Lawrenceville.Talk

By larry

June 7, 2006 06:46 AM | Link to this

If you were not breaking the law, such as speeding when a cop was hiding behind the bushes you would not have anything to worry about. So how could this be a speed trap. You took a test and got your license. You know the rules of the road such as doing the speed limit so if you can not handle following the law then turn in your license and stop crying….

By Alan

June 7, 2006 07:44 AM | Link to this

Funny how the bulk of the tickets are given at the END of the both. When a county or a city (Lawrenceville, Duluth, to name a couple), use speeding tickets as a source of revenue, it is hard for anyone to believe it is about safety and it is SURELY about profit. Also, try and find when the judge in Lawrenceville decided for the accused. It is a money-maker in these small cities and they will NEVER change. They are not ashamed of the fact that they collect more in traffic court than property taxes, no matter what anyone in a blog, vent, or newspaper says.

By Michael

June 7, 2006 08:05 AM | Link to this

Police are not allowed to hide behind bushes, billboards, etc. If you can prove this then you should be able to beat your ticket. Georgia put these rules/laws in place decades ago to shut down speed traps. There was one in Auburn that used to snare UGA football fans for years.

By the way, where are there bushes on 316? I have only seen ditches, bridges and trees I guess near the 120 on ramps.

By Cliff

June 7, 2006 08:07 AM | Link to this

If you were not doing something you should not be doing in the first place, you would not even be writing about this subject. So you got a ticket. You know you were wrong so just drop it. Yes, the cops are going to put their vehicles out of sight. Where do you think they will be, in the middle of the road? The whole POINT of the matter is that you should be obeying the speed limit so that they do not have anything to stop you for.

Maybe if you used this space for some issues that really mattered, such as the obvious political intervention that has delayed the inditement of Cynthia McKinney when any other person who assaulted a police officer would be sitting in JAIL, we would have something to really talk about.

By RobC

June 7, 2006 08:14 AM | Link to this

I was nailed for doing 20 over the speed limit in the city limits, I know i was not speeding and even my wife believes me. According to the ticket i got they states i was doing 55 in a 35 and they also were kind enough to put the speed of the cars in front of and behind me as prooof, their speeds were 54 and 50 respectivley, I was the only one pulled over. I do believe that they recalibrate for higher speeds. Is that a conspiricy theory, I don’t think so because I don’t speed. 20 over was worth a ticket, 19 was not, how come?

By George

June 7, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this

I am all about paying for what i do wrong. if you bust me going 20 over, hey man, give me that ticket, i deserve it. But, don’t give me this we ticket because we care crap. I have run into several cops that wouldn’t p** on my head if it was on fire. I just hate the spin the city tries to put on it while taking your money. Hell, just be honest, we ticket, because you screwed up, and now we can pay our light bill. Hell, at least you can respect.

By Tim

June 7, 2006 08:19 AM | Link to this

Here are my thoughts. Something needs to be done about this issue in Lawrenceville.

I got a speeding ticket in the city of Lawrenceville doing 19 miles over the speed limit (54 in a 35). The speed limit changes 6 times from my place of business to the courthouse in Lawrenceville (From 45 to 40 to 45 to 20 to 55 to 45 then 35). My complaint is with the Judge/system. I called the court to ask how much my ticket was so I could pay it by mail. I was told the Judge wanted to see me in his court. I hung up the phone waited a while and called back thinking I was getting incorrect information the first time. I was told again I would have to come to court. I asked why? They could not give me an answer. I called the DMV to inquire about this law or what was the status of my licence or if they had ever heard of this before. The DMV had not, they said I had a valid licences with ZERO points on my record. I went to the DMV to get a certified copy of my licence so I could show the judge I had ZERO points. I have had 5 tickets in the last 7 years. I got back to work called the courthouse again and explained my situation, they told me again they did not know why the judge wanted to see me, just show up for my court date.

So I went for my court date on April 4th. I pleaded NOLO. It did not help me I already had ZERO points on my record. I was going to ask the judge why I was there in his courtroom instead of being able to pay the ticket by mail. Until I saw how condescending he was to all the people that went before him. I witnessed a young man 27 years old get a $350 fine, 16 hours community, defensive driving school and 1 year probation. All because he had 10 tickets in 10 years. What a crock, This judge thinks he is above the law. You should have heard how he talked to this guy, he told him if he got another ticket in one year to bring a toothbrush he would be in jail awhile. I decided not to confront him because he was not very nice. When I came before him he asked me to turn around and look at the other people in the courtroom. I did, then he asked me why I thought I was better than the other people in the courtroom and I could speed. I told him I was not better than the other people in the courtroom, I did not see the speed limit sign where I got the ticket. Now that I payed attention to the speed limit signs I explained the speed limit changed 6 times on Lawrenceville Hwy. He gave me a $308 fine and defensive driving school. I was scared to ask the judge why I was in court, he might think I was being smart with him and give me a laundry list of more charges. I asked the policeman in the courtroom why did I have to come to court. He could not answer my question. I asked the lady when I payed my fine, she could not answer my question.

This would be a good investigative report to follow this Judge around a couple of day to see if he practiced what he preaches. He thinks he is GOD in the courtroom. Speeding is like sinning, we are all guilty of it. You can’t tell me this judge never speeds. On I-285 do you think he does 55. When he goes to Florida on vacation do you think he speeds? I don’t have a problem with the ticket, I was speeding, I paid the fine. Why could I not have paid it by mail. Do you think I have quit speeding? Not likely I drive 100 miles to and from work each day. I spoke with a lawyer today, basically they said I have no recourse about this judge.

The city of Lawrenceville collects more money from fines than they collect property taxes. It is a money racket scheme.

I went on there website yesterday to see if I could find what a mandatory appearance in court consisted of and I found out none of the requirements applied to my situation.

Read it for yourself.

Here is there website: http://www.lawrencevillega.org/Departments/MunicipalCourt/MandatoryAppearances/tabid/82/Default.aspx

By Fedupcop

June 7, 2006 08:22 AM | Link to this

Here is something for you to think about. In this state officers working traffic are required to drive cars with light bars and be clearly marked. Local officers must be visible for at least 500 feet to oncoming traffic. And oh yes can not write tickets unless you are 10 miles over the limit or in a construction, residential, or business area that is clearly marked. COME ON MORONS — DID YOU NOT READ THE MANUAL? CAN YOU NOT READ THE SIGNS? In Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, Alabama, NC, SC, and many other states officers operate in completely unmarked units and write tickets. The bed wetting politicians have responded to the moaning of over zealous motorists too much already. The fine should be a deterrent but many of you look at it as a toll. A COST OF DOING BUSINESS. Then everyone wants to cry and moan when a family is killed by an out of control speeding driver. SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO EXERCISE SELF CONTROL…Lack of respect for the police and lack of respect for the law lets you fly up 400 and 316 and keeps the average speed on 285 a hefty 80 miles an hour. If you want us to be more effective and reduce traffic fatalities how about a little help from YOU! 1. Slow down, if you do not speed we do not have to ticket you. 2. Find your turn signals and use them when you change lanes. Oh and by the way mirrors are fine if you use them to look around you before you make kamikaze moves from the left to the right of vice versa. 3. Make sure you clear slower traffic, and get over before your exit it won’t kill you. SUGGESTION: BEFORE COMPLAINING LIKE A LIBERAL BED WETTING IDIOT TRY MAKING A DIFFERENCE BY OBSERVING THE LAW…THIS IS RIDICULOUS. We do not put our lives on the line everyday to get ran over trying to stop your petty butt for driving to fast. Speed kills and so does ignorance and stupidity. To all my brothers in blue — BE SAFE! Oh and by the way, GA does have a move over law….try using it so I do not have to let another family know that a loved one was killed or injured by a driver running them down.

By Interested

June 7, 2006 08:37 AM | Link to this

Hey Tim, why don’t you print the judge’s name here and forward this information to the news channels? Sounds like he should be busted.

By FedUpCommuter

June 7, 2006 08:40 AM | Link to this

Hey Tim, do you remember the Judges name. It definately sounds like he is making up law instead of following existing laws.

By Rod

June 7, 2006 08:40 AM | Link to this

Jacqueline, did you break the law? Were you speeding and going faster than you should? Were you speeding in a construction zone - which could kill? Yes, Yes, Yes.

