Detroit rail system now permits random police searches of passengers [priv]

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>
Date: January 12, 2006 4:47:20 AM EST
To: politech () politechbot com
Subject: [Politech] Detroit rail system now permits random police  
searches of passengers [priv]

I've never ridden Detroit's Peoplemover. But it's apparently a light  
rail system with 13 passenger stations in a three mile loop:
http://faculty.washington.edu/~jbs/itrans/detroit.htm

This is reminiscent of random police searches of subway riders' bags  
in New York City, which a federal judge said does not violate the  
Fourth Amendment:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/12/02/national/main1094830.shtml

Except at least New York had some discussion about it, which does not  
seem to be the case with Detroit.

-Declan


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: ANONYMOUS Politech Submission: Detroit People Mover Now  
Randomly Searching Passengers
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 02:15:37
To: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>

ANONYMOUS Politech Submission: Detroit People Mover Now Randomly
Searching Passengers

"Due to increased security during [the North American International Auto
Show], the DTC recommends that patrons travel lightly and not plan to
carry large packages and backpacks onto The People Mover. These items
may be randomly searched and checked, resulting in delays."


There is no indication that this policy will end when the NAIAS ends.
Requests for information on this policy were not (yet) returned.


People mover trains are no larger than buses, but the People Mover has a
brain dead security design in that trains run without obstruction
directly over the main floor at the Cobo Center where the NAIAS is held.


Then again, rather than randomly searching citizens, the Detroit Police
might want to put more resources in getting their murder closure rate
above that elusive 50% mark.


/Anonymous

http://thepeoplemover.com/2006-Auto-Show-Hours.id.297.htm
http://www.detnews.com/2005/metro/0501/05/C01-49213.htm

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