Martial Law plan announced for one Arkansas town.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/339334

Ok so I read this article and I don't get it. They are essentially instating Martial Law for a High crime rate.

The population of this city is almost 27,000 people. 1 Murder in 10 years. Certain crimes went up yes but really to do this is stupid.

What this tells me the police force is either inadequate or isn't doing the job they are paid to do. which means one of two things either hire more officers to help make a presence shown without having to do all they are planning on doing. Or fire the police force you have now and hire people who are competent in doing their job.

To declare a form of Martial Law is kinda stupid especially when you crime rate dwarves those of major metropolitan areas, and is against quite a few amendments.

David said:

1 murder in 10 years but everyone is getting raped and mugged on a daily basis? This is justified.

Also the Constitution only applies to the Feds, most cities are republican dictatorships of some sort so this isn't illegal. Now if they start kicking down doors and arresting people without warrants Federal and state constitutional issues might arise but asking for papers and shooting looters? All legal at the city level.

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Disagree with you Rape is not even the issue. Here are their Crime statistics so far for this year.

2012 Crime (Projected Data)* Incidents
Aggravated Assault 109
Arson 6
Burglary 733
Forcible Rape 18
Larceny and Theft 1,480
Motor Vehicle Theft 87
Murder and Manslaughter 0
Robbery 12
Crime Rate (Total Incidents) 2,330
Property Crime 2,305
Violent Crime 138

http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/arkansas/paragould.html#.UNHzz6Xt-QI

Their Violent crime rate was below the National Average which includes rape. Where the excel is property crime which was above the National average. Which tells me more police are need but not in the Martial Law way.

Sorry other then some more patrol units there is little need to suit up a tactical squad and stop everyone on the streets. Especially since there crime dwarfs their closest neighbor Memphis.

2012 Crime (Projected Data)* Incidents
Aggravated Assault 8,154
Arson 207
Burglary 13,530
Forcible Rape 363
Larceny and Theft 29,734
Motor Vehicle Theft 2,755
Murder and Manslaughter 107
Robbery 4,187
Crime Rate (Total Incidents) 54,679
Property Crime 46,077
Violent Crime 12,810

http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/tennessee/memphis.html#.UNH1IaXt-QI

I would agree in certain matters it would be. Though it may be looked upon differently at the Federal Level. Though I believe the power to choose should be left to the state and Local levels. Most times it is not and this can be looked upon as on of those time and the Fed very well may step in and say the city is wrong.

I guess what I am saying it is in the eyes of the beholder.

Though in reality I personally think this is not needed. If they had an high level of Violent crimes I would say ok ehhhh I can understand why they are doing it. But for their population they have a very low number of Violent crimes including rape. So I see it as a drama that could be done differently. Put more cruisers in higher crime areas.

Get people in the Neighborhood involved in crime watches. This is in my eyes very unneeded for basically break-ins.

David said:

So long as they stay out of those areas asking for papers, warrantless searches and arrests, random interrogations, etc. is legal as cities aren't covered by higher laws. The only people that can be shot are looters and violent criminals but that's true of civil law as well.

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Now from what I have read that a state and local laws can't trump The U.S. Constitution. So how can you say local laws do not have to abide by the US Constitution when in reality the US Constitution is stated as being "the supreme law of the land."

Federal Preemption states State law and even local law if in conflict with Federal law, the Federal Law wins.

David said:

You obviously haven't had to deal with an authoritarian city gov't. Also martial law renders civil law moot.

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Though if Federal law is superior in all reality they can tell the Mayor it is unlawful to do what he is doing. It would only make civil law moot if the Federal Government declared Martial law.

If Federal law is law of the land then in reality he would have to bend to Federal law if they made him. Not that they will mind you .

blurinoctober said:

Wait. Everybody stopped and asked for ID? What if you don't have ID? Or if you're just going out for a stroll. Oh, no, you're in trouble!

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That would be the jist of it. They can arrest you if you don't provide an ID to them on suspicion of committing a crime.

David said:

Love to see them try that here. Cops are hated around here. I work with someone who's husband got brushed off like he was an annoyance after driving into a shootout.

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I myself am from Philadelphia so people down here make me laugh they would not last a minute in Philly or New York. I had a guy start with me the other day I made a mistake and was not paying attention and pulled out in front of him.

He was screaming at me and I apologized because it was my fault he got out of the car and came to my window. The kid must have been twenty or so girlfriend in the car acting all big and bad. Well one thing I have always kept with me that I still do to this day is I always carry a knife. Well when he started pounding on the top part of my car I pulled it with my right hand and took the point to his crotch. I told him nice and calmly that if he was trying to scare me he picked the wrong person. Well I never saw someones face drop. I then told him again I was wrong and I was sorry and pulled away. He did not know what to do I hate people who think they are tough yet have not a street smart in them. People down here don't know what real streets are like the only places I would say come close are the metro areas.

I done bad crap when I was younger and maybe with everything that is happening to me today I maybe paying for it. Though one thing never left don't screw with me especially if my kids are in the car with me.