Problems crossing the border, anyone?

[rfs]

We're still in Canada since the rally. Today we were stopped on the highway from Jasper to Kamloops. The authorities, multiple vehicles and personnel were stopping every vehicle and searching quite a few. The Canadian policewoman asked where we were bound, a straight answer and a courteous yes mam, no man, was all that was required to be waved through in less than 30 seconds. Answer the questions, no joking, no volunteered information and straightforward presentation goes a long ways from my experience. I wondered what they were looking and always will, cause I knew better than to ask.
Dave and Jake, and Rita, our master

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by rfs

.... no volunteered information.

This is one that folks are all too guilty of, and I know I have been in the past. Officials are not there to be chatty, and often dislike attempts at it.

I do keep trying to get them to smile though. It is like a life's mission for me.

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by Fiberglass Fan

Sorry but going to suggest that was your first mistake and may have been why you found yourself going inside.

No. I wasn't joking; I was totally serious. I had just seen two or three other Escapes a few miles south of me and assumed they had already gone through the checkpoint, so I was genuinely puzzled when he stared at my trailer and asked about it. I don't think my comment had anything to do with my subsequent treatment.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Fiberglass Fan

I have found its always best to keep your answer simple and straight and NEVER try and joke with the agent or say anything that makes them think your making fun of their question or authority - even if unintentional.

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

No. I wasn't joking; I was totally serious. I had just seen two or three other Escapes a few miles south of me and assumed they had already gone through the checkpoint, so I was genuinely puzzled when he stared at my trailer and asked about it. I don't think my comment had anything to do with my subsequent treatment.

Aside from any concerns with joking, volunteering extra information or just making conversation can be interpreted as the behaviour of a person trying to cover their nervousness, raising suspicion.

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Aside from any concerns with joking, volunteering extra information or just making conversation can be interpreted as the behaviour of a person trying to cover their nervousness, raising suspicion.

Since I have undergone extra questioning all three times I have crossed into B.C., I am certain my behavior at the border checkpoint has nothing to do with it.

[gbaglo]

I expect that the first time was placed as an alert for the second and third.

[BCnomad]

Originally Posted by rfs

wondered what they were looking and always will, cause I knew better than to ask.
Dave and Jake, and Rita, our master

Perhaps this,

Manhunt comes up empty - Kamloops News - Castanet.net

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Part of the reason I'm not in law enforcement anymore is that I routinely observed officers violating the rights of the citizens they swore to serve and protect. Was it the norm? No. Was it happening all too regularly? Yes.

When we lived in Spokane on 150 acres we caught two guys trespassing and illegally hunting deer on our property. Turns out one of them was a Spokane Country deputy and lived nearby. They didn't have charges filed against them since *we* didn't have enough "no trespassing" signs posted. I guess the one on the gate they walked past (in the snow, so we were able to find their tracks and then found them hiding under a bush) wasn't enough.

I know, not the subject here, but it still boils my blood, even after 15+ years.

[Ruthe]

They do ask inappropriate questions and while it's hard not to react, it's totally
the right thing to do. My husband was furious many years ago when they turned to our then young children and asked them if we were their parents because he felt that was scary for them. But we didn't react. And last year when the inspector asked us why we had two houses and what we paid for our trailer -- that was none of her business, but we didn't react. Maybe we had volunteered too much information but we were trying to explain the process of buying a trailer in Canada. It didn't matter that we didn't react -- we still got sent inside, but it would have been a lot worse if we'd informed everyone what we thought about their questions. I wish that I thought this "security" made us all safer -- that would make it easier to comply.