Monthly Archives: January 2008

‘Crack-Cocaine Look Alike’ Candy Pulled

Hershey Co. has decided to stop producing its “Ice Breakers” candy out of criticism the product looked a little to much like crack cocaine, according to EIN News.

The decision was made because Philadelphia Police told Hershey that tiny heat-sealed bags of crack sold on the streets “look almost identical,” to the Hershey product, EIN news said.

Hershey won’t be producing any new Ice Breakers, but isn’t pulling them from the shelves either.

The story reminds me of one that ran last March in USA Today about the rise of candy flavored and colored methamphetamine. Obviously, Hershey was producing candy, not meth, but drug dealers were attempting to do what Hershey put a stop to — muddying the difference between candy and drugs.

Do you think Hershey made a wise choice?

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Tribal Police Could Gain Non-Indian Arrest Powers

A bill introduced in the state legislature last week could give tribal police officers arresting powers over non-Indian citizens on reservations, according to an article in the Jan. 19 Tacoma News Tribune.

Rob Carson’s article points out that the bill has its share of controversy — the Washington State Sheriffs Association “strenuously” opposes it on the grounds that tribal officers wouldn’t be beholden to local elected officials.

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, however, supports it, stating that for too long non-Indian residents on reservations have used them as a kind of safe haven from law enforcement scrutiny.

Where do you fall on this debate?

Continue reading →

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Empty ATM Envelope? Get Quick Cash, Felony, in One Fell Swoop

The advent of automated teller machines — or ATMs — brought about a new kind of honor system.

As we all know, the machine will let you deposit an envelop with cash and checks. It’s up to you to tell the ATM how much money you’re depositing, while the machine has no idea what’s actually in the envelope.

Problem is the honor system is only temporary, until bank employees do an inventory of the machine. It becomes painfully obvious that you didn’t fill up your fair share at that time. And they have all the personal information they need — or rather, that law enforcement needs — to track you down.

Take the case of Bremerton resident Joseph Aquino.

Continue reading →

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Sobriety Checkpoints: Effective Safety Tool or Violation of Rights?

Gov. Christine Gregoire is introducing legislation that aims to create so-called “sobriety checkpoints” along Washington highways, a move that will reignite debate in the state concerning said checkpoints’ constitutionality.

The governor’s plans were unveiled this afternoon and several stories have already been written by local media.

The checkpoints allow police to stop drivers en masse to determine if they’ve been drinking.

That would effectively allow police to blanket certain areas and get drunk drivers off the road. But it would also mean cops wouldn’t need probable cause to make an arrest for DUI, which some critics contend is a violation of privacy.

Continue reading →

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post