NorthSide.Talk

By dee

October 17, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this

a $300.00+ ticket is highway robbery. consider sandy springs as pine lake senior. of course sandy springs will become a speed trap to aid its effort of marginalizing the poor and even the middle class.

By Jason

October 17, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this

Will someone PLEASE tell me how a BRAND NEW police department and government can afford BRAND SPANKING NEW Mustang GT Police cars!?!?

I am a Mustang fanatic myself and one night an officer had pulled into the gas station, he saw my Cobra and we started to talk about Mustangs. I asked him if they had done any special mods to the car and he said he couldn’t tell me. He was a nice cop and I loved his car… but it made me think… APD surely doesn’t have brand new Mustang GT police cars…why does Sandy Springs need them? It’s a HUGE waste of my and your tax payer dollars. Sure, as a Cop, I’d LOVE to have the fastest cop car around, but at the same time, they should use the same ‘ole police cars that every other police department uses in metro Atlanta. In fact, auction them off and I’ll buy one!

By a

October 17, 2006 09:33 PM | Link to this

Absolutely this is what I envisoned. To all of the Sandy Springs police officers out there, keep up the good work! You go Eva!

By Lee

October 17, 2006 09:35 PM | Link to this

Police work ceased being about public safety years ago. Now, it is how much revenue they can generate.

I will admit that most cops prefer to be patrolling the neighborhood looking for bad guys. Unfortunately, the chief, city council, and mayor want them on the side of the road writing traffic tickets.

Roll through a STOP sign and that’s about a $100 in the bank. Catch someone breaking into a home, now you got to arrest them, write reports, book them, and process them through the courts. All that takes money.

Any cop tries to tell you differently, ask them what would happen if they didn’t write any tickets for a week.

Yeah. I thought so….

By Frmr Prosecutor

October 17, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this

Go for it! The whole Atlanta area needs 200-300% increase in police. As long as there are thousands of poor drivers creating havoc on the roads, more and more people will imitatet them. When society fails to enforce basic rules (like road rules) society starts to ignore the more advanced rules (rape, theft, murder, etc…).

Have the police enforce the speeding, following too closely, and passing only on the left (and no more driving slowly in the left lanes) at a 100% enforcement rate. The drivers will calm down after 5-6 months (many will even lose their licenses as they should) but the culture will adjust and start to follow the rules.

By cwalken

October 17, 2006 10:12 PM | Link to this

I agree that most speeding tickets are simply an effort to generate revenue. If this were untrue, then the price tag on the ticket would simply cover the processing costs for the government. Why is speeding in a residential zone a greater fine than speeding on a freeway when it is no extra cost to the department? Why are fines determined by miles per hour over the speed limit multiplied by a dollar amount (say $5.00 per mph over)? This system of fines is also grossly unfair. It behaves like a flat tax on all offenders and pays no heed to the offender’s economic situation. A big shot attorney pulled over while flying on his way to work won’t think twice about a $300 ticket, but that same ticket will ruin the day of a single mother rushing to her second job of the day to support her three kids. A more effective idea would be to simply remove driving privileges. More privileges removed for a greater penalty. Nonetheless, I’ll still be slowing down in Sandy Springs.

P.S. One thing that I resent about the Sandy Springs Police Department is the decision to paint their cars all black. It’s as if they are trying to be menacing, behaving like an enemy to the public rather than a friend. I know it’s subtle, but unconciously you have a different reaction if that patrol car coming down your driveway if it is black rather than white

By Steve

October 17, 2006 10:13 PM | Link to this

Is anyone besides me tired of hearing about the super wonderful Sandy Springs. Does the Cop who writes an article daily have time to do any Police work? Does anyone besides me notice the extended ranks on police arms and the “battle ribbons” on their chest. Does anyone beside me realize the Police have become “para-military” and that they constantly want to build their numbers. Do you not realize we are becomming a “Police State” little by little. Go overseas and see what Cops are like in those countries and then come back and see what is happening here. Be afraid America…..be very afraid.

By tigger

October 17, 2006 10:39 PM | Link to this

“Why is speeding in a residential zone a greater fine than speeding on a freeway when it is no extra cost to the department?”

