Unfortunately there was thousands of dollars worth of vandalism done to the building while in the possession of the city. Hopefully their lawsuit goes thru and they get compensated. I'll be cheering them on!
@@NewTypeZero0 From what Steve said plus what I've read elsewhere there seems to have been quite a few irregularities by the city, mayor, and possibly the prosecutor. Hopefully that is an indication that they at least have a chance of winning at least something.
According to what I have found from the news is that the building was seized and the mayor of the town was dead set the couple was charged and that’s why they kept it. The prosecutor confirmed that no charges are being brought. Lawyers past and present for the prosecutors did confirm nothing about this case is good on behalf of the city. There is not immunity in this case but doubt they will be paid for it
Even crazier is they got the search warrant by the mayor showing up for a “fire inspection” with no fire dept on seen and used what they found there to get a search warrant
If a municipality is seizing private property to hold people hostage, it ought to be unincorporated, and those involved should be criminally charged. That's a hundred and two uses for duck tape.
Sue that Highland Park City for malfeasance, forfeiture abuse, outright fraud, punitive costs for stress and judicial abuse. Sue the officials for malfeasance directly to spare the City from the consequences. Criminal fraud, extortion, impersonating the police (as they served this on their behalf without authority), ... so much wrong here!
I’ve worked in Highland Park as a traveling nurse. I was told by other health care staff that under no circumstances to come after 7pm. Running late that day, I pulled up around 8pm and the gangsters and prostitutes were all coming out, simultaneously. The scene was like walking dead or zombies. I bolted.
I was waiting for a mention of Lefty government being part of the cause of the fall of the city. Why do you think all the businesses left? Democrats will run any city into the ground and run anyone with money (who isn't part of the corruption) out of town.
@@freethebirds3578 Honestly, it's easy to make fun of NY/NJ and CA and perhaps OR/WA/DC. But we also have these states like MI and IL with generations of crooks in power. The entirety of Detroit area government needs to be sent to prison and a whole new election is needed, but only after some civic education. Jeez.
I think it would have been awesome if the building owners had countered that they would purchase the police cars but only if they allowed them to prominently display a sponsorship graphic for the original business on both cars. 🤣🤣🤣
"but no reason was given" But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the city attorney understood that they'd get their butts handed to them in court.
The city not only needs to give the money back, but make repairs caused by vandalists while in their possession unlawfully, plus punitive damages if they can get it.
@@rispatha Seizing the property of the city Leaders Natch! And I'd make bet the a lot of city moneys have found it's way into the bank accounts of said city leaders..................................
@@vernonjackson3435 ... We all know that elected servants of municipalities squander the money and a lot ends up in their pockets. The problem is proving it in a court of law since they know ways to hide their dirty deeds.
The city that NEEDS tax revenue takes away a legal operation that would have generated $ nonstop, and now they will be sued and lose tons of $. Great leadership...😔
I have a family member who's a police officer in Detroit and they told me they had to buy a bigger scale for weighing all the "illegal" weed they seize from dispensaries and grow ops. They're collecting taxes with one hand and seizing assets with the other.
Requesting that the couple buy them two police cars in exchange for return of their property seems that this is an organized criminal activity. This could be a screenplay with mob bosses running the city while running a protection racket.
It’s worse while the city had it squatting was bad all the copper was stolen and air conditioning and the basement flooded(stealing pipes). Also holes in the roof so they got it back but the place is all but destroyed
Their case is ongoing and it's likely they can file another one now. They have the original case arguing illegal seizure of the property, to get it returned and compensation for lost time. Now they have a new one for failing to return the property in the state in which it was seized and as property is non-fungable, each is unique unlike cash altering its state isn't allowed. It's possible this could be folded into the original case, as arguably the city has not returned all their property. They have returned a building at the same location, but it's not their building as theirs had working ac, no water damage, and full piping and wiring, and the city has not returned the piping, wiring, ac and has installed unwanted modifications in the form of water damage. There may yet be someone getting some police cars but they won't be new and 2 won't be enough to cover the costs.
"What made people from the city think they can just walk up, knock on the door, and say "we're seizing your building"?" The answer is just a simple saying. "What are you going to do about it?".
People ought to go to prison for that... starting with the mayor, the city attorney and all police officers involved. Blackmail, Racketeering, Deprivation of Rights under the Colour of Law, Conspiracy against Rights,...
