Not that I am defending deadbeats but would this qualify as entrapment? http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footba...Iron-Snare-8217-lures-wanted?urn=ncaaf-wp4586 Regulars to this space know I am rarely at a loss for words. But honestly, there's not much to say here except that this video, chronicling the Opelika, Ala., police department's efforts to lure suspects wanted for unpaid child support into custody with the promise of free Alabama-Auburn football tickets, goes from mildly humorous to mildly disturbing — and then to very disturbing — with unprecedented speed: <object width="429" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://vp.mgnetwork.net/viewer.swf?u=d3e405780b85102fb207001ec92a4a0d&z=OAN&embed_player=1" ></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://vp.mgnetwork.net/viewer.swf?u=d3e405780b85102fb207001ec92a4a0d&z=OAN&embed_player=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="429" height="295"></embed></object> OK, the ruse I get: Rare is the opportunity for authorities to have a wanted suspect walk right into their office. I even kind of get the presence of the local news cameras, in a documentary sense — see "COPS" or "To Catch a Predator" or any of those other cheap thrill shows where the cameras are just along for the ride. Voyeurism, I understand. But why on earth did the local news actually agree to participate in the ruse? "A police sting involving routine, nonviolent offenders? Yeah, our reporting team really wants to play an integral role in making that happen." Really? The next time Channel 3 sticks its microphone in some random citizen's face, forgive him if he spends the entire interview looking over his shoulder for black vans. As quick and dirty entertainment, though ... well, there it is. "Nearly a dozen" people were arrested in this fashion last Friday, according to the Opelika-Auburn News, which doesn't have much else to add to the story, either. What else is there? Alleged deadbeats love the Iron Bowl, too, and they're paying dearly for it.
I am not so much concerned about the police as the use of the news. They going from reporting the news to . .. being a part of the news only a slippery slope to MAKING THE NEWS Let's say a competitor says. . WHY DIDN'T WE GET THIS SHOT so .. they run their own scam . . get a bunch of offenders in a room then call the cops. . . so they are the 1st on the scene. . . . being the people are 'criminals' . .. no one will b**** about it but come to find . .one isn't a criminal . . and some reason dies in custody NOW . . all of a sudden it is a crime against nature/god/and country and everyone is outraged!! They can do whatever they want to people we don't give a ***** about then . . once the precedent is set. . it is used against people we DO CARE ABOUT by then it is too late to b*Tch about it. Rocket River
I agree with all comments. If I'm the schools I'd be very upset. If I'm the news station, I'd be embarrassed.
Entrapment is when you induce someone into breaking the law when they would not otherwise do so. All they are inducing these people to do it come to a location. This is more like a tricky, safe way to serve an arrest warrant. There is nothing preventing the cops from going to the homes of these people and arresting them, this just saves time and money by having them come to one place.
It's a criminal offense but still has all the aspects of a civil/debt matter, I don't think cops should be justified in lying to enforce it. We really can't romanticize cops behaving in this manner.
Maybe, but all I remember from that movie is him getting shot in the cheek. Good cinematography, right there.
