Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims
Cops break down doors, threaten residents who question them as part of martial law conditioning, authorities prevent people from re-entering their homes
Paul Joseph Watson
Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Shocking footage out of Cedar Rapids Iowa shows cops and government employee "strike teams" breaking into houses of flood victims and threatening anyone who questions their actions in complete violation of the 4th amendment right that protects against unlawful search and seizure.

No warrant, no knock home invasions are being carried out on the flimsy pretext of "checking for structural damage" as cops harass and threaten with arrest people who refuse to have their homes ransacked by thugs in uniforms.

Cedar Rapids police chief Greg Graham promised residents over the weekend that "Law enforcement officers are not entering homes," and that firefighters would only enter homes through unlocked doors and windows yet the video clearly shows locked houses being broken in to.

Watch the clip: http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=ONAudPPhum8

People who attempt to gain access to their home before it has been "cleared" by authorities are being apprehended, and those who attempt to drive around police checkpoints that have been set up in the affected areas are arrested at gunpoint.

"Each strike team consisted of six or seven people, including police, firefighters, utilities workers, and city employees," reports the Iowa Gazette.

Angela Tague, a member of the STAR 1 search and rescue team from Ames, ran into any angry homeowner on E Avenue NW.

"He was saying 'Where do you live?' and 'How would you like it if someone busted your door open?," Tague said.

Police Officer Josh Bell later had a heated exchange with the man, and told him that if he didn't go back inside his house and stop harassing the strike team, he would be escorted out of the area.

The man was visibly agitated about his broken door and pointed at Bell.

"It's wrong," the man said, over and over.

So people who are uncomfortable with jackbooted thugs breaking down their door without even knocking and express their distaste for it are to blame for "harassing the strike team"?

Respondents to the You Tube clip and the newspaper article expressed their outrage at the behavior of those in the video tasked with "helping" flood-stricken people yet doing nothing more than intimidating and invading their homes.

"You break down the door of my private residence and when I object you threaten to escort me off my own property. Fine example of police work. Did anyone think to knock first? Thomas Jefferson said that the main reason for citizens to be armed was to protect themselves from tyrannical government. If this isn't tyranny then I don't know what is. A man's home is his castle," states Steve Delaloye.

"A sad day for America when government thugs abuse the trust of the citizenry like this," writes one.

"So these cops and fire fighters are part time structural engineers, or what?? What are they inspecting for in the structures? Gas and electric could be shut off at the source, and any spills are so diluted they wont catch fire. The police chief said no police would enter any homes, and what do you know, mr fat ass cop goes piling through the window thinking he's T.J Hooker. Damn, this is just sad, sad , sad," adds another.

One Iowa resident expresses her anger that authorities will not let her re-enter her home.

"I sit here with tears streaming down my face. I have been trying to be patient and await to enter my home. Now today, I am told there will be no re-entry's until further notice. I cannot express how ****ing mad I am. I understand the houses can be unsafe. Just let me at least see my house, so that I can assess if it hit my top floor. I have pictures and memories on my top floor of my deceased mother, all I want to do is rescue those," she writes.

As we reported in 2005, Hurricane Katrina was exploited by the federal government and used as a martial law drill while victims were abused and treated like rats in a laboratory.

Door to door gun confiscations were ordered and cops ransacked homes and took weapons from multi-million dollar homes which were in the high and dry areas and completely unaffected by the hurricane. In some cases, residents were kicked out of their own homes for no reason.

Outrageous footage showed cops seizing handguns from the home of a grief-stricken old women as they assaulted and punched her in the face.

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=pejhz81fLsc

Where does the government think it derives the authority from to break into people's homes whose lives have already been devastated by massive floods on the flimsiest of pretexts?

The 4th amendment states, "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be
seized."

Even if there was a legitimate reason to inspect homes, why on earth do they not even bother to knock on the door?

Cops immediately attempt to break in or climb through windows uninvited because this procedure is all about sending a message - when a crisis unfolds we are the bosses and you - the peasants - will yield to our tyranny.

Lawsuits need to be filed immediately by people in Iowa and elsewhere who have had cops invade their homes in complete violation of the 4th amendment and a pretext needs to be set that will put a stop to the government's routine exploitation of natural disasters as an opportunity to impose martial law measures on needy victims that have already had their lives devastated.

With reports indicating that the Mississippi river is in danger of bursting its banks, the precedent that was set with Hurricane Katrina could be set to advance as government minions and jackbooted thugs across the country lick their lips at the prospect of kicking down more doors and harassing innocent people.

