Probable Cause?

[mowfixer]

I live in Eastern Tennessee and have a question for the forum. Many of us who live here like to walk in the evening, parking in public parking places along the parkway. We do this maybe 4-5 nights per week.

Well I recently got a Police scanner and discovered that the Police go up and down the parkway logging plate numbers of every car parked there as a record in case a crime happens in the area. They also call dispatch and run warrant and individual owners record on each vehicle.

I ask this. How can they legally run your car and personnal information when you have not done anything other than park in a public place? This seems to be a violation of our rights to due process and requirements for probable cause. What is the probable cause when parking in front of your local library?

I have heard the dispatcher return and make comments like you need to watch that vehicle as it has been reported as being parked in several locations this month. Give me a break we walk almost every night and routinely park in different areas for a change of scenery.

What do you all think?

Thanks

[racer72]

The license plates on your vehicle are state property, not yours. And as part of your privelige to use public roadways the police are allowed to check your plates to verify that the driver, owner, and vehicle are in compliance with the law. The fact that your vehicle is parked in a public location is all the probable cause they need and you will get your due process if the officer makes contact with you concerning your parking. Your rights of due process don't start till a police officer initiates contact with a potential suspect.