MOST AGAINST NO-KNOCK RAIDS

Last week's Question of the Week asked whether police should have to
announce themselves before bursting into a person's home. A large
majority said they should. The question stems from a recent U.S.
Supreme Court 5-4 ruling that police don't have to knock, a decision
that rolled back earlier rulings protective of homeowners.

Among 586 votes in this unscientific poll, 485 readers said police
should be required to announce themselves, while 101 said they
shouldn't have to.

We received four written comments from readers on this subject:

- -- I sleep with a gun beside my bed just in case someone might break
into my house unannounced. Will that make me a criminal if I shot a
cop breaking into my house? If we give up more rights, will we still
be able to call this the land of the free?

- -- When the police seek a search warrant, they present their evidence
to a judge. The judge studies the probable cause and he determines if
it will be a no-knock entry. Let us remember judges are the ones
signing the warrants, but are not held liable. -- My home is my
castle and I have the right to be safe and secure within my domicile.
Anyone, whether they be friend or foe, will not be allowed entry into
my home without my permission. If they attempt to force their way in,
I will use whatever appropriate force that I have at my disposal
(including deadly force) to protect my family and my property.
Despite what President Bush and his coterie of sycophants say, the
sanctity of the American home has to be sacrosanct.

- -- Police should have valid, demonstrable evidence in advance that a
"no-knock" entry is vital before charging willy-nilly into someone's home.