Fourth Amendment Deathwatch

Additional commentary and newspaper insights

August 18th, 2008, 1:48 pm · 3 Comments · posted by Scott Shackford

I’ve written editorials and run others from the OC Register about California’s Nanny State food issues, but this one takes the cake. Actually, it takes the bacon. In Los Angeles, police cracked down on illegal street hot dog (bacon-wrapped!) cart vendors. The LAist captured some pictures here. Most disturbing is that apparently, the police simply destroyed all the carts and all the contents without involving that crazy little creation we have here in the United States called “the justice system.”

They’re probably relying on the operators to not have the money to sue over this, but good lord. Due process? Anybody heard of it? Anybody?

Maybe next they’ll replace the impound lot with a used car dealership and not even wait for the verdicts.

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3 Responses to “Fourth Amendment Deathwatch”

spankbot Says:
August 18th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
The 4th amendment only covers U.S. citizens.

Part of the problem here was that outbreak of hepatitis last year from illegals working in many Los Angeles restaurants. One of my favorite places to eat in L.A., La Golondrina Cafe, was shut down for this for a short time.

For anyone who cares to think about this one for a second, un-licensed food vendor, especially if most of them are illegals, is a public safety nightmare.
Brian Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 9:01 am
You’re making the assumption that they’re not US citizens.

It’s never ok for the government to seize personal property without due process of law. Sure, take the carts off the streets, make them get permitted, but trashing the carts without any legal process is insane. I hope the ACLU gets wind of this.
Tina Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I’m a licensed vendor in Pasadena (hotdog cart). Why do some feel illegals (lets not play dumb, these vendors are mostly, if not all illegal) have some sort of right to be above the law? It’s maddening!

But sadly Brian is right. I can easily see liberal activist groups like the ACLU coming to their defense while us law abiding citizens get screwed/taxes/fee’ed. Does citizenship mean anything anymore?

spankbot Says:
August 18th, 2008 at 8:56 pm

The 4th amendment only covers U.S. citizens.

Part of the problem here was that outbreak of hepatitis last year from illegals working in many Los Angeles restaurants. One of my favorite places to eat in L.A., La Golondrina Cafe, was shut down for this for a short time.

For anyone who cares to think about this one for a second, un-licensed food vendor, especially if most of them are illegals, is a public safety nightmare.

Brian Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 9:01 am

You’re making the assumption that they’re not US citizens.

It’s never ok for the government to seize personal property without due process of law. Sure, take the carts off the streets, make them get permitted, but trashing the carts without any legal process is insane. I hope the ACLU gets wind of this.

Tina Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 5:08 pm

I’m a licensed vendor in Pasadena (hotdog cart). Why do some feel illegals (lets not play dumb, these vendors are mostly, if not all illegal) have some sort of right to be above the law? It’s maddening!

But sadly Brian is right. I can easily see liberal activist groups like the ACLU coming to their defense while us law abiding citizens get screwed/taxes/fee’ed. Does citizenship mean anything anymore?