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peaceandlove · 03-24-2009, 10:39 PM

Highway Robbery? Texas Police Seize Black Motorists' Cash, Cars

Suit says cops force motorists, largely black, to forfeit cash and cars—or be charged with trumped-up crimes

By Howard Witt | Tribune correspondent
March 10, 2009

A Texas senator aims to rein in search-and-seizure practices like those used in Tenaha, where scores have been targeted but never charged with any crime. (San Antonio Express-News photo by Lisa Sandberg / February 6, 2009)

TENAHA, Texas— You can drive into this dusty fleck of a town near the Texas-Louisiana border if you're African-American, but you might not be able to drive out of it—at least not with your car, your cash, your jewelry or other valuables.

That's because the police here allegedly have found a way to strip motorists, many of them black, of their property without ever charging them with a crime. Instead they offer out-of-towners a grim choice: voluntarily sign over your belongings to the town, or face felony charges of money laundering or other serious crimes.

More than 140 people reluctantly accepted that deal from June 2006 to June 2008, according to court records. Among them were a black grandmother from Akron, who surrendered $4,000 in cash after Tenaha police pulled her over, and an interracial couple from Houston, who gave up more than $6,000 after police threatened to seize their children and put them into foster care, the court documents show. Neither the grandmother nor the couple were charged with any crime.

Officials in Tenaha, situated along a heavily traveled highway connecting Houston with popular gambling destinations in Louisiana, say they are engaged in a battle against drug trafficking and call the search-and-seizure practice a legitimate use of the state's asset-forfeiture law. That law permits local police agencies to keep drug money and other property used in the commission of a crime and add the proceeds to their budgets.

Article continues and Video: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-texas-profiling_wittmar10,0,6051682.story

I think it was on Coast to Coast AM that I recently heard someone mention, (and now considering this may become a trend) to not carry anything more than you need to in your vehicle, especially if it will be unattended for any period of time. Leave all valuables, excess cash, credit cards and documents not necessary for traveling at home.

03-24-2009, 10:39 PM	#22
peaceandlove Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Turtle Island Posts: 2,776	Highway Robbery? Texas Police Seize Black Motorists' Cash, Cars Highway Robbery? Texas Police Seize Black Motorists' Cash, Cars Suit says cops force motorists, largely black, to forfeit cash and cars—or be charged with trumped-up crimes By Howard Witt \| Tribune correspondent March 10, 2009 A Texas senator aims to rein in search-and-seizure practices like those used in Tenaha, where scores have been targeted but never charged with any crime. (San Antonio Express-News photo by Lisa Sandberg / February 6, 2009) TENAHA, Texas— You can drive into this dusty fleck of a town near the Texas-Louisiana border if you're African-American, but you might not be able to drive out of it—at least not with your car, your cash, your jewelry or other valuables. That's because the police here allegedly have found a way to strip motorists, many of them black, of their property without ever charging them with a crime. Instead they offer out-of-towners a grim choice: voluntarily sign over your belongings to the town, or face felony charges of money laundering or other serious crimes. More than 140 people reluctantly accepted that deal from June 2006 to June 2008, according to court records. Among them were a black grandmother from Akron, who surrendered $4,000 in cash after Tenaha police pulled her over, and an interracial couple from Houston, who gave up more than $6,000 after police threatened to seize their children and put them into foster care, the court documents show. Neither the grandmother nor the couple were charged with any crime. Officials in Tenaha, situated along a heavily traveled highway connecting Houston with popular gambling destinations in Louisiana, say they are engaged in a battle against drug trafficking and call the search-and-seizure practice a legitimate use of the state's asset-forfeiture law. That law permits local police agencies to keep drug money and other property used in the commission of a crime and add the proceeds to their budgets. Article continues and Video: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-texas-profiling_wittmar10,0,6051682.story I think it was on Coast to Coast AM that I recently heard someone mention, (and now considering this may become a trend) to not carry anything more than you need to in your vehicle, especially if it will be unattended for any period of time. Leave all valuables, excess cash, credit cards and documents not necessary for traveling at home. Last edited by peaceandlove; 03-24-2009 at 11:05 PM.