Cops are taking people’s stuff — legally.
Yes that’s right, law enforcement took more than $5 billion worth of property and cash from people in 2014 — and it was completely legal. Using something called “civil asset forfeiture” laws, which the ACLU has described as “legalized robbery,” law enforcement can take your property without evidence of an actual crime.
Civil asset forfeiture laws were originally designed to stop the resources of organized criminals by allowing police to seize property they suspected could be used in a crime. Unfortunately, police now apply it in a wide range of scenarios, and reports of police abuse abound.
Technically, the amount collected by cops last year was more than what was stolen by burglars. A recent report noted that crimes classified as burglary led to $3.5 billion in losses in 2014. But, the Washington Post points out, the report doesn’t take into account crimes like theft and larceny. When accounting for all types of theft, thieves beat cops by more than $7 billion.
“For people whose property has been seized through civil asset forfeiture, legally regaining such property is notoriously difficult and expensive, with costs sometimes exceeding the value of the property.” — American Civil Liberties Union.
Civil asset forfeiture isn’t anything new. For a more-detailed explanation, including cops who used money they seized to buy a margarita machine and bottles of Crown Royal, watch this segment by John Oliver:
Read more about civil asset forfeiture abuses from the New York Times.
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