7 Ways To Shut Down A Speed Trap
Speed traps are often used by municipalities as a method of generating revenue to run the government. “Safety” is given as the excuse for running a speed trap, but the real reason boils down to money.
- The police department wants more money for equipment and salaries.
- The City wants more money to avoid raising taxes.
- Local residents and businesses often go along with speed traps because they reduce local taxes, and besides, they’re usually not the drivers who get the tickets anyway.
A “win win” situation for everybody in town, but not for the poor saps that suffer fines, points and insurance surcharges in the name of “safety.” However, any person, if persistent enough, can take meaningful action to eliminate the classic speed trap. There are multiple approaches to bringing public and private wrath down upon the perpetrators of speed traps.
1) Appeal To Local Business Owners
With sufficient prodding local businesses can be effective in lobbying for the end of community speed traps. One way to prompt this kind of lobbying is to convince business owners that the local speed trap is costing them money, or is about to cost them money.
This can be done by sending letters to local businesses and the chamber of commerce stating that you and anyone you can convince accordingly, will not be shopping in that community until the use of speed traps is discontinued.
2) Get The Attention Of The Local Media
Letters should be sent to the local newspapers, radio and TV stations, and to the mayor or any other head of the government that sponsors the speed trap.
The combination of economic sanctions (loss of business) and embarrassment of local officials may generate pressure to eliminate the speed trap, or at least reduce its most abusive characteristics.
3) Purchase Small Advertisements In The Paper
If the media ignores the story, you can still get the word out in other ways. To add a little momentum to your efforts you may want to purchase small ads in surrounding community newspapers that identify the speed trap and demand that things change.
4) Find Other Speed Trap Victims To Join The Cause
Ask around the area and find other speed trap victims. The trap has taken money out of their pockets so it won’t be hard to convince them to join the effort. If you generate some additional interest and help, the media and local officials will start to take you more seriously.
5) Request A Traffic Engineering Study
If a local village or city is using a state or county highway as a speed trap you may be able to provoke the state or county officials sufficiently to have them force the end of the speed trap. For example, if the speed limit is severely under-posted you can request a copy of the traffic engineering study that sanctioned such a low speed limit.
You can use a “public information request” or “freedom of information request” to force the release of this study, if the public agency won’t willingly release it. More often than not, no such study exists.
There are exceptions, but all states require a traffic engineering study to support an unusual or abnormally low speed limit. Even if a traffic engineering study exists, it may not support the speed limit posted by the local unit of government.
6) Talk To Your Elected Officials
All elected officials give lip service to the belief that underhanded and exploitative speed enforcement should not be used as a means to extort money from honest responsible citizens. It’s fair game to ask them to put substance behind their words. You have every right to ask your state legislators to pass a law that will reduce, if not eliminate the abuses common to speed traps.
Here are some approaches you can suggest to your state senator or representative:
- Require that any posted speed limit that differs from the standard speed limit for a given type of road or highway be supported by a legitimate traffic engineering study that determines the 85th percentile speed of free flowing unimpeded traffic.
- Establish a limit on the percent of local revenues that any community can generate through traffic fines. Any local unit of government that is generating more than 10% to 20% of its total revenue from fines is abusing traffic enforcement for revenue enhancement purposes.
- Require that a high percentage (75 %) of all traffic fines and related costs be transferred to an unrelated state fund, e.g. public education, emergency relief, or public library aids.
- Prohibit the use of electronic speed measurement devices to enforce speed limits that have not been determined through the use of an official traffic engineering study.
- Require specific and proper training for any person using electronic devices for speed enforcement purposes.
- Provide that any motorist charged with a traffic violation has the automatic right for a change of venue to a court of record (from a local administrative or municipal court).
- Prohibit the use of electronic speed measurement devices to clock vehicles within 100 yards of a speed limit sign that reduces the speed limit.
By giving your legislator concrete and realistic suggestions you will have made it difficult for him or her to just ignore your request. Getting a bill drafted and introduced is still a long way from getting it passed into law, but it sure is a good start in the right direction.