Then why are you complaining? Ah yes, you’re a writer with connections at the AJC and so you figure you have the right to complain against anything bad that happens to you. It’s never actually your fault, is it?

First of all, the police officer wasn’t totally hidden - that is illegal (so please state the facts and don’t exagerate). Secondly, if he was standing out visible, would you have kept going the same speed? I doubt it - you would have slowed while passing him, but then speed up after you had passed and not learned your lesson. This way, maybe you’ll think more before risking people’s lives because you want to save 5 minutes.

By Tim

June 7, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this

I already sent it to Dale Russell at Fox5 and Gwinette Daily Post. No one want to touch this issue. It is wrong. I just wanted someone to explain why I had to show up for court. According to there website I should have been able to pay by mail.

By RobC

June 7, 2006 08:54 AM | Link to this

Hey fedupcop I was passed on 316 this wekk in the construction zone by a cop doing at least 60 without lights at 4:30 pm…..SHUT UP and obey the same laws!!!

By Janet_G

June 7, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this

To those people who believe cops do not care about your safety, ask yourself this….how many of these cops have watched while someone’s broken, smashed, dead body has been cut out of a car that has crashed? Many of these crashes, teens especially, are simple cases of someone going too fast for conditions and losing control of their cars.

Here’s an example….a few years ago, very early in the morning on I-75 south, commuters and other traffic were moving through the city at speeds of 70- 80 mph, well over the 55 mph speed limit. An accident occurs in the HOV lane and several cars are involved. A young man, on his way to work comes around a curve in I-75 doing about 80 mph and is unable to stop in time. In a split second, he plows into a Jeep cherokee. The jeep explodes into flames. Inside, a young man, his wife and their toddler daughter are trapped. The woman and child are burned alive and the man is burned so badly he dies a few weeks later in the hospital. Do you think the young man who was going too fast to stop in time WISHES that he could trade his nightmare for YOUR measly speeding ticket? Do you think he will wonder for the rest of his life whether the difference between 55 mph and 80 mph might have meant that three lives would have been spared?

I say, consider your speeding ticket, a wake-up call to SLOW DOWN. It doesn’t matter how fast everyone else is going. It doesn’t matter if the cop was behind a bush or not. It doesn’t matter if you are five minutes late to work. What matters is that life is fragile and your 2,000-lb. vehicle is a weapon when it is in motion. What matters is that you come home to your family in one piece tonight. What matters is that you do not prevent someone else from coming home to their family tonight. Take your ticket, get down on your knees and thank God that it is a speeding ticket and not a morgue “toe-ticket” and take your time and obey the traffic laws from now on.

By al

June 7, 2006 09:08 AM | Link to this

You had to go to court because apparently a fine is not enough to deter people from speeding. If you have had 5 tickets in 7 years, you obviously do not mind paying the fines, or you would have changed your behavior. The only person that causes you to get a ticket is you. The police do not make you break the law, and yes the speed limit is the law.

I’m not saying I never speed, but when I do I don’t expect the police to put up a sign, wave a banner, and set off flares to let me know where they are parked.

I’m all for speed traps, red light cameras, citations for failure to signal and any other means that makes the road more tolerable.

If you can’t follow the laws of the road, stay off it, or face the consequences. Period.

By Rod

June 7, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this

Hey Tim, I sent the information you posted to all 4 local television stations. Hopefully one of them will look into it!

By Saddened

June 7, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this

Hey Tim, this is your sixth ticket in seven years and you want to vent about the judge?!?!?! You should have been thrown under the jail!!! Clearly you don’t care one bit about anyone else but you. Keep this up and one day you’ll cause a serious accident: possibly even killing someone.

Will you ever learn that other people’s lives are worth more than you saving 5 minutes?

By nikki

June 7, 2006 09:23 AM | Link to this

At Hwy 124 and 29 in lawrenceville, the police stand in a parking lot and pull cars over. It is nothing to see handcuffed people sitting or lying face down on the ground. My problem with this is that unless the cop has super power eyesight, I don’t think they can do anything but profile. You have to have pc to stop someone and frankly I can’t figure out how they see anyone do anything.

By local

June 7, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this

My husband had a similar experience with the Lawrenceville city court. It was his first ticket at age 44. He was almost thrown in jail because he didn’t have cash on him to pay the ticket. He was unaware of the cash only policy. Except for a nice clerk who went against policy and allowed him after several request to walk 200 feet to the ATM machine in the lobby. They were going to process him.

By Student

June 7, 2006 09:27 AM | Link to this

Ok, lesson learned. I used to work in an emergency room and have dealt with many car accidents caused by speeding. I’m back in school again and needed this reminder to slow down. In the future I’ll leave for class on time and go the speed limit on 316. I almost got caught yesterday and all I could have said was.. Yes officer, I was going 70.

Folks please use your signals when changing lanes and let’s all try to stay to the right except to pass.

By ec

June 7, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this

Tim your an idiot, you were obviously in court because you have so many tickets. Thats alot of tickets for the average person to have even if its over a 7 year span.

By Ed

June 7, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

I hope I never come anywhere near Fedupcop. Sounds like he could snap at the slightest provication. I can just see him slamming a little old lady down on the side of the road during a routine traffic stop. Just another power envy uniform wearer.

By Drew

June 7, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

Question? Why do you make cars that go speeds so far over the speed limit? of course it’s a strap.

By nikki

June 7, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

Fedup cop has IED 24/7 it sound like.

By Mike

June 7, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

Driving thru Lawrenceville is like driving thru a small rural Georgia town with one flashing traffic light in the mid-sixties.

By michele

June 7, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

if you want to avoid speed traps stay out of the city limits of Emerson (Bartow county)

Emerson city limits are on 75 and 41 altho the sign that states “speed detection device…” is NOT up on the highway nor is a city limits sign so if they stop you on the highway take the O.C.G.A with you to court because THEY are breaking the law by not having those signs up, but are stopping people on 75 and giving tickets

the signs that ARE up on 41

By Police Officer

June 7, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this

First of all, I will address the comments made by Tim and others about the Lawrenceville judge.

Georgia law OCGA 40-6-1 defines violations of traffic law as a misdemeanor. As a result, the judge can sentence you, unless otherwise prohibited in the individual violation, to up to a year in jail and a thousand dollar fine. Therefore, the judge can tell someone he will put them in jail for a repeat offense.

Secondly, it does not say in Georgia law that you have the “right” to take care of your ticket outside of court. This is an option provided on many tickets as a courtesy and to reduce the caseloads appearing in court. However, they can make you appear on any charge they choose.

This is why there is no news agency that wants to touch your story. There isn’t anything illegal or improper there.

Now.. As far as all the griping about speed traps..

When was the last time you watched a 19 year old kid take his last breath? Oh.. I forgot to mention… His three friends in the car were already dead while I watched the firefighters cut him out of the car.

What caused this horrific experience? An inexperienced driver, high speeds, and a tree caused it. Is it something that I ever want to see again? Absolutely not.

Or.. What about the time that the large pickup truck rolled on top of the guy that was partially ejected in a rollover crash because he was not wearing his seatbelt? Ever seen that one? I have.

This is a scene that in my eight years I have seen repeated time and time again. Dead mangled bodies in mangled cars. Sometimes it is caused by speed. Sometimes it is caused by alcohol. However, I do know this.. Everytime I see it, I think, “What if this person had hit my family? What if these were my little girls or my wife in this car?”

It is very easy to criticize our motivations as I sit and write you a ticket. I’ve seen accusations in this forum of hiding behind bushes, calibrating “up” the radar so it reads higher and all sorts of other accusations. However, I will tell you that when I’m out there enforcing the traffic law, I am thinking about my family and myself. I don’t want to see my family in that mangled wreck. I don’t want to see another kid take his last breath because he was acting stupid and showing off for his friends.

We don’t hide behind bushes to do speed enforfcement. We aren’t allowed. We have to be visible at least 500 feet. We give at least ten but usually fifteen miles per hour over the speed limit. We can check our radar/laser to make sure they are operating properly but there is no way for us to make them “read faster.”

Did you ever stop to think that those officers hiding behind the bushes are just sitting there typing reports? Or maybe they are looking for a car that just committed a crime?

No. You see an officer sitting behind bushes and you assume he’s trying to operate an illegal speed trap. Didn’t your parents and your friends ever tell you what happen when you assume?

I will continue to write tickets. I know what my motivation is and what I am trying to accomplish. Besides, can you imagine trying to drive in Atlanta if people knew we weren’t enforcing traffic laws anymore? It is already bad enough now.. I can only imagine.

