LETTER OF THE DAY

REASONABLE SEARCH AND SEIZURE

RE "INFRARED cameras take heat in court," (Jan. 29):

I was extremely upset but not at all surprised to read about the court
ruling in regards to infrared cameras and search warrants. The purpose of
search warrants is to obtain evidence while at the same time protecting the
constitutional rights of our citizens.

It would appear that it has gotten to the point now in this fine country
that you require enough evidence for a conviction to get a search warrant.
So my question would be, why do we even have search warrants? We are in a
sad state when when we as a society sit back and accept that it is more
important to allow a person to possess illegal guns and drugs than it is to
intercept heat escaping into the atmosphere. I certainly hope as a police
officer that our residents realize how frustrated we are in dealing with a
government and court system that put up so many obstacles to prevent
reasonable search and seizure.

I guess everyone's interpretation of "reasonable" is different.

I would also like to add that as professionals we abide by and operate under
direction from the courts, so if people are feeling frustrated, they should
scream at their politicians and not the first cop they come across.

Tom Blanchard

President, Smiths Falls Police Association

(Right)