Bad News For Retarded Terrorists
MetBlogs L.A.'s Wil Wheaton writes about the LA commuter rail's innovations in security theater -- random bag searches of passengers. He links to the MTA/L.A. County Sheriff's Office press release:
Prior to initiation of a screening event, signs will be posted at all entrances to the station parking lots and platforms to notify passengers that the deputies are present and the random security screening will be conducted. Access to the station platform will be restricted; passengers must pass through the checkpoint to gain access to the station platform.
"Suitcase nukes and anthrax in the line to the left! strap-on bombs, knives and guns to the right!"
It gets better.
Any passenger may refuse to permit an inspection of his or her baggage. A refusal to permit inspection will result in the individual's not being permitted to access the Metrolink system. Deputies will request that the passenger leave the station facility.Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we continue to work to make Metrolink as safe as possible.
Right. Safe from what? Getting people to work on time?
The geniuses running Metrolink are here. If you're one of those people who's very impressed by people with big degrees from big colleges, note that all three of these dudes have them up the wazoo.
Turns out the Sheriff's department makes some serious bucks for "contract law enforcement" for Metrolink and others. Hmmm...maybe retarded search programs are actually kind of $mart.
via BoingBoing
Comments
Hmm. This is needed now, why?
And you should probably look elsewhere for real threats. Here's a list of the things shipped through your town on a regular basis. Pick the "full version" PDF. You'll be able to read the tanker placards and estimate your remaining lifespan in a traffic accident.
Posted by: Radwaste at June 16, 2008 1:29 AM
Amy
We experienced exactly the same problem back in my day. When we wanted to set up a sobriety checkpoint, it had to be advertised a week in advance and warning signs had to begin two miles before the roadblock. Would'nt want to actually catch anyone with thier pants down, now would we.
Posted by: teebone at June 16, 2008 3:53 AM
Also, everyone knows the terroristswould NEVER blow themselves up while in the line to the checkpoint, right?
Posted by: lujlp at June 16, 2008 4:42 AM
Stupid isn't strong enough. What else is there to say???
Posted by: momof3 at June 16, 2008 6:37 AM
This is unbelievably stupid! So is advanced warning of sobriety checks. But you know what? People are stupider. There are those who are gonna drive drunk, and they're gonna go right up to the check points, because they're either too drunk or too stupid to figure out a way around them!
OTOH, whenever I take the train into New York, I don't carry much of anything. I always make sure I'm wearing something with pockets so I have my ID, my money and maybe a credit card, and my cell phone easily accessible, and that's really all I need. Why carry a big damn pocket book and be a target? I wear flats or sneakers for walking around, and if I'm going somewhere fancy, I'll make a night out of it and stay at a hotel, and leave most of my stuff in the room anyway. If I need something in a pinch, there are enough stores that I'm sure I'll be able to find whatever I need within a matter of minutes, anyway.
Posted by: Flynne at June 16, 2008 6:45 AM
Is Metrolink supported by tax money, in any way? If it is, I think an argument could be made that the search policy is in violation of the 4Th. amendment. If it is a private business, then they can allow or deny access on any basis they like, but if it's public money that runs it, I doubt they can ask you to check your rights at the door.
Posted by: Steve Daniels at June 16, 2008 8:04 AM
Hmm. I missed that this was Wil Wheaton commenting. That's "Wesley Crusher", who can manipulate warp fields with his mind...
I wish he could infuse some brains into government agencies. Remember? I work at a Federal facility with a 30-yard rule: you can't park within 30 yards of an occupied or important process building. Bad guys intent on suicide bombing will obey that one, yeah!
Posted by: Radwaste at June 16, 2008 2:57 PM
On May 2nd, California Homeland Security handed Metrolink $9 million of Proposition 1B money.
Instead of putting in something permanent and valuable, like stop-light cameras at grade crossings to cut down on crashes, the idiots running Metrolink have decided to fritter it away on a transient security program. When the money's gone, there will be nothing to show for this boondoggle.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) already gets millions of dollars a year for occasional fare inspections and other "random" security tasks. While the rest of the public has to pay for using Metrolink, uniformed LASD employees get a free ride.
Of course with County Supervisors running the Metrolink Board, it's simply a way to give more money to LASD for what amounts to, basically, nothing. It's the political equivalent of three-card Monte. Where's the money now?
Metrolink has no problem violating the constitutional rights of its passengers. In May, it lost the first of it's attempts to suppress free speech on the Internet.
So, after violating its passenger's First Amendment (speech and assembly) rights, violating its passenger's Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures is a no brainer.
And all this from an agency that can't consistently get its passengers to their destinations on time.
Taxpayers should be outraged at this misuse of Proposition 1B money by self-serving politicians. The fare payers that Metrolink has lured to depend on its service have little recourse.
There should be no more funding of public transit until the politicians are removed from the Boards of the transit agencies.
Posted by: Richard Michael at June 17, 2008 9:16 AM