By Marlene

June 7, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this

Being a person afraid to drive in Atlanta both when I arrived here and now because I am convinced that people here DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DRIVE, I appreciate that someone is looking out for my welfare by at least slowing the NO DRIVERS down so that if they happen to come near me I will have a better chance of survival. All I can say is PLEASE slow down my children are out there. (My children are GREAT RESPONSIBLE DRIVERS because they also are not from here!!!!)

By pat

June 7, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

Cops do not care about you. They don’t care about speeding. They want to meet their quotas and get bonuses. Forget that getting an education and a real job would have worked. When my car was broken into, the cops did nothing. When my brothers car was stolen they did nothing. When somebody swerved off the road, hit a barrel that then hit my car, the cops did nothing. If they spent as much time worrying about the gang violence and the preponderance of theft, graffti, etc. as they did speeding tickets then maybe the community might actually be safer. Instead they pick on normal everyday citizens. Do you think illegals ever have to pay tickets? Hell no, because legally they don’t exist. With fake identifications you are above the law, what are the cops doing about that? Bottom line is that is it a money making sceme. If we were to uncover the amount of corruption in these local governments I think it would surprise me even though I expect it. Just look at Dekalb county. Racism, murder, conspiracy, how in the hell do you expect anybody to give a crap about speed limits? Besides the fastest drivers are cops. I have been left stnding still by so many cops it staggering. One time there was a cop car parked in the handicapped parking space at a publix, turned out it was his second job. When I called the police department about it, they refused to do anything about it and told me so. So I speed, I will continue to speed and the cops can kiss my a$$. He who hath no sin cast the first stone.

By Ray

June 7, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this

My comment is that with respects to speeding tickets the focus has always been one of gaining the revenue. I remember coming to GA and driving the posted speed limit for the first time. I had elderly women honking at me to drive faster! We all go the flow of traffic and that sometimes pushes you over the speed limit. The issue I have we do not look for ways to improve traffic. I see now the big push at some gwinnett’s busiest intercections is to get a camera.

Hello! Perhaps there should be more effort to improve traffic like intercections PT Industrial and McGuiness ferry or the new one on the way lawrenceville-suwanee and Satelite Blvd rather then look for speeders on a regular basis.

By michele

June 7, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this

policeofficer:

maybe if the 19 year olds PARENTS hadn’t bought him such a fast car maybe he wouldn’t kill himself or anyone else

maybe if GA law REQUIRED pick up drivers to wear a seat belt maybe they wouldn’t be ejected and die

in 1999 my mother in law died because she ran from the cops in her sports car, hit a tree and was ejected from the car, the car rolled over on her and killed her

I think everyone on here knows someone that has been killed/ injured in a car accident

we also know that in Atlanta if you don’t keep up with traffic you get run over-even the “slow lane” isn’t for slow traffic anymore

By xbill

June 7, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this

Police Officer, you sound like a and good law enforcement officer. Thanks for the legal clarification. I wish that there were more of you out there diluting the unfortunate small minority of crazies that seem to be attracted to law enforcement. I have almost been killed twice while randomly crossing paths with police officers engaged in criminal activity (once Dekalb County and once City of Roswell).

By Hank

June 7, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this

Congratulations, you just won the “ticket lottery”. It is a random selection of the thousands of hardworking commuters just trying to get to work. But unlike the state lottery, you get to pay when wnning this game. Think of it as a random selection tax if that helps. Either way, it is revenue generation period dot. It has nothing to do with safety.

By gman

June 7, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this

To Tim

Tim, I live in Lawrenceville and drive frequently in neighboring Suwanee. I tend to think the city of Suwanee writes more tickets. But I’m right there with Police Officer. If you aren’t speeding, what do you have to worry about? In my book, there’s a big difference in doing 5mph over the speed limit than 20mph over. I live on a stretch of road where it’s straight for about 1/4 a mile. Perfect for every cyclist, hot rod, etc to do 90mph. I have nightmares of one loosing control and crashing into my house or worse, hitting my children as they play in the yard.

By Shelbee

June 7, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this

I absolutely think it’s about money, not saving lives. Granted there are many drivers that are way out of control and shouldn’t be on the road. But, at 7:00AM in the morning people that are hardworking, taxpaying Americans on their way to work to pay the salaries of the officers pulling them over should NOT be pulled over for going 5-10 miles over the speedlimit. Many of the Speed Limits on different roades are rediculously low anyway. And, on top of ruining these hard working American’s day, pulling them over most definitely jams up traffic and ruins everyone else’s day, too! Give us a break! All we want to do is get to work!!! Why don’t these cops start pulling over Illegal immigrants that have 8 guys shoved inside a truck, taking them to work… illegally, not pay taxes and draining our system. Isn’t their a Seatbelt Law in this state? I don’t think the front seat of any truck or other vehicle has more than 2 seatbelts? What are they doing? Sharing a seatbelt? Is that legal? Ahhhh… but you see, pulling over illegals, is not where the money is at. Tis a SAD, SAD state of affairs when they get to drive wherever and however they want, but hardworking legal citizens get the shaft, because they will just suck it up and pay whatever fines they have to just to avoid having to miss work to go to court to fit a losing battle with a twisted system!

By frank

June 7, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this

Police should be allowed to hid any where to stop speeders. Drivers are going way to fast. Even at 70 mph other drivers are still passing me and may are using cell phones. With gas prices the way they are we should all slow down. Cars are most efficient at between 40-60 mph. So for safety and gas conservation, slow down.

By edge770

June 7, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this

Speed limits are there for a reason. What I don’t like are: 1. Specialized traffic enforcement units, cops sitting behind power poles etc. Are more an issue than anything. I also went and pulled over to tell a LEO he needed to stop hiding because he was breaking the law which he did so.
2. Municipal law enforcement agencies have NO business being on controlled access highways. That should be left to the county and state agencies.

By BJ

June 7, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this

It seems to me that all of the “You broke the law so you got a ticket” people are either cops or people who have never gotten a ticket.

I am a firm believer that a ticket should only be written if a life is being placed in danger. The guy who is going 100 on 285 deserves a ticket. The guy who is going 70 doesn’t. Plain and simple. Cops don’t have quotas, but the amount of grant money they receive is dependant on the citations that they write; therefore, there is an incentive for them to write as many tickets as possible.

Don’t be naive and think that they are saving lives by writing tickets. YEAH RIGHT!! They are just trying to make that dollar for the county/city/state/etc.

By T.I.E.

June 7, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

All you folks saying if you weren’t speeding you have nothing to worry about… wow… where do you drive. Everyone speeds in this stupid city. I set my cruise control at 55 and let the “concerned citizen” behind me honk all they want. They don’t drive for me and I don’t let them dictate how I drive (other than to watch for their moronic stupid no signal using, cut you off in a heartbeat, I’m gonna be first or die trying, kinds of behavior).

So, if there really are so many “non speeders” out there, why are you all so mad?

By Police Officer

June 7, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this

I see at least one of the problems. Some people have become misinformed by listening to the rhetoric of anti-traffic enforcement people that is not true.

Shelbee is a perfect example. Shelbee, do you know that Georgia Law protects speeders and actually allows them to speed? Do you know the restrictions that are in place for you?

This means that those cars you see stopped on the side of the road for speeding weren’t going 5-10 mph over the speed limit. They were going 11+ over the speed limit. However, most officers I know give 15+ over. I know one agency that has been referred to in here that gives 20 over and they still stop cars all day long.

The drivers you see pulled over are not innocent commuters just trying to get to work. They are people exceeding the posted speed limit by 15, 20, or more MPH and contributing to the dangerous roadways around metro Atlanta.

By brandon

June 7, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this

i am currently in Germany and have witnessed first hand the fact, speed doesnt kill. Bad driving and misfortune play a bigger role.

The autobahn allows drivers to drive as fast as they want yet their is less road deaths per person. Why is that?

