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Cops, Quotas & Speed Traps

JohnnieHolmesNole

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Mar 29, 2002
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Running a few errands this leisurely Sunday morning. Not much traffic out, but I notice our local cops running an organized speed trap (i.e., Cop 1 behind a tree with radar gun, and Cops 2-4 on motorcycles stopping speeders). I look at my watch and realize today is May 31, the last day of the month.

Anyone who thinks local cops, especially in small towns, don't have revenue targets is naïve. These guys were obviously trying to reach their monthly quotas today, stopping church-goers and other decent folks who carelessly drifted a bit over the posted 35 MPH speed limit. (No, they did not get me). Meanwhile, drug sales are running amok within a mile of the speed trap, but that goes largely unchecked. Interesting system.
 
As I travel a combination of I-75 and small town roads to and from Tally, Georgia is relentless in revenuing.

One of their most disgusting techniques is to leave construction zones partially finished for months. The roadwork, drainage systems, and even lane painting can be done, but the cleanup and likely final inspection will be lacking and those are happy hunting grounds.
The fines are jacked up in those areas, even though there haven't been workers present for weeks or months.
 
I'm with you on the speed traps and quotas, but you lost me on the drug sales. Drugs should not be illegal and anyone arresting a person simply for buying or selling drugs is a piece of crap that should just leave America.
 
As I travel a combination of I-75 and small town roads to and from Tally, Georgia is relentless in revenuing.

One of their most disgusting techniques is to leave construction zones partially finished for months. The roadwork, drainage systems, and even lane painting can be done, but the cleanup and likely final inspection will be lacking and those are happy hunting grounds.
The fines are jacked up in those areas, even though there haven't been workers present for weeks or months.
This one made me laugh. As one who oversees DOT road projects, I can assure you the local police force has absolutely nothing to do with the timing of the completion of the work. That is entirely on the contractor and the parameters of their contract.
 
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This one made me laugh. As one who oversees DOT road projects, I can assure you the local police force has absolutely nothing to do with the timing of the completion of the work. That is entirely on the contractor and the parameters of their contract.
My wording was not great. Did not mean to suggest the local force has anything to do with timing of the contract, but that they take full advantage of the situation.
 
As I travel a combination of I-75 and small town roads to and from Tally, Georgia is relentless in revenuing.

One of their most disgusting techniques is to leave construction zones partially finished for months. The roadwork, drainage systems, and even lane painting can be done, but the cleanup and likely final inspection will be lacking and those are happy hunting grounds.
The fines are jacked up in those areas, even though there haven't been workers present for weeks or months.

I can name exit #'s galore in Ga. on I-75. , or towns. It's all up and down, especially the smaller communities. Ashburn (exit 79-84-ish Mile markers). Tifton Exits 58-64, Macon exits. Our county (Lowndes) is notorious exits 6-29 for nailing speeders and druggies. The country roads are worse through small Ga. towns, trust me, I've been burned to a $435 ish ticket a decade or a bit more ago. 62+ in a 45, as I didn't slow down in time
 
My wording was not great. Did not mean to suggest the local force has anything to do with timing of the contract, but that they take full advantage of the situation.
Gotcha. Often we ask for extra police presence on projects. You'd be amazed (well, maybe you wouldn't) at how many people speed through work zones putting everyone at risk.
 
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Drove from Titusville to Tampa last weekend. On 417, the cops were catching speeders...one guy pointed them out on his radio and the troopers just waved them down. So the once on I4 we see a group of about 20 cars driving super dangerously. A bunch of guys in Japanese cars, lowered, etc... headed to an asshole convention I'm guessing. Eventually I called cops on them...Mango exit I'd just had enough..about 40 miles of super dangerous driving. The dispatcher was genuinely annoyed from the Hilllsborough County Sheriff's office and couldnt wait to transfer me to FHP. They of course said, "we are already aware of it" and would call me back. No call back, of course. Guess it is much harder to write tickets for aggressive driving and they do have revenue goals to meet that on that day at least seemed much more important than public safety.
 