7) Challenge Your Speed Trap Ticket In Court
On a very personal and individual level there is yet another way to challenge and oppose speed traps.
If you’re caught in a speed trap, you need to challenge your speeding ticket in court. Just paying the ticket to avoid the hassle will only perpetuate the system by giving the municipality exactly what it wants and expects: your money. Challenge your ticket in court with the full knowledge that you may have to appeal your conviction to a higher, more legitimate court. This accomplishes a variety of objectives:
- You force the operators of the speed trap to take their time and money to prosecute you.
- If you are well prepared, a competent judge may decide to formally chastise the speed trap operators, especially if they have violated an existing state law.
- Finally, as a reward for your hard work, there’s a good chance the charges against you will be dismissed.
This article was adapted from information on the NMA’s speed trap registry website, www.speedtrap.org, a listing of speed traps submitted by drivers across the country.
You deserve every speeding ticket you get. You can complain all you want after the fact, but it's true. Find out why.
It's one of the "great" American past times: complaining about unfair speeding tickets. There are two types of people when it comes to complaining about this particular type of traffic ticket. Which group are you in?
7 Stories of Speed Trap Revenge: These drivers didn't let the authorities get away with their corrupt traffic enforcement practices. See how the little guys fought back.
This collection of stories will definitely entertain you, but make sure you don't buy into the underlying message. Find out the dangerous myth that these stories perpetuate.
Great info. on speed traps.
I have noticed in Canada (but not here in the U.S.) that if a speed trap is set up on one side of the road, cars going in the opposite direction will flash their headlights several times alerting cars approaching the speed trap.
I wish this would catch on here in the U.S. I do it, but I wonder if oncoming cars knows what it means.
Yes, they know exactly what it means. The problem is that some localities will ticket you for doing so if they catch you. I guess it cuts into their revenue.
In my experience drivers don't know what it means. If someone flashes their lights at me I assume they are a jackass.
#8: Shoot the traffic enforcement camera (with bullets)
http://www.motorists.org/forums/read.php?2,190,221#msg-221
I am retired law enforcement and support LEGITIMATE enforcement. Right now, I am fighting a speed trap in Montgomery County, Texas. The speed limit was incorrectly posted 40, but engineering report and Texas Dept. of Transportation orders have it as 50 MPH zone. Local Sheriff’s has received federal funds to target the incorrect zone with STEP grant. The STEP manual requires them to confirm legitimacy of speed before enforcement, but they have issued several thousand tickets to innocent motorists. My wife got a citation. We have assurances from the District Attorney that they will not prosecute now that they are aware and the signs have been corrected to 50 MPH. Unfortunately, thousands of motorists paid.
The most disappointing aspect is that the Texas Dept of Transportation issued two orders in 2008 to erect correct signs, but their crews falsified reports of doing the work. I asked Sheriff’s Office to investigate and dismiss citations, but they refused citing that the TXDOT funded the salary of the deputy and that if there was a sign, the were going to enforce it. It seems they didn’t read their agreement to verify before enforcing.
The wife is set for arraignment and we obtained reports, maps, photos, and email proving the error under the Texas Public Information Act. I am supporter of traffic control, but learned you do it through the three E’s…. Engineering, Education and Enforcement. SPEED TRAPS embarrass professional law enforcement.
I support legitimate enforcement of speed limits and agree that “speed traps” embarass professional law enforcement officers. However, Your story has several holes within it making me doubt that you are actually a retired Law Enforcement officer. Regardless, If the speed limit signs were incorrect for the segment of roadway involved the charges should be dismissed, as they apparently were. I doubt there is any proof of your accusation that 2 orders to erect correct signs were issued or that TXDOT crews disobeyed those orders by falsified business records saying they erected signs that they actually did not. Your implication here is that there is widespread corruption and conspiracy to cite innocent motorists in order to generate revenue. I find it very unlikely that TXDOT funds the salary of a deputy. My analysis of your post leads me to believe that you are an NMA member pretending to be a retired law enforcement officer so that your story about your wife being cited is more compelling. As far as the motorists being cited being innocent signs were in place presumably were any reasonably observant motorist would take notice of them. As such, any motorist that disobeyed the sign, even if incorrect(with respect to a speed survey or orders to repost), broke the law and should have been cited. As far as the deputy goes, I am sure there is a section within the law that states he must presume the numbers on the signs are correct if the signs were erected by an official entity empowered with the authority to do such. The Deputy did nothing wrong.
