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."
You are naive.
I don't drink and drive but some of the "signs" they are being taught to observe are things I do in my everyday driving.
When that light turns green, I do not jump on the gas pedal, I wait.......and I'm stone cold sober. As too speed limits, I drive per conditions. I drive on many road that have no business having a 55mph speed limit.
One of these MADD mothers calls me in for driving properly, there is goig to be some heck to pay.
On second thoughts, I read your page. Repeat after me... breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out. Repeat as needed.
Just in case you forget.
</ uberhypersarc>
The poster is either a cop or hasn't had any "contact" with LEO lately.
If the former, no mercy. If the latter, their turn will come.
Are you so naive to believe that prosecutors and judges (who must stand for election or retention) aren't intimidated by these geurilla tactics?
Sheeesh!
Call me a nervous nellie, but I'm one of those types. I've had far too many close calls.
Heck, I did it just this evening after picking my daughter and her friend up.....and a good thing I did. I hesitated when the light turned green and don't you know an 18wheeler blew through the light.
I read her page and it is actually option 2 with a sprinkling of a room temp bell curve placement. She doesn’t have any clue as to the luminosity or lack thereof of her bulb in the marquee, and seems extremely sweet and extremely naive. Sure she is a sweet thing, but wouldn’t want to have too long a conversation with her or her fairy tale thinking.
It's a dress rehearsal for turning in your neighbors for "suspicious" behavior, and not a good direction for a free society.
“The local cops are familiar with the habitual drunks, druggies and thieves.”
Ahem.... Suppose I date a cops ex wife. Make me fair game too?
You are a dim bulb hun. A brown shirt. You don’t think for yourself. You lack grasp.
I’m truly sorry for your loss. I am sure it was a horrible thing to go through.
However, that does not give anyone the right to tell me I can not hesitate at a light, or not drive the speed limit if I am not comfortable with it even though I have not been drinking. This policy of “signs” of impaired driving for reporting purposes tells me both Hillsborough County and MADD are encouraging to people to drive in ways they normally wouldn’t in order to avoid being pulled over or otherwise scrutinized.
You're down to ad hominem attacks. Fine. I have work to do.
Don’t drink and drive. They won’t have any means of bothering you.
Getting tired of that comment on FR? I am. This is a slight variation of “If you aren’t doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about.”
You sound like another one of those “if you have nothing to hide...” androids.
OMG you are a guy??????? Holly heck.... you so come across as a woman. How appropriate. I think you should change your screen name from that farcical name to one more accurate. Half Wit Intern Wannabe Cop Panties In A Wad.
Please leave real stuff to real cops. Isn’t there a crossing guard or mall cop somewhere needing an assistant?
Please see my above post.
TADA...... Barney Fife back on patrol!!!!
And there’s yet another variation on it. We’re headed for a ‘snitch’ society, I guess. And a lot of FReepers will apparently welcome it with open arms.
The main "street" in this area is US RTE 13........the few traffic lights we have seem to be a personal affront to EVERYONE. I am going to make sure everyone is at a standstill before I enter the danged intersection, and if the folks behind me don't like it -- too bloody bad about them because that slight hesitation on my part could very well save their lives if I get through that intersection before the idiot not stopping does.
Viva La Not Putting Up With Stupid People, Crooks Or Duplicitous Politicians.
HEADED FOR? Are you daft, my good friend? We've long been there.
And a lot of FReepers will apparently welcome it with open arms.
Not will, already have.........
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.