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 ...
Germany has sections of highway without limits, and sections that do have them. Do you think it reasonable to fine people only after their negligent speed has resulted in an accident?
SD
Motoring in an unsafe manner is the cause of many injuries and deaths. The people have representative government. Traffic laws are created by the legislature and imposed by the executive branch. Speeding citations are issued in compliance with statutory law enacted by the people.
If one doesn't like it vote for change, and don't speed.
Speeding ticket revenue in California, for instance doesn't go to the Highway Patrol, it goes to the county in which the citation originated.
And, there are NO QUOTAS in California.That is a fallacy that is verbally continued by those who are ticketed.
Some officers are sticklers for the Vehicle code and issue a lot of tickets due to the public's lax driving and upkeep of their cars but that does not make it a quota.
This can happen sometimes as some officers become jaded in their job. A grouchy officer harms the image of his/her whole department. The reality is that a vast majority are good about their handling of the public.
Caused by speeding? No, caused by whiteout conditions. How does speeding in the middle of summer have anything to do with icy winter driving?
Yes. Or something like the Montana law of "safe and prudent".
We treat "speeders" far too harshly, and punish people who cause accidents and even kill people far too lightly.
Where is the "documentation" to which you refer? I can personally affirm, from 25 years experience, that there are no quotas. One gal I worked with would respond to the quota question: There are no quotas. I'm allowed to write as many as I want!!
Amen!
Good question. I can tell you I wouldn't automatically pull over because some unidentified driver told me to. They say you should drive to the nearest public place and then stop, but in the meantime, the cop's probably getting madder and madder. This is not a good idea, IMO.
Carolyn
I concur Joe! The mission has definitely changed form "protect and serve" to revenue collection. There are more LEOs driving around then ever and they appear to be thirsting for revenue - seatbelts being the big issue this week.
I remember our local sheriff turning down the Clinton offer for more cops because the funding was only short term as he was against revenue collecting to meet payroll.
The desire to present a positive image and gain the respect of the law-abiding public seems a thing of the past now which is truly sad.
mc
Well heck silverdog, I knew you'd want a source. I don't have the time right now but I'm positive some LEA's require a certain (minimum) amount of citations be written.
And I don't have a problem with LEO's at all. They do a thankless job, plus, on the personal side, they saved my life one night.
It was a sudden icestorm.
You are here in PA, right? Then you should know the topography and design of our highways limits the speed. You ever go 65-70 up over a hill and see traffic backed up from an accident or construction?
We treat "speeders" far too harshly, and punish people who cause accidents and even kill people far too lightly.
Speeders are an easy target, and it is an objective "slam dunk" case. I agree more should be done on other traffic offenses, including driving too slow in the passing lane, and the lack of signals, etc. Especially on non-limited access highways. Slowing down in the left lane and then putting on your turn signal is useless. Signal first.
SD
HEH HEH HEH
I would not pull over either and I have instructed my daughter never to pull over for an un-marked car, but to put on her flashers and proceed to a (well lit, if applicable) public area and call 911 on cell phone.
Anyone with a stick-on light can pull people over and rob them (or worse) and LE should know this is not a good practice..they are teaching people how to be victimized.
If you try that you'll get a felony stop, and thrown in jail for evasion.
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