By KC

June 7, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Everyone speeds…at least a little. Even those who think “I don’t”. If you look at your speedometer in a 45 zone are you always doing 45? Sometimes 47? Sometimes 50? Honestly, 5 or so MPH over the limit (unless it’s in a congested city area or posted school zone) barely peaks my “that’s speeding” meter. I think everyone who posted in the “if you weren’t doing anything wrong you wouldn’t be here so just shut up and don’t speed” camp is being pretty hypocritical. I’m an Atlanta native and in my 20+ years of driving on these roads I’ve seen VERY few people strictly adhere to the speed limit. My guess is the loudest of you simply don’t speed as much as others so that somehow absolves you of sin. I don’t speed as much…I have a child and I’d like to keep him and the children of other motorists alive. While I’m an excellent driver higher speeds provide less reaction time which increases risk in an potential accident you could otherwise avoid. So drive responsibly, but let’s not be hysterical and hypocritical about the realities of NEVER exceeding the speed limit, especially on the highways.

To the officers in this forum (except for FedUpCop, who seems motivated more by hatred of the Mythical “evil Liberal” than the law) I’d like to ask each of them to commit to never, ever, unless responding to a call violate the posted speed limit. Or, if that’s too much to ask, restraining themselves somewhat. I’ve been passed so many times by lights out cruisers doing 80+ in the fast lane I personally don’t want to hear cops moaning and groaning the “speed kills” chorus. I’m not saying you are wrong. I tend to agree. But cops seem not to hold their own accountable. Until the law applies equally to all then there is no law which is just.

Have a great day everyone. Drive safely, and responsibly.

By Rod

June 7, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

All of you that are complaining - why are you making excuses for breaking the law? The speed limit is a law. Obey it.

So, you don’t like that law - what if I don’t like the murder/rape/rob law. Is it okay with you if I break those and kill your family or rape your daughter? I hope not. YES - it’s exactly the same thing. Laws are there for a reason - to protect people’s safety and lives.

It’s the law - grow up and accept responsibility for your actions and act appropriately.

By rob

June 7, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this

Join us in Cobb County, the police do sit outside bars and pull people over when leaving, unfortunately if you are the designated driver they still treat you like a criminal, going on the assumption that everybody leaving a bar after the sun goes down, has to have been drinking, yes lets save lives, but use some common sense. Also laws which we have to abide with should also be adhered to by the law enforcement officers, live by the rules and others will be more likely to follow suit.

By Richard

June 7, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this

Jacqueline (the original writer of this article), did you break the law? Were you speeding and going faster than you should? Were you speeding in a construction zone - which could kill? Yes, Yes, Yes.

Then why are you complaining? Ah yes, you’re a writer with connections at the AJC and so you figure you have the right to complain against anything bad that happens to you. It’s never actually your fault, is it?

First of all, the police officer wasn’t totally hidden - that is illegal (so please state the facts and don’t lie to your readers). Secondly, if he was standing out visible, would you have kept going the same speed? I doubt it - you would have slowed while passing him, but then speed up after you had passed and not learned your lesson. This way, maybe you’ll think more before risking people’s lives because you want to save 5 minutes.

By CopFriend

June 7, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this

FedupCop & Police Officer - THANK YOU!! Thank you for all that you do for the unappreciative public. Thank you for scraping up the bits of humanity off the roadways when people run into each other. Thank you for getting felons off the streets and making us safer. Thank you for getting involved in disputes and trying to help bring resolution to difficult problems. Thank you for putting up with drunks, crazies, weirdos, winos and the rest of us. But most of all, thank you for watching our backs. Most people don’t know how difficult their lives would be without you.

Now, Tim…you’re a moron. Quit frigging speeding and you won’t get in any more trouble. How ignorant do you have to be NOT to understand that? No wonder no media outlets would touch your story. YOU WERE WRONG!

Jacqueline…you’re another one! The speed limit on 316 is there to SAVE LIVES. Not your sorry life, but the lives of the men and women who are trying to make the road a better place to drive. Check the statistics on DOT workers getting killed sometime and see what a dummy you really are for speeding in that area. I’m glad the cop nailed your sorry butt.

For all of you who like to sing about quotas and such. You’re idiots AND morons! The police have enough to worry about without cretens like you yelling about how awful the cops treat you and they must just be trying to get rich. Go check the salaries for cops sometime and see what they make. Trust me, the parttime jobs are there to SUPPLEMENT the mere pittance we give them.

Next time ANY of you cop-haters needs assistance I hope you appreciate the men in blue a tad more. NO I’m not a cop…but I have many friends that are and you should HEAR some of the CRAP you people put them through.

SHAME ON YOU!!!!

By Sober

June 7, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this

Hey Rob - I’ve lived in Cobb County for years and have never seen a cop sitting outside a bar waiting to pull people over. Do you frequent bars and drive home so often that you’re an expert and knowing this little “fact”? Why don’t you learn and stay at home instead of trying to drink your problems away - which obviously continue to come back!

By Linda

June 7, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this

Why don’t all of you slackers learn to slow down and stop your speeding. Especially you Tim. They should have locked your a$$ up and thrown away the key. You’re a menace to society.

By DH

June 7, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

Yes, most (if not the majority) of us dislike getting ticketed for anything. No, most (if not the majority) of officers don’t mind giving us these tickets. But for those repeat offenders how many times have you said, “I’m going to change my driving habits”? If we ALL changed out habits, COPS would be pretty bored sitting around waiting for the next law breaker to come by. Oh wait, that’s right, somebody here in GA get’s killed pretty much everyday, so there’s always something for them to do right!?

If Cliff wasn’t so worried about frizz head’s (Cynthia M.) indictment he would have known that this blog is strictly related to (as the title suggests), Speed Traps.

If I recall, county and city police are required to remain visible when running radar, however the GSP can hide behind bushes, up trees, in the median, in the woods (along I-20/Douglasville/Villa Rica), or their favorite place of late, at the top of exit/entrance ramps. No Rod, this isn’t illegal.

But if you’re really fed up with the laws of the land, why not try to outrun a cop the next time it looks as if you’re about to get pulled over. Atlantans haven’t seen a good chase scene since the “Look-at-me-I’m-only-driving-30mph-in-my-white-Bronco -because-people-think-I-killed-my-wife-and-her -lover” scene played out on tv back in the late 90s.

By Shelbee

June 7, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the info. Police Officer. Unfortunitely, Sir, Not all of the officers pulling people over are following these rules. I live in Woodstock, GA, and there are many officers on HWY 92, everyday, sitting behind signs and fences and trees, right over the tops of hills and in other places all along this HWY, pulling people over for supposedly going over 11+ over the speedlimit and they are not, and meanwhile, they are pulling them over in bad areas. Right in front of entrances to businesses. One day on my way home from work, I saw and officer had pulled a driver over on the lefthand side of the Highway and was writing him a ticket while all the other drivers on the road were trying to maneuver around them? Not only was it rediculous, it was extremely dangerous to all the other people on the road and to the officer himself and the pulled over driver. If these are the laws/rules as you say, Sir, then someone on the police force needs to police their own employees and make sure that they are abiding by their own rules. And one more thing, Sir… Isn’t there a seatbelt law in the state of Georgia? And, does that law allow multiple persons to be belted by the same seatbelt? I doubt it? So, I ask again…Why don’t these cops start pulling over Illegal immigrants that have 8 guys shoved inside a truck, taking them to work… illegally, not pay taxes and draining our system? Rather than pulling over the people paying your salaries who aren’t actually doing anything wrong? Please do not take offense, Sir. I mean no disrespect to those of you that do abide by the laws you enforce, but I do have a big issue with the ones who do not, and I think you know just as well as I do, that there are many officers guilty of this! Unfortunitely there is no such thing as the perfect organization or the perfect police force.

By Eric

June 7, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

Sober,

Get off your high horse. Rob said he was using a designated driver. There’s nothing wrong with him going to a bar, as long as he’s responsible about how he gets home (DD, Taxi, whatever). You don’t know if he goes daily or once a year.

This whole blog is full of holier than thou attitudes which ruin any productive conversation.

By Keith B

June 7, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this

Let me help clarify this. As a member of a family whose members are all involved with law (policeman, us marshal, cia agents, fbi agents, lawyers, judges). Some cases are legit as far as speeding tickets are concerned, but I can verify that there is a quota for tickets and revenue. Public workers in law have serious perks, and most have little to no secondary education. Knowing the law should be taught in every school. I have seen my own family member (a judge) extend his power beyond the limits of the law on individuals.

Remember a cop is not a lawyer, he is just a cop. They only know certain parts of the law.

I was taught that whenever you get pulled over 1) say nothing, 2) give them your dl and vehicle info, 3) never agree to a search (cops are dirty, I can verify this) make then get a warrant. Warrants ask for specific details and can not be generalized. 4) Take the ticket and leave. 5) Make sure you get the cops name, badge number, and unit.

