Profiling or procedure?

Dear Editor:

Last week I went to the new courthouse to pay my taxes. I am retired and was born and raised in Morgan County, as well as my father, grandfather and great-grandfather. We paid taxes and helped develop this county. One difference between my ancestors and me is I ride a motorcycle.

Upon parking my motorcycle in front of the courthouse, I removed metal objects, penknife, cell phone, keys. Everything but my reading glasses that I needed to write a check and give the county some money.

Upon walking in, the bailiff asked, “What is your name?” I jokingly said I was Santa Claus and came early this year. Then I announced my name and put my glasses in the tray.

He demanded I take off my belt, a normal man’s belt with no big buckle. “It will set the machine off,” he said.

I replied, “The machine shows what sets it off and besides I don’t have a gun holstered to it, plus my belt is hard to thread back through my cell phone case.” I refused to take it off.

One of the county’s henchman, wearing a uniform with a gun strapped to his side, said, “Let me tell you why you have to take your belt off. You could have a bomb hidden in your waistband.” Profiling or procedure?

I replied, “All I wanted to do was pay my taxes,” and in disgust turned around and walked out.

Is this how the county commissioners want citizens treated? We all know that one commissioner was against this kind of security. I applaud her. I assumed one of the others had enough foresight to make sure standards were set and all citizens treated equally.

As for the other commissioner, he is too busy driving stakes in the ground for anti-zoning signs, making sure their picture is in the paper or worrying about the “nutrition” of citizens.

I ask everyone who has been in the courthouse. Were you asked your name? Were you asked to take off your belt? Were you harassed to the point you walked out?

Was this profiling or procedure? I know what I think – profiling.
I will eventually go back to the courthouse and when I do, I will expect the worst. I told my wife I will make it easy for them. I will wear a thong and trench coat and maybe I will get to pay my taxes.

Jack Waugh
Berkeley Springs