I do know of a case many years ago, in New York state where a religious organization wanted to build a publishing facility comprised of several buildings in a campus. They had their own concrete batch plant in their own cement trucks and everything that they bought for the job. When they were in the planning stage the city told them that none of the buildings could go over two stories. They told the city that they were going to need to build higher than that in order to make the project cost effective. Finally when they pinned them down on it they said the reason why they couldn't build any higher was that their fire truck would only reach two stories, so the organization bought them a brand new ladder truck. It was cheaper for them than buying more land
That reminds me of my town, volunteer fire co., bought a fire truck that would reach a 10 story building, the thing is there are no buildings more than 2 stories.
@@tcolsher8003 Unfortunately, with things like that you create a chicken and egg scenario. Means they can't build anything higher than the FD trucks can go because their fire codes require the fire department to be able to handle it, and the Fire Department can't get the vehicles to allow it because there isn't a building that they would need it with...it's a pain in the rear with a lot of things.
@@tcolsher8003 that’s along the lines of Brookside, AL (the town writing bogus tickets) having an military grade MRAP vehicle & several Humvees for ‘riots’
@@moguaiato5583 the issue is that a small town not needing to blow money on surplus military toys "for riots" that don't even have the population for a riot to take place even if were a legitimate concern. It's just a front. A flex. An attempt to show off to the town and other cops elsewhere _just because_ instead of spending that money for something that might do their area tangible good. Meanwhile, in a city somewhere such a thing might actually see service use (as opposed to just filming TH-cam videos of them taking it mudding while a generic rock track chugga chuggas in the background) , the cost can't be justified by the department. I don't personally think the police anywhere across the country should be outfitted like they're about to occupy Beirut, but a big city with a comparatively higher crime rate *may* have a need for an MRAP waaaay more than a sleepy backwoods town way out in B.F.E. that has about as many officers on the force as Mayberry and the biggest crime is jaywalking at one of the two traffic lights "downtown".
Michigan Constitution Article 1 Number 19 "The property of no person shall be taken for public use, without just compensation therefor." This could be argued that the Property was Seized, Extorted to PURCHASE Cop Cars for 'Public Employee Use', so if the Building Owners had some really good Lawyers, this could also be a Michigan Constitution Violation by the City!!
I knew big government cities would start civil asset forfeitures because houses and buildings are valued far in excess of $10k. Then you must prove you purchased the home or building legally. They could then tell the owners that they'll return the real estate for a few thousand dollars. Call it "Ransom Wear."
"Ok Joe, I see you're in short in your maintenance budget this year, so whydontcha take Bill and Sandy and knock on some doors, seize some places, and get us those supplies we need. Amy you do the same for your office supplies. Now as to the cars... "
Was sent to Detroit in late 2000's by my employer, "continued learning" for IT database stuff that took place in conference room at hotel. I called a cab because I wanted to go to one of the Buffalo Wild Wings have few beers and eat. The cab driver asked me "Do you want the closest where you might get shot, or the safer one a few more miles away?" !! One night after my classes I went out to get coke (the cola) and ended up going down the street where the close BW3 was and I was scared just driving down the street. Ahhh... My first and only time visiting Detroit for a week :)
I had a delivery to a Lowe's in the Detroit area and I arrived about 9pm so I could stay overnight. I went to go walk up and down the main street just to get out of the truck a bit and I had a group of people approach me and tell me it wasn't safe to be walking around, I'm very likely to get robbed or shot. I told them robbing me is a waste of someone's effort cause they won't get anything, and I don't fear guns. I've got a strange thought process that if someone is going to shoot me, I won't see the gun or have an opportunity to do anything about it so I don't consider that a risk. Most of the time when guns are waved around or threatened to be used, they aren't used.
$68k for each car, not a pair. The couple had all the legal permits in place to grow medical marijuana. The search was ostensibly for fire code violation but the fire department had no involvement in the inspection.
@@davidh9638 you mean the one where they add the weight of everything near the weed to the total amount, then double the actual street value of the weed? I'm okay with turning their weapons against them.
forgotten part of the 5th amendment. nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. notice it doesn't say "without just compensation" UNLESS blah blah blah.. can you say THEFT!?!? i knew you could!
What is to keep some law enforcement dept from seizing a bank or credit union, searching that property and keeping any cash that they found? There has already been the seizure of an armored truck. This is just the next step.