They will always get their money because that’s the way the system is setup, but do not be a fool and get caught up because of your own ignorance.

By HB

June 7, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this

To me, a police officer sitting by the road monitoring the speed of passing cars does not constitute a speed trap. A trap is something that lures you in, hoping to catch you. Most patrolmen don’t want to catch people; they hope that everyone is obeying the law, but are there just in case they don’t. When I think of a trap, I think of tiny towns (and by tiny, I mean you don’t realize you’ve hit a town) on main highways that suddenly drop the speed limit and ALWAYS have an officer sitting right at the new speed limit sign waiting to catch people. Has anyone driven 341 though Graham? Limit drops from 65 to 45, and their one officer is always waiting at the sign to catch people before they even have time to slow down.

The vast majority of the time, however, I think officers writing tickets are working to keep us all safe. I often hear people call Dublin a speed trap because the state patrol grabs speeders there. Getting caught doing 90mph on I-16 is NOT being trapped. That’s good officers working to protect all of us.

By formercop

June 7, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this

Speed limits are there for a reason - its the law and should be obeyed. You can’t complain about police officers “hiding” when you are voluntarily taking the chance of being caught breaking the law. I have also seen unfortunate deaths resulting from inexperienced drivers and excessive speeds. The person who wrote police officers don’t care about you - that’s a ridiculous statement. Unfortunately, when people are the victims of crimes and no one is immediately caught, they think the police are not doing anything; often times that is not the case. Crimes are capable of being solved outside of the 60 minute television time that we’ve grown, as a society to expect. That being said, the vast majority of police officers enter public service to make a difference and do good. I won’t tell you that ALL of our officers have that motivation because they don’t. There are a lot of officers who believe that they can walk the Earth with impunity because they “have a badge.” They are by far the minority however. Even then, that is no reason to be disrespectful because trust me, an officer will always win on the street. You do have recourse against officers if you think that you have been wronged, just not on the street. As I used to tell people that I arrested, its not personal, but because you disagree with me, or the law, doesn’t mean I’m not going to do my job. If you are willing to take the chance, you have to be willing to pay the consequences.

By Police Officer

June 7, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

Yes Shelbee. There is a seatbelt law. It is OCGA 40-8-76.1. You should read it when you get some free time. You will see that it doesn’t apply to pickup trucks.

Do I think it is ridiculous it doesn’t apply to pickup trucks? Absolutely. However, I don’t make the laws.

As far as illegal immigration: We are not empowered to enforce federal immigration law. This is another sore spot for me. I would love nothing more than to help end illegal immigration. However, only the feds can detain someone in Georgia for an immigration violation. They won’t give us the time of day unless we have a busload full or a violent felon. Otherwise, they don’t want to talk to us. Even if we do give them a bus full, they still usually say they aren’t interested.

The only way for us to put an illegal immigrant in jail is if they violate an arrestable Georgia law. Unfortunately, groups such as the ACLU oppose local law enforcement arresting immigration violations because they say it will make illegal immigrants afraid to report crime.

However, I have strayed away from the original topic enough. As far as your accusations about police illegally running radar… If you feel your accusations are true, report them to the state. They will be investigated and they could have their speed detection permit revoked.

By George S. Patton Jr.

June 7, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

What is a speed trap? Are the police waiting on the bridges with fish nets? I’ve never understood the use of the term “speed trap.” The cops aren’t making or tricking you into speeding are they? The speed limit is the speed limit. If your going above the speed limit then you’re breaking the law right? How is this trapping you?

By Police Officer

June 7, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this

I just read Keith’s post and the first words that came to mind were, “Wow, can a person really be that ignorant?”

I have serious perks for being a police officer and writing tickets? I wish I knew that eight years ago. My paycheck has been the same as the guy who writes no tickets but does a bunch of business/house checks during his shift for years. I have yet to see a “bonus” check for writing a bunch of tickets. I guess I’ve been ripped off.

They forgot to tell me that I’m supposed to be poorly educated too. I graduated in the top 25% of my high school class. I have a college degree and am about to have a second college degree. Over half of my shift has some sort of college degree including a guy with a Master’s degree. I guess they didn’t get that message either.

Are there bad cops? Absolutely. Tell me a profession that doesn’t have a crooked employee. There is not one. However, there is not some huge conspiracy out there. The vast majority of cops are out there working to make a difference.

By Scott

June 7, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this

If people suspect there is speed trap coming up, they’ll slow down. That’s simple. Over time it will act as a deterrent and that, as you say, will save lives.
But, I think seeing a police car out in the open will cause drivers to slow down immediately as opposed to over time. When I lived in Colorado for a few years, they began a system of parking highway patrol cars in obvious locations, with the emergency lights on, and a dummy in the driver seat. people would see the car and would slow down. It worked like gangbusters. No hiding, no selective ticketing. I thought it was a great idea.

By Common Sense

June 7, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this

Very ignorant comment, Larry. I have never been caught in a speed trap. For a quick education on what constitutes a speed trap is, here are a couple of examples. There are times when the speed limit changes frequently going up and down within a few feet. There are times where the speed limit changes frequently. Sometimes you may be driving downhill and/or the speed limit drops 10 miles within a few feet from the previous speed limit. That is a trap, not simply speeding and getting caught. The cops may not hide behind billboards & bushes but what about the bridges and sharp curves?

I agree with Allan, it is all about revenue. Right now Gwinnett county has to pay for Hwy 316 so they need all the money they can get. Small cities don’t have the large tax base so they need to do what they can to collect money. It’s simple economics. It’s criminal but they get away with it and how can you argue? If you go to court, they may reduce the charges but not the amount you have to pay for the speeding ticket. When your ticket revenue exceeds your property tax revenue, there is a serious problem no matter who you agree with. Another serious problem is why “Fedupcop” uses the term “complaining like a liberal”? That sets off bells and whistles to me. I hope he never pulls me over for anything!

Speeding is breaking the law and if caught you should be fined. Keep in mind, most drivers here exceed the speed limit at some point in time. Usually if nothing else, to keep up with the flow of traffic. The fines should match the crime and not be outrageous. A ticket a year is a bit much. I am sure his insurance rates represent a reason for concern. The rest of us have a good reason to be concerned as well. The blog was concerning speed traps, not speeding. The speed traps are wrong and they need to be done away with. I appreciate the great job our cops do in Gwinnett County. Thank you.

By Janet_G

June 7, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this

Some things to consider…over 40,000 human lives are destroyed every year on our highways, every year, year after year after year. That’s the equivalent of all of the military personnel that we lost over the course of the Vietnam War, every single year.

Yet, every single one of us feels it is okay to speed because “everyone does it”. Let me ask you this, the next time one of your kids gets into trouble and their excuse is “well, everyone else was doing it too”, will you be able to tell them with a clear conscience, “that’s not an excuse, you have to think for yourself”? Truth is truth and rules are rules. They apply equally to everyone.

Cops cannot look inside each car to see who is paying attention, who is distracted, who went to driver’s ed and who didn’t, they can only enforce the laws regarding speeding and obeying red lights, stop signs, etc. They are doing the job that we taxpayers pay them to do and expect them to do. I personally, would not want to be a police officer on traffic duty because of all the blood, gore, broken bones and smashed bodies they have to deal with, on top of the nasty attitudes they have to take from people who break the law but feel it is unfair for them to get a ticket.

Let’s all try this tomorrow, try cutting your speed just five to 10 miles per hour from what you normally drive. Go just that much slower and see if it really impacts what time you get to work or school. You might just find that you arrive at work or school at the same time, only less stressed. I have been doing this for about a week now and it really works.