If’n yer ain’t a-fer us, then yew must be agin’ us! 100% for or 100% against, eh? Any allegation of corruption, however small, is nothing more than “widespread corruption” with you, isn’t it? I guess Watergate never happened, either, since that would be paranoia of widespread government corruption.
We had a Dallas County Constable writing speeding tickets for people who exceeded the posted black on yellow advisory signs on curves. Several people just paid those fines, figuring that it must have been illegal since a law officer wrote the ticket. Actually, those signs are exactly what I called them, advisory, and are not enforceable. Only the black on white speed signs are regulatory. Once that was brough to the attention of the court by one defendant, the rest of the outstanding tickets were dismissed. The ones that had already been paid were money out of the pocket for those drivers.
Now I’m sure you’ll insist that I’m accusing the Dallas County Constable of “widespread corruption” but in reality it was a lack of training. Didn’t do any good for the motorists who paid the fines and had points added to their records, though. Intent is not important when the law causes harm to an individual.
Actually, you may find that Advisory Signs are enforcable in Texas. I have seen numerous signs in Texas stating that you have to obey them…usually around city limits.
I am all for justice both when the motorist is wrong or the officer is wrong. I neither for or against you, I am however tired of reading comments that are factually incorrect. The TXDOT does not fund the salary of the Deputy and ANY Law enforcement officer either current or retired would be capable of distinquishing that incorrect fact. In fact not only do I disbelieve that he is a Retired Law Enforcement officer, I doubt the whole incident is anything more than a fabricated post placed here so that perspective NMA members would read it and draw the conclusion that the NMA and many of its members and supporters would like them to draw. That law enforcement as a whole is corrupt and that any citation that they write for a speeding violation was in error or to generate revenue. We both know that isn’t true and readers should question the sources of such empirical evidence. I’d tell you that sarcasm doesn’t translate well in this medium but I doubt you’d understand what I am referencing anyway.
Everyone that has ever recieved a citation for speeding has a tale of how unfair it is to get a speeding ticket. If the municipalities are enforcing for revenue You can really hurt the financial status of all these unfair municipalities simply by obeying the numbers on the signs. Obeying the signs would stop the citation writing and the revenue would not be able to be gotten from your pockets. Of course you know as well as I do that the NMA overstates the “for revenue” aspect of speeding tickets and that even if you did obey the signs you could never bankrupt the municipalities because the entire claim that speeding is enforced for revenue is a lie.
Some places, like Bulverde TX do in fact use it for revenue generation. I have never gotten a ticket but have observed many. One of the problems I have with the scheme is that a bunch of mexicans driving an old beatup rig can drive right by them while someone in a nice vehicle gets stopped. Watched it happen more than once.
Gratifying to know that we can STILL pull your chain at whim. Dance, monkey, dance. We can use the amusement here.
Ironic how there was no activity here between June 25th and the time that I pulled your chain to make you dance. Behold Mike the monkey dances!!!!!
[...] 7 Ways To Shut Down A Speed Trap Posted by root 8 minutes ago (http://www.motorists.org) Http roadsafety wordpress com 2009 03 10 photos of 10 worst high speed crashes olefin wash with outdoor hose made in usa 18lx27w in my comment about martial law after katrina i made no assertion of when it we need a totally new idea on transportation and Discuss | Bury | News | 7 Ways To Shut Down A Speed Trap [...]
way 8
sprinkle a coupld pounds of roofing nails where the bastards hide with their radar guns
Or just keep writing stupid people like you tickets and you'll lose your license!!lol
Pirate News says((Tennessee Supreme Court says speed limits not valid without traffic engineering survey
http://piratenews.org/OakRidge-v-speed-limit-OPN.pdf))
Phil replies((The Tennessee Supreme Court said no such thing. There were cases of record cited which found that to be the case but the Tennessee Supreme court found as follows:
“We find these cases to be persuasive. In the instant case, the defendant attempted to pursue her defense that the speed limit was not properly established according to applicable law. We conclude that the defense asserted by the defendant is an appropriate defense to the speeding charge
and that the trial court erred when it concluded that this issue could not be raised in that court. We pretermit all other issues raised by the parties.
