Montgomery’s Finest Won’t Pay Fines [speed cameras Maryland]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1982805/posts
Well technically and legally, the union is correct. The cops’ names are not on the title, they don’t pay the insurance, repairs, taxes/tags/registration. And tickets are issued to the owner of the car. If they find that it was truly not an emergency, they should set up some way to be reimbursed by the officer assigned to the car.
I’ll be honest, I’ve never seen a LEO speeding without having lights flashing. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen but I’ve never seen it. I would bet that the majority of the time they are on their way to a call but didn’t turn their lights on.
Pargo in Hyundai Sonata
Scottsdale, Arizona police have arrested Lawrence Pargo, 26, for speeding based solely on the evidence of its photo radar machines that registered his vehicle traveling at an impossibly high speed of 147 MPH. Scottsdale police maintain that Pargo's rented silver Sonata drove between 102 and 147 MPH past four speed cameras on May 21 at around six in the morning. Pargo's Hyundai, according to the manufacturer, has a drag-limited top speed of 137 MPH.
"This is a rental vehicle so it is doubtful that it could attain even this maximum speed," said Eric Skrum, spokesman for the National Motorists Association. "At a bare minimum, this is a ten-mph discrepancy and obviously an invalid ticket. I would suggest that rather than investigate this individual, the police should be checking their own equipment. This needs to be a top priority as there is no telling how many other drivers have received unjustified tickets."
Automotive reviewer Robert Farago wrote of the car, "only an Impala driver would mistake the Sonata LX for a high-performance sedan."
Police hope to collect at least $800 in tickets from Pargo. Scottsdale has jailed a number of motorists accused solely by the camera. One motorist was arrested after flipping off the camera at an alleged 82 MPH.
Source: Man arrested in 147 mph Loop 101 violation (East Valley Tribune (AZ), 6/2/2006)
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/11/1162.asp
Oh, the police sure can ID you! They usually choose not to, lest they create a scene like the torch-weilding villagers outside of Dr. Frankenstein's abode. Mostly, they just collect their fines, so they're happy. Generally, revenue enhancement is the goal of this Big Brotherism. They could care less about points or safety. 147MPH Hyundais notwithstanding.
I know a police officer personally and this is exactly how it works. If you are off-duty and get pulled over, simply show your badge and you will never, ever, get issued a ticket.
Just another example of cops out of control and believing they are not citizens but our masters, above our laws. Any cop late paying their speeding tickets should be suspended without pay until they do and fired if not paid after 30 days.
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
If I got a ticket while driving my mother’s SUV, I would hardly expect her to pay the fine.