I think there is a bigger question: Why speed? Why break the law? Since I moved to Georgia I have become convinced that 90% of the people that drive here must think it is their God-given right to drive 20 miles over the posted speed limit and God help the police officer who DARES to stop them for speeding.

The quesiton is stupid. Speeding in a residential should carry a heavier penalty because you are more likely to hit a child there than you would on a freeway. Where’s your common sense?

Maybe there wouldn’t be long lines to go to pay traffic tickets if people would just slow down and obey the law.

Perhaps the penalties should be harsher so there would be more incentive to obey the law. 70 miles per hour should be fast enough on the interstate. 55 miles per hour should be fast enough on roads posted with that. And 35 miles an hour should be fast enough for residential neighborhoods. If you need to drive faster, maybe you didn’t leave early enough.

If you really feel the need to drive much faster than that, maybe you should take up a career in NASCAR.

By Frank

October 17, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this

Here you can find the answer to the problem.

w w w dot ticketkiller dot net

Specializes in Georgia Highway robbery.

Frank

By gttim

October 17, 2006 11:01 PM | Link to this

While all the police officers are writing tickets on 400, the intersection of Sandy Springs Circle and Johnson Ferry is still a nightmare. People are cutting into the turn lanes at the last second, turning from non-turn lanes, blatantly running red lights, and at least 100 cars an hour are cutting through the Wachovia Parking lot to turn onto Johnson Ferry. It is a nightmare! How about enforcing laws on the surface streets?

300+ tickets for a speeding ticket is obscene. Sandy Springs is looking at 400 like an ATM. How about a new city motto? “Sandy Springs, the new Doraville!”

By CJ Jackson

October 17, 2006 11:06 PM | Link to this

I had a feeling the new S.P.P.D.’s main job after a few months would be operating revenue generation. The new city sits on some of the best turf in the metro for running radar, which seems to have been too tempting to pass up. I’d MUCH rather those resources be used to patrol my neighborhood looking for bad guys than sitting out on 400 writing tickets all night. There should be laws governing how much of a dept’s resources are given exclusively traffic enforcement vs real patrol duties. I agree with the other blogger on the dark colored cars depts are rolling out now, they are a bit sinister-looking, NOT friendly at all.

By Elbert

October 17, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this

I’m getting tired of hearing about Sandy Springs. If they think that the cops writing more tickets equal safety, then the residents of this useless city get what they deserved.Remember each judge runs you %$100,000+ a year, if you keep writing tickets for people following to close you will be wasting your taxes on paying judges for stupid moving violations instead of real cases. It’s funny that those who cry about small government always seem to add another level of it.

By DJ

October 17, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this

I just want to say GREAT job Sandy Springs Police. Keep up the good work. Those of us that drive with common sense will be FINE and those that don’t will get a FINE. Every community should want a Police Force that works for the community like this Department does.

By JJMB

October 17, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this

Absolutely fantastic job being done by the SSPD!

Hey morons, if you don’t want tickets, or to be arrested, OBEY THE LAW!

Or, you could break the law somewhere else.

By JJMB

October 17, 2006 11:38 PM | Link to this

Oh, do you complainers realize how many people die, or are maimed on 400 every year? Or are maimed or killed or robbed or burglarized every year in SS?

Go on a ride-along sometime on a weekend night.

These people complaining about the color of the police cars. Unbelieveable! I guess there are internet privileges at the jail now.

Keep up the good work, SSPD!

By a patriot

October 17, 2006 11:41 PM | Link to this

The truly patriotic thing to do is to obey the speed limit.

It’s a benefit to the civility and safety of our communities, and it saves gasoline. Saving gasoline makes our nation stronger and less dependent on foreign oil.

Patriots drive the speed limit…

By jason

October 18, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this

I can BET they right more tickets to minorties than they do the white folks in that area. And its twices as many of whites than there are minorities in Sandy Springs. Racist area…makes me sick to my stomach.

By lane tucker

October 18, 2006 12:10 AM | Link to this

apparently the Sandy Springs Police are nothing but revenue agents for the city.

Why are they out running radar on GA 400 north and south when they could be out patrolling the city and preventing real crimes or actually working to ease congestion

here is a hint for the powers that be in SS

Get your police under control befor they control you. That is the lesson Pine Lake never learned and it earned the city a horrible rep that is still with them.