Contact the Iowa ACLU and demand they pressure the authorities to stop these illegal home invasions immediately: http://tinyurl. com/6mdmwd

http://tinyurl. com/5wcj7y
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Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

hey, the nation spoke loud and clear during and after Katrina.
They want the government to be the answer to all of mother natures
wrath.
Be careful what you ask for.
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

hey, the nation spoke loud and clear during and after Katrina.
They want the government to be the answer all to mother natures
wrath.
Be careful what you ask for.

No, Deal, they simply want to government to help when they say they are going to help. Not use thugs to keep people out of their homes.
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

If your home is flooded, are you really at home to be harrassed?
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

No, Deal, they simply want to government to help when they say they are going to help. Not use thugs to keep people out of their homes.

Maybe these people were in harms way and didn't need to be
in there homes?
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

Assuming momentarily that your (RealDeal) premise is anything other than ridiculous, how does illegally entering homesteads by force equate to anything resembling an "answer"?
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

Yet if they drown in said house, how many cries of where and why didn't
someone save my loved ones will you hear?

The answer to that is they chose to re-enter their homes. Nothing more.
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

Assuming momentarily that your (RealDeal) premise is anything other than ridiculous, how does illegally entering homesteads by force equate to anything resembling an "answer"?

Citizens want the government to protect and serve. If these people
are in harms way then the government is doing it's job.
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

The houses they were breaking into were not flooded. I guess people could be drowning in their bathtub, though. . .
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

The answer to that is they chose to re-enter their homes. Nothing more.

and what would you bet me that I can't find examples of the why didn't
you save em crowd suing the city-state and others for not acting AND WINNING SAID SUIT. Also these types will call for govt inquiries and study
and changes in law.
You know as well as I do that it happens all to often.
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

The houses they were breaking into were not flooded. I guess people could be drowning in their bathtub, though. . .


So you know for a fact that the houses were in no danger?
You know all the facts of this article?
Because I doubt it tells the whole story.
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

and what would you bet me that I can't find examples of the why didn't
you save em crowd suing the city-state and others for not acting AND WINNING SAID SUIT. Also these types will call for govt inquiries and study
and changes in law.
You know as well as I do that it happens all to often.

I don't care about the "why didn't you save them crowd". To me they are just as sickening as as the thugs themselves.
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

So you know for a fact that the houses were in no danger?
You know all the facts of this article?
Because I doubt it tells the whole story.

Regardless, the government has no right to break into anyone's house, unless a crime is being committed or has been committed.
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

and what would you bet me that I can't find examples of the why didn't
you save em crowd suing the city-state and others for not acting AND WINNING SAID SUIT. Also these types will call for govt inquiries and study
and changes in law.
You know as well as I do that it happens all to often.

Huh!? I'll take the house limit. Please explain the theory of recovery for the homeowners?
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

Regardless, the government has no right to break into anyone's house, unless a crime is being committed or has been committed.

So if the area was a flooded area or was a danger to all that may be in
it no worries right?
I can't say I totally disagree because I really hate it when the police
step in and stop people from jumping off of bridges and tall buildings!
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

So if the area was a flooded area or was a danger to all that may be in
it no worries right?
I can't say I totally disagree because I really hate it when the police
step in and stop people from jumping off of bridges and tall buildings!

Same concept. The government isn't there to "keep people alive".
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

Dawg, there is a concept where the police can detain, enter, etc. without a warrant which is referred to as the "community caretaking" function of law enforcement. However, the parameters are VERY narrow, and require a particularized, reasonable and specific belief that a known individual may be in trouble. The wholesale door-kicking that appears to be occurring in Cedar Rapids does not even come close to complying with that limited exception. . . .
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

Huh!? I'll take the house limit. Please explain the theory of recovery for the homeowners?

Whats your limit?
It is no different than the fireman that stopped me from going
in my burning house to recover things.
Even though I am at the window and see no fire in the room
would I be in danger? Hell yes. Over 50% of the house was burning.
I didn't like it but he did the right thing.
Whats your limit? I need the money!
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

Dawg, there is a concept where the police can detain, enter, etc. without a warrant which is referred to as the "community caretaking" function of law enforcement. However, the parameters are VERY narrow, and require a particularized, reasonable and specific belief that a known individual may be in trouble. The wholesale door-kicking that appears to be occurring in Cedar Rapids does not even come close to complying with that limited exception. . . .