Seems to me the city attorney who offered this deal should be investigated by the bar and whatever organization is responsible for keeping attorneys in check. Disbarment seems appropriate.
If I were the building owner, I'd be talking to the State Prosecutors Office and Strongly Requesting they Arrest and Charge the City Officials involved in this Illegal Seizure and Attempted Blackmail/Extortion for their Crimes...
Illegal in so many ways. A city attorney was involved in this ? Very shocking. I hope the couple sues for " lack of ability to use their property ". If it is legal to grow or use the building to grow then this is misuse of power .
I figure there are a lot of politicians that would like to be able to just walk up, knock on the door, and seize the building. Saw an article a few days ago where Highland Park was delinquent on paying the water bill to the public agency responsible for supplying water for the area.
The victims should not let this go. They are owed the market value of renting the building for the time it was illegally siezed, and everyone involved should be slapped with federal charges for extortion, fraud, and civil rights violations under color of authority.
Might the seizure of that building count as some kind of Civil Asset Forfeiture? Kind of like "You used this asset in some activity that we think is illegal" despite the fact that they were never charged with a crime?
I’ve often wondered if you could beat an armed robbery charge if you went directly to a court clerk’s office after knocking over a liquor store or mugging someone in an alley, and tried to file for a forfeiture action on the money you took. After all, police routinely possess guns while seizing money or other property, and they are never charged with robbery even when the seizure was completely illegal, because they file for forfeiture afterwards.
There are cases of people losing their homes because someone they called the cops on was dealing drugs on the road in front of their house(being close enough to count as their property)
On Chris Harden's channel, he just did a drive through of many of its streets with some more of its history. I believe it is video 11 of the Detroit series
Any city official involved should have any and all assets seized and sold as compensation to restore the building, cover the cost of lost property and loss from not having use of the building. Any and all city official should be charged criminally for theft, extortion and racketeering. Tried by a jury of twelve and publicly punished.
So, the police say it was Civil Asset Forfeiture. But they were going to give the building back in exchange for the couple buying two police vehicles. The money for those vehicles would have come from the proceeds of . . . ?
It's time for charges of malfeasance to be brought and the law challenged and found unconditional adn some supposed law enforcement officers to swing. This has been goin on since hte 1970s adn needs to stop. FAR too many innocents and NOT nearly enough of hte "criminals" they used to justify it has happened. Or do they really want war.
I would not be surprised if a similar story escalates into an armed confrontation. That seems the trend nowadays with things like road rage or any interaction between people or groups of people. I really hope that couple gets a fair hearing in court. Those who started all of this need to be brought to task and pay for their foolish antics.
I passed on a nice 2400 sq foot brick ranch for next to nothing in Highland Park when looking for a house. The cut iron bars on all the windows, just turned me off. Benjamin is sliding down next to the #71 Dodge Daytona.
So, I owe the state some fees next month (a car registration) - can I pay that by giving the state police some ammunition? Allowing the ‘give us 2 police cars in lieu of cash’ thing to stand would have set a truly bizarre precedent.
The building was badly damaged and stripped of equipment during the time the City had control of the building. Pictures shown on the news report showed major damages
Steve, I think there's a possibility you may have inadvertently may have given these city officials the idea with all of the civil forfeitures you have featured.
If the city would have gotten away with this crap, they would have started seizing every building in sight and trading them back for vehicles, and who knows what else.
We finally got rid of our crooked mayor in Newburgh Heights, Ohio. Maybe the citizens could get rid of theirs over this highly illegal (my opinion) issue. Sounds like the citizens deserve better, maybe check the finances and find out if his fingers were dipping into that also.
What are the laws in MI regarding if they were paid cash? the request for the cars may have been because legally if they took cash there may be restrictions on where the money can go and that could have made it complicated to use it for police cars, especially if the city is still being managed or has state oversight.
This stupidity of elected officials mismanaging money and spending like crazy needs to end. It's time that these people be held to spending only what hey have and stop stealing from people to make up any shortfall. It should be made a criminal offence for any government to spend more than they have, that would make them find a way to balance their budgets.
I have seen towns and townships ask for "donations" from business and individuals that want a zoning change. But to take a building and ask for police cars to give it back...... That is definitely more balls than brains
There's something screwed up with how Michigan regulates city finances. In Ohio we have a lot of run-down industrial cities, but they don't seem to end up with so little revenue they can't function or the state taking them over. There have been cases where they shut down their city or village police and leave it to the sheriff's office, or when their fire department merges with a neighboring one.
