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Latest Weapon in Fight Against Drunk Driving: Syringes?
That's the headline to this A.P. article highlighting a new, what-could-possibly-go-wrong tactic police are using in Texas and Idaho.
When police officer Darryll Dowell is on patrol in the southwestern Idaho city of Nampa, he'll pull up at a stoplight and usually start casing the vehicle. Nowadays, his eyes will also focus on the driver's arms, as he tries to search for a plump, bouncy vein.
"I was looking at people's arms and hands, thinking, 'I could draw from that,'" Dowell said.
It's all part of training he and a select cadre of officers in Idaho and Texas have received in recent months to draw blood from those suspected of drunken or drugged driving. The federal program's aim is to determine if blood draws by cops can be an effective tool against drunk drivers and aid in their prosecution.
If the results seem promising after a year or two, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will encourage police nationwide to undergo similar training.
This is all perfectly legal, by the way, courtesy of a 1966 U.S. Supreme Court decision. I guess it's surprising it's taken this long for it to be implemented on a broader scale.
|9.14.09 @ 1:33PM|#
We are so fucked. I don't know what to even say to this. What a authoritarian little bastard the cop in this story is.
!|9.14.09 @ 1:38PM|#
The only thing this will do is draw more vampires into law enforcement. Thanks 1966 Supreme Court!
|9.14.09 @ 1:39PM|#
Does anyone seriously think that the number of people who would be caught by blood tests who would not be caught by breathalyzers is significant?
Y\'all|9.14.09 @ 1:39PM|#
It baffles me how the courts have concluded that bodily fluids & exhalations are not covered by the 4th amendment requirement for warrants and its prohibitions against unreasonable search & seizure. Your property, papers, and effects are (supposed to be) protected, but not your bodily fluids? WTF?
Meta4|9.14.09 @ 1:42PM|#
I am opposed to the use of syringes on religious grounds. So go ahead. I fuckin' dare ya, pig.
|9.14.09 @ 1:43PM|#
Michael B. Sullivan,
You can refuse to blow into a breathalyzer and there is nothing the
cops can do about it. They can't force you short of torture to blow
into the damn thing. But they can hold you down and draw blood.
This is a way around people objecting to breathalyzer tests. It is
some real sick shit.
!|9.14.09 @ 1:43PM|#
but not your bodily fluids?
I peserve my presious bodily fluids by drinking rain water and pure
grain alcohol.
Wait! I know where their Commie plot is going now! Cops must drink
vodka.
BakedPenguin|9.14.09 @ 1:43PM|#
After the cop is done with the syringe, start pissing on his leg. "here's some more fluid for you, officer". It'd be worth the beat down.
Y\'all|9.14.09 @ 1:48PM|#
So now they'll just track your car to the bar/liquor store and
lie in wait for you:
Via InstaPundit.com:
"FEDS LOOKING AT A Vehicle Tracking Tax? Sure. Why would anyone
mind Uncle Sam knowing all about where and when they drive?
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/uncle-sam-eyes-vehicle-tracking-tax/
"
|9.14.09 @ 1:51PM|#
So I can reduce my chances of getting pulled over by taking up IV drug use. Good to know.
|9.14.09 @ 1:51PM|#
Notice, the sick bastard focuses on veins, not on whether the guy might you know be drunk or a threat. That is taken for granted. Because to cops, everyone is a criminal and under suspicion. That cop needs his ass kicked.
|9.14.09 @ 1:51PM|#
None of this will matter soon. Once Obama's had his way, do you really think there will be a difference between the police and doctor? the DEA and a pharmacist? the vice squad and a VD clinic?
The Angry Optimist|9.14.09 @ 1:52PM|#
ah, I am sure we'll get the cries from "but this is too far!" from so-called "libertarians" who have been supporting the DUI Jihad this entire time.
Art-P.O.G.|9.14.09 @ 1:59PM|#
Once Obama's had his way, do you really think there will be a difference between the police and doctor? the DEA and a pharmacist? the vice squad and a VD clinic?
Ooh, dystopian without being 1980-faux.
|9.14.09 @ 2:02PM|#
It seems that at least once a week I read something that makes me think that the future holds some sort of outlaw status for me and mine. This was this weeks, but then, it's only Monday.
|9.14.09 @ 2:04PM|#
Over under on how long until:
1. An officer seriously injuring somebody in the attempt, or
2. Someone contracting Hepatitis C (or worse) from a needle that's
been reused?
