Posted on 10/01/2007 6:37:03 PM PDT by elkfersupper
TAMPA - Had a few drinks before getting behind the wheel?
Think again. That harmless-looking minivan in the rearview mirror might be the neighbors on patrol.
That's how Mothers Against Drunk Driving pitched its latest plan to get impaired drivers off the roads.
Called the Traffic Observation Program, the pilot program is slated to begin in Hillsborough County and may become a statewide initiative, according to Don Murray, Florida's executive director for MADD.
The plan: Recruit 20 volunteers armed with donated cell phones and send them out in the middle of the night to watch for telltale signs of drunk drivers.
MADD has worked closely with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, so Murray suggested to other MADD members that the pilot program begin here.
Murray envisions a program that will pair up community members who are willing to go through a screening process, including a criminal background check and an interview to ensure that those going out on the streets have proper training and experience.
He wanted to make it clear that volunteers will not be acting like law enforcement.
"This isn't like a vigilante program," he said. "They won't be attempting to stop or in any way interacting with these vehicles. They're basically just observers."
Volunteers will go out in teams. They will drive their own vehicles and take GPS equipment, so they'll be able to find their way through unfamiliar areas for two to four hours of searching, Murray said. They'll be told ahead of time of the sometimes-subtle clues for drunk drivers, such as driving under the speed limit or lingering too long at a green light, Murray said.
"We certainly don't want our observers to be calling erroneous reports in," he said.
If participants spot a suspicious driver, they will jot down the license plate, a vehicle description and a location and notify the Sheriff's Office. It's up to the deputy to check out the vehicle to determine whether an arrest is appropriate, Murray said.
The program was Murray's idea, he said, inspired by worries of what potential budget cuts could do to law enforcement's DUI teams.
"They'll likely lose officers from the road," he said. "We were looking ahead to try to see what our organization can do."
Hillsborough sheriff's Cpl. Stephen Decatur said the program is just a formalized process for what already happens everyday: People call law enforcement when they see something suspicious.
He praised the idea, but he cautioned that it's vital that volunteers don't try to do the work of law enforcement in apprehending and accusing suspects.
"If anybody's overzealous, if they play outside the guidelines, then they're acting above and beyond just being observers," he said. "We want them to do it in a responsible manner, and it looks like the program is set up to do that."
Tampa police Cpl. Jared Douds had much the same reaction. It sounded like a Neighborhood Watch group for the roadways.
"Obviously anything that's going to get drunk drivers off the road, we're interested in," Douds. "That's certainly a positive for everybody."
As someone who has lost many relatives in our fights for freedom, I have one word for this petty form of prohibitionism:
Bad
Don't drink and drive. They won't have any means of bothering you.
when I'm tired and want to get home at dark thirty, the last thing I need is a nosey nanny followed up by a pr!ck with a badge...
The LEO must make the PC observation...unless the MADD observer files a written complaint or insists on making a citizen's arrest. I doubt either of the latter will ever occur. The officer won't attempt to detain unless he/she can corroborate probable cause. To do otherwise would get the case tossed with ease.
The LEO that I accompanied for the "ride along" wouldn't write a speeding citation unless the vehicle exceeded 38 MPH in a 30 MPH zone. In the two years preceding when I did that ride along, he had written 300 speeding tickets. Only 2 were successfully challenged. Cops don't want to waste the time doing it wrong. They have to sit in court every time they write a citation.
Ive been stopped AND written for too many things to believe that this a@@kissing of madd is anything more than a PR stunt for them and leo.
Pr!ck cops WILL write BS violations, you HAVE to show for court[or pay it] while they stay home to beat their kids...
Oh and I have to ask... What exactely is the ‘PC’ at those little nazi checkpoints???
You still don't get it. I really don't need a lecture, or an explanation of the term "vigilante". I told you, I was being sarcastic and making fun of the Bush remark. Got it now, or do I have to drop a tree on you in order for you to get the SARCASM of my comment? You are a humorless person and rather brainless as well, IMO>
bttt
MADD is an anachronism to what America stands for...
Mike
I’m OUTRAGED they are wasting so much gas, and causing so much CO2 build ups! Why can’t they just stfu? (/snicker). Actually, drunk drivers are a bad thing. But, I don’t think this is going to help all that much. Why don’t they go on midnight patrol for illegal aliens and rapists instead? I’m sure they’d catch more of them
Really? I wonder if they'll be protected from wrongly reporting people.
I hope some of them get the living crap beat out of them. Aren't these types of informers just so eastern-european?
LOL. That was my reaction as well!
You're reading an awful lot into what I've posted. I'm concerned about a whole lotta lives getting messed up because of a bunch of self-righteous busybodies posing and posturing where they have no expertise. There could be any number of unintended consequences come out of this, including a lot of bruised soccer mommies.
“The program was Murray’s idea, he said, inspired by worries of what potential budget cuts could do to law enforcement’s DUI teams.”
Yepper, they are worried that their court ordered donations would decrease.....couldn’t have their revenues impacted, so they better get out there and become civilian reveneurs!
“How do driving under the limit on a city street at “dark 30” (late night) or “lingering too long at a green light” pose risks to other drivers?”
Most of my near-accidents have been because of somebody driving way too slow or not flowing with traffic.
Roger that, just don't be dangerous to the rest of us when you do. If you are a regular 2nd/3rd shift person you can take it to the bank the local cops know your car. Also they are watching you not only for DUI but for falling asleep at the wheel
DUI is a serious issue, it crosses the political and social spectrum. Illegals to Hollywood actors. The extremes make the news, those in the middle don't
If DUIs only killed or injured themselves, I would not be as concerned about it, Darwin and all that. However they don't, and enforcement action is warranted .
I was once stopped due to a MADD style report. They said I had left a resturant/bar and was walking unsteadily. It was the truth. I was two weeks post op on my left knee.
So....when is President Bush going to publicly brand these people vigilantes as he did with the Minute Men on the border? It’s pretty much the same thing, observing and reporting illegal activity. I’ll be holding my breath for the announcement to come..... any minute now.
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