I am wondering a few things. 1) When did the vehicle manufacturers move out of the area? 2) Why did they move? 3) Could much of the issue be from certain political policies?
They moved out because Detroit became a nightmare for businesses...it's the same thing with a lot of tax situations where people scream to tax the rich and corporations, so tax rates for them increase...those targeted people leave and the actual money from taxes collapse along with the towns relying on them. Same reason you have a lot of companies going to China or countries with fewer restrictions/taxes to make stuff.
So, these folks don’t change. You can lead them by the nose, and they revert back to being irresponsible and criminal. As it was when I worked for DEQ and their water system was in shambles.
I would think the couple could sue the people who walked up and said they were seizing the building individually as well as the city. It sounds as though the whole thing was illegal.
They seized it on Christmas eve and the couple was never charged with a crime. The building has also been vandalized since the seizure.
These executives should be in federal prison for RICO.
Not Club Fed, FCI Poundmeintheass.
Unfortunately there was thousands of dollars worth of vandalism done to the building while in the possession of the city. Hopefully their lawsuit goes thru and they get compensated. I'll be cheering them on!
I was going to ask about the likelihood of success for that...
@@NewTypeZero0 From what Steve said plus what I've read elsewhere there seems to have been quite a few irregularities by the city, mayor, and possibly the prosecutor. Hopefully that is an indication that they at least have a chance of winning at least something.
According to what I have found from the news is that the building was seized and the mayor of the town was dead set the couple was charged and that’s why they kept it. The prosecutor confirmed that no charges are being brought. Lawyers past and present for the prosecutors did confirm nothing about this case is good on behalf of the city. There is not immunity in this case but doubt they will be paid for it
Compensated how? The city can't buy a cop car.
@@moehoward01 maybe they have insurance
Even crazier is they got the search warrant by the mayor showing up for a “fire inspection” with no fire dept on seen and used what they found there to get a search warrant
That happened to a person down in Florida.
Scene *
So an unconstitutional search. Typical.
@@deusvult6920 yeah it’s scene not seen
@@deusvult6920 *Scene
If a municipality is seizing private property to hold people hostage, it ought to be unincorporated, and those involved should be criminally charged. That's a hundred and two uses for duck tape.
Sue that Highland Park City for malfeasance, forfeiture abuse, outright fraud, punitive costs for stress and judicial abuse. Sue the officials for malfeasance directly to spare the City from the consequences. Criminal fraud, extortion, impersonating the police (as they served this on their behalf without authority), ... so much wrong here!
Highland Park is the part of Detroit even Detroit doesnt want.
If the city can’t afford street lights then I doubt you can pull money from them
dont forget the vandalism allowed under the governments possession of the house
It's not fear of the media but fear of being caught
They should be sued out of existence by the state.
I’ve worked in Highland Park as a traveling nurse. I was told by other health care staff that under no circumstances to come after 7pm.
Running late that day, I pulled up around 8pm and the gangsters and prostitutes were all coming out, simultaneously. The scene was like walking dead or zombies. I bolted.
I would suggest the owner of the building, goes after them by seizing police vehicles.
You beat me to the idea.
Now think about this: what could possibly have triggered this exodus by business? Could it be that the government was crap all along?
I was waiting for a mention of Lefty government being part of the cause of the fall of the city. Why do you think all the businesses left? Democrats will run any city into the ground and run anyone with money (who isn't part of the corruption) out of town.
@@freethebirds3578 Honestly, it's easy to make fun of NY/NJ and CA and perhaps OR/WA/DC. But we also have these states like MI and IL with generations of crooks in power. The entirety of Detroit area government needs to be sent to prison and a whole new election is needed, but only after some civic education. Jeez.
Unions
It's called "extortion" and it's a felony. Some city officials need to be bent over a prison bunk every night for ten years.
No prison time, just swift executions.
I think it would have been awesome if the building owners had countered that they would purchase the police cars but only if they allowed them to prominently display a sponsorship graphic for the original business on both cars. 🤣🤣🤣
Why don't the Highland Park Police drive over to GM and Civil Asset Forfeiture two new police cars? Or rob an Armored Car?
Because GM owns the state.
Because they target those they think can't fight back. They wont go after big targets that can defend themselves like GM
They are saying the building was destroyed will cost 6 figures to fix. Who is responsible for that. Thank you Steve love your show.