By Omar Bradley

June 7, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this

Most of your posts (vents) are very funny. I have never seen a police officer “hiding in bushes.” There is another guy complaining that he has to go to court because he BROKE THE LAW! The criminal justice system is not like the drive-thru at Wendy’s, you may have to talk to a judge if you break the law. With all the speeding maniacs on the road do you really think the cops need to dial up their lasers and radars to falsly accuse you of speeding? I’m sure the cops would rather be home with their family than babysitting you on the roads and highways. But to say they don’t care about speeding? I know I wouldn’t stand on the hot pavement in the middle of summer unless I cared about what I was doing. I have a feeling they get paid the same if they write 5 tickets or 55 tickets. Some just care more than others. Open up the newspaper and you will see an article about a fatality accident just about every day. I have a feeling if local police were dealing with immigration issues, emergency calls would never get answered. Are willing to give up a police response to your house alarm because the police are rounding up the Mexicans? Lets try to insert common sense (uncommon today) into some of these vents, I mean posts to the blog. God bless

By cops-r-hypocrites

June 7, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

How come none of these “cops” or cop-defenders STILL haven’t answered the question of why the VAST majority of patrol cars SPEED EXCESSIVELY, at least 80 mph on the freeway, with their LIGHTS OFF? Do I sense a little holier-than-thou, power-trip going on? Like your doesn’t stink? The problem with a large number of cops is that they think since they have a uniform, a badge, and a gun, that they are above the law, and they don’t have to follow the rules like the rest of us. I’m not saying all cops are like this, just more than we are willing to admit.

By Shelbee

June 7, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

Thanks again for the info. Police Officer. My fiance and I are very seriously considering joining our local community council, so that we can address these issues and many more. So, I just may take your info. and your advise and try to do something about it. And, thank you Sir for the work that you do! Hopefully, you and other officers will influence the ones that are doing their jobs the wrong way to do them the right way!

By William Sherman

June 7, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

Maybe the police are speeding because they have somewhere important to be. Maybe they are going to your house alarm or another serious call. Maybe the call doesn’t require lights and sirens, but a quick response. How about we worry about ourselves and not what others are doing? Try not to think too much, you might hurt yourself.

By Big Al

June 7, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

The federal Governments takes local funding away. How are they going to make up the revenue. By working the roads and we pay. I would bet ticket revenue is up big time. The best trick they have is where the speed limit is 45 and you go 1 block and it turns to 35. That is where they wait. Now that’s a speed trap.

By LG

June 7, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this

Jacqueline - you have a 17 year old son. Did you teach him how to drive? Do you remember how nervous the speeders made him while he was learning? I’m teaching my daughter how to drive, and her question to me when I told her to only drive as fast as she can handle the speed was “won’t I get a ticket for driving too slow?” She was going 42 in a 45 zone. Her driver’s ed teacher told the class that yes, they will get the finger from other drivers so expect it. They’re both wonderful statement on how speed is king around metro.

By Phil

June 7, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this

Police Officer: The reason for the rules you toss out and why the GSP is exempt is because you DO have quotas. Call them guidelines your superiors come down on you if you don’t make a certain amount of arrests. This is often why police will write multiple tickets because each one is another body. Speeding does not cause accidents among experienced drivers. Look at the Autobahns in Germany. High speed and experienced drivers. Unfortunately like most people that believe that speed kills, you will point out that the accidents tend to result in a higher percentage of injury and death but the overall number of accidents is relatively low. Speed enforcement is simply revenue generation at it’s finest. If the municipalities really wanted to slow drivers down they would be on the side of the road as visible as possible. Show me an officer on the side of the road and I will show you an area where the speed limit is being obeyed. Police are on the side of interstates because they can cast the biggest net to get the most fish. State agencies should handle enforcement on the interstate and municipalities should be focused on the speeding that happens on residential streets that is more likely to result in pedestrian injury. I see activity here in metro Atlanta that causes more accidents than speed ever will. Following too closely, improper lane changes, inattentive drivers, drivers impeding the flow of traffic. Police rarely write these tickets because they usually get dismissed because the officer is not available to give testimony adequately in order to get a conviction. Speeding is easy. RADAR or LIDAR says you did it so it must be so. Have a seat to my left. Pay your fine

By debi

June 7, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this

I am 54 years old. I’ve lived in Lawrenceville 18 years. Only ticket I’ve had has been in Lawrenceville about 10 years ago. Since then, I’ve learned all their hiding places and tricks. I’ll put together a cheatsheet and anybody who wants to buy a copy of it can contact me.

By Police Officer

June 7, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

Cops-R-Hypocrites: Running lights and sirens has become a major liability for most police departments in this area. They severely limit the types of calls that they allow us to run lights and siren. You would be surprised at some of the calls that require a quick response but we aren’t allowed to turn on our lights. They include:

Domestic Disputes

911 Hang-up Calls (Many of these turn out to be legitimate calls of people needing some kind of help)

Alarm Calls - Including Hold-up Alarms

Hit and Run Calls

Accident Calls

This is just a small example of calls we aren’t allowed to run lights and sirens. I think you would agree that these are calls which warrant and deserve an expedited police response.

Other reasons we don’t run lights and sirens:

Watch some of your fellow drivers next time you see an emergency vehicle and see how they react. I’ve had people turn in front of me, stop in front of me, just keep driving, and block all lanes trying to get out of my way.

Don’t get me wrong - I am not saying there are not police that don’t speed for some non-legitimate reason. However, I don’t think it is near as many as you think.

By formercop

June 7, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

There is no doubt that you see officers “speeding,” and not all of them have their “lights” on. Mr. or Ms. Cops-R-Hypocrites, please understand that there are different levels of response and those officers may just be on the way somewhere to try to stop a crime, but the situation, or policy, doesn’t allow them to use emergency equipment.

By Cletus Snow

June 7, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

Speed traps are a thing of the past,however there can still a bad cop who will use those tactics.any one who drives in the Atlanta knows it would be impossible to hire enough officers to catch all of the violators.we all see speeders, lane jumpers,and many other forms of stupidity every day. My advice to you morons would be,when you’re caught,don’t whine pay the fine

By Chester Nimitz

June 7, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

Again, what exactly is a speed trap? Okay, the speed limit changes from 45 to 35, TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS! How is that trapping you? It’s amazing the perceptions that people have and how they differ from reality! That is the problem with America today; we are overweight, and nothing is EVER our fault. We put the blame on someone else. Now one person is blaming the federal government for pulling funding and causing “speed traps.” Oh my god people! Take a step back and read what you have just typed. I guess your the ones that beleive the moon landing was a hoax also? Now we are “cop-defenders” because we have common sense and have rational thoughts. Well yes, I support law enforcement. This is nothing more than a vent page so people can sit behind a computer and call other people names and criticize the police for doing a job no one else has the guts to do. Keith, I found your vent really funny. How many times have you been in Butch Conway’s bed and breakfast on 316 (Jail)?

By Police Officer

June 7, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

Phil, first I’ll deal with your statement about quotas. I have worked at three different police departments. This by no means makes me an expert but I’ll tell you about my experiences in all three.

Department 1:

The Chief of Police did not want his officers focused on traffic activity. When traffic enforcement was done, there was a focus on giving warnings as opposed to writing tickets.

If you wrote too many tickets or made too many traffic stops, you would be in the Chief’s office getting a lecture.

Department 2:

There was no such thing as traffic enforcement. There was one officer that wrote two traffic tickets and they were the only ones I had heard of. I made one traffic stop the entire time I was there.

Department 3:

I can write as many or as few tickets as I want. The key is that I do my job. If I want to go out and write a bunch of traffic tickets, I can do that so long as I handle my calls and do my other work.

If I choose not to write tickets, I can make up for it by checking local businesses or any other legitimate activity. There are officers in our department that literally write less than 5 tickets per month. They do not get in trouble for it or get yelled at.

I have never been offered a “bonus” for writing tickets or been given a quota at any of my departments.

As far as your statement about sitting on the side of the road in the open…. I would love for you to come ride with me one day. The presence of my police car may have some deterrent effect on traffic offenses. However, I think you would be amazed at how brazen people can be in the presence of my police car.

To give you an example: We have a street that is almost 100% residential. It is two lanes. The speed limit is 30 mph because it is residential. We sit plainly out in the open. The speed limit is posted in several places down the road before they ever get to us. Yet, I consistently stop cars for 15+ over. Many of them are over 20 mph.

By Slow Poke

June 7, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

I’d be willing to bet FEDUPCOP drives 20 mph over the limit everywhere he goes because he really believes he is putting his life on the line while hidding in the bushes to write tickets. He needs a new job. He will end up costing the city or county he works for money because he’s going to go off on someone soon.

By the way, I have 3 friends who are cops & when we go anywhere we get there in record time everytime. They aren’t hypocrytical about it, they do it because they can.

Why is there a seat belt law or a motorcylcle helmet law? The only people getting hurt are the idiots who don’t use them. $$$$$$$$$$ Next there will be a you can’t eat too much chocalote law because in time it could kill you.