Because it exists, doesn't make it right...
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

Fire = immediate, concrete risk of death or serious bodily injury. Reasonable to keep civilian from running back into the house.

Generalized flooding in the area a few days ago does not even come close to an immediate, concrete risk of death or serious bodily injury. Moreover, the youtube clip that is the topic of discussion involves "strike teams" illegally breaking into homes, not firemen keeping people out of their house. . . .Nice attempt to wriggle off the topic, though. . . .:cheers
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

Because it exists, doesn't make it right...

I agree. In my experience, the "concern" for the allegedly "distressed" individual is really nothing more than a bald attempt to obtain evidence without having the requisite probable cause for a legitimate detention. . . .
 

mr merlin

EOG Master
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

I agree with dawg on this one - no way they have the right to kick in anybody's door. Up here we recently had a tornado and the thugs kept people from returning to their houses until authorities had "approved" their return. Alot of these people had damaged houses and they could have saved quite a bit if they were allowed back.
 
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

I agree. In my experience, the "concern" for the allegedly "distressed" individual is really nothing more than a bald attempt to obtain evidence without having the requisite probable cause for a legitimate detention. . . .

Ever the level headed one, 46. 91023i2ndw;l
 

scrimmage

What you contemplate you imitate
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

I agree with dawg on this one - no way they have the right to kick in anybody's door. Up here we recently had a tornado and the thugs kept people from returning to their houses until authorities had "approved" their return. Alot of these people had damaged houses and they could have saved quite a bit if they were allowed back.

Is leaving a garage door open a good reason for police to enter the premises?They did knock in this case before entering the Lakeville Minnesota home of Troy Molde,and there had been a murder nearby when 2 assailants entered a home via an open garage door.
Was this a violation of the 4th amendment,or a reasonable search?

Lakeville police surprise sleeping man with 3 a.m. reminder to lock his doors

<!--subtitle-->Lakeville police surprise sleeping dad with 3 a.m. reminder to lock his doors
<!--byline-->By Maricella Miranda
mmiranda@pioneerpress.com
<!--date-->Article Last Updated: 06/20/2008 12:18:41 AM CDT

<SCRIPT language=JavaScript> var requestedWidth = 0; </SCRIPT>
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript> if(requestedWidth > 0){ document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.width = requestedWidth + "px"; document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.margin = "0px 0px 10px 10px"; } </SCRIPT>
Troy Molde awoke at 3 a.m. Thursday[6/19/2008] to police flashlights shining in his face. Two uniformed Lakeville officers were in his bedroom, knocking on the wall to wake him up.

They were there, they said, to warn him to keep his doors closed and locked.
Their surprise visit was part of a public service campaign. Officers had fanned out across the city, leaving notices on doors to remind residents how to prevent thefts by keeping garage doors closed, not leaving valuables in cars and locking windows or doors.

But at Molde's house, they went further.
His two sons, ages 5 and 7, and 5-year-old twin nephews were having a sleepover in the living room. They awoke to find the officers in the house.
"I was violated, but ... I wasn't physically damaged," Molde said of what he considers an invasion of privacy.

The officers told Molde his garage door was open, the TV was on, keys to his truck were left in the ignition and the door to his house was ajar.
Police said the intrusion was justified because the officers' initial door knocks went unanswered. Police went inside to check if anything was wrong, Sgt. Jim Puncochar said.

He said the kids were afraid to wake their dad, so the officers went upstairs.
"It really was suspicious," Puncochar said.
But Molde, 34, said he went upstairs to bed at midnight. Molde didn't shut the garage door, and he remembers leaving the doors to his house closed ? but unlocked. The kids fell asleep watching TV.

Three hours later, he had police in his bedroom. He immediately thought something was wrong.

"I was just dazed," said the 34-year-old dad. "It's not a safe way of (police) protection."

Puncochar said officers left pamphlets Thursday at eight other houses as a friendly reminder of ways residents can avoid becoming victims of crimes, such as burglary.

"We went there to determine that everyone was safe," Puncochar said.
Officers also leave the messages when checking on a home security alarm or to warn of a law violation they see at the residence. The department began using door hangers a year ago to tackle a rise in burglaries in 2006, Chief Tom Vonhof said at the time.

Police say many crimes originate with open garage doors.
Last month, a 52-year-old Burnsville man was stabbed and left to die in his burning town house after two assailants entered his home at 4:30 a.m. by way of an open garage door.