That sounds like extortion. Government committing crimes is exactly what I expect.
"but no reason was given" But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the city attorney understood that they'd get their butts handed to them in court.
How about this: you give our building back, and we promise not to "seize" any of your cop cars?
The city not only needs to give the money back, but make repairs caused by vandalists while in their possession unlawfully, plus punitive damages if they can get it.
And replace any plants that were being grown.
@@davidh9638 I wonder where the plants were moved to. Can I guess the mayor or police chiefs house, just for safe keeping.
Where does a bankrupt municipality come up with money to make those repairs and restitution?
@@rispatha Seizing the property of the city Leaders Natch! And I'd make bet the a lot of city moneys have found it's way into the bank accounts of said city leaders..................................
@@vernonjackson3435 ... We all know that elected servants of municipalities squander the money and a lot ends up in their pockets. The problem is proving it in a court of law since they know ways to hide their dirty deeds.
The city that NEEDS tax revenue takes away a legal operation that would have generated $ nonstop, and now they will be sued and lose tons of $. Great leadership...😔
I have a family member who's a police officer in Detroit and they told me they had to buy a bigger scale for weighing all the "illegal" weed they seize from dispensaries and grow ops.
They're collecting taxes with one hand and seizing assets with the other.
@@the_inquisitive_inquisitor Did you tell them they are a gang member?
@@natedavis3943 I joke about it all the time because they're on the Gang Task Force lmao!
Corrupt city officials. These people have got to be put in prison.
Requesting that the couple buy them two police cars in exchange for return of their property seems that this is an organized criminal activity.
This could be a screenplay with mob bosses running the city while running a protection racket.
I would have followed through even of they gave the property back. That's extortion.
It’s worse while the city had it squatting was bad all the copper was stolen and air conditioning and the basement flooded(stealing pipes). Also holes in the roof so they got it back but the place is all but destroyed
Their case is ongoing and it's likely they can file another one now.
They have the original case arguing illegal seizure of the property, to get it returned and compensation for lost time.
Now they have a new one for failing to return the property in the state in which it was seized and as property is non-fungable, each is unique unlike cash altering its state isn't allowed. It's possible this could be folded into the original case, as arguably the city has not returned all their property. They have returned a building at the same location, but it's not their building as theirs had working ac, no water damage, and full piping and wiring, and the city has not returned the piping, wiring, ac and has installed unwanted modifications in the form of water damage.
There may yet be someone getting some police cars but they won't be new and 2 won't be enough to cover the costs.
"What made people from the city think they can just walk up, knock on the door, and say "we're seizing your building"?"
The answer is just a simple saying. "What are you going to do about it?".
Killdozer
This is Michigan, I'm pretty sure "What are you going to do about it" is a threat against my life, which means I can defend my Castle.
People ought to go to prison for that... starting with the mayor, the city attorney and all police officers involved. Blackmail, Racketeering, Deprivation of Rights under the Colour of Law, Conspiracy against Rights,...
I do know of a case many years ago, in New York state where a religious organization wanted to build a publishing facility comprised of several buildings in a campus. They had their own concrete batch plant in their own cement trucks and everything that they bought for the job. When they were in the planning stage the city told them that none of the buildings could go over two stories. They told the city that they were going to need to build higher than that in order to make the project cost effective. Finally when they pinned them down on it they said the reason why they couldn't build any higher was that their fire truck would only reach two stories, so the organization bought them a brand new ladder truck. It was cheaper for them than buying more land
That reminds me of my town, volunteer fire co., bought a fire truck that would
reach a 10 story building, the thing is there are no buildings more than 2 stories.
@@tcolsher8003 Unfortunately, with things like that you create a chicken and egg scenario. Means they can't build anything higher than the FD trucks can go because their fire codes require the fire department to be able to handle it, and the Fire Department can't get the vehicles to allow it because there isn't a building that they would need it with...it's a pain in the rear with a lot of things.
@@tcolsher8003 that’s along the lines of Brookside, AL (the town writing bogus tickets) having an military grade MRAP vehicle & several Humvees for ‘riots’
@@jamessimms415 and both mrap and hummers can be owned by citizens, what's the issue?
@@moguaiato5583 the issue is that a small town not needing to blow money on surplus military toys "for riots" that don't even have the population for a riot to take place even if were a legitimate concern. It's just a front. A flex. An attempt to show off to the town and other cops elsewhere _just because_ instead of spending that money for something that might do their area tangible good.
