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September 18, 2010
An informant on every corner
Phil Boehmke
Be afraid. When the government actively encourages the people to inform on each other then we are all in danger. From the United Kingdom comes a disturbing story about the Sussex police and a new program called ‘Operation Crackdown.' The Daily Mail reports that.
Officers want the public to report anti-social driving and denounce drivers who use mobiles at the wheel or fail to belt up.
Anyone reported twice in 12 months would face police action, which could involve a warning letter or a home visit.
Sussex Police, which is trailing Operation Crackdown, has already received 20;488 reports from the public. All are made online and the accused driver cannot find out who is responsible.
Freedom of information requests reveal that 2,695 drivers have received letters of advice about their driving. A further 1,047 have been sanctioned for offences such as having an out-of-date tax disc. Police say the scheme, which could go nation wide, protects against dangerous drivers.
‘Operation Crackdown' enlists untrained and anonymous individuals to inform on motorists who could be fined or punished without ever having the opportunity to face their accuser. Wouldn't a law enforcement program without accountability would be an open invitation to abuse? How long would it be before a citizen with a grudge would use ‘Operation Crackdown' as a means of exacting revenge? If successful, how long would it be until the government expanded the system to accept reports on jay-walking or smoking or excess salt usage?
Frightening as it is that the government would implement such a system, it is even more disturbing that the public is actually participating in the program. Didn't the German people help the Nazis maintain law and order by informing on their neighbors? At least this could never happen in here America. Please report any disinformation about the healthcare reform bill to whitehouse.gov.
paboehmke@yahoo.com
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