Pubdate: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2003, Canoe Limited Partnership Contact: http://www.fyiottawa.com/ottsun.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329 Author: Tom Blanchard Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n153/a04.html Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk 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) - --- MAP posted-by: Josh