Glens Falls NY Police Illegally Search Car Without Consent

November 21st, 2015

Awake Goy

Beatrice Larry’s boyfriend was driving her car when he was stopped by the Glens Falls (NY) police for allegedly rolling a stop sign. According to Beatrice’s Facebook post about the incident she believes her boyfriend was stopped simply because he’s black and driving night. The traffic stop highlighted in the video above was just three houses down from where she lives and when she got there the police said they were going to tow the car. She objected and stated she, a licensed driver, would take her property home. That’s when one of the officers – either Madison or Cambell – stated that they couldn’t ‘cancel’ the tow truck.

That’s when the rights violations start. First, the police refuse to give her the additional keys on her key ring and then have the audacity to state they aren’t searching her vehicle but inventorying it. You can hear Beatrice refuse consent to the search in the video over and over stating, “Get out of my vehicle you do not have permission to search my vehicle.”

“We are not searching it, we’re looking for property to inventory” replies Officer Madison

“Get out of my vehicle, you have no search warrant, you have no right searching my vehicle.” Beatrice replies.

Both officers continue their search and Madison even states to Beatrice that she can call his Chief. Interesting note about that is when you go to the Glen Falls, NY police department website the current Chief is Michelle Arnold and she’s the ‘acting chief.’ Maybe the actions of these officers are of the former chief’s liking or, and I’m not holding my breathe, acting chief Arnold is not going to be happy about this video.

Beatrice states on her Facebook page that she had nothing to hide in her car but that it’s her right to refuse to searches. She feels those rights were violated and is seeking help. If you believe that “badges don’t grant extra rights” and that these officers were out of line consider calling the Glens Falls Police at the contact information listed below.

Contact
Michelle Arnold
Acting Chief of Police
Ph: (518) 761-3842

Tony Lydon
Day Captain
Ph: (518) 761-3844

42 Ridge St.
Glens Falls, NY 12801

Dispatch: (518) 761-3840
Fx: (518) 798-4345

Lastly, thank you Beatrice for filming these cops and their rights violating actions. Of course she could have held her phone sideways and I wouldn’t regularly recommend walking around the police in the manner she did but it worked out for her. There’s no reason that every single traffic stop that ever takes place shouldn’t be recorded, if not by those being stopped than by someone else driving (or living near) by. If you’d like to learn more about filming the police visit our “Film the Police” page or consider joining the CopBlock Network. Together we can spread the message that “Badges Don’t Grant Extra Rights” and encourage many more to start filming the police. When we stand up for our rights as a whole than our rights will be respected.