Caniglia v. Strom

“Cady’s unmistakable distinction between vehicles and homes also places into proper context its reference to !community caretaking.” This quote comes from a portion of the opinion explaining that the !frequency with which . . . vehicle[s] can become disabled or involved in . . . accident[s] on public highways” often requires police to perform noncriminal !community caretaking functions,” such as providing aid to motorists. 413 U. S., at 441. But, this recognition that police officers perform many civic tasks in modern society was just that—a recognition that these tasks exist, and not an open-ended license to perform them anywhere.”