Mass State Police Will Be Randomly Stopping Vehicles In Massachusetts This Friday

CaseHardened

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That's the title.

Deep inside they are described as "Sobriety Checkpoints".

I am inclined to believe that this is a very bad idea.

First of all, no fun for the officers. Too many drivers, impaired or not, will be up in arms. Accusations of Racism are inevitable.

And these things inconvenience everyone.

I suggest that better Traffic Enforcement might be more focus on serious speeding on residential side streets; those that blow right through Stops Signs and Red Lights (that have been red for a few seconds).

Every day I see outrageous examples of reckless driving, including tailgating. Yes, if you are on a highway in the left lane, driving the limit, while the limit is obviously a suggestion, it's you who is the problem. Pull over !

But just yesterday I saw a driver attempting to pass a vehicle on the right, which would have involved using the bike lane. And for no reason I could see. The vehicle he was trying to pass was simply behind countless other vehicles already.

So random "Sobriety Stops", to me, are just PR, and a failed attempt to convince the gullible that the Police are working hard to prevent accidents.

Tell me I'm wrong here.
 
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CaseHardened said:
That's the title.

Deep inside they are described as "Sobriety Checkpoints".

I am inclined to believe that this is a very bad idea.

First of all, no fun for the officers. Too many drivers, impaired or not, will be up in arms. Accusations of Racism are inevitable.

And these things inconvenience everyone.

I suggest that better Traffic Enforcement might be more focus on serious speeding on residential side streets; those that blow right through Stops Signs and Red Lights (that have been red for a few seconds).

Every day I see outrageous examples of reckless driving, including tailgating. Yes, if you are on a highway in the left lane, driving the limit, while the limit is obviously a suggestion, it's you who is the problem. Pull over !

But just yesterday I saw a driver attempting to pass a vehicle on the right, which would have involved using the bike lane. And for no reason I could see. The vehicle he was trying to pass was simply behind countless other vehicles already.

So random "Sobriety Stops", to me, are just PR, and a failed attempt to convince the gullible that the Police are working hard to prevent accidents.

Tell me I'm wrong here.
Click to expand...
You`re not wrong.

And here`s another one that just pisses me off about IGNORANT EGO cops and their stupid phucking reckless bullsh!t;
Yesterday, my wife an i were heading back home, this numbskull phucking cop, comes flying up behind me, i quickly pull over SO I DONT GET HIT BY THE MORON COP WHO IS ALREADY SPEEDING WAY TO PHUCKING FAST, he barely gets around me. We continue onward, we see he has somebody pulled over. We go around them, only to have this SAME PHUCKING MORON COP, to come flying up behind us AGAIN a couple miles down the road, this time, damn near rearends us coming up on us way to fast, i`m almost right in to a deep ass ditch trying to get out of the way of this PHUCKING MORON COP, WHO PASSES US AT HIGH SPEED ON A CORNER, not even knowing if there is someone coming from the other direction, he is now in the other oncoming lane trying to speed around us. We get down the road a ways, we spot him far ahead, no lights flashing anymore. This kind of behavior by reckless cops needs to be addressed! I`m now shopping for cameras to install in both of our cars. These phucking idiots are gonna get somebody killed out there being reckless phucking morons and driving reckless and not caring about who they put in harms way with the way they play their stupid game of "me gotta a badge and a gun, me dont care, get out of me way", attitudes! This shit seems to be happening ALOT lately with these young punks fresh out of cop skool. And some of them wonder why people just wanna kick them right in the phucking nuts.
 
Saltwater60

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I have been through exactly one of these in my entire life. It was in a rural town coming back midday on the Fourth of July and I was glad for it. The person in front of us was going to kill some one. They were so drunk and had 10-15 near misses. At first we were like well maybe they are drunk and then it was so evident they were. We were waiting for cell service to call it in and we pulled up to the checkpoint. I told the cops they were all over the road and likely drunk. He said yep I could tell just telling them to pull up so I could screen you guys. Thanks and have a good day they will be taken off the road. Thanks officer and left.
 