Meanwhile, in a city somewhere such a thing might actually see service use (as opposed to just filming TH-cam videos of them taking it mudding while a generic rock track chugga chuggas in the background) , the cost can't be justified by the department.
I don't personally think the police anywhere across the country should be outfitted like they're about to occupy Beirut, but a big city with a comparatively higher crime rate *may* have a need for an MRAP waaaay more than a sleepy backwoods town way out in B.F.E. that has about as many officers on the force as Mayberry and the biggest crime is jaywalking at one of the two traffic lights "downtown".
What they did was completely illegal. Then tried using extortion. It's totally ridiculous.
Michigan Constitution Article 1 Number 19 "The property of no person shall be taken for public use, without just compensation therefor."
This could be argued that the Property was Seized, Extorted to PURCHASE Cop Cars for 'Public Employee Use', so if the Building Owners had some really good Lawyers, this could also be a Michigan Constitution Violation by the City!!
That’s the eminent domain section - has no bearing on civil asset forfeiture.
@@Meatball2022 I hate CAF so much
Perhaps it's time to forensically audit everyone involved
It appears to me that some city officials should be facing criminal charges as well as the Law Suite.
I hope they pay dearly for their actions.
I knew big government cities would start civil asset forfeitures because houses and buildings are valued far in excess of $10k.
Then you must prove you purchased the home or building legally.
They could then tell the owners that they'll return the real estate for a few thousand dollars. Call it "Ransom Wear."
"Ok Joe, I see you're in short in your maintenance budget this year, so whydontcha take Bill and Sandy and knock on some doors, seize some places, and get us those supplies we need. Amy you do the same for your office supplies. Now as to the cars... "
Was sent to Detroit in late 2000's by my employer, "continued learning" for IT database stuff that took place in conference room at hotel. I called a cab because I wanted to go to one of the Buffalo Wild Wings have few beers and eat. The cab driver asked me "Do you want the closest where you might get shot, or the safer one a few more miles away?" !! One night after my classes I went out to get coke (the cola) and ended up going down the street where the close BW3 was and I was scared just driving down the street. Ahhh... My first and only time visiting Detroit for a week :)
Well, clearly the cabbie needed to know if you hungry enough to risk getting shot. Were you?
tbf the cab driver has an incentive to overplay the danger of the nearer option.
I had a delivery to a Lowe's in the Detroit area and I arrived about 9pm so I could stay overnight. I went to go walk up and down the main street just to get out of the truck a bit and I had a group of people approach me and tell me it wasn't safe to be walking around, I'm very likely to get robbed or shot. I told them robbing me is a waste of someone's effort cause they won't get anything, and I don't fear guns. I've got a strange thought process that if someone is going to shoot me, I won't see the gun or have an opportunity to do anything about it so I don't consider that a risk. Most of the time when guns are waved around or threatened to be used, they aren't used.
$68k for each car, not a pair. The couple had all the legal permits in place to grow medical marijuana. The search was ostensibly for fire code violation but the fire department had no involvement in the inspection.
It was for the pair. They showed what the bill was going to be per car. It came to around 68k total for the pair.
If it was a legal operation maybe sue them for the loss of the value of the crops?
Use the same "street value" math cops use when they have a press conference about a drug bust.
@@davidh9638 you mean the one where they add the weight of everything near the weed to the total amount, then double the actual street value of the weed? I'm okay with turning their weapons against them.
The people taking the building should be arrested by Detroit and put in jail for robbery and blackmail.
forgotten part of the 5th amendment. nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. notice it doesn't say "without just compensation" UNLESS blah blah blah.. can you say THEFT!?!? i knew you could!
Did the news get wind of this ? Please return the property quick...and say nothing.
Hundo, unfolded, behind the "Today Will Be Awesome" plaque, near the front center of the main cabinet. 60.
That is purely criminal behavior, abuse of office, illegal seizure and I am sure more. There needs to be jail time for this.
Shout out from Minnesota!
Jerseyville, IL set up a bomb threat to search my building for drugs.
Who needs a warrant?
Criminals will always find a way around the law.
What is to keep some law enforcement dept from seizing a bank or credit union, searching that property and keeping any cash that they found? There has already been the seizure of an armored truck. This is just the next step.
