Pubdate: Tue, 22 Feb 2000
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2000 The Denver Post
Contact:  1560 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202
Fax: (303) 820.1502
Website: http://www.denverpost.com/
Forum: http://www.denverpost.com/voice/voice.htm
Author: A. HARKINS

WHY A NO-KNOCK?

What bothers me about the no-knock raid in which Ismael Mena was killed is
that it seemed unnecessary. Why could not a regular search warrant have been
served by uniformed police officers at a more normal time of day?

If they had met resistance, then they could have used force.

What did the lying officer have against Mr. Mena? There are a lot of
questions that may never be answered.

The Fourth Amendment of the Bill of Rights states: "The right of the people
to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against
unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrants
shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and
particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things
to be seized." As long as this type of search is considered OK, can any of
us feel safe in our homes? A no-knock raid seems unreasonable to me.

A. HARKINS
Sterling
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