Socialism is taking a huge hold in the USA. The fall of the Soviet Union was not the end of the threat of Socialism at all... in fact it just spread the virus since there isn't a head to control it anymore.

Originally Posted by 5.56X45mm

DC has lost their friggin minds

Having lived there for two years, I'm not sure they ever had it to begin with...

Actually, where she came from, U.S. Park, that agency is pretty well known as the CP Department from hell. Yes, some of it is indeed aimed at gangs and drug personnel. The truth of the matter though, granted not a lot but enough, is that some gangs and some drug personnel have been linked to terrorists and terrorism. As I am sure you heard in the fairly recent past, let's use Heroine for example, the purchase and sales of that narcotic on the street has been linked/identified as one of the drugs sold in this country that was going directly to the Taliban folks in Afghanistan. So, a factual argument can successfully be made that would say that some, if not many of the crimes are interconnected.

What the heck's going on over here? Nothing negative in my opinion as far as this scenario is concerned. The reason why I believe this is being leaked as a roving type of Op is because if it was SOP then you would have whining about Martial Law and that type of nonsense.

Another thing to keep in mind, back in 1988, when I was a marine stationed in DC at the Marine Barracks, their were approximately 250 known terrorists in the area then. At least, that was one of the items passed along in meetings. Being that this was 20 years ago, I assume this is safe to share here but if not, then please moderator's. feel free to adjust accordingly.

Big difference between the type of policing done by USPP and a major urban dept. USPP has some dealings in and around DC in an urban setting but a different enforcement focus and different agency view point on "customer service" for lack of a better word. Then you throw in jurisdictional differences and you can see how she might consider this a good idea.

"Well it worked well at the Washington Monument."

As far as it being linked to terrorism. Just me but it's stretching it. Heroin and the taliban link. Okay I can make the same case with cocaine. Cocaine money goes to FARC and AUC in Columbia eithier directly or indirectly and since their both listed on Terrorist Organization lists then that makes every dealer and user a supporter of a known terrorist group and thus subject to prosecution under those laws. You can make the case for just about anything if your willing to deal in various shades of gray.

I might even buy the argument were it not that thats not even the intended focus of the enforcement. The focus is street crime. Good. Great. Focus on street crime but focus on the doers and focus on getting the solid citizens on your side. Get something like the old TNT units of the 80's and Gang units get your guys out in the community and be visable.

In the long run it matters not what I think. They'll do it. It may work. I'm betting it becomes a media circus. But hey very few Chiefs and Commisioners are appointed because of a stellar record of street work. They get appointed because they are administrators and know what political buttons to push. So if it doesn't work out hopefully Lanier will take the heat for it (doubtful) and not lay it on a bunch of street grunts and 1st line supervisors.

Next thing will be the infamous Russian style "Internal passport" to travel from one administrative zone to the next.

Originally Posted by The Other Guy

What is going on? They're trying to make America safe. You have no problem with checkpoints all over Iraq to make them safe, why not implement some here?

Yep. A "surge" in DC is probably what is needed

Originally Posted by senojekips

Next thing will be the infamous Russian style "Internal passport" to travel from one administrative zone to the next.

This isn't as far off as people would like to think.

Originally Posted by AJChenMPH

Having lived there for two years, I'm not sure they ever had it to begin with...

I think I have to agree with you.

If America slides much further down this slope of trading freedom for theoretical safety, I'm moving to Canada. Seriously, I love this place but I refuse to live in a surveillance society.

With the age of terrorism we live, this is what a smart society does. Have to find the guilt before they strike if possible, otherwiuse, 3,000 folks can die in less than an hour.