It's fashionable to hate cops in this political climate, but most of the haters will be dialing 911 so fast when their home is being invaded by 3 psychopathic criminals.
 
Gotcha. Often we ask for extra police presence on projects. You'd be amazed (well, maybe you wouldn't) at how many people speed through work zones putting everyone at risk.
I hear you Jim. We have had folks killed/injured in work zones too often in our area, unfortunately.
My complaint, however is in areas that do not and have not recently, had ongoing work that remain marked for construction. I don't understand why the projects are left so close to completion and crews withdrawn...I guess until the project's end date. For true safetie's sake, it seems there should be a push to clean up and remove the cones and signage.
 
A while back, I barely and I mean barely, rolled thru a stop sign. The state highway patrolwoman was sitting around the corner in which she could not see the stop sign or traffic for that matter. She pulled me over. I honestly had no idea why I was getting pulled over. I asked her what's the deal? She said the cop plane said I did not make a complete stop at the stop sign. I said "you mean the plane flying at how many hundreds of mph and how many thousands of feet in the air said I didn't make a complete stop"? She says "yep"..Here's your ticket for $100 and some dollars.
I'd much rather have to deal with speed traps than some cop flying in a plane relaying to a cop hiding in a field.
 
A while back, I barely and I mean barely, rolled thru a stop sign. The state highway patrolwoman was sitting around the corner in which she could not see the stop sign or traffic for that matter. She pulled me over. I honestly had no idea why I was getting pulled over. I asked her what's the deal? She said the cop plane said I did not make a complete stop at the stop sign. I said "you mean the plane flying at how many hundreds of mph and how many thousands of feet in the air said I didn't make a complete stop"? She says "yep"..Here's your ticket for $100 and some dollars.
I'd much rather have to deal with speed traps than some cop flying in a plane relaying to a cop hiding in a field.
Just how fast do you think a Cessna 150 goes?
 
It's fashionable to hate cops in this political climate, but most of the haters will be dialing 911 so fast when their home is being invaded by 3 psychopathic criminals.

I'd have to use 911; I don't have the county coroner in my contact list.
 
It's fashionable to hate cops in this political climate, but most of the haters will be dialing 911 so fast when their home is being invaded by 3 psychopathic criminals.

We just want them to be available when criminals invade our homes instead of busy writing speeding tickets to hassled soccer moms
 
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We just want them to be available when criminals invade our homes instead of busy writing speeding tickets to hassled soccer moms

Dude nailed it. But hassling soccer moms is easier, safer and far more profitable. And maybe they'll get some "side benefits" to boot.

But Yogi hits the key point: instead of being available to fight real crime, they are too often preoccupied doing silly crap.
 
I hear you Jim. We have had folks killed/injured in work zones too often in our area, unfortunately.
My complaint, however is in areas that do not and have not recently, had ongoing work that remain marked for construction. I don't understand why the projects are left so close to completion and crews withdrawn...I guess until the project's end date. For true safety's sake, it seems there should be a push to clean up and remove the cones and signage.
Bill, like any construction project, the end of a a highway job can be tedious and time consuming and most don't know or understand the process. For example, nearly the last thing done is putting down the final lift or layer of asphalt because you don't want any heavy equipment on the new surface. Once that lift is down it is temporarily striped. There is then a 30 day curing period before the final thermoplastic striping can be applied. Depending on the size and complexity of the job, that can take a week or two. After that process is completed, the striping has to be tested to show it has the proper amount of reflectivity. That is just one part of the job that happens after the heavy construction crews are gone. Hope that helps explain why things seem to drag out sometimes.
 
We just want them to be available when criminals invade our homes instead of busy writing speeding tickets to hassled soccer moms
If you are home when they are invading it, chances are they will either kill/rape/steal from you and be gone by the time the police arrive whether they are writing tickets. You could always do yourself and society a favor and exercise your right to bear arms and protect your castle and end the criminals lives that choose to invade your home, especially while it is occupied.
 
As a law enforcement officer in a traffic unit at a large sheriff's department in Florida, there are no quotas. One must understand that traffic enforcement is a tool. We find wanted persons, drugs, stolen property, etc. Blue lights deter criminals.

There are enforcement waves where they target specific violations such as click it or ticket, holidays, etc. For most agencies, officers working the road have little time to even be proactive. So yes, members of the traffic unix main assignment is to conduct traffic enforcement and write tickets. The first person to complain about speeders in their neighborhood, is the first one to complain when they get a ticket themselves.
 
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Small town cops are usually arses and big city cops are usually pretty cool. They normally say "hi" when I walk past them, friendly and polite. I always felt like police officer should have a term limit. If you aren't promoted after five years you part ways with the force. The worst cops seem to be the disgruntled older guys that never made sergeant or detective.
 
I thought it was now against the law in Florida for any law enforcement office to have traffic ticket quotas. And I think if a town or city's traffic ticket revenue exceeds like 25% (not sure of exact percentage) of the cost of operating its law enforcement agency, they must report that info to state officials.
 
As a law enforcement officer in a traffic unit at a large sheriff's department in Florida, there are no quotas. One must understand that traffic enforcement is a tool. We find wanted persons, drugs, stolen property, etc. Blue lights deter criminals.

There are enforcement waves where they target specific violations such as click it or ticket, holidays, etc. For most agencies, officers working the road have little time to even be proactive. So yes, members of the traffic unix main assignment is to conduct traffic enforcement and write tickets. The first person to complain about speeders in their neighborhood, is the first one to complain when they get a ticket themselves.

I know this is the company line, and maybe it is slightly more true for a "sheriff's department," but it simply is not true for small town police departments. Those departments DEPEND on traffic revenue to stay in business. Sure, you'll occasionally snag a wanted person with a speed trap, but the real and primary objective is to generate revenue.

Law enforcement departments also say that traffic cameras are intended to promote safety. Nonsense. They have one real (very different) purpose: to generate revenue. The "safety card" is a secondary -- and pretextual -- reason for the cameras. Same thing for your speed traps.
 
I thought it was now against the law in Florida for any law enforcement office to have traffic ticket quotas. And I think if a town or city's traffic ticket revenue exceeds like 25% (not sure of exact percentage) of the cost of operating its law enforcement agency, they must report that info to state officials.

This law takes effect next month. And I think the percentage is 30% or 33%. In any event, it will simply lower the quotas, and force the cops to develop a new lingo to do what they have always done. If you have ever been exposed to municipal budgeting and funding, this ticket revenue is ESSENTIAL to the municipalities. If it goes away, the cities will go broke. And that ain't going to happen. "Gentlemen, I just spoke to the Chief, who spoke to the City Commissioner.....we are getting LOTS of complaints about speeders down there on Elm Street....we need to get that under control." Wink, wink.
 
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If you are home when they are invading it, chances are they will either kill/rape/steal from you and be gone by the time the police arrive whether they are writing tickets. You could always do yourself and society a favor and exercise your right to bear arms and protect your castle and end the criminals lives that choose to invade your home, especially while it is occupied.

Regardless I'd still like to call the cops just in case, you know ...
 
Yep and tell them to bring the coroner with them for the criminals that will be dead by the time they get there.

It's really not that tough. If the cop was patrolling the neighborhood instead of setting a speed trap to fill quotas, perhaps the home invasion would've never happened. But just to satisfy your bloodlust, maybe the invaders will at least get a speeding ticket for killing me
 
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Running a few errands this leisurely Sunday morning. Not much traffic out, but I notice our local cops running an organized speed trap (i.e., Cop 1 behind a tree with radar gun, and Cops 2-4 on motorcycles stopping speeders). I look at my watch and realize today is May 31, the last day of the month.

Anyone who thinks local cops, especially in small towns, don't have revenue targets is naïve. These guys were obviously trying to reach their monthly quotas today, stopping church-goers and other decent folks who carelessly drifted a bit over the posted 35 MPH speed limit. (No, they did not get me). Meanwhile, drug sales are running amok within a mile of the speed trap, but that goes largely unchecked. Interesting system.

