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LAW ENFORCEMENT GOES A LITTLE OVERBOARD TO NAB STUDENTS
In an attempt to crack down on drunk driving, underage drinking and public drunkenness during University of South Carolina students’ return to campus, a number of law enforcement agencies have teamed up for a weekend-long “Operation Welcome Back.” The State Law Enforcement Division along with the Columbia Police Department, USC Police and a few other authorities are all participating.
That in itself isn’t big news. After all, it’s the norm every college town for police to do the “show of force” thing at the start of a semester.
But the folks in Columbia have reportedly taken it much, much, much further.
Reports are that officers could be seen posted in the city’s Five Points area Thursday night on strategically-selected rooftop armed with monitoring devices for spotting law breakers. Agents with ear pieces were also placed outside of numerous bars checking identification and minimally-visible mobile command units — including more than 30 police cars — were placed in a number of areas for intimidation as much as enforcement.
Basically, it sounds like the only thing missing was the National Guard, FBI and CIA. Although, for all I know, they could have been there as well.
Of course, I didn’t witness any of this personally because I was behaving myself. Yeah, it doesn’t happen too often… but it does happen.
So if a SWAT team can break into the wrong house unnanounced and shoot your dogs, why can’t they turn 5-points into a surveilance district?
Hmm… actually… what won’t the government do? They don’t seem to have any sort of limits anymore.
The City of Columbia is a 3rd world government with a 1st world tax structure.
Sounds like a police state to me. It’s such a shame that real crime isn’t being dealt with, in lieu of harassing a bunch of kids on their first week of college.
Fogle,
Mrs. Sic Willie and I took in a late dinner and dessert in Five Points last night and you are correct. The po-po was everywhere – and pulling people left and right.
-Sic
nevermind the homeless crackheads wandering throughout five points, nevermind real crime like robberies and beatrings, no lets crack down on underage drinkers THEY ARE A HUGE MENANCE TO SOCEITY. once again cops have all the right priorites
I feel bad for all the people that must be getting towed out of the food lion/hardees parking lot too.
Had dinner for a friend’s birthday in 5 points, got out at around 9 when all the bars were just opening up, saw several squads of 4-5 officers, several patrol vehicles, and even a few mounted officers. It must be a real good time of year to commit a crime anywhere other than 5 points.
A friend said a cop push a bouncer up against the wall, and walked up to them (a group of four, all 23) and asked them for their ID’s. When they handed them over, the cop looked at them and said “I know you are lying. It would be a lot better now to tell me your real ages, rather than me to get you later when I find out these are fake. I will take you to jail.” They just sat there. It is the stupidest thing. The General Assembly made a big mistake when they passed minor in consumption (formerly minor in possession was what was illegal.) This has allowed the cops to just get crazy. They need to be more careful–after all some are already being indicted for targeting Carolina Athletes. Soon, maybe they will be dealt with for their excessive use of force. Five Points is becoming ridiculous.
To serve and protect has become to use and abuse… Cola Cops have turned 5 Points into a Ponzi Scheme…and this new police chief seems to have let the power already go to his head.
You, behaving yourself? Yeah, right. You’re the worst one of the bunch.
Sounds like the cops decided that when you can’t get a handle on real crime, the “Invent-a-Crime” approach works pretty well.
I was one of the people arrested Fri. night. I am 24 yrs old and i was just out trying to have a good time. Had not been to 5pts since i was about 21. I accidently tapped an undercover cop as i was trying to leave the bar red hot…i was arrest and the copy told me tonight was not my night as i tried to apologize…i believe they took it was too far…i was trying to get out of teh bar and by no means was i trying to assult the officer had to spend the night at jail…worst feeling in the world…and all they did was brag about how many arrest they made that night….i guess they had a quota to meet…..AWFUL
A sure sign that school is back -the pitter patter of little jackboots!