Congress Needs to Reverse High Court Ruling on Producing ID

I took great interest in the article “Court Affirms O.C. Case on Police Power” (Feb. 21). Two months ago, I was walking in a public park in Huntington Beach while my car was being worked on. An officer drove up and asked what I was doing. After I responded, she informed me that she was going to “pat me down for weapons.” As the officer searched me, she brought my hand behind my back. She then handcuffed me, demanded ID and interrogated me.

After radioing into headquarters to verify my story and run my license, she asked why I was so distressed, did I have any warrants out? I responded that I was not used to being treated like a criminal, that I had broken no laws, and I asked her what her probable cause for doing this was. She responded, “With those shades and that hat, you look suspicious.”

After headquarters verified my story and ID, the officer uncuffed me, but not before rolling up my sleeves and inspecting for needle marks. The officer then told me not to take it personally, that she was acting well within the guidelines of the Huntington Beach Police Department and wished me a good day!

It’s becoming increasingly clear that our judicial system and law enforcement branches condone the warrantless search, handcuffing, interrogation, ID check and inspection for needle mark of its citizens without probable cause, and herein lies the fundamental problem. This is not an isolated incident.

This violation of basic civil liberties is an insult to the innocent citizens upon whom it is forced, to the Bill of Rights and to the Constitution. Our founding fathers established this country to escape tyranny, oppression and injustice; 214 years later they would not be happy with what they found in Huntington Beach and throughout much of the country.

TIM MILLER

Laguna Beach