CaseHardened

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Saltwater60 said:
I have been through exactly one of these in my entire life. It was in a rural town coming back midday on the Fourth of July and I was glad for it. The person in front of us was going to kill some one. They were so drunk and had 10-15 near misses. At first we were like well maybe they are drunk and then it was so evident they were. We were waiting for cell service to call it in and we pulled up to the checkpoint. I told the cops they were all over the road and likely drunk. He said yep I could tell just telling them to pull up so I could screen you guys. Thanks and have a good day they will be taken off the road. Thanks officer and left.
Click to expand...

That's very interesting.

Maybe they work :oops:

But if so, the police should perhaps publicize the success.
 
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I have been through a few of them over the years. Luckily, never snagged. I get the idea, but don't like them regardless.

What I really don't like are the so called "safety checks". The cops in my hometown of OP used to run that crap almost right in front of my office at least 4 times a year. It was a money grab. I remember getting pissed enough at them doing that, that I parked one of my vehicles, - a 26' panel truck at the front of my property with a great big spray painted sign that read: “Cop fundraising ahead, - turn around here." The cops got pissed and came down to my office to complain. Drove in my lot, and told me I was ruining their "safety checkpoint". I told him "Good. Now get the Eff off my property, and don't come back". 15 minutes later they packed up their traffic cones and left.

Hell, on traffic Court night in OP, you could barely park in town. They used to run 300-400 stiffs through it on those sessions and it was something to witness. Starting about 3:30 people would start lining up and "signing in" with the Town Clerk. The line would easily be 100 people long and wind through Town Hall. I actually went and sat in the Court a few times just to watch. After signing in, then a wait, they would get called up to meet with the Town Prosecutor who would offer to plea bargain their ticket down to a "non-moving" violation (aka a "Parking Ticket", or depending on the seriousness of your infraction, it was "multiple" Parking Tickets), - that way the Town kept the money instead of having to split it with NYS. And the fine amount of the Parking Ticket was not a set amount, - no, - it was whatever the Judge felt like dinging you. Once you agreed with the Prosecutor, your file was handed to the Judge's Clerk, and your name would be called in turn. The whole charade took mere seconds, - under 1 minute. The Judge would call your name; you stood before him; he said you are charged with "Expired Inspection" (or some similar BS); you agreed to plea bargain that down to four Parking Tickets, - How do you plead? Guilty? I hereby charge you $50.00 per ticket. Now step aside and pay the clerk. Next!

What a show. The Town of OP used to raise almost the entire PD budget from that every year. When I was a teenager in the Town, the PD had about 20 officers or less, - the Chief, a Lt., a Det., and about 12-16 officers total that patrolled the Town. When I fled in 2018, they were well over 50 and counting.

I don't miss that garbage. You don't see that down here in the Carolinas.
 
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FP1201

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NYSP used to like setting up someone on the side of the Road in a Civilian vehicle, Binos, and a Radio checking for seatbelts, and while they were at it Insepection Stickers and Registrations...they'll still cone off lanes coming around a turn where you've had to stop or slow down to get a visual, but I haven't seen that for a while. these days there are cars with laser scanners that read your Registration and if it's lapsed they come after you...During covid I was on 81 North crossing Oneida Lake and saw him in the U Turn, came right up beside me then peeled off: The Registration on the windshield was expired, but I had renewed before the expiration and it hadn't arrived yet.
 
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tirwin1 said:
I've never understood how these are legal.
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You have no obligation to go through them.

But the horrifying part is that when you mention this to people, they hop right on "Well if you don't, I'm sure they'll find SOMETHING to pull you over for by avoiding it. Illegal U turn or something."

Yeah...think about that. It's frightening.

And these will be the same people that will warble on about "traffic stops are the most dangerous portion of the the job." (So let's make more????)
 
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"DUI checkpoints remain highly controversial but are nonetheless utilized by police forces across most states."

"In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court upheld DUI checkpoints as constitutional as long as they meet specific criteria. These requirements include providing public notice and using clear guidelines for officers manning roadblocks."

The History of DUI Checkpoints | Yeargan & Kert LLC

DUI checkpoints remain highly controversial but are nonetheless utilized by police forces across most states. Indeed, many law enforcement leaders argue that even when no DUI arrests are made at these roadblocks, their use often results in many other arrests for drug offenses or outstanding...
www.atlantaduilawyer.com

Origins - Michigan State Police introduced DUI checkpoints as an effective law enforcement measure in 1986

Purpose - There is evidence to show that highly publicized DUI checkpoints reduce fatal crashes caused by drunk driving. While these results have been widely celebrated, their use has caused considerable debate – civil liberties activists contend they violate drivers’ privacy rights and lead to unnecessary searches.

