I said he could NOT let her go because of the law; thus, the need for reform.
You are kept safer, not less safe, by these practices.
The woman was a boneheaded idiot who got herself killed but up until then she was a petty criminal pothead. She had 7-9 busts for pot, driving without a license, one for indecent exposure and supposedly served 11/29 for only one of the offenses and never paid a fine she owed. Maybe the pothead was a threat to society but this stop ended up with her dead and a 14 year veteran cop shot and in the hospital. Is it really worth it to risk lives over these misdemeanors that even the court seems to do nothing about?
I am NOT for drug legalization as many are on libertarian side of the right. I am also not fond of militarizing the cops or using traffic stops as a fishing expedition. I am also against no-knock warrants or kicking down doors instead of waiting someone out. This was rare stuff in the 60s, 70s and even 80s. I think cops getting shot was rare back then as well. Hmmm?
Side note: Great Grandfather was murdered in the line of duty.
I have not shed a tear for the lady. Nor do I support defunding the police. Lets just get back to giving citations or warnings for traffic stops and not ask a lot of questions other than lic and reg please. The drug "war" has turned us into a warzone!
We are sh*tting our own nest.
"Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin