Posted on 06/03/2004 10:51:43 AM PDT by wallcrawlr
PITTSBURGH -- State police are taking to the woods, dressed in camouflage and armed. But the weapons are radar guns, the quarry is speeders and the season never closes.
Police at the Rockview Barracks near State College began using so-called ``camo cops'' patrols after a 44-vechicle crash on Interstate 80 that killed six people in January.
``As a result, there were many, many letters and questions and fingerpointing - What are you doing? What are you not doing enough of?'' said Lt. Jeffrey Watson, station commander.
The tactic is catching on with state police in other counties.
In one five-hour blitz in Indiana County last week, troopers issued 25 citations to motorists zooming along at least 15 miles faster than the posted 55 mph limit - including one lead foot cited for going 90 mph.
``It's going to continue throughout the summer months,'' said Shawn Houck, a spokesman with the state transportation department, which partnered with the barracks.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Wow. One every 20 minutes. Their pens must have been smoking after all that writing.
/sarc
Oops. Math Check.
One every 12 minutes.
(There isn't 100 minutes in an hour, is there? :) )
Washington state is now doing much the same type of thing. They patrol in all kinds of unmarked vehicles now. Even minivans. They also have troopers who drive normal everyday looking cars who drive along under the speed limit, and as you go buy, the write down the plate number, call ahead and another vehicle pulls you over and you never know the unmarked that got you. They use all makes, models, colors, types, etc. now. I see less and less marked State Trooper vehicles. Most are unmarked. You can only tell some by the 15 or 20 antennas they have on the roof!</p>
"In one five-hour blitz in Indiana County last week, troopers issued 25 citations to motorists zooming along at least 15 miles faster than the posted 55 mph limit - including one lead foot cited for going 90 mph."
If safety was really the concern, they would be showing their presence on the roads and people would take heed and slow down. Instead, this safety excuse is used to bolster their coffers.
But it is a lot easier to nab people for technical violations.
Coming back from Portland I passed a new Mustang and a Suburban that had folks pulled over (lights hidden in the grill and rear windows). SNEAKY!
As a citizen I would be real careful pulling over for these unmarked cars and making sure you don't jeopardize yourself in case it isn't a cop. I recall years ago some guy in a sedan with a light on it would pull gals over and then rape them.
Any suggestions on how to keep yourself safe without drawing the wrath (and the gun) of a real cop?
You beat me to it. Rather than attempting to prevent the crime, they allow the crime to occur so they can make money off of it.
I've heard that if you crack your window and tell the cop you want a marked car there also they will do it. Of course, you will probably guarantee yourself the ticket, but hey.
It looks like the Washington State Police as well as their Pennsylvania counterparts will have plenty of money for donuts and coffee.
Last Friday I saw a good speed trap here in Kentucky. A state trooper was posted on an overpass just north of a bend in the road. He kept his radar gun aimed at the curve and nailed the speeders before they even knew he was there. Three of his fellow troopers were then waiting for the speeders, and when I went past, all three had someone pulled over.
I'm in South Carolina. These cops drive anything Chevy, Dodge, or Ford. (Mopar or something)
I've gotten clocked by a beige van from the 80s with 4 different attenas on it before. Just don't speed I guess.
Also, I think theres a new band of radar the detectors aren't picking up?
Where in the world do you get the idea that the cops keep the money? If traffic enforcement were done on a piece-work or commission basis, no one would be able to drive 3 blocks without getting stopped for some petty violation. In reality, bosses regard a cop who writes ONE ticket a DAY as a "good" performer.
The money goes to the city coffers. That is my point.
The more speeders who speed and are caught, the more money the city rakes in.
Nothing new.
Cops have quotas for issuing tickets. Its a well documented fact.
No one said the "keep the money" either.
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