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  • Paranoid yet?

    North Texas Drivers Stopped at Roadblock Asked for Saliva, Blood
    Fort Worth police apologize for its role in federal survey
    By Scott Gordon
    | Wednesday, Nov 20, 2013 | Updated 7:18 AM CST

    Scott Gordon, NBC 5 News

    Some drivers in North Fort Worth on Friday were stopped at a police roadblock and directed into a parking lot where they were asked by federal contractors for samples of their breath, saliva and even blood. The request was part of a government research study aimed at determining the number of drunken or drug-impaired drivers.

    **UPDATE TO THE VIDEO ABOVE** Fort Worth police initially said they could not immediately find any record of their officer's being involved in the roadblock, but on Tuesday police spokesman Sgt. Kelly Peel said Tuesday that the department's Traffic Division coordinated with the NHTSA on the use of off-duty officers after the agency asked for help with the survey.

    "We are reviewing the actions of all police personnel involved to ensure that FWPD policies and procedures were followed," he said. "We apologize if any of our drivers and citizens were offended or inconvenienced by the NHTSA National Roadside Survey."

    Some drivers along a busy Fort Worth street on Friday were stopped at a police roadblock and directed into a parking lot, where they were asked by federal contractors for samples of their breath, saliva and even blood.

    It was part of a government research study aimed at determining the number of drunken or drug-impaired drivers.

    "It just doesn't seem right that you can be forced off the road when you're not doing anything wrong," said Kim Cope, who said she was on her lunch break when she was forced to pull over at the roadblock on Beach Street in North Fort Worth.

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is spending $7.9 million on the survey over three years, said participation was "100 percent voluntary" and anonymous.

    But Cope said it didn't feel voluntary to her -- despite signs saying it was.

    "I gestured to the guy in front that I just wanted to go straight, but he wouldn't let me and forced me into a parking spot," she said.

    Once parked, she couldn't believe what she was asked next.

    "They were asking for cheek swabs," she said. "They would give $10 for that. Also, if you let them take your blood, they would pay you $50 for that."

    At the very least, she said, they wanted to test her breath for alcohol.

    She said she felt trapped.

    "I finally did the Breathalyzer test just because I thought that would be the easiest way to leave," she said, adding she received no money.

    Fort Worth police earlier said they could not immediately find any record of officer involvement but police spokesman Sgt. Kelly Peel said Tuesday that the department's Traffic Division coordinated with the NHTSA on the use of off-duty officers after the agency asked for help with the survey.

    "We are reviewing the actions of all police personnel involved to ensure that FWPD policies and procedures were followed," he said. "We apologize if any of our drivers and citizens were offended or inconvenienced by the NHTSA National Roadside Survey."

    NBC DFW confirmed that the survey was done by a government contractor, the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, which is based in Calverton, Md.

    A company spokeswoman referred questions to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

    An agency spokeswoman sent an email confirming the government is conducting the surveys in 30 cities across the country in an effort to reduce impaired-driving accidents.

    She did not respond to another email from NBC DFW asking specific questions about the program..

    But a Fort Worth attorney who is an expert in civil liberties law questioned whether such stops are constitutional.

    "You can't just be pulled over randomly or for no reason," said attorney Frank Colosi.

    He also noted the fine print on a form given to drivers informs them their breath was tested by "passive alcohol sensor readings before the consent process has been completed."

    "They're essentially lying to you when they say it's completely voluntary, because they're testing you at that moment," Colosi said.

    He also questioned the results of the "voluntary" survey -- speculating that drivers who had been drinking or using drugs would be more inclined to simply decline to participate.

    Cope said she is troubled by what happened.

    "It just doesn't seem right that they should be able to do any of it," she said. "If it's voluntary, it's voluntary, and none of it felt voluntary."

    Asked Tuesday if she accepted the police department's apology, Cope said she would wait to see what the review showed.

    "They need to make sure this doesn't happen again," she said.
    Some drivers along a busy North Fort Worth street on Friday were stopped at police roadblock and directed into a parking lot, where they were asked by federal contractors for samples of their breath, saliva and even blood. It was part of a government research study aimed at determining the number of drunken or drug-impaired drivers. “It just doesn’t seem right that you can be forced off the road when you’re not doing anything wrong,” said Kim Cope, who said she was on her lunch break when she was forced to pull over at the roadblock on Beach Street. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is spending $7.9 million on the survey over three years, said participation was “100 percent voluntary” and anonymous. But Cope said it didn’t feel voluntary to her — despite signs saying it was.


    How about now?
    No, I did not steal that from somebody on Something Awful.

  • #2
    Sounds more like incompetence on the behalf of the local police and the NHTSA than anything nefarious.
    "My nation is the world, and my religion is to do good." --Thomas Paine
    "The subject of onanism is inexhaustable." --Sigmund Freud

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    • #3
      O did say he was gonna punish Texas!
      Scouse Git (2) La Fayette Adam Smith Solomwi and Loinburger will not be forgotten.
      "Remember the night we broke the windows in this old house? This is what I wished for..."
      2015 APOLYTON FANTASY FOOTBALL CHAMPION!

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      • #4
        Texas is shit
        To us, it is the BEAST.

        Comment


        • #5
          It isn't Texas. I'd just tell them to go **** themselves.
          Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.
          "Hating America is something best left to Mobius. He is an expert Yank hater.
          He also hates Texans and Australians, he does diversify." ~ Braindead

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          • #6
            Nope, I have an IQ above 100.
            “As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
            "Capitalism ho!"

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Guynemer View Post
              Sounds more like incompetence on the behalf of the local police and the NHTSA than anything nefarious.
              I agree, the government can do this without a trace of malice.

              Somehow that makes it worse.
              No, I did not steal that from somebody on Something Awful.

              Comment


              • #8
                Why can't they be perfect, like the private sector?
                “As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
                "Capitalism ho!"

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by SlowwHand View Post
                  It isn't Texas. I'd just tell them to go **** themselves.
                  Shot by police. What a way to go.
                  To us, it is the BEAST.

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