We express no opinion as to whether the defendant can establish, to the satisfaction of the trier of fact, that the posted speed limit on State Route 62 was not properly established. As far as the City’s burden of proof is concerned, it can rely upon the presumption of validity referred to in Thomas. It will be the defendant’s obligation to rebut the presumption by proving that the posted
speed limit was not properly established. If she fails to satisfy this obligation, the presumption prevails and proof of the posted speed limit establishes the speed limit.
IV.
The judgment of the trial court is hereby vacated, and this case is remanded to the courtbelow for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion. Costs on appeal are taxed to the City of Oak Ridge.
Which is totally different than what you have summarized. This says that the court holds no opinion with regards to whether the speed limit was properly established or not. This decision allows the defendant to argue the defense that the speed limit was not properly established and that it is her burden to rebut the presumption of validity (most state laws have carry this presumption clause: that a motorist must presume that signs that appear to be official and posted by lawful authority are valid unless proven to be not valid by a separate competent authority) and prove the speed limit was not properly established by lawful authority. Unfortunately she must do this to the court who’s decision she got vacated with her appeal. If she can’t convince that court that the speed limit was improperly set then the presumption that the speed limit sign was placed by lawful authority means she had to obey it. Also unfortunately her defense that the speed limit was not set properly includes an admission that she was exceeding what was posted because it was improperly set. Said admission is on record and able to be used against her to convict her if she fails to prove the speed limit was set improperly.))
Tennessee Supreme Court says speed limits not valid without traffic engineering survey
http://piratenews.org/OakRidge-v-speed-limit-OPN.pdf
Pastor Rick Strawcutter preaches How Any Idiot Can Beat a Radar Speeding Ticket
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5186628884102899588&hl=en
download ASAP since Google Video is banning and deleting all videos in 6 months
http://piratenews-tv.blogspot.com/2009/04/case-of-censored-videos.html
Good job guys!!! thanks
93so. through and around B.C. NV is becoming rediculasand …any time of day you can see police officers giving tickets, and from what I heard , they are very rude and abrupt.
the police chief should take note. There are elections coming ,and I don”t think he’ll make it!
The police chief is not an elected position!
The mayor is an elected position and he appoints the police chief.
The Mayor does Not appoint the Police chief he appoints the police commisioner as a liason to the police department. The Police Chief is a position aquired by raising through the ranks by promotion. Typically promotion happens through demonstrated knowledge and taking a civil service test.
Traffic Cams should result in Traffic Jams, reduce speed to minimum. This would cause back ups and changing traffic patterns. It wouldn’t take long before merchants and public would complain to officials to correct the problem. It doesn’t mean speed at random but 11 miles over…come on the cops do more that that getting coffee.
Charles Will, traffic cams would not interfere with traffic. If everyone drives close to the same speed then traffic flow would be a lot better. Far less accidents would occur and less braking and accelerating would be needed. I just drove about 2300 miles the past week driving to the rockies and back. I had to laugh at some trying to tailgate to drive faster and saw brake lights coming on dozens of times from the same vehicles and I kept my distance and only tapped my brakes a couple of times and still traveled just as fast. Some people do not know how to drive.
Why doesn’t everybody just slow down? Then you would’nt have to worry about speeding tickets…you mororns.
That is a way too sensible solution for anyone in this organization to comprehend James.
As I drive 25-30K per year in the course of doing business, I have received and fought my share of summons for speeding, parking etc. My view is that it is a form of road tax. I do, however make sure that every ticket is challenged.
My rules:
1. note where you received the ticket, i e address, direction.
