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Above The Law

by Guillermo Camoriano

          These days, our law enforcement people appear to think that the law is above the law.  Kentucky state police recently announced that they will set up 1500 checkpoints, where they will stop cars to see whether people are wearing seatbelts and issue tickets to those who are not wearing seatbelts. 

          Kentucky law states that a peace officer “shall not stop or seize a person, nor issue a citation ... if the officer has not other cause to stop or seize the person other than a violation” of the seatbelt requirement.  However, Kentucky Sate Police Deputy Commissioner Linda Smith said that seatbelt checks will be the reason for stopping vehicles.  Tickets will be issued for not wearing seat belts even if no other violation is found.

          This is a clear violation of the law by the law, by our own State Police, law officers whose motto is “To Serve and Protect”.  To serve and protect whom? The state treasury? Talk about abuse of power!  I was born and raised in Honduras, a Third World country, where laws are often arbitrarily enforced or made up as you go along.  This action by our own “Thin Gray Line” makes me feel like I am right back in Honduras!

(Editor’s note:  The state seems to be backtracking somewhat on this threat.  Now, it says that it will stop the cars but only provide information encouraging seatbelt use.  A massive roundup of drivers just to provide information?  Perhaps a couple of television commercials would be more effective and less intrusive.  We should also note the recent U.S. Supreme Court case in which the court upheld the actions of police in Texas, who handcuffed a woman, dragging her away from her young children and taking her off to jail for the offense of not using a seatbelt.  Tyranny often arrives in small steps such as these.)