Pentagon "Police"

I think the reason the Pentagon police feel the need to enfore minor infractions must be because they are just plain BORED. Between directing traffic for a few hours each day, they seem to have nothing better to do than aimlessly patrol the lots looking for expired tags and the like. It is interesting to hear the stories of what people get pulled over for. A co-worker of mine was ticketed for not having a front plate on his sports car--which he has owned for about 20 years and still has the factory tag on front. One driver I rode with took the North Parking lot around the Pentagon to swing back around front and drop us off. The man directing traffic at the crosswalk actually left his post, walked up to the window, and told the driver that it is illegal to switch lanes without using a turn signal in Virginia. And at this time, there were no other cars--it wasn't like he was trying to merge into traffic and a turn signal would have alerted other cars of his presence. It's craziness I tell you. But I am really disappointed to hear that people were ticketed after coming back from Iraq and getting their cars from storage. How do they expect people to get to the inspection station--get their car towed to avoid the ticketing risk? Seeing that it is a MILITARY installation, you would think they would give some leeway to our warfighters and their situations. What a way to say thanks for fighting for freedom....

quote:

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Originally posted by 122582
[br]Folks,
Remember that the Pentagon is a military reservation. All persons and vehicles entering are subject to search.

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This isn't entirely true. It is what they want you to think. The Pentagon reservation has its own set of rules. I can't remember which section of the CFR it is but the language of the CFR only mentions searches when trying to enter buildings or secured areas of the Pentagon reservation. They don't actually have the authority to search people without cause when driving through or in the parking lots since they aren't secured areas. The only thing they can do it make you identify yourself.

32 CFR
§234.3 Admission to property.
(a) Access to the Pentagon Reservation or facilities thereon shall be restricted in accordance with Department of Defense Administrative Instruction Number 30 1 in order to ensure the orderly and secure conduct of Department of Defense business. Admission to facilities or restricted areas shall be limited to employees and other persons with proper authorization.

1Forward written requests for copies of the document to the Directorate for Freedom of Information and Security Review, Room 2C757, 1400 Defense Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 20301–1400.

(b) All persons entering or upon the Pentagon Reservation shall, when required and/or requested, display identification to authorized persons.

(c) All packages, briefcases, and other containers brought into, on, or being removed from facilities or restricted areas on the Pentagon Reservation are subject to inspection and search by authorized persons. Persons entering on facilities or restricted areas who refuse to permit an inspection and search will be denied entry.

(d) Any person or organization desiring to conduct activities anywhere on the Pentagon Reservation shall file an application for permit with the applicable Building Management Office. Such application shall be made on a form provided by the Department of Defense and shall be submitted in the manner specified by the Department of Defense. Violation of the conditions of a permit issued in accordance with this section is prohibited and may result in the loss of access to the Pentagon Reservation.


So if they ask to search your vehicle tell them NO! Make them get a warrant and don't let them trample your rights. If enough people tell them no, maybe they'll stop the stupid checkpoints they setup to intimidate people into allowing searches.

NEVER allow a search of your vehicle without a warrant!

Law enforcement officials know that they can passively (yeah, right) intimidate anyone they pull over and pointedly ask you "Mind if we search your vehicle?". The right answer is always no, you'll need a search warrant.

They may do it anyways, but at least then you have grounds to contest the search in most cases.


NoSb

SOV because you can, HOV because you care!

Is this true:
If you use the HOV lane and take the Pentagon exit, upon reaching the first stop sign into the parking lot you cannot make a left turn or a U-turn onto the two way road?

Though I don't see them plainly posted around the Pentagon, there are signs in front of most military bases plainly stating "all persons and vehicles entering are subject to search". Once you're on, consent is implied. I suppose you could try to refuse, and legally, the MP/SPs could drag you out of the car at gun point and proceed (if they are having a bad day), or hold you for civilian authorities, and have you charged with felony trespassing.

Also watch for signs indicating a Priority A resource. If the MPs are having a really bad day, they get to just shoot people insidde those.