Our guest on the next Metro show will be Sheriff Tim Carroll. The Knox County Sheriffs office recently announced the department will be conducting random “Safety Checks” also known as “roadblocks” throughout the summer at various times and locations. This announcement has been met with considerable push back and harsh words by a number of public officials and area legislators. Senator Dave Miramant was quoted in the village soup as saying in response to the idea of roadblocks.

“The use of checkpoints provides a way for police to make stops without a warrant… This is a common tool in countries with repressive governments and should never become a random occurrence in a free country”. Representative Jeffrey Evangelos of Friendship states: “This latest ploy by (Sheriff) Carroll represents local law enforcement’s latest attempt to violate our 4th amendment rights by stopping and harassing innocent people on their way to work without probable cause or a warrant”.

Sheriff Carroll assures us his “intent is to assure people traveling the roads of Knox County are doing so in a sale manner with properly equipped and safe vehicles”. As a public safety officer of course his officers are sworn to enforce the motor vehicle laws of our state. The question becomes are these “roadblocks” an overreach of their authority. Most people I have spoken with feel it is an unwarranted intrusion of their rights and there’s where the debate begins. “Safety checks” or “snare traps”?

We hope you’ll join in on our discussion Wednesday, April 20 from 5 to 6 PM broadcast over WRFR-Radio 93.3 FM or watch us live over Maine Coast TV local channel 7. We may be live in the studio or via our Zoom link.

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