Odd Situation At MGM Today

[Feralpeg]

Peg,

I'm curious, did they ask to search your car, or did they demand? I am curious whether they have the authority to search without a warrant or at least permission from the car's owner. Not that I would say, "No you can't search my car". I'm just wondering how the search was handled and whether in "evidence" collected would be admissible in court. If a child is missing and they found them in some weirdos car, I want to know that weirdo can be prosecuted.

The officer walked up and looked into each vehicle. I have a hatchback, so he didn't say anything to me. He did speak to the people with cars with enclosed trunks. They would pop their trunks and he would take a quick peak inside. I never saw him move anything inside a trunk. He just took a quick look inside and then closed the trunk. It makes me think that they were looking for something of size. If someone had stolen something, you'd think that he would have moved things around in the trunk to look for it. He didn't.

It must have turned out okay, or we would have heard something by now. It just bugs me not knowing.

 

[ujpest_doza]

You do not have to consent to a search. However, I can guarantee that car would be pulled to the side and a K-9 unit would have been called, OR the Sheriff Deputy would have seen something in plain view that seemed "suscpicious".

I don't know US law but in England if the police stop you and ask to look in the boot of your car they can do so without any warrants or anything at all. All they need to say if they are Traffic Officers is that they want to check that your spare tyre is legal which they are quite entitled to do.If you say no you're just going to arrested for obstructing the police anyway, so if you haven't got anything to hide why on earth would you object?

 

[mtdevine615]

A little different here in the states, well a lot different. You don't have to let them search your trunk, but they will usually call for a K-9 unit and or a search warrent. Keep us informed Feralpeg when you get more info.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I don't know US law but in England if the police stop you and ask to look in the boot of your car they can do so without any warrants or anything at all. All they need to say if they are Traffic Officers is that they want to check that your spare tyre is legal which they are quite entitled to do.If you say no you're just going to arrested for obstructing the police anyway, so if you haven't got anything to hide why on earth would you object?

Laws vary state-to-state here in the US, but this is a pretty standard thing thanks to our Bill of Rights. In addition, some people like to exercise their civil liberties even when innocent. For the most part though, people will cooperate if they are innocent. That's why I said if the person did not consent to the trunk search, some other things would take place.

 

[Muffy]

Feralpeg, let us know as soon as you find out! It does sound like they were looking for a missing child. Very unusual to have your car searched when leaving disney! I hope everything turned out ok.

 

[Goofy4]

With apologies to the thread:

I wonder how many "hidden Mickey" jokes the officers heard?

 

[JimVL]

Peg,

I'm curious, did they ask to search your car, or did they demand? I am curious whether they have the authority to search without a warrant or at least permission from the car's owner. Not that I would say, "No you can't search my car". I'm just wondering how the search was handled and whether in "evidence" collected would be admissible in court. If a child is missing and they found them in some weirdos car, I want to know that weirdo can be prosecuted.

Maybe being on private property allows them to do it, or it might say it on your park ticket. I don't know, just thinking out loud.

Jim

 

[chamonix]

Yes, it's definitely private property, and when you park in their lot you are agreeing to any possible searches.

 

[Steamboat Marti]

I was just thinking... if it were a missing child... wouldn't they just issue an Amber Alert? Is that nation wide or state by state? I've seen an Amber Alert in my area (northern NY) for a child missing in Alabama. Wouldn't Disney have to hold to a nationwide thing like Amber Alert??

 

[chamonix]

If they didn't find the child, surely we would all know about this now. Either they found the child, or it was something else that they don't want to publicize, like stolen cash or a piece of art, etc.

Amber alerts wouldn't go out in the first hour of searching the immeditate area for a child. If it was a child they were looking for, they've been found. (and if they were found dead or assaulted we would know as well)

 

[shellybaxter]

It's my understanding that there are a lot of different "criteria" a case needs to have to put out an amber alert. Also I think the the local police would make any amber alert plans, not disney. I remember a missing child case in Oregon where they didn't put out an amber alert because the didn't know who took the child and therefore didn't have a car make or model to be on the look out for

 

[czycropper]

I'm curious now what actually happened since my BIL is there with his family and yesterday was their day to go to MGM.

