In order to "stop" someone, an officer must have a reasonable and articulable suspicion that criminal activity is afoot. An officer may initiate a contact for no reason whatsoever, but a citizen is under no obligation to participate in the contact.
It's amazing how many won't exercise them too. In a little over 8 years, I have three people decline to speak with me after being read the Miranda warning and two people refuse consent to search.
You think people are just afraid to say no to a police officer? So I am guessing nobody has asked you "am I free to go officer" either?
I bet they'd have a field day with me. They'd say, "Aha!" after finding two guns and a spare mag, then I'd show them the GFL and walk away.
As you feel the taser probes enter your skin between the shoulder blades and hit the pavement . . . And not really recall what happens next until you are in jail waiting to bond out on a public gathering charge . . .
People think that saying "no" will "make them look guilty" I've had a few people ask if they were free to go. Oddly enough though, they typically will stick around if asked to do so.
Three?! You are basically telling them to shut up and get a lawyer and they still talk? amazing. I keep drilling this into my younger brother's heads. Never consent to a warrantless search, decline to willingly participate in an investigation when it involves you, only give ID if you must. They remember what I say for the most part, but my youngest brother still thinks it is ok to give his ID when the cops ask.
Worse than that. They will drive to the police department, sit in a room with a sign stating that they are being recorded, actually talk to the police, and to top it off will write a statement on a form which has the Miranda warning printed on it. [/i]