Vestal: Beware when government seizes property

When the president met with law enforcement officials this week, what made news was his flip comment that he might “destroy” a state senator’s career.

What got less attention was the nature of the proposal being discussed: A sheriff was complaining about a bill to limit the government’s ability to seize and keep the cars, homes and other property of criminal suspects who have not been convicted of a crime.

Critics call it policing for profit, and some police are clearly into it, effectively thwarting efforts to reform the practice. Currently, there are bills in the Washington Legislature to elevate the burden of proof for property seizures – one proposed by a pair of Democratic senators and one by a conservative House Republican/ Shawn Vestal , SR. More here.