If these facts are accurate, our country is in harms way.
Maryland State has a network of technical security databases which access the databases of all other states who comply and coordinate with them. For states who do not willfully comply, or those who are not set up to align technically, Maryland mines data from various LEO systems.
Maryland has a rather innocuous sounding name for the intelligence hub which contains this data, it’s called Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center.
EDIT: As an out-of-state holder of Florida CCW, from the socialist state of MD, I recall reading that Florida was concerned about LE’s having access to the database. Therefore the CWP database is under Dept of Ag instead of LEO for privacy. So if the article is true, MD is data-mining FL Dept of Ag.
Spending my last few weeks in Maryland (praise the Lord). I have a Texas CHL (Texas DL and license plates too) and have been pulled over once by a MD State Trooper for 77 in a 55.
The officer was very nice, told me he doesn’t issue citations for that speed, and gave me a warning.
I am no fan of Marylandistan, but this Trooper certainly wasn’t targeting me. Sample of one, I know, but FWIW, YMMV.
I would leave this shithole in a second and live in a tent, in a free state like Texas. Unfortunately my fiancé doesn’t agree with my sentiment and isn’t willing to move away from her family and friends. Where about to have a baby boy any day now, so my prospects of getting out of here aren’t looking good unfortunately
So, it is a little more complicated than all that. The MTA is about the most pointless LE organization in the state and arguably, the least professional. They exist solely to shake down motorists for ticket money. It would seem that they are trying to show they are a real LE organization and are trying to make a name for themselves prior to the next election.
They are after all profit center for the State.
This is not a case of the State of MD targeting one guy, but a single administrator at the MTA trying to make it look like they do actual police work. Petty bureaucrats trying to defend their fiefdom.
Now, before somebody gets all LEO butthurt, I can tell you that I have more than a few personal friends working for Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Ann Arundel, PG, and the MSP. The guys I know would all agree with this assessment. The MTA is full of guys who did not get hired by the MSP.
The reply to the following request will be interesting:
The purpose of my contact with you today is to request public records surrounding this incident.
This is a request under the Maryland Public Information Act, State Government Article §§10-611 to 630. I am making this request on my own behalf.
I wish to receive all records in your department’s custody and control pertaining to the following:
(A) the record/incident report, outlining the initial infraction which led to the traffic stop in question – and all subsequent written documentation pertaining to the encounter/traffic stop; and
(B) a recorded copy of the full Police Band radio transmission (between initial officer and all subsequent officers) as it pertains to the initial officer contact with the vehicle, to the stoppage, search, detention and subsequent release; and
(C) a copy of the dash camera recording for the initial MTAP officer encounter with the vehicle of Mr. John Filippidis (if available) during the entire timeframe of encounter with the vehicle, personage, and family of: Mr. John Filippidis, outlined in the traffic stop in question; and
(D) the full contact information for any other police, state or local agency who also responded to the traffic stop in question.
If all or any part of this request is denied, I request that I be provided with a written statement of the grounds for the denial.
That’s cool and all, but MD is the richest state in the Union. In fact, most Red States get more govt welfare than they return in Federal taxes. The majority of the 47% are actually in the Red States. Of course, returning to the Constitutionally mandated system of Apportionment (where states pay the same rate of Federal taxes based on a per capita of Census population) would fix all of this. But the first people to squeal about adhering to the Constitution would be the Red States because they pride themselves on low taxes. And of course, they can afford to have these low taxes because Uncle Sugar is making up the difference.
Brilliant! Let us know how this plays out. This is one way to buck the trend. Everytime the govt does something like this, slam them with a FOIA request. Pretty soon they will get tired of scrutinized. When you get the info, contact a reporter at the Baltimore Sun and Washington Post. You have done half of the work for them.
I can’t take credit for the request, one of the writers for “The Last Refuge”, when they do post their findings, I will post here and local conservative talk shows.
