Rt 28: sobriety checkpoint in Pembroke

[aworldnervelink]

WARNING to anyone who travels on Rt 28: the police were running a sobriety checkpoint last night. It was located about 1/2 mile north of where the highway crosses the Suncook River, at the curve of the road. They were already set up before 10 PM and they quit around 2:30 AM. I didn't get stopped headed southbound and I took the back roads to avoid it heading home.

I'm hopping mad about this and I'm ready to write complaint letters to the town. I'm not sure if it was the Pembroke police or the state that was running it. Does anyone have any further ideas about how to combat this menace?

[FTL_Ian]

Copwatch:  show up on the scene with video cameras   

[Dave Ridley]

I called some department of safety folks and complained about this over the last couple months...colonel booth, head of the state police...and another guy over who's name I forgot.  I can't remember where i posted the details.  oh i also called the rockingham county attorney Reams and left him a voice mail.  always ready to do more but it is going to be hard to get any number of people in place at one of these, since they don't tell you exacly where they are , and then they are over.   they are supposed to tell you which town, I belive.   The trick is probably to have a sign ready to go in your car and just hop out, and stand their next to them when you drive up to one.   maybe call porcupine 911 before you "go into action:"

Or

271 1490

357 2049

[Spencer]

According to the NHTSA website, listing the states that allow and don't allow sobriety checkpoints:

"N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. 265:1-a. Though originally held to be unconstitutional, the Justices subsequently issued an opinion endorsing checkpoints. They are valid under the state constitution only with superior court order."

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/alcohol/SobrietyCheck/caselaw.html

I wonder if these guys had a superior court order to do this?  And this could be a new project -- lobby for a law outlawing sobriety checkpoints.

[aries]

If only NH, like one of those states, Nevada or Arizona, had this legal doctrine that your car is an extension of your home, so you are granted basic rights within it, including privacy and self defense, that are not as legally strong outside of your "domain"

[Kat Kanning]

Would someone like to write a letter to the paper about how awful these checkpoints are?

[Pat K]

I am old enough to remember when there actualy was a debate about if this was legal or not.

This act was not called by it's nice sounding word checkpoint then, it was called a road block and thats what it is.

They are blocking the road and our right to travel freely.

[aries]

They are blocking the road and our right to travel freely.

BUT DRIVING IS A PRIVELEGE

[Dave Ridley]

Mary in Unity was telling me that tollbooths are a risk to drivers because they force people to slow down and switch lanes and fumble for their wallet.    Same story would apply to these roadblocks, I assume. 

[Dave Ridley]

Who are the key perps in the roadbocks around the state, and where are their offices?

[aries]

Mary in Unity was telling me that tollbooths are a risk to drivers because they force people to slow down and switch lanes and fumble for their wallet.    Same story would apply to these roadblocks, I assume. 

Tolls are better handled when you take a ticket at the onramp and pay at the exit, but for instance, on 93 this is impractical as there is only one toll.

[Insurgent]

http://roadblock.org

A site run by the phenomenal group: The National Motorists Association. I've been a member for years, and I implore everyone to join.

http://www.motorists.org

[Rocketman]

Ah, how refreshing.  Never heard of The National Motorists Association, but it looks another group I'll have to join.

[Insurgent]

http://www.cmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070726/REPOSITORY/707260340

July 26. 2007 12:27AM

The police will conduct a sobriety checkpoint this weekend in Pembroke, although the exact time and location hasn't been disclosed.

The Pembroke Police Department will be assisted by the Merrimack County Sheriff's Office, according to a statement from Pembroke Police Chief Scott Lane.

Maddie Hanna

[J’raxis 270145]

http://roadblock.org

A site run by the phenomenal group: The National Motorists Association. I've been a member for years, and I implore everyone to join.

http://www.motorists.org

Was just about to post one of their URLs: http://www.roadblock.org/roadblocks/nh.htm. It's their roadblock registry. They only have one listed for New Hampshire, from 2002. Everyone who sees one of these things, update that site!