(bonus (stolen from Fark) 3. Due to improper storage, people are
arrested for completely unrealistic (>.60) BAC levels?)
|9.14.09 @ 2:04PM|#
I can't wait until one of these steady-handed Nurse Nices breaks a needle off in my arm.
|9.14.09 @ 2:05PM|#
This will be a great tool officers can use to combat drunk
drivers.
Sorry...I have to practice saying bs like that. I met a cute girl
last night that wants me to train her for the police academy. It
took all my willpower to not crack up laughing when she said Police
Women of Broward County was her fav show and they women on there
were awesome...haha.
Kyle Jordan|9.14.09 @ 2:08PM|#
"Texas and Idaho? Really? Are they trying to start the
revolution?"
Not so much. The Lonestar and Spud state are Law and Order enough
for this not to be too big of a problem. If they tried this in
Wyoming or Montana? There would already be dead cops.
"It seems that at least once a week I read something that makes me
think that the future holds some sort of outlaw status for me and
mine. This was this weeks, but then, it's only Monday."
I agree with you. I feel I'm in the same situation. Hell, we all
may be.
Art-P.O.G.|9.14.09 @ 2:09PM|#
I met a cute girl last night that wants me to train her for the police academy
Wait...does she look like Jennifer Carpenter?
Y\'all|9.14.09 @ 2:10PM|#
And how long before a cop accidentally infects him/herself with HIV or hep C? If the arrestee is belligerent, can't stand up, or just makes some random movement while the syringe is being withdrawn, or (an even more likely scenario) if the LEO is simply incompetent-- it's easy to imagine the LEO jabbing his/her own finger, leg, etc. Then we get to pay for their disability and health care.
Art-P.O.G.|9.14.09 @ 2:15PM|#
Having used a syringe (for training purposes), it's definitely a bad idea for a non-medical professional/specialist to use a needle in a field setting for any non-essential purpose. It's fairly easy to stick someone awkwardly.
|9.14.09 @ 2:17PM|#
And how long before a cop accidentally infects him/herself with HIV or hep C? If the arrestee is belligerent, can't stand up, or just makes some random movement while the syringe is being withdrawn, or (an even more likely scenario) if the LEO is simply incompetent-- it's easy to imagine the LEO jabbing his/her own finger, leg, etc. Then we get to pay for their disability and health care.
In that case, I'd be willing to bet that the "suspect" in question
would be charged with aggravated assault on a police
officer/attempted murder of a police officer
|9.14.09 @ 2:17PM|#
2. Someone contracting Hepatitis C (or worse) from a needle that's been reused?
Or just a needle that's been mishandled. I'm not really sure the
trunk of a patrol car is the right place to be keeping and handling
medical supplies.
And your #3, too. Yep, I'm sure we can count on some real reliable
readings from contaminated needles.
It bothers me enough when they use medical personel and paramedics
to draw samples but at least they've had training in maintaining
sterile conditions.
Obviously officialdonm has not though this out too clearly. Andrew
S., B.P. and Y'all have all come up with serious practical
objections (aside from all those nitpicky constitutional
arguments*) in the space of six minutes.
*Which thanks to the SCoTUS fall on deaf ears anyway.
|9.14.09 @ 2:19PM|#
Good luck taking my blood. Even in calm situations, well-trained
phlebotomists have a hard time getting blood out of me.
One time, they had blown so many veins in my arm they tried to take
some out of the back of my hand. They went through both sides of a
vein and popped it. My hand swelled up like a blood balloon. The
bruise turned my whole hand black for two weeks. I gave out
Halloween candy with my "mummy hand."
Art-P.O.G.|9.14.09 @ 2:22PM|#
I gave out Halloween candy with my "mummy hand."
I guess I don't have to make you pay dearly. Not only have you already paid dearly, apparently, but that was hilarious.
|9.14.09 @ 2:26PM|#
Oh, and as a medical tip to to all my peeps: If you can avoid it, don't get an IV in your ankle. Hurts like your first broken heart.
|9.14.09 @ 2:28PM|#
Wait...does she look like Jennifer Carpenter?
In my opinion better...she's younger, blond, and has a nicer rack.
Plus she's really short...I have a thing for short chicks.
