Pubdate: Tue, 31 Oct 2000
Date: 10/31/2000
Source: Alameda Times-Star (CA)
Author: Frank J. De Smidt
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1579/a01.html

I WON'T be visiting Oakland any time soon, due to your outrageous car
seizure law. That the state Supreme Court turned away the ACLU
challenge doesn't make this excess in law enforcement justifiable. I
recognize the need to enforce the laws against drug dealing and
prostitution. However, Oakland has gone too far.

The city and county of San Francisco had the vision to reject
Oakland's ill-advised solution. Still, other cities may follow Oakland
anyway for the revenue.

I could conceivably be driving in your city and stop to ask for
directions. An unscrupulous or rookie police officer could simply
consider me suspicious and seize my car. I find this most troubling
and outrageous.

Your ordinance should have limits to protect innocent drivers and car
owners as specified in California state law and federal law.

Will you make the effort to amend the unfairness out of your
ordinance? Otherwise, I'll be staying far away from Oakland. I'll go
to the ball games at Pac Bell Park and not put my car at risk.

Frank J. De Smidt,
Milpitas