Wise up people, it’s a revenue streem & very little more. Sorry, but it is what it is.

By Hap Arnold

June 7, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this

Dr Phil, Speed does kill. Pull out some old newspapers and start reading. I have researched 4 fatal accidents in Gwinnett in the last month. All of them involved excessive speed. Hey SNOWMAN, I like the “don’t whine and pay your fine.” It’s catchy. I think Sonny should use that for his 100 days of heat.

By Bruce Wilcox

June 7, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this

The whole issue boils down to if you get caught or not. If you’re caught it’s a trap, if not it’s great law enforcement.

By CopFriend

June 7, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

PoliceOfficer - you beat me to the punch. Cops ‘r’ hypocrites - not all cops running 95 mph down the highway are doing it to annoy you. They just might be rushing to help someone. They don’t always use lights and sirens but it doesn’t matter to you. You’ll try to find ANYTHING to diss them. Next time you need a cop, call your mama…she might help you in a way that you can’t complain about. But you still might want to hide that crackpipe…she’ll get really mad too.

By Jimmy Doolittle

June 7, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this

I think the cops should get a $$$$ percentage of the speeding fines. It would encourage all officers to write more tickets. In turn, traffic would slow down, and less fatal accidents. That’s it, I’m calling my congressman.

Some of you I can tell have never put a rational thought together. Yeah, Gwinnett County really needs your $100 speeding fine when they are collecting hundreds of millions of $ in property taxes. If you idiots paying more speeding fines caused by property taxes to go down then please GCPD, write more stupid people tickets!

By Pedestrian

June 7, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this

Many of you refer to towns where the speed limit drops several times on a single road. The reason local goverments do this is not to trap motorists or to make money — it’s to make their towns safe and inviting for pedestrians. Georgia law prohibits communities from lowering the speed limit by more than 20 mph from what is was on the preceding stretch of road. As a result, a town that has a highway passing through its Main Street or walkable business district, will need to lower the speed limit in multiple segments as it approaches this area. If the speed limit is 65 on the road, they can drop it to 45 — and then further up the road drop it again to 25, a much safer for speed for pedestrians in a downtown area. At speeds above 35 mph, motorists rarely stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, and a street no longer feels pedestrian-friendly. Pedestrians account for one out of nine traffic fatalities in Georgia. Vehicle speed is the number one factor in determining whether or not a pedestrian who is hit by a car will survive the crash. If a pedestrian is hit at 20mph, the risk of death is just 5 percent, and most injuries will be minor. At 30 mph, the risk of death is 45 percent. At 40 mph, the risk of death to the pedestrian is 85 percent.

Nationwide, about 42,000 people are killed each year in traffic. 1600 of these deaths occur in Georgia. In many of these cases, the AJC reports the driver was “driving too fast for conditions” — a euphemism for speeding. I salute the police officers who are enforcing speed limits. And as a pedestrian, I ask those of you who are habitual speeders to drive as if other people’s lives depend upon it. Is saving five minutes of your time really worth putting others at risk of losing their lives?

By Patrick

June 7, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this

Wow! After reading all these comments I feel really lucky. I have 1 ticket in 39 years. It was a small town, they had just bought new police cars and needed to pay for them. I got a $80 dollar fine for doing 37 in a 35mph zone.

By ATLien4Life!

June 7, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this

Has anyone brought the worst speed trap in Gwinnett, which is Duluth??? Those guys will literally stop you at 5 over.

BTW, to all the cops on this blog, maybe so many question the motives of police officers because, like me, every cop they’ve ever met is a complete A*******hole and is a person I have absolutely no respect outside of their uniform. Oh, did I mention most of the ones I’ve ever known ended up in jail sooner or later for some felony???

By wayne

June 7, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this

I can understand if cops ticket people at known dangerous areas and intersections, but I and several other drivers got ticketed on a lightly used I85 access road, on a Sunday, just after cresting a hill, thus unable to see the cops that were lasering us in the distance.

This is a pure revenue generating scheme. That part of the access road is straight, relatively flat, no history of crashes.

Why can’t the cops hang out at the major intersections and ticket the people that run the red lights and turn left after the arrow has turned red?? Why can’t they ticket people that block intersections??

Why can’t cops use their tickets to reform the rude, low-intelligence, drivers that are causing traffic backups instead of going after people who are driving fast?

By G_from_Doolooth

June 7, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this

All you people that don’t believe cops write tickets to generate revenue are probably the same people that believe the war in Iraq has nothing to do with oil…get your heads out your @sses!!

I have been PULLED OVER and given “warnings” for doing 6 miles over the speed limit (61 in a 55)…I’m sure that has nothing to do with the fact that I’m a young black male that drives a nice car. Wait, he was probably just looking out for my “safety”…

I wish I had a dollar for all the times I saw a police speed past me on I-285 without their lights on or switch lanes without signaling…I’d be a Millionnaire!!!!

By Harold

June 7, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this

Harold rides a bicycle and you wouldn’t believe how often these jackass cops think it’s ok to block the shoulder or bike path or sidewalk or whatever else they want to block in the “name of safety.”

Harold even had some motorcycle pigs laugh at him becuase their motorcycles blocked his path. Harold should’ve ran into their motorcycles and made the city buy him a new $8000 bicycle.

Pigs suck. Ride a bicycle instead.

By ATLien4Life!

June 7, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

Hey, G from Doolooth, I feel ya, bru. How about getting stopped in Downtown ATL on a Friday at 1230 for a california roll on an EMPTY side street, and not using a turn signal to turn onto a ONE WAY STREET???! Oh, and how about they made it two tickets, not one, and I had to plead NOLO and pay over $350 so my insurance wouldn’t get jacked. One more thing, the entire time the cop was aggressively badgering me and asking me if I had drugs in the car or anything else I shouldn’t have. He was obviously just looking for trouble.

By CopFriend

June 7, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this

G - are you aware of the percentage of black officers in Atlanta? Just curious. Then again, you probably think everyone CARES that you’re a young black male who drives a nice car. I’m a middle-aged white woman who drives a POS and have a clean driving record. I think they let me go because of that. OR it could be that I just obey the traffic laws and mind my own business.

Wayne - your question “Why can’t cops use their tickets to reform the rude, low-intelligence, drivers” should follow the first paragraph. YOU are the epitome of the question. If you hadn’t been speeding, you wouldn’t have thing-one to worry about.

ALien4Life - maybe all the cops you met only mirrored the attitude you gave them. Hmm? And the ones that were convicted of a felony? Birds of a feather, birds of a feather.

By Drewski

June 7, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

I am a retired police officer. I think I can speak from a position of authority as well as one as a citizen.

You broke the law You got Caught You pay the fine.

PERIOD.

If more people concerned themselves with what THEY DID and not the other guy, Before long, EVERYONE would be Law abiding Safe Driving Citizens. Until the ME FIRST attitude stops, the Snotty Jerk in the Sports car cutting everyone off because HE’s late attitude stops until people start speading out the commute to get to work before time, not with .5 seconds to spare- People will continue to cause traffic snarles, Accidents and the loss of loved ones.

Frankly, I’d be pretty embarrassed to publish that article, You have admitted to being part of the problem.

By Steve

June 7, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this

“Tim” (and others) believe that the Judge did anything wrong (ie, not within his discretion under the law)? What a joke. Yes, the investigative reporters are all “afraid” of the judge who actually wants to send a message. Which law did he break? Step up. Which one? Any clue?

By John

June 7, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

I’ve been driving for many years in the state of Georgia, and I remember the days of the real speed traps in towns like Ludowici, Port Wentworth, and others that prayed on the tourists heading for Florida. I was never a fan of Lester Maddox, but the best thing he ever did for the state was to reform the speeding laws to prevent local yokels from fleecing the tourists (and the other locals). He was the one sho lead the fight to make sure that all cars involved in traffic enforcement were clearly marked. However, the cops in Ludowici tried to paint the word “Police” on the side of the car in the same color that the car was painted in; that was not exactly in the spirit of the news laws. Any cop will tell you that traffic stops and sobriety checkpoints do more to get wanted persons out of society than any other activity. I worked for a time at Cobb County 9-1-1, and we ran a lot of warrant checks for traffic stops. A lot of FTA’s (Failure to Appear) warrants came up and a lot of people went immediately to jail with their vehicles impounded. If you get a ticket, pay it. They are like savings bonds, the longer you hold them, they more they are worth!