No question that there are quotas of a sort. At the very least if an officer isn't writing enough tickets higher ups are going to wonder if they are doing their job.
 
It's really not that tough. If the cop was patrolling the neighborhood instead of setting a speed trap to fill quotas, perhaps the home invasion would've never happened. But just to satisfy your bloodlust, maybe the invaders will at least get a speeding ticket for killing me

True or he could be patrolling a different neighborhood pushing the invader into yours and the invader gets away because there is no speed trap to catch him. Now we have an unsolved murder. But to satisfy your disdain for police, the officer does begin a chase of a someone travelling at a high speed to give him a traffic ticket, loses control of his vehicle and dies.
 
There are enforcement waves where they target specific violations such as click it or ticket, holidays, etc. For most agencies, officers working the road have little time to even be proactive. So yes, members of the traffic unix main assignment is to conduct traffic enforcement and write tickets.
Sorry, and I do respect your career, but this is just another way to say "lets raise some revenue".

I've bought my share of small town "sidewalk".
 
It all goes back to the dead president, red light cameras included.

One sordid little city's example.....calling it a city is being generous, as it's a 1,000 person gated community.

How a Florida city used a 1,100 percent jump in speeding tickets to finance its police department
In 1997 and 1998, the gated city quietly took control of three major roads framing its boundaries and began churning out tickets to nearly everyone but its own residents. In one year’s time, 99.3 percent of all tickets written by city police went to non-resident drivers, according to a Palm Beach Post computer analysis. Outside the walls of Atlantis, police wrote about five tickets for every warning issued. But inside those walls, police issued more warnings than tickets.


City residents sport green identification stickers about the size of candy bar on the front and rear of their vehicles, making it easy for police to spot Atlantis drivers. The mayor says the stickers are security tools so police can be alert for suspicious cars, not for selective traffic enforcement. But experts in criminal justice question the city’s motives

In Gulf Stream, an oceanfront town of about 700 east of Boynton Beach, the city’s five patrol officers wrote 123 tickets from July 1, 1998, to June 30, 1999. Only one of those tickets went to a resident. The eight patrol officers of the Martin County beach town of Jupiter Island wrote 194 tickets, again only one of which went to a resident.

In 1997, Atlantis went to Palm Beach County officials to annex Military Trail and Lantana Road – essentially expanding its borders by the width of the roadways. The city also asked that the county continue to maintain the roads and that Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies or Florida Highway Patrol troopers work the crashes that occur there. Of the 733 crashes that occurred on the three roadways from 1996 to March 2000, including five fatal crashes, Atlantis police worked three crashes, but none of the fatal ones.

I'll add that they always seem to have minorities pulled over. Only like once year do you see a 40-year old Caucasian driving $40,000 plus car or SUV pulled over and I'm betting they contribute disproportionally to the warnings.
 
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It's fashionable to hate cops in this political climate, but most of the haters will be dialing 911 so fast when their home is being invaded by 3 psychopathic criminals.

I hate this attitude. Cops are in place to do a job and to protect and serve. If their jobs are done properly, then no one would hate the cops. A good portion, if not the majority, of speeding tickets are nothing more than money grabs, and have nothing to do protecting and serving the general public. If they need more money, then they need to talk to the city council about ways to get more money. But writing a ticket to someone who is driving perfectly safe, but might be going a little over the speed limit, is nothing but a money grab.
 
I hate this attitude. Cops are in place to do a job and to protect and serve. If their jobs are done properly, then no one would hate the cops. A good portion, if not the majority, of speeding tickets are nothing more than money grabs, and have nothing to do protecting and serving the general public. If they need more money, then they need to talk to the city council about ways to get more money. But writing a ticket to someone who is driving perfectly safe, but might be going a little over the speed limit, is nothing but a money grab.

Solution: raise taxes on everyone and no longer enforce speeding. Autobahn baby oh yeah!
 
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