2. check the ticket for technical errors. Did the officer cite the violation section, did he or she sign it, date it, get your vehicle plate and car right? It’s amazing how many mistakes are made. And most judges will dismiss on a technicality or at least let you negotiate a lesser charge with court
3.Always plead “not guilty” (who you gonna believe, the gun in my hand or your lying Eyes?”) If more people would plead guilty, the strain on the courts and need to bring in the officer to testify, makes a reduced charge more likely – The objective is a either dismissal or reduction to a no points traffic infraction; let em have the fine money – its the points that can kill you.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for a continuance as you get closer to trial. It’s your right and it mucks up the court scheduling. The more time between the alleged offence and the trial, the better chance you have of getting off because the officer lost their notes, doesn’t make it to court, retired (yup, had that one happen) etc.
5. Request a deposition. If the complaining officer doesn’t supply one, and you show up in court with the proof of request, That pretty much a get out of jail card.
If you are stopped for DUI, Alcohol or Drugs and it’s a legit stop, disregard all of the above. You deserve everything you get and then some. If no one is harmed by your actions consider yourself lucky, and be glad it isn’t an executable offense. Get help before you do hurt someone. I’d gladly throw the switch on you myself.
For everyone else, keep fighting the good fight. And drive safely.
Wow Randy! Ricky and Mikey think we are the same person. Probably because they are the same person and he suspects others would do the same as he has just to have someone to agree with. That is pathetic Mikey-Joe.
Well, Ricky Joe is going to have to hold down the fort for awhile because tomorrow I’m riding to Lousiana for the HOG rally in Shreveport. Won’t be back until the end of the weekend.
Well Have a speedy trip and I truly hope you are involved in a speed related crash. I don’t want it to kill you though just paralize you, from the neck down. Have fun
Sorry to disappoint, but I wasn’t involved in any crashes, speed-related or otherwise. If that’s the extent of your hopes and expectations, then your life is going to be a series of disappointments.
Someone sent me an email about Wisconsin. Happy to share:
You know you’re from Wisconsin when:
You measure distance in hours.
You often switch from “heat” to “A/C” and back again — on the same day.
You see people wearing camouflage at social events (including weddings and funerals).
You install security lights on your house and garage — and leave both unlocked.
Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.
You have no problem pronouncing Lac Du Flambeau.
You consider Minneapolis exotic.
Your 4th of July picnic was moved indoors due to frost.
http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/about/press/2000/65mpg/
And so? How much money did we spend to find out something that is purely common sense?
Ricky did you read the article carefully In zones where the limit was raised to 65mph and some adjacent 55mph zones experienced more crashes and more people injured in those crashes. So what was the purely common sense thing that we spent this money to find out?
Speaking of reading the article carefully…
“Accident rates fluctuate over time. In periods between 1984 and 1996, rates vary as much as 12 percent per year. The study captured data for a fixed 18-month period. Accordingly, it is not possible to determine whether the increase in accidents in 65 MPH zones represents a normal fluctuation in accident rates or suggests that increased speed contributes to increased accidents. ”
…everyone sees what they want.
Ricky Joe, doesn’t it sound like a rehash of that old Spielberg movie, “Duel”? Attack of the Killer Trucks.
I was reading a story in the newspaper about someone who tried to use his motocycle battery to set off a batch of firecrackers. According to the paper, the detonation was so powerful that it left a crater in the road and the resultant explosion could be heard a mile away. Considering firecracker strings are made of fiber which are not conductors, and detonation requires a flame, not electricity, it still overlooks the fact that there is only just so much gunpowder in a batch of firecrackers. No matter how you detonate them, the same amount of gunpowder is STILL only going to explode no harder.
Hi Mike, very well could have been the battery itself exploding, plus the GP. I have seen a battery explosion when a battery shorted out, blew the hood and left fender off the car. I was about 50 feet away and it felt like a grenade going off. Needless to say, I have mucho respect for batteries now.
You forgot of the example of the crash that I was 2 miles in front of that I heard very clearly and it sounded like an explosion. The Truck driver was doing somewhere over 15 mph above the speed limit. You have to really look out for truck drivers that do not obey the law.
