Police in Flint Mi. have been using the water crisis to their advantage, arresting citizens with outstanding warrants upon visiting them to distribute water filters. After a public health emergency for the city of flint was declared by The Genesee County Health Department, residents were told that drinking the city’s tap water could be hazardous due to the high levels of lead that had been seeping into the water from the aged pipes in the city. After 2 Months the Mayor of Flint finally declared a State Of Emergency. The National Guard began to pass out bottled water this past January, water that the state received a full year earlier !

Police saw an opportunity in this crisis: they could join in the door-to-door deliveries, but they could also use it as a pretext to get people to identify themselves, who otherwise might be hesitant to talk to the police. Specifically, police were interested in getting people withoutstanding warrants to identify themselves.

Here’s how they do it, A police officer shows up with bottled water or filters. They tell the resident that they are there to give the bottles and/or filter to them… “but first, we have to cross you off of our list. What’s your full name?” After the resident has positively identified themselves, the police cuff and arrest them.

A former inmate {Jody Cramer} Spoke with Democracy Now! and stated that there were many inmates who ended up behind bars after being tricked by deputies. The deputies came to their homes claiming to be passing out water filtration systems. But when people opened the door, and their names were confirmed, the deputies served warrants to the people on the spot. “Here’s your water filtration system. By the way, you have a warrant for your arrest,”

How do you feel about the police preying on the people of Flint ? Leave your comments Below.