'I'm with the government. Look at me!'

'I'm with the government. Look at me!'

Why does a suspected theft require shutting down a section of town? Because government likes to be seen "doing something". Even if that "something" is misguided, melodramatic, and downright ham-fisted. You can't justify your budget if you aren't noticed, and the best way to be noticed is to cause a scene and inconvenience people.

Albuquerque police were "forced" to shut down streets because a security camera caught a man on a roof. The suspicion was that the man was stealing copper, but even if not, he was trespassing. Of course, you or I could have dealt with the situation without violating property rights or the right to travel, but since government "owns" the streets it claims the right to close them anytime it wishes.

This is why leaving "policing" to government is a really bad idea. Even when it manages to protect someone's interests, it can't seem to do so without harming those around who had nothing to do with the problem. This doesn't even take into account where the money to pay these police comes from or how it is obtained. Any individuals who cause harm should be held accountable even if they are doing what they think they should, and even if it is their "job".