Marijuana is legal statewide. The city has no right to override state law.
I saw the news clip the other day about this. Said, “I bet Steve will do a video on this!”
Seems to me the city attorney who offered this deal should be investigated by the bar and whatever organization is responsible for keeping attorneys in check. Disbarment seems appropriate.
Lead shoes would be better, faster and more ethical.
I used to call them " road pirates" . But Privateers had a code of ethics
Shouldnt these elected officials, Mayor and whoever else is resposible be charged with criminal activity?
The people without their building for a year should request 2 police cruisers as compensation lol
A Tyrannical little cabal if there ever was one! Have to wonder what happened to the inventory that was seized‽
If I were the building owner, I'd be talking to the State Prosecutors Office and Strongly Requesting they Arrest and Charge the City Officials involved in this Illegal Seizure and Attempted Blackmail/Extortion for their Crimes...
Illegal in so many ways. A city attorney was involved in this ? Very shocking. I hope the couple sues for " lack of ability to use their property ".
If it is legal to grow or use the building to grow then this is misuse of power .
I figure there are a lot of politicians that would like to be able to just walk up, knock on the door, and seize the building. Saw an article a few days ago where Highland Park was delinquent on paying the water bill to the public agency responsible for supplying water for the area.
The victims should not let this go. They are owed the market value of renting the building for the time it was illegally siezed, and everyone involved should be slapped with federal charges for extortion, fraud, and civil rights violations under color of authority.
Might the seizure of that building count as some kind of Civil Asset Forfeiture? Kind of like "You used this asset in some activity that we think is illegal" despite the fact that they were never charged with a crime?
I’ve often wondered if you could beat an armed robbery charge if you went directly to a court clerk’s office after knocking over a liquor store or mugging someone in an alley, and tried to file for a forfeiture action on the money you took.
After all, police routinely possess guns while seizing money or other property, and they are never charged with robbery even when the seizure was completely illegal, because they file for forfeiture afterwards.
There are cases of people losing their homes because someone they called the cops on was dealing drugs on the road in front of their house(being close enough to count as their property)
Would have been less ludicrous if the city had asked for 20,000 new swingline staplers and some other office supplies.
As a Real Estate Title Searcher for 17+ years, i take UMBRAGE the taking of title of any IMPROVEMENT UPON THE LAND by Civil Asset Forfeiture.
We have to worry about common criminals and government criminals.
On Chris Harden's channel, he just did a drive through of many of its streets with some more of its history. I believe it is video 11 of the Detroit series
Any city official involved should have any and all assets seized and sold as compensation to restore the building, cover the cost of lost property and loss from not having use of the building.
Any and all city official should be charged criminally for theft, extortion and racketeering. Tried by a jury of twelve and publicly punished.
Some city officials of Highland Park should be charged.
All this year's a shake down. By Politicians of this city.. Never no paperwork. Filter at court.. SMH...
So, the police say it was Civil Asset Forfeiture. But they were going to give the building back in exchange for the couple buying two police vehicles. The money for those vehicles would have come from the proceeds of . . . ?
It's time for charges of malfeasance to be brought and the law challenged and found unconditional adn some supposed law enforcement officers to swing. This has been goin on since hte 1970s adn needs to stop. FAR too many innocents and NOT nearly enough of hte "criminals" they used to justify it has happened. Or do they really want war.
The arrogance, intimidation, manipulation and criminal mentality, is beyond comprehension...
Who do these fools work for???
I would not be surprised if a similar story escalates into an armed confrontation. That seems the trend nowadays with things like road rage or any interaction between people or groups of people. I really hope that couple gets a fair hearing in court. Those who started all of this need to be brought to task and pay for their foolish antics.
Is this not a violation of due process?
Not just blackmail, but also asking for bribes.
"Aww right, yooz! Hand over the cop cars, or the building gets it!"
In my local city, the law says if a parking meter is out of order, you are simply not allowed to park there.
I passed on a nice 2400 sq foot brick ranch for next to nothing in Highland Park when looking for a house. The cut iron bars on all the windows, just turned me off.
Benjamin is sliding down next to the #71 Dodge Daytona.
Steve the movie was filmed all over Michigan but the house of the lead character of Clint Eastwood home was on Rhode Island Street in Highland Park.
So, I owe the state some fees next month (a car registration) - can I pay that by giving the state police some ammunition?