By Anne

October 18, 2006 12:31 AM | Link to this

“This system of fines is also grossly unfair. It behaves like a flat tax on all offenders and pays no heed to the offender’s economic situation. “

I think you have an idea there. I don’t make as much money as a lot of people in Atlanta so it is so unfair for me to pay the same price for goods and services as those making more. I think I should get my Starbucks for have the price of what my boss pays since his salary is twice mine. That goes for my next car, also.

“A more effective idea would be to simply remove driving privileges. More privileges removed for a greater penalty.”

Yeah, how’s that single mother going to get to work when she can’t drive?

I’m sure you went really far in school.

Good for Sandy Springs. If you want to speed, don’t do it in Sandy Springs.

By Rat

October 18, 2006 12:50 AM | Link to this

If the SSPD want to ticket a speeder I can rat out one of their own. I drive down Barfield every day, which is where the Police station is located. One of the officers rides a yellow and black motorcycle, the “crotch rocket” variety, wearing yellow and black leathers. I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve seen him blasting north on Barfield after his shift is over. It’s a 35MPH zone and I know the dude is doing 10 to 15 over the limit. I know it’s a cop because I have seen him pull out of the Police station parking lot.

By Rocky

October 18, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this

To all the complainers, go break the law somewhere else. We don’t want you in our City anyway.

By Ernest Moosa

October 18, 2006 09:23 AM | Link to this

Driving 400 through Sandy Springs in not the same as driving in Sandy Springs. This is all about money. It would be interesting to know when the planners of the new city first dicussed this lucrative revenue stream.

The citizens of Sandy Springs are not safer because their cops are sitting on 400 ticketing through drivers.

By gil

October 18, 2006 09:28 AM | Link to this

Great..If you don’t want a ticket, DON’T SPEED, don’t drink and drive and be a courteous driver. Doing so will definitely do wonders for the safety of our roads and you bank account. Don’t drive like a maniac and then cry and complain that you are being robbed. Frankly

Also,

Jason wrote: “I can BET they right more tickets to minorties than they do the white folks in that area. And its twices as many of whites than there are minorities in Sandy Springs. Racist area…makes me sick to my stomach.”

No..it’s simple..Could it be more blacks are speeding than whites? If you break the law, you pay, period. Please don’t throw the race card in. What you are telling me is that it’s ok for you to break the law beacuse you are black, but how DARE anyone hold me accountable for my actions.

By AC

October 18, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

The patrol cars that I see on the move in my brand new city are very often the fastest moving vehicles I see. I jog and walk my dog a fair amount, and those black, battle-machines race by me at 15-20 mph over the limit throughout the central part of the city. These are not cars in pursuit, these are boys who have no fear of anyone pulling them over. This is what happens when our city leaders act like (and say in her campaign for city council) that beefing up the SS police presence is the number one priority; the guys in black and blue think the whole city is behind them, no matter how adolescent they act. We can yank our elected officials as fast as we put them in there, if they can’t act more in their electorate’s best interest.

By John

October 18, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this

Remember last year when people in Sandy Springs were listing the problems that their new government was going to address in short order? Traffic on Roswell Road, overcrowding in apartments, crime in the previously mentioned apartments?

Instead, they’ve spent the last year enforcing pointless sign ordinances and chasing speeders.

As was already mentioned…police work is hardly about protecting the public anymore. They’re a revenue source. Honestly, Georgia should enact a law to have the interstates watched by ONLY the Georgia State Patrol. Let the city officers chase the real criminals instead of balancing the books for those in city hall.

By Earl

October 18, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

Ticket all the speeders you want SSPD.

Just stay away from me and my dealer please.

By JC

October 18, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

I work in Sandy Springs and have definitely noticed increased police since SS became its own city.

Is anyone doing a root cause analysis? Why must there be so many citations? There has to be a recurring problem that can be handled somehow that doesn’t result in the need for more citations, more police, etc. This is just a band-aid on the bigger problem.

