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Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic Stops

By Jeralyn, Section Civil Liberties
Posted on Sun Feb 06, 2005 at 11:24:20 AM EST
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If you get caught running a red light or speeding in Phoenix, you can expect the cop to pull out an inkless fingerprinting pad along with his ticket book. Is this the shape of things to come?

The cops say it's voluntary, but how many motorists believe that? As the local ACLU spokesperson says,

"`The standard is not whether we have anything to hide... ``It's 'Does the government have a right to invade our privacy?'''

[link via CrimProf Blog and Grits for Breakfast.]

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    • Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic Stops | 21 comments (21 topical)
    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#1)
    by soccerdad on Sun Feb 06, 2005 at 12:13:03 PM EST
    Another tiny step in the direction of fascism.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 06, 2005 at 12:22:19 PM EST
    But think about how useful it will be! Oh wait... no.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 06, 2005 at 01:01:46 PM EST
    We are looked on by our government as the enemy of that system, and fingerprinting should be telling you that the government meaning Bush thinks of you as a prisoner outside the gates, but how long befor you are inside that gate? if a cop stop you, be nice if a cop stop you and tells you that he must have your fingerprints, and if you do not do it "voluntary"(my butt) tell him that he is nothing but a Murderous pig and see what will happen next. You will understand what one world government really means. "next stop camps" Freedom is not free it always needs you!

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 06, 2005 at 01:24:31 PM EST
    whats next my dna?

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 06, 2005 at 01:34:13 PM EST
    Fred Dawes, Bush is setting policy for the Phoenix police department? I had no idea he was such a micromanager.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 06, 2005 at 01:54:21 PM EST
    I'm curious how privacy vs. Big Brother fits into the liberal/conservative, left/right debate. The ACLU is active on privacy, so I would assume many liberals are concerned about such. But I would also think many small government-minded conservatives would be similarly worried about the growing power of government, especially when it comes to their precious guns. I think this is an important issue that really crosses ideological lines, and requires united opposition.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 06, 2005 at 02:09:19 PM EST
    The thing that really amazes me is that the cops in the field can keep the equipment working! OTOH I can see this as a very serious and excellent tool for the military when they're sorting out a big crowd trying to figure out who did what. -C

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 06, 2005 at 02:59:16 PM EST
    You what? Seriously. I have no idea what you're on about there. Elaborate.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#9)
    by roger on Sun Feb 06, 2005 at 05:10:06 PM EST
    in Fla now, they take a thumbprint if you dont have your DL. We used to have a problem with people giving the names of relatives and friends.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#10)
    by Sailor on Sun Feb 06, 2005 at 05:17:07 PM EST
    This is a huge intrusion no matter how you view it, but do they ask for the finger prints before or after they issue the ticket? You certainly wouldn't want to piss off the guy with a gun and a badge who can cost you serious money if he doesn't like your answer.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#11)
    by kdog on Sun Feb 06, 2005 at 05:51:04 PM EST
    I hate what my country is becoming. We used to be different.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#12)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 10:55:30 AM EST
    I hate it too, kdog. Can we start our own somewhere or are all the good countries taken?

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#13)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 11:24:09 AM EST
    "I hate what my country is becoming. We used to be different." "I hate it too, kdog. Can we start our own somewhere or are all the good countries taken?" Here's my non-sarcastic suggestion; take a break from your TL addiction. TL is just as guilty of "If it bleeds, it leads" (i.e., "If it's negative, it leads.") as any other media outlet. Nothing personal against TL, it's the nature of their blog. Without being pollyannish, there's so much more that's good and getting better about our country. Make a different choice about what you spend your days focusing on.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#14)
    by kdog on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 12:03:48 PM EST
    there's so much more that's good and getting better about our country
    Feel free to share some examples.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#15)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 12:30:56 PM EST
    "Feel free to share some examples." kdog, only your efforts will be rewarding to you. Take a break from your TL addiction. Make a different choice about what you decide to spend your days focusing on.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#16)
    by Patrick on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 12:38:56 PM EST
    Sarcastic, So true, I found myself going that same route.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#17)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 12:57:29 PM EST
    Thanks Patrick, it has been my experience also.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#18)
    by kdog on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 12:57:47 PM EST
    C'mon sarc, I could use some good news. But as per usual, you attack others posts without adding any ideas or thoughts of your own.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#19)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 01:05:48 PM EST
    kdog, I am again being non-sarcastic; I wish you only the best.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#20)
    by Patrick on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 07:36:11 AM EST
    Hey, what's the big deal about this? What can the find out with a fingerprint? Just verifiy identity. Hell, they do the same thing when you cash a check, why no outrage there? Kdog, He (I assume) is right, stewing in the negativity of this site can effect you. I still come here and read, but I comment much less than I used too.

    Re: Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic S (none / 0) (#21)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 08:24:54 AM EST
    I don't view it as negative per say, I prefer important. I take freedom seriously, and you may disagree, but I fear our freedom is at risk more and more each day. I like to keep informed on issues like this. It's hard to judge demeanor by a post, but I consider my self a pretty positive guy, just pessimistic about the road our country is on. BTW, I get just as angry when they need a print to cash a check. I used to cash my paycheck at a local grocery store until they required a print. I now cash my check elsewhere.

    Cops Fingerprinting Motorists During Traffic Stops | 21 comments (21 topical)