Allowing the ‘give us 2 police cars in lieu of cash’ thing to stand would have set a truly bizarre precedent.
Trade them some chickens.
@@davidh9638 :
😁😁😁😁
😁😁😁😁
It’s time to put these theirs in jail and hold them accountable. The “city” or “government” isn’t doing anything it is crooks that have seized power.
Just saw this yesterday, almost emailed it to you but I knew you already had it in your inbox as it's just that crazy.
The building was badly damaged and stripped of equipment during the time the City had control of the building. Pictures shown on the news report showed major damages
Steve, I think there's a possibility you may have inadvertently may have given these city officials the idea with all of the civil forfeitures you have featured.
Maybe, but still the only way to actually get rid of civil asset forfeiture is first by shining a light on it
There are actually a few really nice streets in Highland Park, it's a shame that the rest of the city is so terrible.
THOSE AREAS ARE LIKE A DIAMOND SURROUNDED BY POOP .
@@donaldkgarman296 why are you yelling?
They entered the building under the pretext of a fire inspection without a fire inspector that only shows up later
This sure makes Highland Park administrators look so freckin' wrong...
"which sounds like blackmail" yes sir you described the entire 'justice' system
Did the city have it's public works department loot all the copper pipes and wire from the building while they had control of it?
If the city would have gotten away with this crap, they would have started seizing every building in sight and trading them back for vehicles, and who knows what else.
I often call civil asset forfeiture armed robbery. Have no idea what to call this.
"Some will rob you with a six gun and some with a fountain pen" - Woody Guthrie
We finally got rid of our crooked mayor in Newburgh Heights, Ohio. Maybe the citizens could get rid of theirs over this highly illegal (my opinion) issue. Sounds like the citizens deserve better, maybe check the finances and find out if his fingers were dipping into that also.
bribery and blackmail. both criminal charges
Ben - Front and center ... and the 71 car.
What are the laws in MI regarding if they were paid cash? the request for the cars may have been because legally if they took cash there may be restrictions on where the money can go and that could have made it complicated to use it for police cars, especially if the city is still being managed or has state oversight.
I remember visiting Detroit with the steet lights off. Now I know why!
This stupidity of elected officials mismanaging money and spending like crazy needs to end. It's time that these people be held to spending only what hey have and stop stealing from people to make up any shortfall. It should be made a criminal offence for any government to spend more than they have, that would make them find a way to balance their budgets.
I have seen towns and townships ask for "donations" from business and individuals that want a zoning change. But to take a building and ask for police cars to give it back...... That is definitely more balls than brains
There's something screwed up with how Michigan regulates city finances. In Ohio we have a lot of run-down industrial cities, but they don't seem to end up with so little revenue they can't function or the state taking them over. There have been cases where they shut down their city or village police and leave it to the sheriff's office, or when their fire department merges with a neighboring one.
Corruption in Michigan siphons a lot of money from public accounts to private ones.
PDs are out of control. This is no longer a government for the people.
Who is responsible for the six figures in damages caused by vandals and copper thieves?
If they had asked for new court house, it would be a lot funnier.
I am wondering a few things.
1) When did the vehicle manufacturers move out of the area?
2) Why did they move?
3) Could much of the issue be from certain political policies?
Lol car manufacturers have always owned there, Detroit, and Michigan as a whole
1) A while ago.
2) Money.
3) No.
yes. Dems Cant run Any thing
@@TrueThanny Cue the rim shot. Well put.
They moved out because Detroit became a nightmare for businesses...it's the same thing with a lot of tax situations where people scream to tax the rich and corporations, so tax rates for them increase...those targeted people leave and the actual money from taxes collapse along with the towns relying on them. Same reason you have a lot of companies going to China or countries with fewer restrictions/taxes to make stuff.
That's the most extortion sentence I have ever heard. Mentioning cash or not.
And they wonder why, in a lot of people's mind, politician = criminal.
"There is no distinctly native American criminal class save Congress." -
Mark Twain
It doesn't look like a bribe, it looks like extortion.
The worst part is this is less shady then most other civil asset forfeitures.
So, these folks don’t change.
You can lead them by the nose, and they revert back to being irresponsible and criminal. As it was when I worked for DEQ and their water system was in shambles.
I wish I could go seize government property and sell it back to them.
I would think the couple could sue the people who walked up and said they were seizing the building individually as well as the city. It sounds as though the whole thing was illegal.