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TSA Doing Random Truck Searches On Tennessee Highway

Posted by samzenpus on from the papers-please dept.

OverTheGeicoE writes "TSA is expanding its presence to the American road system. As part of its Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) program, TSA agents are now working at 5 weigh stations and two bus stations in Tennessee. They are randomly checking trucks with 'drug and bomb sniffing dogs', and encouraging truck drivers to join their First Observer Highway Security Program and report anything suspicious that they see to authorities. VIPR is allegedly not a response to any particular threat."

2 of 578 comments (clear)

  1. Re:What happened to the constitution? by L3370 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Do some highway driving close to the mexico border and you'll see border patrol already at work doing this. I get pulled into a random search frequently. Drug dog comes by without asking. The agent sets of a series of questions to try and make you trip up.
    Agent: What citizenship are you? me: US...i didn't cross any border... Agent:Where you going?
    me: San Diego
    Agent: Where you coming from?
    me:Phoenix
    Agent: Where do you live?
    me: Phoenix
    Agent: Didnt you just come from El Centro?
    me: well yeah...passed through it driving here... (ohyou.jpg)
    Agent: How long you staying?
    me: 3 days
    Agent: You have anything in the trunk I should know about?
    me: nope
    Agent: 3 days and no clothes?
    me: its in the trunk
    Agent: I thought you said there's nothing in the trunk...(trollface.jpg)

    I didn't sign up for this bullshit...Being treated like an ass, as if it is a priviledge to travel within my own fucking home country and prove I'm not some terrorist to everyone with a uniform.

  2. Re:What happened to the constitution? by LibRT · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Yes, I've had a similar encounter at one of the arbitrary DUI check points:

    Officer: "Have you had anything to drink tonight?"

    Me: "No."

    Officer: "Where are you going?"

    Me: "That needn't concern you."

    Officer: "Pull over to the side and park your vehicle and get out your papers, now!"

    After producing my papers and waiting over half an hour while they no doubt looked for any possible way to arrest/ticket me, I was released. There was no cause to detain me, other than my refusal to reveal my destination (as is my right). It is odd, but not at all unusual anymore, that the government should exercise its power over individuals for asserting their rights.