Listening to a radio program on my way to work this morning and they were debating using a Stop and Search technique in some of the more crime ridden areas of St Louis.  The technique has been very successful in reducing deaths in NYC and shootings in general there.
I was not surprised to learn people are protesting against it and feel it is a violation of privacy, etc.  What did bother me was that no one mentioned that it is very similar to what has happened at our airports since 9/11.  Innocent people are searched, have ‘naked’ pictures taken of them to make sure they aren’t hiding weapons, have their luggage searched, and they are, in general, being patted down like common criminals.
I used to fly weekly for business and it was fairly easy and pleasant before 9/11.  Afterwards it was not but I adjusted.  What made me very upset was seeing my elderly mother (when I was taking her on vacation), sitting in a wheel chair, and being groped by a TSA agent as we went through security.  I understand this is to keep us safe from the ‘bad guys/gals’ but there should be some limits.
I am hoping if Stop and Search goes through in St Louis, that old men and women are treated with dignity and that ALL of the searches are done with respect.  I also hope that the people in the crime ridden areas know that many of us have been facing Stop and Search for 11 years now when we travel by air. There are some actions taken to ensure safety that end up violating our privacy but, hopefully, the results will be worthwhile.