Random bag searches in NYC
Via Kottke
NYC commuters will now have to submit to random bag searches or will not be allowed to use the subway and/or other metro services.
I'm no legal scholar, but I can't see how this is constitutional under any possible interpretation. Granted, the inevitable lawsuits which will come about as a result will eventually work their way through the court system.My problem is that not only is it illegal, it's dumb.
I, for one, am quite sick and tired of having one stupid idea after another implemented for the sake of "security". Given the volume of daily commuters in the NYC transit system, the time it takes to "search" a bag, the limited available man power in the NYC police department, and the portability and ease of concealment of simple IEDs (let alone professional bombs) it's worse than a needle-in-a-haystack situation.
The best defense against something similar to the London bombings is an informed, aware, networked, and educated populace who work in conjunction with local law enforcement. The only definite outcome from these searches will be a further mistrust and suspicion between the local police and the populace they are sworn to protect and serve.