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/11/01/news/doc490bd517ec01a134303461.txt
amazing the amount of kinetic energy a loaded tractor trailer carries as it speeds down the roadway isn’t?
Ricky Joe from what I’ve seen here you lack the common sense to have respect for things that could hurt you. I bet before you saw it for yourself you’d have argued that A car battery just couldn’t hurt anyone.
Well Phil, that’s the diff between you and me. I’ve seen and experienced a lot of things and survived them. LOL, better than just writing about them as you have with no experience vested to warrant your beliefs, as it has been said, “Thomas, place your hand into my side.” Next you need to go borrow a brain from someone, this time get one that works :) Now, stop being so punkish.
Randy : ‘You have to really look out for truck drivers that do not obey the law.”
I think we should line them up, make them all drink a quart of antifreeze and see if they are affected differently than other drivers….and deer :) :)))
Typical, isn’t it, Ricky Joe? Even when there’s no difference of opinion on something, Phil STILL has to argue with you about it. And I see that the two personalities of “Phil” and “Randy” are becoming less distinct and more similar.
Ricky at least I do not drive around at night with my lights off and drive into the side of a mountain.
Whatever Phil Jr., I know, you prefer to run over Bambi.
Mike says:
“Typical, isn’t it, Ricky Joe? Even when there’s no difference of opinion on something, Phil STILL has to argue with you about it. And I see that the two personalities of “Phil” and “Randy” are becoming less distinct and more similar.”
Yeppers Mike, there’s a lot of overlap there. Now I know how the delusion was born that one of them was “asked” to be here. Still reminds me of the Kibbles and Bits commercial :))
“…run over Bambi.”
Just like watching out for those Killer Trucks, Randy has to watch out for those Killer Deer, too. Reminds me of Jimmy Carter and his dangerous attack by the killer rabbit. In the water, no less.
“Now I know how the delusion was born that one of them was “asked” to be here.”
Actually, I believe that to be another of the Phil/Randy personnae, I forget the name he was using since the posts were wiped out, but you remember the ones about doing everybody’s wife? I think the moderator, when he wiped the posts, sent an email “inviting” him to rationally debate the issues, as opposed to posting obscenities. But not actually begging him to post his viewpoint.
Yea, like this comment Mike.
“amazing the amount of kinetic energy a loaded tractor trailer carries as it speeds down the roadway isn’t?”
Now I do declare, that sounds eggzatlee like something someone would say who has 0 hours logged peering over the head of a Bulldog?
The only time I ever thought about kinetic energy while driving a truck was when some 4-wheeler decided he needed to whip into the lane in front of me, and then suddenly hit his brakes. I had no choice but to hit mine, and the force was so hard, the load in the trailer slammed forward. It was loud enough that I thought it was coming through the back of the cab at me, but of course it wasn’t. After that, I said I’d never risk MY life to protect some 4-wheeler from his own stupidity. I should have just rolled over him.
Old truckers never die; they just get a new Peterbilt. (Company I worked for just had plain old Fords.)
http://www.topix.com/city/summerfield-fl/2009/02/driver-found-guilty-in-high-speed-traffic-fatality-case
I can’t believe they railroaded this guy like this!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29677408/
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10560995
http://roadsafety.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/photos-of-10-worst-high-speed-crashes/
http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2009/03/07/8665621.html
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/257984/high_speed_crash/
Ouch, that’s just plain stupid.
Now THAT’S an innovative speed enforcement concept in Denmark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lntC9bHmguc
Very innovative! It’s amazing how the Europeans are gaining in technological prowness :)
And it’s not based on revenue enhancement. First rule of leadership, find out what motivates your followers and appeal to it. The strongarm method has never never been effective.
A new CEO decided to make the rounds of the company so the employees would learn about his no-nonsense approach. He saw one guy just leaning against the wall doing nothing. The CEO pointed at him and demanded, You! How much do make a week?”
Taken by surprise, the guy answered, “About $300.”
The CEO whipped out six $100 bills and handed them to the guy. “Consider this your severance pay. Now get out of here!”
