Dispatch from New Mexico

Following a post several days ago about a Pasadena man who had $11,000 seized from him by police, a New Mexico resident called me this morning to tell me that it is S.O.P in the state for the police to target out-of-state drivers and "strip down" the cars by taking whatever potentially-ill gotten valuables that are found inside.

She was very passionate about the issue, saying that police are focused on the wrong priorities of the state. She added, though, that she did not think the forfeiture was racially motivated (the Pasadena motorist, Dennis Ducre, is black) since the police seem to be equally keen on pulling over out-of-state motorists of any other race.

I also asked her if my experiences of New Mexico- I stopped at a gas station once to ask for directions and was literally sent in the opposite direction of where I wanted to go- were typical, and she said yes, tourists are frequently misdirected for the amusement of locals. I knew it!

Btw, I believe the comment on the last post is from the caller, but I had not read it before she called, so I did not confirm.