My understanding is that this was another example of a bill being passed that on the surface seemed harmless, but under the covers seems to violate the 4th amendment. Its giving the washington metro transit authority the ability to conduct warrant less searches in homes that are near train tracks. Congress Quietly Passed A Bill Allowing Warrantless Searches of Homes - Only 1% Opposed It | Zero Hedge “Whereas the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, an interstate compact agency of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the State of Maryland, provides transportation services to millions of people each year, the safety of whom is paramount; Whereas an effective and safe Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority system is essential to the commerce and prosperity of the National Capital region; Whereas the Tri-State Oversight Committee, created by a memorandum of understanding amongst these 3 jurisdictions, has provided safety oversight of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.” The proposal for a safety commission to act as a wing of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority may sound logical, when its power includes thing such as the ability to “Adopt, revise, and distribute a written State Safety Oversight Program” and to “Review, approve, oversee, and enforce the adoption and implementation of WMATA’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan.” However, there is one major red flag buried within the text of the bill that stems from the list of “powers” given to the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, and it violates one of the basic tenets of the U.S. Constitution. “In performing its duties, the Commission, through its Board or designated employees or agents, may:Enter upon the WMATA Rail System and, upon reasonable notice and a finding by the chief executive officer that a need exists, upon any lands, waters, and premises adjacent to the WMATA Rail System, including, without limitation, property owned or occupied by the federal government, for the purpose of making inspections, investigations, examinations, and testing as the Commission may deem necessary to carry out the purposes of this MSC Compact, and such entry shall not be deemed a trespass.” The text gives the Commission the authority to enter property near the Metro Rail System “without limitation” and without a warrant, for the purpose of “making inspections, investigations, examinations, and testing.” This clearly goes against the Fourth Amendment, which states that Americans’ rights “to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause.”
The government will always try to take our rights away, that being said, I wouldnt put it past them to pass something like this. Who would live that close to the tracks anyway? Im from the country though and like my peace and quiet. Still taking a chance of a train derailing and coming into your house , lol. Also not to mention all the noise, how could anybody sleep there? If that alone was not reason enough to not live near train tracks, then this law will add to the list of good reasons, lol.
In performing its duties, the Commission, through its Board or designated employees or agents, may: Enter upon the WMATA Rail System and, upon reasonable notice and a finding by the chief executive officer that a need exists, upon any lands, waters, and premises adjacent to the WMATA Rail System, including, without limitation, property owned or occupied by the federal government, for the purpose of making inspections, investigations, examinations, and testing as the Commission may deem necessary... What about this makes you think they're talking about private homes? And why would you think that mass transit employees are suddenly going to be deputized law enforcement officers?
I agree I enjoy the space of the country as well. and they did pass this law. its a pretty ambiguous little blurb isn't it? Certainly leaves the door open for further violations. that was the whole point of the article as I took it.
When the US military invades and occupies a foreign country it subjects the local population to all kinds of harassment and abuses such as physical and sexual assaults so it's only natural that this would be introduced on the home turf. Give ye guys a little taste of what spreading US democracy looks like. Go USA!
