Here is why I think police using 'informants' is a bad idea

[matthews]

Surveillance Video Catches Police Informant Planting Crack On Business Owner

The latest example of why paid police informants are not always a good idea.

Head-shop owner Donald Andrews was charged with felonies -- criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance -- that could have put him behind bars for 25 years. Forced to close his store, Andrews had spent three weeks in county jail before his lawyer insisted the grand jury view the surveillance footage. On April 25, after authorities saw the tape, charges were dropped.


http://www.alternet.org/drugs/surveillance-video-shows-police-informant-planting-drugs?akid=10737.221277.sWIwhr&rd=1&src=newsletter874664&t=7

[aquart]

1. Damn that surveillance police state!

[matthews]

3. It wasn't the state doing the surveilling. It was a citizen protecting himself. In this case,

from the police.

[aquart]

5. Yes, I'd much rather have my neighbors watching my every move.

So much more personal.

[matthews]

6. Generally speaking, your neighbors can't make you closed down your store

and throw your ass in jail.

If he hadn't had a camera where he did, he'd be behind bars for a hard 25.

The penalties and the punishment for Afro-American's is far more severe and adhered to than it will be for their informant, IF they ever 'find' him.

[ret5hd]

8. His neighbors? It was his own store.

Dolt.

[Fumesucker]

4. Informers are also a form of surveillance

So yeah, damn that surveillance police state!

[hobbit709]

2. The Constitution was tossed out the window when the Drug War started.

[beevul]

7. The video:

&feature=player_embedded

[matthews]

10. Thank you! I tried to embed it but it didn't work. I knew someone smarter than myself

would come along and do it.

[99Forever]

9. Sue the hell...

... out of the fascist pigs.

[RainDog]

11. incredibly corrupt n/t

[frylock]

12. fuck tha police