Posted on 12/06/2005 12:30:15 PM PST by paulat
State trooper or panhandler? Drivers fooled By Jennifer Sullivan Seattle Times staff reporter
In the three years since state lawmakers gave cops the go-ahead to pull over people for not wearing seat belts, the State Patrol has become creative about spotting scofflaws.
But one new approach has raised a few eyebrows — while providing results troopers call impressive.
On Saturday, a trooper stood on a street corner in Spanaway, Pierce County, and helped bust 30 people for not wearing their seat belts. The trooper, wearing plain clothes and a cardboard sign around his neck that read "Happy Holidays Buckle Up," was able to keep a close eye on passing traffic from the southeast corner of Highway 7 and 112th Street East. When he spotted someone who wasn't wearing a seat belt, the trooper radioed fellow troopers parked nearby who pulled over the offender.
In four hours, 41 cars were stopped and 30 seat-belt tickets, costing violators $101 per infraction, were handed out, Trooper J.J. Gundermann said. Troopers also made one drug arrest and six outstanding-warrant arrests.
Some motorists, seeing a man on the roadside wearing a sign, offered him money, apparently figuring he was a panhandler, the State Patrol said. The trooper refused the money.
[SNIP]
John Strait, a law professor at Seattle University, said the operation "sounds tacky" but isn't illegal.
"I'm not sure it's great public policy," Strait said. "I don't think there's a legal privacy issue."
University of Washington criminal-law professor John Junker said police have a right to work in an undercover capacity. They also have a right to penalize people for what can be seen in plain view — such as not wearing a seat belt.
Troopers in King County say they are considering using the same tactic.
[SNIP]
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
No, you aren't even half right.
bb, our beloved Senator (R-NC) has a history of wanting government to do the work of capable Americans - I believe her "suggestion" included the appropriation of federal highway robberies - er, funds - I meant funds. She extorted - uh, extolled - the states to police the "belt"ways and suggested private motorists to "Click-it or Ticket".
She also claims credit for giving us a use for another taillight bulb. Now you have to buy them in three packs. Sylvania and GE hailed her Queen. Have you noticed Ford's actually BLINKS!
What's she doing now? I have no earthly idea. Representing some state of NC? Must be her state of mind, has she been back to NC since she moved from Kansas to NC to Washington? At least she's now out of Kansas' hair (greening up with envy) and we've won back the Senate....
Oh, yes. I do have to be reminded of that every time another big government program is instituted :)
Just had to change my third brake light on my Dodge truck as a matter of fact. Thought about Giddy the whole time. Matter of fact thought how lucky we are to have her as a representative when I unhooked my airbags...
Don't you remember all the promises when they first passed mandatory seatbelt laws? Every... single... promise... has now been broken!
LOL! I'm sure we'll have to leave the "thought" to our imaginizations - else be banned!
Oh yeah - you ready to dish out more dough for inspectators to stick a sticker on your windshield to make your car safer?
I respect the law keepers - but, not the law makers.
Are they done making laws, yet?
They have to find the money somewhere. The paper just had an article about overtime pay for King County Sheriffs (?) working O.T. at their Sheriff job. One guy had a base salary of $50 - $60k as I recall, but with O.T. was bringing home ~$160k or something. They are looking into limiting the amount of hours due to safety issues due to the long hours. Of course - if the O.T. hours come from sitting on the curb with a sign rather than doing actual cop work I would imagine fatigue isn't a safety issue.
Clever cops on your end of the country!
I'm not looking at it from the point of view of whether or not there should be a seatbelt law, I'm just admiring the ingenuity of the enforcement. It's clever.
Don't you remember all the promises when they first passed mandatory seatbelt laws?
I'm not sure I was up here then. How long ago was it, do you recall?
"This is the reason I no longer respect cops."
Seat belt tickets?? Good reason/sarc.
Nothing like off-the-deep-end hyperbole.
Next time some drunk goes careening down your street, the neighbors loud party goes to 4am, a molester snatches a kid in your area, dirtbags rip off businesses in your town why don't you just saddle up with your guns and take care of business?
You're not the only one. I think it's a great idea, too.
Who's making the generalities now? Cops spend more time enforcing this stupid crap now than solving or preventing real crime. They are basically useless.
Thank You for stating the facts regarding the WSP, Viva La Big Ern!
You mean the inspection sticker? I usually only get those done when I finally get pulled over :) Only have to pay for it once and no other fees. Last one lasted me three years...now watch me get pulled over tomorrow (although I need to take the truck in for service so I'll probably give in and get it done tomorrow
The law was passed around '83 to '85.
I was going to say something silly...that WSP ain't real five-o. (just kidding of course)
Cops Useless?
"Who's making the generalities now?"
Ummmmmm.....I dunno. Possibly ummmmmmm.... packrat35?
Whatever you say.
Just don't be a hypocrite and call them someday for something.......what am I thinking.....you've already deemed them useless.
But you will call them......sigh.
Uh, no they don't and cops primarily investigate, not prevent. Either way, I'm no fan of seat belt laws either let alone special emphasis by the nanny state
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.