Keep us informed

 

[Robo]

1. It could have been a kidnapped child.

2. It might have been a kidnapped child.

3. I know it was a kidnapped child.

4. There is never any kind of police search for any reason other than a kidnapped child.

5. Regardless of how many times this has been debunked, we HAVE to believe it was a kidnapped child.

6. So when in doubt, when you have no information, when you see any kind of security or police action... assume it to be a kidnapped child.

-- The FOX Network

 

[RadioNate]

Another thing I can think of that would cause a vehicle search is if someone had managed to get into a cashier's office and taken a large amount of bundled cash or ticket stock. I know that there are central cash-handling points in each park, and you can just imagine how much cash passes through in a given day. It would be almost like robbing a casino. (I know ticket stock is not good until activated, but just think of how many tourists one could swindle with a case or two of it, not to mention what a really good hacker might be able to do with it.)

It would be interesting to hear from a CM if there was security checking the CM entrances as well.

At DMGM employees park in a section of the guest parking lot so parking lot entrances are the same for both CMs and guests.

 

[snyderla]

Yes, it's definitely private property, and when you park in their lot you are agreeing to any possible searches.

I'm sorry, but I don't believe that is correct (Not in America, well not YET anyway!). Just because you are on private property, doesn't make it OK to search without a warrant or probable cause. I imagine the officers were asking and the public was agreeing amiably.
Lori

 

[Lewisc]

Yes, it's definitely private property, and when you park in their lot you are agreeing to any possible searches.

You may be agreeing to a search when you enter WDW. You have a choice of agreeing to the search or leaving the property. I'm not so sure they have the right to search your car when you leave. If you don't agree to the search Disney can probably escort you off property but I'm not so sure they can force you to open your trunk without a reason.

 

[pooh2001]

I think if the police looks at the same place in every car - then it's ok.
Disney Park is private propery - but they are giving you the right to be on it - if you behave in the proper manor.
Disney has the right to call in the police if they see fit.

The roads may be owned by the county. ie - traffic signs, traffic lights, speed traps.

Just like you are responsible in your house not to let people leave drunk - likewise it would be Disney's policy for you not to be disorderly or leave the property with something which does not belong to you.

If you steal from a Disney store - you can be charged with theft by the police.
If you take some one elses child - you can be charged with kidnapping by the police.
If you hit a person or CM you can be charged with asault & battery by the police.
You get the idea

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Yes, it's definitely private property, and when you park in their lot you are agreeing to any possible searches.

No you're not. That pesky Bill of Rights says differently.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I think if the police looks at the same place in every car - then it's ok.

No. They still have to ask for permission.

Disney Park is private propery - but they are giving you the right to be on it - if you behave in the proper manor.

True.

Disney has the right to call in the police if they see fit.

True.

The roads may be owned by the county. ie - traffic signs, traffic lights, speed traps.

yes some are.

Just like you are responsible in your house not to let people leave drunk - likewise it would be Disney's policy for you not to be disorderly or leave the property with something which does not belong to you.

If you steal from a Disney store - you can be charged with theft by the police.
If you take some one elses child - you can be charged with kidnapping by the police.
If you hit a person or CM you can be charged with asault & battery by the police.
You get the idea

These are true. But again, you do not have to consent to a voluntary search.

 

[snyderla]

I think if the police looks at the same place in every car - then it's ok.
Disney Park is private propery - but they are giving you the right to be on it - if you behave in the proper manor.
Disney has the right to call in the police if they see fit.

The roads may be owned by the county. ie - traffic signs, traffic lights, speed traps.

Just like you are responsible in your house not to let people leave drunk - likewise it would be Disney's policy for you not to be disorderly or leave the property with something which does not belong to you.

If you steal from a Disney store - you can be charged with theft by the police.
If you take some one elses child - you can be charged with kidnapping by the police.
If you hit a person or CM you can be charged with asault & battery by the police.
You get the idea

Yes, these are criminal offenses. But I'm still not sure that people leaving MGM are required to let the police search their trunk sans permission, a warrant, or probable cause.

Lori