Legality - Supervisors must determine in advance and adhere to a standard protocol when creating DUI checkpoints, giving drivers notice to avoid this area if necessary. Police officers should follow certain guidelines and treat all drivers equally regardless of race or ethnicity; any detention must also be short as any longer can constitute unreasonable search and seizure claims from drivers.

Controversy - Some civil liberties advocates contend that DUI checkpoints violate the Fourth Amendment because they represent an unreasonable intrusion and search and seizure, are ineffective at catching drunk drivers.

Police departments that intend to implement DUI checkpoints must first have an approved plan and publicize it so drivers have an opportunity to avoid it if possible.
 
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Saltwater60

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CaseHardened said:
That's very interesting.

Maybe they work :oops:

But if so, the police should perhaps publicize the success.
Click to expand...
It was a very rural town and the road it was on was one way in and one way out that’s a major route of traffic going north to south. I think it could work in limited situations. Also a parade just ended.
 
Bigfoot

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I was driving to a friend's house for a visit and taking him some potato salad my wife had made. On my way there I realized I forgot the potato salad at home and figured screw it I'm not turning around for that.

Approaching a DWI checkpoint, I decided to test a theory, and at the same time go back and get the potato salad, meh, why not? So I pulled into a driveway, backed out, and headed in the direction from which I came.

My theory was proven to be correct. I was immediately lit up and pulled over. I explained to the Trooper that I forgot something at home and turned around to go back. (Which was the truth in a way) Then the fishing expedition started.

I was harassed for quite a while before they finally gave up on trying to find something to nail me on. The initial Trooper was pissed off and not professional by any means. By the time it was done, 3 Troopers were trying desperately to find something, anything to get me on. They failed because there wasn't anything.

What I'm getting at is that there is NOT "freedom of movement" near a checkpoint.
And that IS unconstitutional. Cas. 546 (1823), freedom of movement has been judicially recognized as a fundamental Constitutional right.

I understand the, don't invite the man into your life. But I wanted to test a theory of mine.
My theory was correct, and the NYSP failed the test.
 
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Cooolone

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These are the same people (running things) in Mass that'll bemoan illegal immigrants being denied their rights and championing sanctuary for criminal migrants!

Yet, then it's perfectly ok, absent Probable Cause, to stop and harass drivers en mass! (Pun intended) lol...

Safety checks my ass, it's never about safety! Ever!
 
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tell them to piss off , they have no duty to protect ... their road check point is unconstitutional ...

1. Town of Castle Rock v. Gonzales (2005): This Supreme Court case further reinforced the no duty to protect doctrine.

A woman sued the police for failing to enforce a restraining order against her estranged husband, who subsequently murdered their three children. The Court ruled that the police had no constitutional duty to enforce the restraining order and thus were not liable for their failure to act.

2. Warren v. District of Columbia (1981):

The D.C. Court of Appeals held that police have a general "public duty" to maintain order but not a specific legal duty to protect individuals absent a special relationship. This case also highlights the "public duty doctrine," which generally shields government entities from liability for failing to provide adequate police protection.

which means when you are in their custody then they have a duty to protect you ..

so the best they can do is to notify the public that the bars close at 2am and to stay off the streets because the Drunk drivers will be out ..
 
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CaseHardened said:
That's very interesting.

Maybe they work :oops:

But if so, the police should perhaps publicize the success.
Click to expand...
Lots of stuff works very well, but it's too dangerous to allow.

Asbestos is a fantastic insulator and fireproofing. Far better than the replacements.

But we don't use it because it's dangers outweigh how good it is at it's job.

A lot of the modern police powers are like that, and should be relegated to the same place.
 
CaseHardened

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Dr. Evil said:
I thought maybe they were checking for your covid shot papers.
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Like they did during Covid when they claimed they could close state borders?

As Bigfoot pointed out: Cas. 546 (1823), freedom of movement has been judicially recognized as a fundamental Constitutional right.

Oh, and some places that forced you to stay indoors at your home.
 
