you live here too, so help us meet the challenge and improve your community one step at a time.

jeff