I’m not paid to figure out what that problem is, so someone who is paid to do it should! :)

By kwn

October 18, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

I like the increased visibility and I like the increased arrests. I don’t like the tickets for following too closely unless it’s associated with an accident. Have you tried going down Roswell Road in Sandy Springs or GA 400 during rush hour?

By Jules

October 18, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this

I would like to see the CCPD adopt SSPD policy on speeders and drivers who follow too close.

By DJ

October 18, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this

This comment goes to “AC”, You claim the fastest moving cars in your neighborhood are the (GREAT looking Black and blue)Sandy Springs police vehicles. Well, let me try to explain something to you. SSPD is the second busiest City Police force only to the City of Atlanta. SSPD police officers answer call after call after call. To get to all these calls in a 40 sq mile city officers have to go a little faster to get there to help keep your A* safe. So next time you call the police and you are mad at there response time. Just stop and remember they are trying to go the speed limit. Maybe by then you will already have the crime committed against you! GET A LIFE!!!

By a

October 18, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this

To those of you who view everything through a racist lense - get a life! Bill Cosby is right on, if more of you would listen to him we could all function on this earth as people instead of blacks vs. whites.

By puhleeze

October 18, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this

Eva obviously had NO idea what it would take to run a city. She just had a dream and got the backing behind her to implement it. Sandy Springs has overspent, under budgeted, and the solution, write as many tickets as possible. Why would anyone move to SS, much less ride through, with the attitude of superiority of the little pizz behind town.

And I can assure, that it’s well known knowledge in SS, to implement “operation darkie” as it has been fondly referred to in council meetings. Get rid of the blacks and hispanics any way you can….unless of course you rightfully need them.

A???? What exactly did Bill Cosby say. I bet a dollar to doughnuts you have no idea.

By ED

October 18, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this

whatever happened to cops giving warnings.. that sh%% doesn’t ever happen anymore. money hungry pigs

By dave

October 18, 2006 01:53 PM | Link to this

how about writing tickets to all the illegal mexicans living 20 to a room in the run down apartments along roswell road. Not to mention the crime they bring in.

By jules

October 18, 2006 02:45 PM | Link to this

Whatever happen to driver OBEYING the law?

By a

October 18, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this

Dear puhleez, you owe me doughnuts, you pompus idiot!

Chicago (CNSNews.com) - Bill Cosby pleaded with blacks to stop blaming the “white man” for their problems on Thursday, and he reiterated his harsh critique of the current state of African-American culture.

“It is almost analgesic to talk about what the white man is doing against us, and it keeps a person frozen in their seat. It keeps you frozen in your hole that you are sitting in to point up and say, ‘That’s the reason why I am here.’ We need to stop this,” Cosby said in an address before Jesse Jackson’s 33rd Annual Rainbow/PUSH Coalition conference in Chicago.

By puhleeze

October 18, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

Um A…now that you have shown you can use GOOGLE….any jackass or child under 5 could have done that.

By a

October 18, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this

Then why didn’t you?

By puhleeze

October 18, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this

why would I???? were we discussing Googling articles? I said you didn’t know what Bill Cosby said, and to prove me wrong, you Google a response.

I can see you are a sharp tack!!!

By Capt. Sandy Springs

October 18, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this

It’s amazing to hear all of these whiners from sandy Springs. You wanted to get tough on crime — that’s because you thought all of the criminals were going to be black or Hispanic. If you break traffic laws in a Beamer or a giant SUV, you’ve still broken the law. It’s never been the “other guy” or those “other people.” It’s you! You wanted a cop on every corner, now shut up and pay the fines! Couldn’t happen to a better group of losers.

By a

October 18, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this

Excuse me, the only way I would have know what Bill Cosby said was to have read the article. Moron! Who cares how I found it for referencing! Are you always this angry, or are you just disappointed in yourself? Signing off!

By Renee

October 18, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

My point is “a” that you referenced what Bill Cosby said before you actually knew what he said. The ticket is, when you refer to something, you should already know the context of what you speak, not referencing after the fact.

So who’s the moron again?

Oh, and who’s angry?? You are the one name calling and unable to carry on a debate, much less a meeting of the minds without storming off with your “signing off”. What a wimp!!!

By mark

October 18, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this

It is nice to see former Atlanta Police Officer in Sandy Springs. I would love to Atlanta police.