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AI Overview

During the "Speed Week" traffic enforcement campaign in June 2025 (June 9-15), the New York State Police issued
12,703 speeding tickets. This was part of a larger initiative that saw a total of 27,208 traffic tickets issued. This represented an increase from the 2024 June "Speed Week" where 11,152 speeding tickets were issued out of a total of 22,426 tickets.

Your "rights," during a DWI checkpoint interview, are to answer questions and submit to a breathlizer/sobriety test if asked.

"Have you been drinking? "Do you have a weapon in the vehicle,", etc.

A search is likely to happen... if impaired.
 
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Refusing a breathlyzer test, is an automatic DWI....Lawyer and court costs are about 10k.

Cops can smell booze when you open the window.
Refusing to exit the vehicle, is a bad plan. You will exit.

The right to travel on foot or horseback is not questioned, unless intoxicated, and that is regulated too, but the right to operate a motor vehicle, on a public highway is clearly not in the bundle of human rights.
 
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Zerex said:
Refusing a breathlyzer test, is an automatic DWI....Lawyer and court costs are about 10k.
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I think you have some of your facts mixed up. Refusing a breathalyzer can result in an automatic 1 year license suspension and $500 fine (first offense), and said refusal can be used as evidence against you in a DWI trial.

It is not an automatic DWI.
 
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We used to do these all of the time when I was an MP. Hated doing them. So damn boring and most of us were not ready, willing or able to jam up Soldiers just to make high numbers.

Definitely a bunch different rules when driving on post, still hated them.
 
RooftopKorean

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Last year while I was living at my previous rental, there was a bad accident at the intersection near my home. An old lady and grand daughter were hit by a pickup truck leaving an MTA bus depot. Sadly the grandmother didn't survive, luckily the child only had scraps and cuts.

A few days after, NYPD had a check point setup right in front of my rental blocking the driveway. I politely asked them to move their check point citing that they were blocking my driveway and impeding my ability to get out easily. Of course, they ignored me. The "check point" was nothing more than a cash grab to ticket people for not wearing seat belts while trying to look good in the eyes of the public.

Since they ignored my request to move, I made it a point to go out with my truck every 30 minutes so they would have to move their squad cars. They were also constantly running their engines and I had fumes wafting into my place.

I eventually got pissed off and called my buddy who used to be a staffer for the local assembly man. A few minutes later, they packed up their check point and left. I'm pretty sure the Precinct got a nasty call and told them to pack it up and leave.

I am pro LEO, but some of the shit they pull is just fucking ridiculous and annoying. And they wonder why there is so much hate for them. Many of them lack professionalism that is supposed to be a part of their job.
 
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Saltwater60

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Bigfoot said:
I was driving to a friend's house for a visit and taking him some potato salad my wife had made. On my way there I realized I forgot the potato salad at home and figured screw it I'm not turning around for that.

Approaching a DWI checkpoint, I decided to test a theory, and at the same time go back and get the potato salad, meh, why not? So I pulled into a driveway, backed out, and headed in the direction from which I came.

My theory was proven to be correct. I was immediately lit up and pulled over. I explained to the Trooper that I forgot something at home and turned around to go back. (Which was the truth in a way) Then the fishing expedition started.

I was harassed for quite a while before they finally gave up on trying to find something to nail me on. The initial Trooper was pissed off and not professional by any means. By the time it was done, 3 Troopers were trying desperately to find something, anything to get me on. They failed because there wasn't anything.

What I'm getting at is that there is NOT "freedom of movement" near a checkpoint.
And that IS unconstitutional. Cas. 546 (1823), freedom of movement has been judicially recognized as a fundamental Constitutional right.

I understand the, don't invite the man into your life. But I wanted to test a theory of mine.
My theory was correct, and the NYSP failed the test.
Click to expand...
I get them pulling you over in a sense but what cause did they have? None so they can’t legally do that because turning around means nothing and isn’t a crime. they do as they please these days with people like us while turning a blind eye to true criminals. They wonder why we don’t support them anymore.
I get they thought you were drunk and avoiding the checkpoint but when they discovered you weren’t drunk it should have been have a nice night sir. None of that happened hence why I don’t like or trust cops anymore. I used to have good interactions with them because I knew them all but now that the ones I knew are retiring the good interactions have retired with them. I’ve had some bad interactions with some cops over the last 10 years unless I personally know them. It’s sad it really is.
 
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