Safe Homes Initiative Not a Trustworthy Idea

By Alicia Johnson

Editor's note: The proposed Safe Homes Initiative in Boston, Mass., would allow police to search for guns in the homes of teens, without warrants but with permission from the teens' parents.

EthnicNewz.org first published this essay on April 13, 2008. 

I highly disagree with the Safe Homes Initiative.

I understand that people want a safer community. I also want a safer community, but I also believe that the Safe Homes Initiative is an invasion of privacy.

It is also unconstitutional.

The fourth amendment says:
"The right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches or seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

I believe that if a firearm was recovered, the police officer would take immediate action upon the owner.

Law enforcers say that they would just seize the firearm.

They also state that the only way that somebody would be charged is if a crime was linked to the weapon.

To me, the police only say this to build trust with the community. If a gun is found, they will take action and whomever the weapon belongs to will get charged with possession of a firearm without a license.

Suppose a gun is found. It's against the law to carry one without a license, so is the officer going to let the person break the law? I doubt it. The person will probably get arrested.

To me, before police officers try to search people's homes, they should first build up trust with the community.

There is a very bad chemistry between the police and the people of Boston. So, of course, many people would be against the Safe Home program.

When officers come around, people are suppose to feel safe but they don't. When police officers come around, people feel threatened and they also feel as if they are a target.

So this makes me think about whether or not this program is going to be successful. I want a safer community but trying to search people's homes is not the way to start.

Officers should try to develop a bond with the children of the city of Boston. There should be more programs so children can keep themselves occupied during the day.

If there is no trust between the police and the community to begin with, nothing good will come out of the Safe Homes program.

Alicia Johnson lives in the Roxbury area of Boston, Mass. She is a junior at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School [1].

source: EthnicNewz.org

Copyright 2008 New England Ethnic News, EthnicNewz.org. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the express permission of the source. Contact Newz for more information.

SEE ALSO:

Police "Safe Homes" Gun-Recovery Plan Sparks Heated Debates [2]