D.C. Wire is reporting that MPD Chief Cathy Lanier’s controversial “Neighborhood Safety Zone” checkpoint tactic has passed its first test in federal court. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon today denied a request for a preliminary injunction against the checkpoints filed by a group of District residents. In the ruling, Leon found that the checkpoints are not unconstitutional and are a reasonable crime prevention tactic to use against a specific kind of vehicle-related violent crime. This is from Leon’s conclusion:

Simply put, to take this arrow out of MPD’s quiver on such a weak showing as to is unconstitutionality would be injurious not only to MPD’s ability to protect our citizens, but to the public’s overwhelming need to be protected from these mobile merchants of violence.

The underlying lawsuit against the checkpoints is still ongoing. Judge Leon’s ruling means that the MPD may continue to use the “Neighborhood Safety Zone” program while that case is pending. D.C. Wire quotes the head of the police union questioning why Judge Leon didn’t address whether evidence discovered during these searches would be upheld in court.

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