A New Long Arm of the Law

[sapblatt]

Saturday afternoon when Aaron and I were coming back from out Father's Day weekend attempt at Mount Eisenhower (I should have known 2 1/2 miles before the view was a bad idea for a 4 year old) hike we were stopped on I-93 south a little south of the Kanc by the United States Border Patrol...
They were obviously looking for someone in particular...
I have never seen this before - has anyone else?
I thought it strange that they were so far south of the border, then again, the border may be too obvious.
When we drove northbound at 7am they were setting up.

 

[Jay H]

I've seen the border patrol on the Northway in NY south of Keene and also on I-91 between VT/NH when Tuco and I were there. We were stopped, asked a few questions but they didn't seem like they were looking for a particular person or so.

Did any more TB patients escape the US recently? Were they wearing masks?

Jay

 

[lattinhill]

The checkpoint on 91 south just below White River Junction is more or less permanent based in the rest area complete with lights and signs. I've been stoped there a couple of times but never questioned. One time I watched 4 guys in a car all wearing white motorcycle helmets go through with no problem.

Dave

 

[giggy]

heard of this happening from time to time over the last 10 years on 93. Only saw it once about 4 years ago.

 

[JOD]

Border Patrol

The BP sets up just north of Exit 30 on Rt 93 every summer for at least one day during Bike Week, usually during the weekend. They're looking for stolen motocycles from Canada that are sold in the Weirs area. I'm sure they're also on the lookout for other things.

The BP was also set up 2 months ago at the same place. I was heading home and got stopped with the other drivers too. I was alone with ladders on my roof and tools in the back. I was waved through with a "Have a nice day."

 

[MadRiver]

I’ve lost count how many times I was asked if I were a U.S. resident at the White River Junction checkpoint.

 

[griffin]

We ran across them last spring just above Lincoln on I93. We got treated to some extra attention because my partner didn't have her Green Card on her (she often doesn't - they're very difficult to replace so she's very concerned about losing or misplacing it).

They were pretty well camped out - even had a bbq going in the median. Lots of vehicles, lots of uniforms walking around. I honestly don't think they were looking for anything in particular so much as making their presence known, but for all that, I think they could have found more effective uses of time and resources.

And yes, they have pretty much unlimited search and seizure powers.

 

[Pete_Hickey]

One thing which sort of surprised me, happened twice. I'm driving a car with Quebec plates on it. I'm asked my citizenship, and I say, "US.", and they don't question me at all about why I have a Quebec car.

 

[Pamola]

I think the one on I91 has been shut down. The BP used to have a trailer set up in that rest stop, but I haven't seen it in a while. I also haven't been stopped there in a couple years.

 

[MichaelJ]

And yes, they have pretty much unlimited search and seizure powers.

Not according to the 1975 Supreme Court decision US v. Ortiz, which affirmed Almeida-Sanchez v. US, which found that away from the border they must have probable cause or consent to search your car.

Now, who's willing to test it?

 

[Bob]

don't get me started on this one-

but for all that, I think they could have found more effective uses of time and resources

I agree fully, I have personally been HARASSED for no reason on multiple occasions. I have also heard stories of harassment in upstate NY, where hikers early in the morning were HARASSED for no apparent reason. Questions such as "why are you on this road?"
A case of too much money/power and too lazy to spend it in an effective manner.
And yes- the Rt 91 checkpoiunt is closed down, but lots of expen$ive equipment left there rotting.

 

[NH_Mtn_Hiker]

Saturday afternoon when Aaron and I were coming back from out Father's Day weekend attempt at Mount Eisenhower (I should have known 2 1/2 miles before the view was a bad idea for a 4 year old) hike we were stopped on I-93 south a little south of the Kanc by the United States Border Patrol...
They were obviously looking for someone in particular...
I have never seen this before - has anyone else?
I thought it strange that they were so far south of the border, then again, the border may be too obvious.
When we drove northbound at 7am they were setting up.

They've been running that checkpoint quite frequently the last few years. I see them there both on weekdays and weekends. I doubt they're looking for a specific individual...just individuals fitting a specific profile.

 

[slowmo68]

I think there is always extra law enforcement of every kind on motorcycle week - weekend. Between the noise the traffic and extra hassles I steer clear ( into Maine) on motorcycle madness week.
Chris

 

[dvbl]

We got stopped on 93S near Lincoln two years ago in September. I was driving and as I was about to hold up my license, the officer looked right past me and said to my two Chinese buddies, "Are you US citizens?" I still bust them up about that . As we were driving away, one of my buddies noted ironically that because of our jobs, we probably have a higher security clearance than this guy will ever have.

The whole time he was questioning my buddies about their citizenship status, I was fighting the urge to ask him if he thought the Franconia Loop is best done clockwise or counter-clockwise.

 

[kerry13]

I was stopped last thursday about 4:30 pm, heading south on 93. Don't recall exactly where they set up but it wasn't too far south of Franconia. I mentioned it to Willougby, who hiked with me that day, and he indicated they were there around 6:30 am when he was heading north. I guess I missed seeing them in the morning. They just asked if I were a US citizen. When I said yes they said to go ahead and then the agent noticed a cooler I had on the empty front seat. He asked me to open it, so I did. There was only water and gatorade in it so he waved me through without further harrassment. Not sure whether they were all BP agents or in combination with State Police. There were at least 10 SP, or what I thought were SP vehicles in the median. It was an impressive operation who ever was conducting it.

 

[NewHampshire]

They've been running that checkpoint quite frequently the last few years. I see them there both on weekdays and weekends. I doubt they're looking for a specific individual...just individuals fitting a specific profile.

Yes, they were there Friday morning too. I was wondering what it was about, but assumed it was because of Motorcycle weekend. But I actually thought this was kind of stupid. Why so far down? If a person knows of this checkpoint then they could easily take 3 and/or 302 loooong befoe they reach this point, thus negating its purpose. Its not THAT much out of the way to go through Crawford notch or Pinkham to get to Laconia.

B.

 

[NH_Mtn_Hiker]

This might have something to do with all the Border Patrol activity in recent years.

 

[Waumbek]

That I-93 checkpoint is nothing new; it has been used since at least the early '80s. First question is always the same--where were you born? If not in this country, are you a citizen? If not, where's your passport or green card? Etc.

 

[kmorgan]

That I-93 checkpoint is nothing new; it has been used since at least the early '80s. First question is always the same--where were you born? If not in this country, are you a citizen? If not, where's your passport or green card? Etc.

or... What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

 

[bikehikeskifish]

or... What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

African or European?

(sorry, you knew this was coming)

Tim