Police 'firewood' checkpoints coming to a state near you (Updated)
image credit: WMUR9
Since at least 2004, police in states across the country have been using 'firewood' checkpoints to search motorists vehicles.
According to an article in the Daily Jefferson, Ohio police have been setting up 'firewood' checkpoints to search motorists vehicles since 2004. The article went on to say, motorists could be fined could be as much as $10,000 if they're caught with illegal firewood.
In Michigan, police have been using 'firewood' checkpoints since at least 2005 and the list is growing.
A 2006 article in the Toledo Blade, warns motorists, that Ohio police use 'firewood' checkpoints and search vehicles stopped at rest areas.
For more than six hours, two U.S. Department of Agriculture officers combed the parking lot of the Findlay-area rest stop searching for people transporting firewood.
State and federal officials are enforcing the ban on firewood movement by checking vehicles at several northwest Ohio locations this week and periodically throughout the summer. Yesterday's blitz was the fourth since the start of spring, with three held over Memorial Day weekend.
Last year, I warned everyone that police were using TEN different types of checkpoints. Sadly, the list just keeps getting bigger, now it's up to thirty-three different types of police checkpoints.
Updated 6/20:
Police are conducting fish and game checkpoints
Unfortunately, the list of police checkpoints continues to grow.
In 2015, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife authority set up one of the largest round-the-clock 'hunter and fishing' checkpoints in the state's history. According to an article in KDVR, "law enforcement officers from eight agencies in three states are operating near Idaho Springs for a 48-hour, round-the-clock fish and game checkpoint."
"They're searching cars, trucks, campers, trailers and coolers for any game and fish violations."
"This type of checkpoint is a first for me, but I think it’s a good idea because they are able to catch poachers,” deer hunter Roy Hernandez said."
Fyi, Fish and game checkpoints have been around for years, and police in Arizona have been conducting them since at least 2013.
Thirty-three different types of police checkpoints:
'Firewood' checkpoints used to search thousands of vehicles
image credit: Adirondack Almanack
Since 2011, Police in New York have been using 'firewood' checkpoints to search motorists vehicles.
According to an article in the Times Herald Record, State and Environmental Police have been ticketing motorists at 'firewood' checkpoints for years.
A 2012 article in the Adirondack Almanack, reveals that police used 'firewood' checkpoints to search approximately 7,000 vehicles in one year alone!
Approximately 7,000 vehicles were screened through these checkpoints to determine if they were transporting firewood. Thirty-one vehicles with firewood were inspected resulting in six people receiving tickets for violations of firewood transportation regulation. Violations included transporting wood from out of state, transporting wood from a quarantined and transporting from untreated firewood from more than 50 miles from its source.
In addition to being ticketed, the six people were provided information and educational material about the firewood transportation regulation and the dangers of spreading invasive insects. Their firewood was confiscated and bagged. It was later chipped to destroy potential invasive insects, officials said.
A 2011 article in the Press Republican warns, "Traffic checkpoints will become customary around the Adirondack Park this summer," DEC Spokesman David Winchell said. (To find out more about 'firewood' checkpoints click here, here & here.)
Police set up 'firewood' checkpoints in NH
Last week, New Hampshire police began using 'firewood' checkpoints to search vehicles.
“It is a similar process to follow as when DWI checkpoints are announced,” he said. “Essentially they are usually adjacent to major roads where signage directs vehicles with firewood to pull off into designated areas for inspection. If the firewood is found to be in violation of the quarantine, it will be confiscated and either a written warning or court summons issued” Forest Ranger Douglas Miner said.
Motorists caught with 'illegal' firewood will be fined $250.00 and could be charged with a misdemeanor felony.
'Firewood' checkpoints are all about public safety, right?
Wrong...
Police use 'firewood' checkpoints to illegally search vehicles
Do you really think 'firewood' checkpoints are being used to search for illegal firewood?
An article in the Enquirer reveals the real reasons police are setting up 'firewood' checkpoints.
"They operate much like DUI checkpoints used by police departments nationwide. Troopers and local police randomly stop vehicles and search some trunks for firewood."
In New York, police searched a car at a 'firewood' checkpoint' and discovered jewelry and burglary tools.
"The biggest development of the day had nothing to do with beetles or firewood. Jewelry and burglar tools were found in one car that was stopped by the Department of Environmental Police."
Don't forget, the University of Berkeley has made more than $14 million off of 'no-refusal' checkpoints.
There are thirty-three different types of police checkpoints and counting. You're kidding yourself, if you still think America is the land of the free.