Just hope she doesn't bring a taser in bed the first night.
|9.14.09 @ 2:29PM|#
SF, is every episode of House based on your life, or just the first three seasons?
monkey on juice|9.14.09 @ 2:30PM|#
If they tried this in Wyoming or Montana? There would already be
dead cops."
I want to move to Wyoming or Montana.
Xeones|9.14.09 @ 2:30PM|#
Happy fucking Monday to you too, Radley.
Sweet'n'Low, can't you take advantage of your plutocrat status to
get a Brazilian pancreas on the black market, or something?
Y\'all|9.14.09 @ 2:32PM|#
"Goin ' to Montana, goin' there soon, gonna be a dental floss tycoon." (Zappa)
|9.14.09 @ 2:34PM|#
SugarFree, I'm the exact opposite. A fairly decent dart player
could successfully get me, but no cop is sticking a needle in
me.
Oh, and fuck the 1966 U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Howarad Johnson|9.14.09 @ 2:34PM|#
"Just hope she doesn't bring a taser in bed the first
night."
Yeah. Tazers are more of a second night thing.
Cliché Bandit|9.14.09 @ 2:48PM|#
@ HJ
Nothing says I Love you like Zap, Crap, Do me again.
And the first time a cop pulls a needle on me we are going to have
a brief demonstration in the principle of self defense.
Careful what you wish for
|9.14.09 @ 2:49PM|#
SF, is every episode of House based on your life, or just
the first three seasons?
Let's see: I've been shot in the hip requiring two reconstructive
surgeries, hospitalized four times for pneumonia, broken both my
big toes, cracked a knee cap, drove a huge nail through my foot
with my body weight (and had to pull the nail out), nearly sliced
off my left index finger (the knife didn't make it all the way
through the bone), drowned and was revived (when I was a kid), died
briefly from an anesthesia allergy (also as a child), have diabetes
(both kinds), high blood pressure, and allergies to crustaceans and
chlorine.
But I've never been stabbed, so I got that going for me.
|9.14.09 @ 2:54PM|#
I met a cute girl last night that wants me to train her for
the police academy.
Unless you look like Steve Gutenberg, start practicing how to make
all those really funny sound effects.
Citizen Nothing|9.14.09 @ 2:56PM|#
Apparently you have to cut off SF's head to kill him. He's either a zombie or Highlander.
BlueBook|9.14.09 @ 2:57PM|#
I'd like to see the patrol car video of the first cop to try this on a suspect with severe needle and/or blood phobia. My guess is a re-enactment of the Sarah Connor vs. Dr. Silberman prison escape sequence from T2.
Art-P.O.G.|9.14.09 @ 3:03PM|#
Citizen Nothing,
I agree. But how lame is it to be immortal, born to be king, but
then have allergies?
|9.14.09 @ 3:09PM|#
I would like to have a stern word with the other princes of
the universe.
Honestly now, do you really think there is more than one like
you?
The rest died in childhood. You win.
|9.14.09 @ 3:12PM|#
Plenty of people have had much worse things happen to them. I haven't even been burned badly or hit by a car. Dying briefly twice in childhood's not had that much of an effect on me, except for stories to impress the ladies.
monkey on juice|9.14.09 @ 3:14PM|#
"I'd like to see the patrol car video of the first cop to try
this on a suspect with severe needle and/or blood phobia. My guess
is a re-enactment of the Sarah Connor vs. Dr. Silberman prison
escape sequence from T2."
My guess is pig gets a medal while a severely bloodied and bruised
suspect gets charged with resisting arrest, assault & battery,
etc.
Art-P.O.G.|9.14.09 @ 3:17PM|#
SugarFree, all that stuff you listed was pretty harsh, but I
agree that being set on fire would be extremely traumatic.
But, you know, having The Prize and all, you'd get over it.
Death Squad|9.14.09 @ 3:21PM|#
"Let's see: I've been shot in the hip requiring two
reconstructive surgeries, hospitalized four times for pneumonia,
broken both my big toes, cracked a knee cap, drove a huge nail
through my foot with my body weight (and had to pull the nail out),
nearly sliced off my left index finger (the knife didn't make it
all the way through the bone), drowned and was revived (when I was
a kid), died briefly from an anesthesia allergy (also as a child),
have diabetes (both kinds), high blood pressure, and allergies to
crustaceans and chlorine."
