This thread makes me sad. Searching people at a 4th of July celebration, without them having done something to warrant it, is just so wrong. Makes me feel fortunate to live where I do, and pitty for the people willing to endure that b.s. where they live.
I understand the point about people coming in from other areas and behavior that is beyond the norm for the community. I think that shows a failling of the community by allowing that behavior in the first place. If enogh people would confront it right off the bat, get the police involved when that line is crossed, and defend themselves if necessary, we wouldn't have these sort of problems. Instead, most folks just sit back and bitch about it while it gets worse and worse and next thing you know, you got your local cops feeling their best option is to walk around with rifles searching all your crap because its them against the world and no one's got their back.
Sad.
I understand the point about people coming in from other areas and behavior that is beyond the norm for the community. I think that shows a failling of the community by allowing that behavior in the first place. If enogh people would confront it right off the bat, get the police involved when that line is crossed, and defend themselves if necessary, we wouldn't have these sort of problems. Instead, most folks just sit back and bitch about it while it gets worse and worse and next thing you know, you got your local cops feeling their best option is to walk around with rifles searching all your crap because its them against the world and no one's got their back.
Sad.