ACLU Challenges Police Tactics in Ohio Crime Sweep
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court on Friday challenging the constitutionality of an anti-crime program that allows police to stop anyone on the street for questioning.
Police have saturated five neighborhoods since Operation Active Criminal Eviction started, making 235 felony arrests and seizing 278 doses of crack cocaine, officials say.
A record 101 homicides have been reported in the city this year.
Eight people in the lawsuit claim that the program violated their constitutional protection against unlawful search and seizure, said Kevin O’Neill, Ohio legal director for the ACLU. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages.
The Police Department contends it has the right to stop anyone on the street to ask questions.
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