Arkansas Mayor declares
August 13th 2008 06:22
Due to a recent rash of crime and violence, the Mayor of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, James Valley, has called for a lockdown of the roughly 10-block neighborhood northwest of City Hall, in what was formerly West Helena.
This includes no loitering. No walking the streets. "No hanging out." Armed police will be patrolling the area and arresting anyone violating the order to remain at home. They have apparently been given full allowance to search anyone's person, vehicle, or home if deemed necessary.
This applies to everyone, no matter their age or the time of day. It is a full 24 hour curfew, that is set to extend until an August 19 meeting, during which time the City Council will attempt to come up with a long term plan.
Frighteningly, Mayor James Valley has indicated that the curfew could be extended indefinitely.
In his own words, the Mayor has called the issuance, "something akin to martial law in that particular area.."
The situation has many concerned about the Constitutionality of such a decree, and even the Arkansas ACLU has gotten involved. They have written a letter to the Mayor and have stated that, "Imposing house arrest and suspending the Fourth Amendment for law-abiding people is only going to cause more problems for this city."
They have charged that the imposition is in direct violation of the Fourth Ammendment.
"First, such curfews have never been allowed under the laws of the United States, barring riot, insurrection, or natural disaster," ACLU attorney Holly Dickson wrote in the letter. "Not one case has ever allowed for the imposition of searches, seizures and house arrest against innocent citizens because of the high crime rate in a particular city."
What do you think? Is there ever a reason to treat citizens as criminals in order to protect the safety of the community?
This includes no loitering. No walking the streets. "No hanging out." Armed police will be patrolling the area and arresting anyone violating the order to remain at home. They have apparently been given full allowance to search anyone's person, vehicle, or home if deemed necessary.
This applies to everyone, no matter their age or the time of day. It is a full 24 hour curfew, that is set to extend until an August 19 meeting, during which time the City Council will attempt to come up with a long term plan.
Frighteningly, Mayor James Valley has indicated that the curfew could be extended indefinitely.
I don't think we're in Kansas, anymore.
In his own words, the Mayor has called the issuance, "something akin to martial law in that particular area.."
The situation has many concerned about the Constitutionality of such a decree, and even the Arkansas ACLU has gotten involved. They have written a letter to the Mayor and have stated that, "Imposing house arrest and suspending the Fourth Amendment for law-abiding people is only going to cause more problems for this city."
They have charged that the imposition is in direct violation of the Fourth Ammendment.
"First, such curfews have never been allowed under the laws of the United States, barring riot, insurrection, or natural disaster," ACLU attorney Holly Dickson wrote in the letter. "Not one case has ever allowed for the imposition of searches, seizures and house arrest against innocent citizens because of the high crime rate in a particular city."
What do you think? Is there ever a reason to treat citizens as criminals in order to protect the safety of the community?
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