KNOCK AND TALK

The Sentinel's Tuesday editorial condemning the Orange County Sheriff's
Office use of "knock and talk" investigations does not address the core
issue. While preaching to the sheriff's office to "knock it off," the
editorial states, "Many people would assume they didn't have a choice and
allow the officers to come inside. But in America, people have a choice."

Knocking on a door and talking to the occupants are effective ways to
address anonymous tips when it comes to illegal activity. Should tips
concerning illegal activity be ignored because "many people" are ignorant
of the Bill of Rights?

This seems like an education issue, not a legal issue. If someone does not
know enough to say no when it comes to law-enforcement entry into their
home, how is that the fault of law enforcement?

It is also disheartening to see the Sentinel compare this tactic to former
Volusia County Sheriff Bob Vogel's use of "profiling" when it came to drug
trafficking in the 1980s. Stopping people based on race and the amount of
gold jewelry they were wearing is a far cry from knocking on a door and
asking to come inside.

It may be fun to castigate law enforcement, but if the public simply read
the Constitution, then the "knock and talk" issue would be moot.

Martin C. Premo

Orlando