Let's talk...
¢|9.14.09 @ 3:24PM|#
I've been hit by a car, but I was drunk, so it was funny. My shoulder still hurts a little, twenty years later, but overall, I recommend it.
Citizen Nothing|9.14.09 @ 3:25PM|#
...stories to impress the ladies.
"Hey, baby. I been dead. Twice."
What kinda joints you hanging out in where that line works, SF?
|9.14.09 @ 3:28PM|#
Damn, SF, now I understand the evil sense of humor.
If you couldn't laugh at it, shit like that could really get you
bummed out.
Citizen Nothing|9.14.09 @ 3:28PM|#
I haven't even been burned badly or hit by a car.
Give it time, SF. With your track record, you know it's comin'.
Art-P.O.G.|9.14.09 @ 3:30PM|#
What kinda joints you hanging out in where that line works, SF?
I'm thinking goth cabarets, definitely.
T|9.14.09 @ 3:31PM|#
Hmm. According to Texas law, I'm allowed to resist excessive force. I think I'll file this one under excessive force and be a test case.
JB|9.14.09 @ 3:40PM|#
As long as the fucking pig let's me stick him first. After all,
can't have a drunken fuck of a cop out driving and sticking needles
in people. And yes, fuckloads of the fuckers are drunk on
duty.
He doesn't, then I am going to assume he is being drunk and
disorderly and will execute a citizen's arrest. Since he is armed,
I will deal with any resistance appropriately. Likely by blowing
his head off.
|9.14.09 @ 3:40PM|#
>>I'm thinking goth cabarets, definitely
Staring At The Sea: The Musical! The guys dressed as
Lovecats actually come out into the audience.
>>now I understand the evil sense of humor
And how uncomfortable I was when I saw Flatliners in the
theater...
Tomcat1066|9.14.09 @ 3:42PM|#
"What kinda joints you hanging out in where that line works,
SF?"
I'm thinking goth cabarets, definitely.
Goth chicks are hot.
Scary. But hot.
Cabeza de Vaca|9.14.09 @ 3:46PM|#
SugarFree,
Is your last name Rasputin? You're one hard man to kill.
|9.14.09 @ 3:53PM|#
Goth chicks are hot.
Yes and No
Oof.
One link is NSFW, one is NSF your libido, and one is strangely
alluring to a certain twisted regular on the board.
|9.14.09 @ 3:54PM|#
As a guy living in Nampa, ID, I found this article pretty
disturbing to say the least. I hate living in a jurisdiction where
there's a trial balloon for policey-statey horseshit like
this.
However, I have to admit, I've been very lucky in my dealings with
the local cops. The last time I got pulled over, it was because I
had a headlight out.
It was the weirdest thing, cop in a "ghost" (standard Crown Vic cop
car, but without all the official bling) pulls me over. Cop gets
out, walks up to my car, and tells me my headlight was out, just
letting me know. I was like "thanks" because I actually didn't know
my light was out (turns out it was just the daytime running
light).
Cop didn't ask for papers please, didn't run my plates, nothing.
Just told me my light was out and thanks for stopping, etc; whole
thing was done from start to finish in maybe three minutes, tops.
It was right out of one of those Happy Cop videos they show the
kids in school these days. Totally blown away by how un-cop that
guy was. Oh well, now the local constables carry their own heroine
kits I guess.
Xeones|9.14.09 @ 4:01PM|#
and one is strangely alluring to a certain twisted regular
on the board.
You leave Epi's spiderwebs-and-cheesecake out of this. Hit'n'Run is
a fucking goddamn classy joint, and we're trying to keep it that
way, asshole.
Rich|9.14.09 @ 4:04PM|#
I think Gangsta Goth has an udder for a right hand.
SF, you satisfy better than Snickers. 8-)
|9.14.09 @ 4:27PM|#
Disgusting. I never thought I'd have to think about leaving the USA, but it's looking more and more like I'll be escaping rather than leaving.
Billy Beck|9.14.09 @ 4:28PM|#
"'Listen,' he went on, 'I've been to Germany, and this
country is nothing like that. Over there, they make you carry a
driver's license, registration, and inspection certification on
your vehicle.' I almost laughed at the poor, simple, heavily armed
bastard. 'Why, over there, the police are empowered to take blood
for DUI tests.'
