I dealt with this exact same thing last year. People were protesting Obama et al. Located on an interstate overpass. It was my area to patrol. Went through it several times. Eventually, I got a call that the signs were causing people to slow down on the interstate to read them, thus causing an accordion style traffic issue. Went out to talk to them and I hadn’t even got out of the car yet when I heard them say” Here they come...”. And out came the cameras. Knowing full well that they wanted to bait me into saying or doing something stupid...i merely told them that we had a complaint, that I didn’t think that they were allowed to post signs on the overpass, ut I would check into it and get back to them. Looked up the state code (Virginia), called the Commonwealths Attorney, printed out the code section...and came back. Showed them the code, and asked them to take the signs down. They could stay and hold signs up all they wanted...just could affix them.onto the fencing over the interstate. I was polite, professional and courteous....and I know my shit. In response, a good portion of them were aholes to me. Really pissed me off because I was on their side as far as the message, but they treated me.like I was an idiot. The best part...despite all the video, it never made it to the internet because they couldn’t bait me into being an ass to them. As the cameras were being shut off as I spoke to them professionally, I told them...”no no...keep recording...this is important”. They walked away... I find it sad that they don’t realize they have support in areas where they don’t even realize it...yet do their best to drive people away from them...
Like you mentioned to the people you confronted, the police told the sign hangers the signs were illegal and could cause a traffic accident. As a pro Tea Party Freeper, I'm hardly opposed to people carrying signs in lawful places. These sign hangers were out of line. And one of them was recorded calling the cops all sorts of vile names. Some people on our side can be as deranged as leftists.
Good job.
Too many people are spring loaded to the fully pissed position.
You were perfect, them, not so much.
How comfortable were you trying to enforce local ordinances or state law that directly contradicts the Bill of Rights?
Did you consider taking any acton on the traffic below to manage the safety of the slowdown/accordian instead or in addition?