I have been giving a lot of thought about my last two blog entries:  One being the story of a state that wants to put GPS tracking in my vehicle in the interest of taxing me bu how far I drive and where, and the other the story of an overzealous police department that questions everyone who walks down a particular street just in case they might be committing a crime by being there.  At issue is the fear I have of being accused of a crime that I did not commit.

You see, the police are questioning ladies who are frequently walking down 82nd Avenue, just to check and make sure that they are not practicing prostitution.  Recently, all it takes to get accused of this crime is to be seen on the sidewalks of that street, even doing something as innocent as catching a bus.  I presume that if they do that, it would not be too much of a stretch for them to stop all of the men driving down the same street of trying to purchase the services of a prostitute.

Now, I don’t really worry about such things.  After all, I have no interest in picking up a lady on the street and buying anything from her.  You never know what you might catch!  In any case, since that is the case, I also don’t worry about my occasional appearance near that street.  Perhaps I should be more concerned.

The State of Oregon, especially in the proposal by its governor, would like to put a GPS tracker in my car.  This device would, of course, be intended to see how many miles I drive in the State of Oregon so that I can pay the proposed “by the mile” tax that would replace fuel taxes.  Fuel taxes and odometer readings are not good enough, the state wants to be able to track me.  While I am not one to attach myself to conspiracy theories, it really doesn’t seem like too much of a stretch that if law enforcement suspected someone of a crime, then it wouldn’t be too hard for the police to get their hands on the records of where I have driven.

So, do I need to worry?  Well, do I hang out on 82nd Avenue.  No, not for any illicit purpose.  My favorite Chinese restaurant is a few blocks from the place where police interrogated the woman in my last blog post.  There are several retail stores on that street where I shop occasionally.  I have purchased vehicles on 82nd.  My business takes me to points along 82nd Avenue almost every day.  If you looked closely, I am probably stopping in that area many times in a given week.  It is certainly not too much of a stretch to think that someone could become suspicious of me, if the threshold of crime is to simply be walking or driving in the area.

I do understand that our police officers have a difficult job.  I also understand that perhaps they would like to stop problems before they happen.  I am, however, truly opposed to anything that allows police to stop and question us simply because we are present in a particular area or walking down a particular street.  I had always thought that our US Constitution prohibited such things.

Just don’t say that I didn’t warn you.

Share on TwitterSubmit to redditShare via emailShare via email