This was a new one on me, but I wasn't surprised. At this point I
did make the effort to tell him that it wouldn't be too long before
such things were commonplace here. He and his partner did laugh at
me.
'Oh, no they won't...'"
(My interview with an Atlanta cop, May 3,
1992)
Okay, okay; so it was seventeen years. Was that "too
long"?
|9.14.09 @ 4:35PM|#
Clay Harlowe
Before you escape, make sure that you are not jumping out of the
frying pan.
Many of the things we're outraged about creaping in here have
always been commonplace in other countries.
Billy Beck|9.14.09 @ 4:39PM|#
"It seems that at least once a week I read something that
makes me think that the future holds some sort of outlaw status for
me and mine."
"Me, today. You, tomorrow."
(The zek's resolution -- Solzhenitsyn, "Gulag")
hmm|9.14.09 @ 4:50PM|#
There's only one way a cop is getting blood out of me and I will
make he(she) work damn hard for it as I will be shooting for the
same goal.
My fuckin' body, so in for a penny in for a pound.
Cabeza de Vaca|9.14.09 @ 5:14PM|#
"Staph infections, Cabeza. Staff infections are something else
entirely."
Damn heterographic homophones! I'm using the it's a Monday defense.
:)
|9.14.09 @ 5:28PM|#
ah, I am sure we'll get the cries from "but this is too
far!" from so-called "libertarians" who have been supporting the
DUI Jihad this entire time.
I'm curious as to what you consider the "DUI Jihad" to be. If
you're one of those so-called "libertarians" who demand that I
share a road with drunk drivers lest we violate their precious
right to endanger my life and those of the occupants of my car, I
think you need to reevaluate your position.
You can bet that if the roads were privately owned there would be
something similar to DUI checkpoints on them, probably even more
than we have on our current public roads. Since there's no
plausible way to have a competitive system of roads in the private
sector, the government must act as a reasonable owner would.
monkey on juice|9.14.09 @ 5:34PM|#
This wouldn't have happened if a Democrat was in the White House.
No Private Roads, Thank You|9.14.09 @ 5:46PM|#
"You can bet that if the roads were privately owned ..."
From the June 2009 Grand Isle (LA) Island Beacon. They don't have a
website, I get it via USPS:
"Elmer's Island
800 visitors traveled to Elmer's Island over the Fourth of July
weekend as the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries opened
access there for the first time in nearly a decaded.The island had
been a commercial campground and fishing area for 30 years. But
public access via a marshland road was denied after th death of the
road's owner. The opening of the road followed a title search that
the state says determined the area is Louisiana property."
No access to commersial use for nealy 10 years.
THAT'S what's wrong with the idea of privately owned roads.
</|9.14.09 @ 6:25PM|#
Having a crustacean allergy would really suck.
But then again, there's always bivalves.
|9.14.09 @ 7:20PM|#
SugarFree can't be the Highlander. For proof, I direct you to SugarFree's portrait in his Wikipedia article. He looks nothing like Christopher Lambert!
The Angry Optimist|9.14.09 @ 7:35PM|#
If you're one of those so-called "libertarians" who demand that I share a road with drunk drivers lest we violate their precious right to endanger my life and those of the occupants of my car
You can be a scared little girl all you like, but the fact is that
millions of people drive "drunk" every weekend, but the NHTSA and
your local Highway Patrol use your pants-wetting as an excuse to
perpetuate great Fourth Amendment crimes against the
citizenry.
The fact is that if someone is obeying the other rules of the road,
the chemical composition of their blood is per se
irrelevant. Bust people for swerving and detain those who are a
demonstrated danger, but arbitrarily declaring a certain BAC as a
crime is bullshit.
anonymous|9.14.09 @ 9:31PM|#
"You can bet that if the roads were privately owned there would
be something similar to DUI checkpoints on them, probably even more
than we have on our current public roads."
But it would probably be based on a scientific assessment of the
actual danger posed by drivers, not by the moral beliefs of
political activists regarding other peoples' lifestyle choices.
|9.15.09 @ 10:22AM|#
Belly Beck - you got it backwards. The original resolution goes: "You (die) today. Me, tomorrow."
Miles Teg|11.12.09 @ 4:41PM|#
I feel sorry for the first person who has complications or dies from Johnny Law drawing blood on the hood of his car. Cops be ready to get sued!
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