Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
Posted on 06/09/2005 9:44:22 AM PDT by Millee
Beginning this fall Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputies will be pulling over teen drivers who haven't broken any traffic laws.
As part of a new program, deputies will be pulling over teens for safe driving and rewarding them with free movie theater and movie rental certificates.
Uniformed deputies driving unmarked cars will follow the drivers and give out the certificates.
"Deputies will follow them for a short distance, down a thoroughfare and we will watch their driving," said Sgt. Glenn Luben, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. "Once we identify a good safe driver, we attempt to follow them to their house or open shopping area."
Some parents think it's a great idea to reward teens for safe, responsible driving. However, while most agree the reward is nice, some parents are concerned about this method of identifying safe drivers.
"I'd be concerned whether they'd think it's a real police officer pulling them over," says Jennifer Zeitler, parent of a teen driver. "It's scary for parents too. There's so many kidnappings and other things going on; I'd be concerned for my child."
The program was started by an Oldsmar, Fla. man whose son was killed in an accident involving a teen driver. After the program begins this fall, there is a possibility it will spread to other communities.
What are they calling this?
OPERATION "FISHING EXPEDITION"?
I want to know when it is ok for me to follow a cop around for a while and make sure he is driving safely. Then stop him to chat about his good performance or lecture him on the violations he just fractured. Seriously, we need people to police the police. I sometimes do follow police. That way I can legally drive 90.
This idea was undoubtedly cooked up by some Community outreach weenie. The cops will be just as pissed off with this nonsense as the kids.
What makes you think that is legal?
it's a government sponsored solution to a non-problem. do no good, hassle innocent people in the name of being nice, all the time trampling roughshod upon the people's rights.
when did freedom and liberty become bad words?
A possible good idea that can go badly in any number of ways. I doubt the officer could compensate the teen for the anxiety caused by the stop. I am opposed to a traffic stop without probable cause just as a matter of principle. As a matter of fact, given that just about every stop is now video recorded, I would want it to be standard procedure that the officer explicitly states the probably cause for a stop at the moment (s)he turns on the lights to commence the stop. This is one of the few times I think the ACLU could have value so it is probably why they won't touch it.
I wish this was proposed for Maryland. We have a governor who would, as soon as he heard about it, nix the idea. He stopped the use of night vision goggles to catch seatbelt violators. He said, (paraphrasing)" I heard about it, I told then to stop it. It wasn't right. I've had reporters who wanted to ask follow up questions. What possible follow up could there be? I heard about it, I told then to stop."
This. Totally. Stinks.
This has been tried before in other jurisdictions...usually doesn't last too long. The cops hate doing it, and there will be very vocal complaints.
I guess if they get caught with a rubber they are charged with rape.
And you are content with that? Don't you think we need to fight back some of these over burdensome laws? Like if you drive in the left hand lane, you are either speeding or obstructing. Anyone in the left lane can be pulled over. If you drive good or bad you can be pulled over for both. I'm trying to remember the quote, 'good people can not be controlled, therefore you make enough laws to make everyone a criminal, then you can control them and arrest them at any time for any reason.' This country is heading further from freedom everyday.
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
WTH ????
That is the STUPIDEST thing I've ever heard of
That's exactly what I thought, too.
:-D That happens to me too all the time both on the transmitting and receiving end. In our particular case it is nice when a couple of freepers can start out with completely different opinions based on very small differences in perception, work through the differences, and come to a better solution. If we are, and I believe we really are, more mature and reasonable than DUmmies, this should happen more often.
Stupid idea. They want to do something, take down their tag and give them gifts at the house. Still boneheaded but better than following a teen driver.
By definition, the police truly are not your friends. Regardless of their qualities as individuals, they are agents of the state. They serve the state. When you have to deal with the cops, lots of things can happen and most of them aren't good.
History teaches us to be wary of individuals with the power to arrest.
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