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'Camo Cops' Patrol for Speeders on Freeway
Star Tribune ^ | 06.03.04

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 ...


TOPICS: Extended News
KEYWORDS: hiddencops; hideandseek; roadtax
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1 posted on 06/03/2004 10:51:44 AM PDT by wallcrawlr
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To: wallcrawlr
In one five-hour blitz in Indiana County last week, troopers issued 25 citations

Wow. One every 20 minutes. Their pens must have been smoking after all that writing.

/sarc

2 posted on 06/03/2004 10:54:07 AM PDT by jtminton (Ever notice that Al Qaeda, Al Jazeera, and Al Gore all have the same first name?)
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To: jtminton

Oops. Math Check.

One every 12 minutes.

(There isn't 100 minutes in an hour, is there? :) )


3 posted on 06/03/2004 10:55:03 AM PDT by jtminton (Ever notice that Al Qaeda, Al Jazeera, and Al Gore all have the same first name?)
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To: wallcrawlr

4 posted on 06/03/2004 10:56:17 AM PDT by itsamelman ("Before I refuse to take your questions, I have an opening statement." -- R. Reagan)
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To: wallcrawlr

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>


5 posted on 06/03/2004 10:56:30 AM PDT by RetiredArmy ( I am a Vietnam Vet, thus I am a war criminal according to Flip Kerry.)
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To: wallcrawlr

"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.


6 posted on 06/03/2004 10:56:45 AM PDT by CSM (Liberals may see Saddam's mass graves in Iraq as half-full, but I prefer to see them as half-empty.)
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To: wallcrawlr
Really dangerous behavior must be witnessed first hand. The only way to do this is put cops in ordinary cars in traffic.

But it is a lot easier to nab people for technical violations.

7 posted on 06/03/2004 10:59:05 AM PDT by hopespringseternal (People should be banned for sophistry.)
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To: RetiredArmy

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?


8 posted on 06/03/2004 11:03:40 AM PDT by geopyg (Peace..................through decisive and ultimate VICTORY. (Democracy, whiskey, sexy))
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To: CSM
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.

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.

9 posted on 06/03/2004 11:07:11 AM PDT by Skooz (My Biography: Psalm 40:1-3)
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To: geopyg
Any suggestions on how to keep yourself safe without drawing the wrath (and the gun) of a real cop?

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.

10 posted on 06/03/2004 11:07:16 AM PDT by jtminton (Ever notice that Al Qaeda, Al Jazeera, and Al Gore all have the same first name?)
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To: CSM; hopespringseternal
Of course the purpose is to increase "sales". However, the speed IS posted and it is YOUR choice to exceed it.
I've gotten, at a minimum, my fair share of speeding tickets (I call them driving tax), but most of the time I am speeding - deliberately so.
11 posted on 06/03/2004 11:07:39 AM PDT by GrandEagle
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To: RetiredArmy

It looks like the Washington State Police as well as their Pennsylvania counterparts will have plenty of money for donuts and coffee.


12 posted on 06/03/2004 11:07:40 AM PDT by Wallace T.
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To: jtminton
Ever notice that Al Qaeda, Al Jazeera, and Al Gore all have the same first name
No I haven't - Maybe you are on to something there!
13 posted on 06/03/2004 11:12:26 AM PDT by GrandEagle
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To: Wallace T.

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.


14 posted on 06/03/2004 11:13:23 AM PDT by Stonewall Jackson (Eagle Scout class of 1992.)
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To: Stonewall Jackson

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?


15 posted on 06/03/2004 11:19:11 AM PDT by lancium
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To: Skooz

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.


16 posted on 06/03/2004 11:25:55 AM PDT by silverdog (Let's leave the grown-ups in charge.)
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To: lancium
They cruse around down here in most anything too. I'm not sure if hanging out in the woods would be a good idea though, lots of hunters in this area.
It is pretty much a sport for the county and state guys. Pure revenue generation for the city of Mobile though. They will make them up if they don't like the color of your car. Had one stop me a few years back when I wasn't even speeding. She said that I was clocked at 75 in a 45. I questioned her since she didn't have radar in her car and her only comment was - and I quote - "prove it". I was so mad I could spit nails.

The state and county guys are very professional though.
17 posted on 06/03/2004 11:28:14 AM PDT by GrandEagle
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To: silverdog

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.


18 posted on 06/03/2004 11:29:06 AM PDT by Skooz (My Biography: Psalm 40:1-3)
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To: wallcrawlr

Nothing new.


19 posted on 06/03/2004 11:30:00 AM PDT by R. Scott (Humanity i love you because when you're hard up you pawn your Intelligence to buy a drink.)
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To: silverdog

Cops have quotas for issuing tickets. Its a well documented fact.

No one said the "keep the money" either.


20 posted on 06/03/2004 11:30:49 AM PDT by subterfuge (Liberalism is, as liberalism does.)
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