St. Petersburg police ignore the Constitution

Apparently the cops in St. Petersburg are tired of protecting retirees, so they've moved on to wanton destruction of property:

Mayor Rick Baker says he had no idea that top city officials, including the police chief and one of his deputy mayors, planned a raid on homeless camps Friday in which police slashed tents being used for shelter.

"I did not know that the operation had occurred until it occurred," Baker said Monday. "I was aware that the fire marshal had identified a very grave concern. I did not know the specifics to the solution."

In some cases, police officers tore apart the tents while homeless people were still inside, cutting the fabric with scissors, knives and box cutters. The raid on the "tent city" at 15th Street and Fifth Avenue N came just days after two homeless men were slain and jolted a community still frightened because the killers are still at large.

Videos of officers cutting apart tents have received hundreds of views on YouTube and other Web sites.

This would be one of the videos in question:



And here's another, somewhat more graphic one a longer version of the video:



This is disgraceful, and the City of St. Petersburg justifiably is taking a lot of heat. Apparently they've never heard of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and 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.

The justification for the raid? Concern about potential for fire:

Authorities were concerned a fire, started by residents cooking and smoking in tents, could spread quickly through the camp. They said a new, bigger camp has addressed their safety concerns.

"I was aware that the fire marshal had identified a very grave concern," Baker said. "I did not know the specifics to the solution."

This is not only flimsy, but it's no excuse for what the police did, without probable cause nor provocation. As a former resident of St. Petersburg (1977-80 and 1997-99), I'm deeply disturbed by this, and I strongly advocate the severest sanctions possible for those responsible for the raid.

(h/t to Holden for bringing this to my attention)