High Priority: PA. State Police Busting PA. Residents for Buying Booze in Delaware

[JPZenger]

Last edited Wed May 29, 2013, 02:29 PM - Edit history (2)

http://delcotimes.com/articles/2013/05/29/opinion/doc51a56fa918084005147278.txt?viewmode=fullstory

The Governor is seeking a budget increase to increase the number of State Troopers by 300. (Let's ignore the fact that many very rich large suburban townships refuse to pay for their own local police force, and instead sponge off the State Police for their day-to-day protection).

Now, we see the State's priority for the State Police. They are busting PA. residents for buying alcohol in Delaware. It happened over Memorial Day Weekend.

I can remember rumors of this happening 30 years ago. After buying booze in Del., we then went into another store so we could tell if we were being followed.

Excerpt of article:

"In a move that defies every ounce of common sense for a governor touting the lowest popularity in the nation, Corbett had his state police slip across the border over the weekend to engage in sting operations, targeting Pennsylvanians for the capital crime of buying liquor in Delaware and crossing back into the Keystone State. At least Pennsylvania has no other pressing problems to which its increasingly limited resources should be allocated. Oh, wait. It does. A lot, actually.

That was made readily apparent watching the local news when, immediately after the liquor confiscation story, it was reported that Pennsylvania had the worst, most dangerous bridges in the nation.. How can the governor reconcile those things? Despite having historic Republican majorities in both legislative chambers, Corbett has made zero headway fixing our crumbling infrastructure, yet prioritizes undercover operations (which nab three people) buying alcohol in another state. Going out on a limb here, but wouldn’t the substantial resources spent on operations in Delaware be better utilized elsewhere? Like in Pennsylvania?

How much taxpayer money was wasted on logistics, fuel costs, and troopers’ salaries, compared to the miniscule tax Pennsylvania “lost?” The numbers aren’t even in the same ballpark, so what were they doing? Squandering resources just to make a point — whatever that point is?"

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During this same weekend, the PA. State Police report that 13 people died and 245 were injured in vehicle crashes.

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/52025535/#.UaZFTdjOuSo

[dlwickham]

1. since when is it illegal to buy stuff in another state and then bring it home

[Blue_Tires]

8. Most states at some time had some old-timey laws in the books

about transporting alcohol across state lines...

I thought all of them had been thrown out by now...

[happyslug]

11. When Prohibition was REPEALED, such laws were expressly preserved, see Section 2 of the repeal

ADMENDMENT XXI

SECTION 1.

The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

SECTION 2.

The transportation or importation into any state, territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

SECTION 3.

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several states, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the states by the Congress.

Section 2 was written due to US Supreme Court Decisions in the 1800s that said it was a violation of interstate commerce for a state to prohibit the importation of alcohol. Section 2, expressly overruled those decisions as to Alcohol.

[mrmpa]

2. 30 years ago........

when my older brother was to be married, he and our other 2 brothers drove down to Maryland to buy booze for the reception. They took back roads down & back in order not to get busted.

This current scheme by the governor was a waste of time, money, and resources.

[JPZenger]

3. Let's Have NJ bust people for buying cigarettes and fireworks in Pa.

I will never understand why PA. lets people from other states buy fireworks in PA. that are illegal in PA. Those fireworks are also illegal in the person's home state.

PA. also has much lower cigarette taxes than most of our neighbors, particularly NY State.

Let's encourage the state police of other states to set up stings in PA. and bust their residents for avoiding their state taxes and safety regulations.

We can also bust PA. residents for buying their electronics across the border in Delaware. Then Maryland can bust their residents for buying clothes in PA. without paying sales tax.

[Pat Riot]

4. I didn't even know this was illegal.

Lots of us in western PA pop over to West Virginia to hit those wonderful ABC liquor barns.

[Isoldeblue]

5. This used to be done under the now defunct, ATF

In the 1970's, my sister-in-law used to work undercover for the ATF from Philly, nabbing people coming across from Jersey, from buying booze there.

[catnhatnh]

6. We had the Mass Staties staking out liquor stores in Nh a few years back...

...then we had our cops busting their cops for loitering.
http://www.newburyportnews.com/opinion/x845856003/The-cross-border-tax-grab/print

[Mopar151]

7. The liquor laws in PA are kinked

Enough so that it may be simpler to drive out-of-state, rather than decode where you can buy beer.

[MadrasT]

9. For fuck's sake what a waste of time.

How is it even legal for PA cops to operate in Delaware? What did they do... hang out in the parking lot at Liquor World and follow people with PA plates until the crossed the border?

This pisses me off so much I might make an extra special run down to Claymont after work.

If PA didn't have the most fuckwitted alcohol laws anywhere, ever, this wouldn't even be a thing.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

10. This is really funny...

Republicans: The anti-tax party that busts you for not paying taxes.

[Curmudgeoness]

12. Oh no! I am a criminal!!!!

Although I "think" I remember hearing that this wasn't legal eons ago, I never knew for sure, and I never paid attention to it.

I always (always) buy alcohol just across the border in Ohio....because it is easier. Usually, I buy beer, and I will be honest, until the stink about privatizing the liquor stores and changing beer sales rules, I had no idea where I could buy a six-pack. I have heard that if you just want a six-pack (and that is all I ever buy since I am not a big drinker), you buy it at a bar. WTF. I never knew this. It was my understanding that I had to buy a case at a time at beer distributors. Distributors cannot sell less than a case. And I would have a lot of wasted skunk beer if I bought that much at one time.

In Ohio, I could buy a six-pack at the "milk barn" (LOL), or at any grocery store. Why would I ever think of buying beer in PA?

[JPZenger]

13. Let me see your .... Papers!

So Curmudgeon, would you please post exactly when and where you will be crossing the border again to buy illegal beer? And what make and color of vehicle will you be driving? Just askin'


Maybe people need to start building secret compartments under their trunk to hide their beer.


"What ya in for?" "Smuggling a six pack across state lines." I said. All the father-rapers then moved down the bench.

[Curmudgeoness]

14. LOL, this would really be funny

if I had not read the article.

I would answer all of your questions, JPZenger, except that I don't know the answers to all the questions.....you aren't a cop, are you???

Your honor, I was entrapped!!!! Honest!!!

[Lugnut]

15. Oh noes!

A friend of mine has a condo in Ocean City MD and she brings booze home from Delaware all the time. I'll have to give her a heads up.