THe guy looked dumbfoundedly at the money in his hand and then left. The CEO looked smugly around the room to see the response to his draconian authority. Smirking, he demanded, “Anyone know what that joker’s job was?”
Came the reply from one of the workers, “He was a pizza delivery guy waiting to get paid.”
Check out this headline:
COP MAKES ARREST IN BATHROOM AFTER SMELLING CRACK
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/24/ap/strange/main4826328.shtml
Infer what you will from the headline, but that’s damned funny!
That boy must be part police dog. SNIFF SNIFF WOOF!
There was a cop talking at the donut shop with a K9 handler, and the dog was busy licking itself. The cop mentioned conversationally, “Man, I sure wish I could do that.”
The handler replied, “Go ahead, but don’t be surprised if he bites you.”
Here’s a good one. Hic.
http://www.theagitator.com/2009/03/13/video-catches-top-chicago-dwi-cop-in-a-lie/
Who will protect us from the Protectors? Especially when they’re rewarded for doing such a good job of ‘protecting’ us even when there is no danger. The police not only often get overtime for testifying in court, increasing their annual pay by as much as 50%, but a high arrest record enhances their performance review, upon which promotions and raises are decided.
Why don’t prosecutors throw out charges based on such blatant abuse of authority? Because they, too, are subject to job performance reviews based upon convictions. Often an innocent person goes to trial, believing that common sense will prevail, and has no lawyer. Like going to a gunfight without a gun. While court is a very organized gunfight, it’s still just that, and a participant had better be experienced or have a gunfighter by his side. So innocent people are often railroaded due to inexperience in navigating the legal procedures governing courtroom procedures.
As the police (and prosecutors) are employees of the government (whether local, state, or federal), attempting to sue one or more of those employees for malfeasance brings the combined budget and experience of the entire bureaucracy against a lone plaintiff trying to correct a wrong.
Billy Bob the Beat Cop most often means well, but it’s a bad world out there and ‘sometimes you just have to cut corners to make it right’. If an innocent gets railroaded, or worse, shot by Billy Bob, too bad so sad. That’s the price to pay to live in a safe society. “We had to kill everyone in the village to save them from the VC.”
Remember that Mark Furhman was a 20-year veteran of the police force who’d risen to detective. And for the most part was probably a good cop. But his mishandling of the OJ case, and inclination to plant evidence in order to get convictions, is what led to a murderer getting acquitted. His integrity in previous cases were also called into doubt. As such, he had to resign and could never again be a cop.
Doing the wrong thing for the right reasons is…. still wrong. Like the Missouri state senator who proposed the death penalty for littering this past February.
http://www.kmov.com/topstories/stories/kmov-stlouis-news-090206-state-senator-littering.26b7a49f.html
Yeah, he claims he was only joking, but he didn’t say that he was joking when he had the floor, and calling some of his own constituents rednecks, white trash, and lowlifes isn’t likely to get him re-elected, neither.
“I think killing one or two of them would be a fine first start, then the rest will fall in line because they tend to understand that,” said Sen. Engler.
(Sounds like too bad, so sad.)
Just caught a little piece of a new NBC comedy show coming out, called “Parks and Recreation”. The woman in charge decided that the playground slide was too fast, so she installed speed bumps on it. Sounds just like the proclivity of the Gerbil Twins, Phil and Randy.
That does not surprise me a bit that you would want kids sliding down a slide at 50 mph and breaking a neck. Remember you do not care if people get hurt or killed. They are going to die sometime anyway so why do any prevention.
One person called you a pettifogger.
Another called you a nitpicker.
An article cited your style of argument as pedantic.
Another might call you a quibbler.
I simply call you an idiot.
Your last statement about the slide shows your intent to argue pointlessly.
That’s what I get for giving an idiot the benefit of the doubt. All I did was feed the troll.
“Never argue with idiots. They just bring you down to their level and then overwhelm you with experience.” ~ Unknown
No Mike your last statement goes to show that you do not care one bit about anyones safety. We shoud put you in charge of OSHA and save companies millions of dollars if they are not required to have any safety devices or safety practices.