You've received a report of some possible drug sales going on at a certain address. The complainant states the following observations:
Two of the persons in question live at that address. Several others hang out on the porch with those residents late at night.
Complainant has observed others arriving, then one of the "porch sitters" (not the residents) goes over to a vehicle in the driveway, spends a bit of time inside, then emerges and hands something to the visitor. The visitor then leaves. This happens several times.
In addition, every once in a while the cell phone of one of the "porch sitters" (not the residents) lights up. That individual then goes over to that same vehicle, spends a few minutes inside, then goes over to another car, drives off, and then returns a few minutes later.
The complainant is able to give the plate # of the car that is frequently "visited." That car belongs to the residents at the address given.
These activities go on several nights in a row. It is in an area well-known for illegal drug activity.
Keep in mind the installation of a police surveillance camera less than half a block away. Camera was installed to deter drug sales on the corner.
The location of the porch puts it out of reach of the camera.
You and another officer drive up (separate cars) in response to the call. As you are doing so, half the people scatter. The residents go inside, leaving three individuals (none of whom were the persons observed engaging in the above-described actions, other than sitting on the porch).
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1) Is the complainant's suspicion of illegal drug sales reasonable?
2) Assuming a yes answer to the above, what is YOUR course of action?
2) Is there probable cause to search the vehicle, or are the complainant's observations insufficient?
3) What is the complainant's best course of action if/when this scenario is repeated? [Excluding moving.]
Two of the persons in question live at that address. Several others hang out on the porch with those residents late at night.
Complainant has observed others arriving, then one of the "porch sitters" (not the residents) goes over to a vehicle in the driveway, spends a bit of time inside, then emerges and hands something to the visitor. The visitor then leaves. This happens several times.
In addition, every once in a while the cell phone of one of the "porch sitters" (not the residents) lights up. That individual then goes over to that same vehicle, spends a few minutes inside, then goes over to another car, drives off, and then returns a few minutes later.
The complainant is able to give the plate # of the car that is frequently "visited." That car belongs to the residents at the address given.
These activities go on several nights in a row. It is in an area well-known for illegal drug activity.
Keep in mind the installation of a police surveillance camera less than half a block away. Camera was installed to deter drug sales on the corner.
The location of the porch puts it out of reach of the camera.
You and another officer drive up (separate cars) in response to the call. As you are doing so, half the people scatter. The residents go inside, leaving three individuals (none of whom were the persons observed engaging in the above-described actions, other than sitting on the porch).
****
1) Is the complainant's suspicion of illegal drug sales reasonable?
2) Assuming a yes answer to the above, what is YOUR course of action?
2) Is there probable cause to search the vehicle, or are the complainant's observations insufficient?
3) What is the complainant's best course of action if/when this scenario is repeated? [Excluding moving.]
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