The suspects, who stole the man's car to escape, entered the garage and home through unlocked doors. Police have not found the assailants.
Leaving a door hanger for residents is a method used by other police departments nationally, Vonhof said. It can help create a police presence.
Lakeville police gave Molde a reminder he won't forget anytime soon. "I haven't figured out what I should do with it yet," Molde said.
From:
http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_9641991?nclick_check=1
 

nedrow

EOG Dedicated
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

i heard about this ,f/n a ssholes , and you dont here about it in the main stream media . WAKE UP
 

mr merlin

EOG Master
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

Is leaving a garage door open a good reason for police to enter the premises?They did knock in this case before entering the Lakeville Minnesota home of Troy Molde,and there had been a murder nearby when 2 assailants entered a home via an open garage door.
Was this a violation of the 4th amendment,or a reasonable search?

Lakeville police surprise sleeping man with 3 a.m. reminder to lock his doors

<!--subtitle-->Lakeville police surprise sleeping dad with 3 a.m. reminder to lock his doors
<!--byline-->By Maricella Miranda
mmiranda@pioneerpress.com
<!--date-->Article Last Updated: 06/20/2008 12:18:41 AM CDT

<script language="JavaScript"> var requestedWidth = 0; </script>
<script language="JavaScript"> if(requestedWidth > 0){ document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.width = requestedWidth + "px"; document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.margin = "0px 0px 10px 10px"; } </script>
Troy Molde awoke at 3 a.m. Thursday[6/19/2008] to police flashlights shining in his face. Two uniformed Lakeville officers were in his bedroom, knocking on the wall to wake him up.

They were there, they said, to warn him to keep his doors closed and locked.
Their surprise visit was part of a public service campaign. Officers had fanned out across the city, leaving notices on doors to remind residents how to prevent thefts by keeping garage doors closed, not leaving valuables in cars and locking windows or doors.

But at Molde's house, they went further.
His two sons, ages 5 and 7, and 5-year-old twin nephews were having a sleepover in the living room. They awoke to find the officers in the house.
"I was violated, but ... I wasn't physically damaged," Molde said of what he considers an invasion of privacy.

The officers told Molde his garage door was open, the TV was on, keys to his truck were left in the ignition and the door to his house was ajar.
Police said the intrusion was justified because the officers' initial door knocks went unanswered. Police went inside to check if anything was wrong, Sgt. Jim Puncochar said.

He said the kids were afraid to wake their dad, so the officers went upstairs.
"It really was suspicious," Puncochar said.
But Molde, 34, said he went upstairs to bed at midnight. Molde didn't shut the garage door, and he remembers leaving the doors to his house closed ? but unlocked. The kids fell asleep watching TV.

Three hours later, he had police in his bedroom. He immediately thought something was wrong.

"I was just dazed," said the 34-year-old dad. "It's not a safe way of (police) protection."

Puncochar said officers left pamphlets Thursday at eight other houses as a friendly reminder of ways residents can avoid becoming victims of crimes, such as burglary.

"We went there to determine that everyone was safe," Puncochar said.
Officers also leave the messages when checking on a home security alarm or to warn of a law violation they see at the residence. The department began using door hangers a year ago to tackle a rise in burglaries in 2006, Chief Tom Vonhof said at the time.

Police say many crimes originate with open garage doors.
Last month, a 52-year-old Burnsville man was stabbed and left to die in his burning town house after two assailants entered his home at 4:30 a.m. by way of an open garage door.

The suspects, who stole the man's car to escape, entered the garage and home through unlocked doors. Police have not found the assailants.
Leaving a door hanger for residents is a method used by other police departments nationally, Vonhof said. It can help create a police presence.
Lakeville police gave Molde a reminder he won't forget anytime soon. "I haven't figured out what I should do with it yet," Molde said.
From:
http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_9641991?nclick_check=1
Outrageous!, too bad he didnt have a gun and mow those cops down, maybe then they would think twice before they trample on peoples rights.
 

scrimmage

What you contemplate you imitate
Re: Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims

Maybe these people were in harms way and didn't need to be
in there homes?

That's not a choice for the government, or it's thugs, to make.

What's going on here in this picture?It doesn't look good IMO:


An angry resident that tried to drive around a security checkpoint is stopped by one police officer, right, while another tries to break his window to extract him in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Monday, June 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Photo from;
Mississippi Floodwaters in Iowa - The Big Picture - Boston.com
 
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