By ATLien4Life!

June 7, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this

CopFriend, maybe you should check yourself before you write stupidities…. I never said any of those cops were friends of mine, just people I knew through others. And I have never been arrested for anything, never even seen the back of a police car. So go take your middle aged caucasian self, jump in your POS2000, and drive it off a cliff, will you???

By CopFriend

June 7, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this

Drewski - thank you for your years of service. You made me go back and read the article again with a fresh perspective. Jacqueline - YOU ARE THE PROBLEM! PERIOD! People in the media have a RESPONSIBILITY to not only report accurately, but to serve the community as well. You madame have just managed to completely BASH the whole judicial system with your self-serving RANT.

This is just one of the many reasons I cancelled my subscription to your liberal rag of a paper. Any wonder why the AJC’s numbers are falling in the toilet?

You blamed the cops for your OWN stupidity and took the chance to sling mud in their collective faces. You should be ashamed of yourself!

By R Bush

June 7, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this

“Common Sense”, I also appreciate the great job Gwinnett County Law Enforcement do for their citizens and visitors alike. After previously living in Dekalb for several years and personally being harrazed by Dekalb cops for no reason other than my vehicle looked like someone elses, only to get snide treatment once it was concluded that I was totally without fault. Our guys do great. But the shear volume cars, legions of school buses, scores of pensive new arrivals, and the slow moving and in ill repair ladder trucks (how do they get emmissions stickers anyway?) driving down the middle of the road for miles, is enought to make anyone on any given day,drive a little crazy. I particularly have a problem with school buses backing up traffic for miles while dozens of kids take there time getting on and off buses on main arteries. This should be addressed. Off topic a bit, but I believe all of these issues contribute to the behavoir we see on our surface streets and highways.

By J

June 7, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this

Don’t want to be stopped do the speed limit. And it can be done on the expressway’s too, just use your cruise control.

By Richard "Dick" Cheney

June 7, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

Jacqueline, I appreciate what you are doing, keep up the good work and keep encouraging your fellow drivers to get there as soon as possible. The more they speed, the more gas they’re need. It’s just good industry, eh public policy.

Jacqueline, it’s people like you that encourage the motoring public (which in Atlanta is basically anybody and everybody with a pulse) to keep fattening up the pockets and bank accounts of me and my corporate buddies and for that I thank you. Filler up on pumps 1-20….billion, sorry just a little industry insider humor.

Sincerely yours, “Dick” C.

By CopFriend

June 7, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this

ALien4Life - you reveal your own idiocy by your remarks. It’s not my fault you got slapped with a $350 fine. That’s your real issue. As far as you racially telling me what I can do in my car, and by the way it’s a 1996 P.O.S., you only reveal more about yourself.

Face it, you’re a cop-hater and I honestly hope one of them saves your sorry life just once. Then maybe you’ll appreciate them more.

I like cops very much and even love at least two (siblings) of them. Your attitude towards cops (and me) tells me volumes about you.

By Commuting Victim

June 7, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this

to quote the flatuence: By Ed

June 7, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

I hope I never come anywhere near Fedupcop. Sounds like he could snap at the slightest provication. I can just see him slamming a little old lady down on the side of the road during a routine traffic stop. Just another power envy uniform wearer.

Uh ED? What rock did you crawl out from under? FED Up Cop Is 100% Right on this. I have seen the poor cops, Who are guys and gals like me trying to make a living(And it ain’t the best pay-I used to be one) And then Some Anal cavity without Brains comes along misses them by an inch, Won’t pull to the next lane, Swings or spits on them because they are drunk, the liberal cry babies who think they are getting picked on when they got nailed for 85 in a 50 zone- I hope like heck he DOES catch you- you’re probably the turd in the BMW, Lousy Middle Manager who cheats on his wife, Hits on the secretary and the Boss will never promote because all ya do is whine about the jones account! But you’re also the clown who’d hit someone’s dog and not have the decentcy to pull over cause you’re late for an appointment. So the family Dog gets screwed over by Poor Eddie boy…..WAAAAAMbulance time for Poor Eddie Boy! Maybe Hillary Clinton can use you for her Propagation team, Ya know- Joseph Goebbels acted the same way as you? Ya crying rotten Kitten Killer!

SUCK IT UP EDDIE! COPS HAVE THE WORSE JOB IN THE WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH MOST OF THE VERMIN COMMUTING IN ATLANTA! IT’S EITHER STUPID REDNECKS WHO DON’T HAVE DIRECTIONALS, OR SOME PRETENTIOUS JERK WAD WHO CARES FOR HIMSELF ONLY.

GOD BLESS YOU OFFICERS, SHERIFF DEPUTIES AND TROOPERS! I THOUGHT I HAD IT BAD PATROLLING IN NJ!

.

By Commuting Victim

June 7, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this

to quote the flatuence: By Ed

June 7, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

I hope I never come anywhere near Fedupcop. Sounds like he could snap at the slightest provication. I can just see him slamming a little old lady down on the side of the road during a routine traffic stop. Just another power envy uniform wearer.

Uh ED? What rock did you crawl out from under? FED Up Cop Is 100% Right on this. I have seen the poor cops, Who are guys and gals like me trying to make a living(And it ain’t the best pay-I used to be one) And then Some Anal cavity without Brains comes along misses them by an inch, Won’t pull to the next lane, Swings or spits on them because they are drunk, the liberal cry babies who think they are getting picked on when they got nailed for 85 in a 50 zone- I hope like heck he DOES catch you- you’re probably the turd in the BMW, Lousy Middle Manager who cheats on his wife, Hits on the secretary and the Boss will never promote because all ya do is whine about the jones account! But you’re also the clown who’d hit someone’s dog and not have the decentcy to pull over cause you’re late for an appointment. So the family Dog gets screwed over by Poor Eddie boy…..WAAAAAMbulance time for Poor Eddie Boy! Maybe Hillary Clinton can use you for her Propagation team, Ya know- Joseph Goebbels acted the same way as you? Ya crying rotten Kitten Killer!

SUCK IT UP EDDIE! COPS HAVE THE WORSE JOB IN THE WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH MOST OF THE VERMIN COMMUTING IN ATLANTA! IT’S EITHER STUPID REDNECKS WHO DON’T HAVE DIRECTIONALS, OR SOME PRETENTIOUS JERK WAD WHO CARES FOR HIMSELF ONLY.

GOD BLESS YOU OFFICERS, SHERIFF DEPUTIES AND TROOPERS! I THOUGHT I HAD IT BAD PATROLLING IN NJ!

.

By RobC

June 7, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this

Speeding tickets, I believe, violate the constitution because you are proven guilty and no innocence is presumed. When someone is tagged by a radar there is no proof that the person stopped is the person who commited the infraction, especially on a busy road. The Officer will always be found to be in the right and you cannot fight it. I believe police officers are generally good, but their word outweighs anyone elses in a court room which goes against innocent until proven guilty. Wheni was stopped the officer could not prove it was me I could not prove it was not (But I ws doing the speed limit in a large group of vehicles.)

By WirelessBuzz

June 7, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

My understanding is that in Georgia a cop must be visible from 500 feet away. If he was not and you can demonstrate this, you might have a chance in court.

As for lawmaking or moneymaking? 9 times out of 10, especially when it is a city or county cop, it is more moneymaking if you ask me. The system is perfect for abuse with the jurisdiction able to line its pockets with its traffic enforcement. Follow the money people! Why do you think the State Patrol, who does not profit directly from its tickets, do not harass people the way the cities and the counties do? As far as I am concerned, the State Patrol is far more professional so if they do not see the need for a citation for a given violation, it must not be all that severe of a safety issue.

By CopFriend

June 7, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

Commuting Victim - will you marry me? ;)

By WirelessBuzz

June 7, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this

My understanding is that in Georgia a cop must be visible from 500 feet away. If he was not and you can demonstrate this, you might have a chance in court.

As for lawmaking or moneymaking? 9 times out of 10, especially when it is a city or county cop, it is more moneymaking if you ask me. The system is perfect for abuse with the jurisdiction able to line its pockets with its traffic enforcement. Follow the money people! Why do you think the State Patrol, who does not profit directly from its tickets, do not harass people the way the cities and the counties do? As far as I am concerned, the State Patrol is far more professional so if they do not see the need for a citation for a given violation, it must not be all that severe of a safety issue.

By CopFriend

June 7, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this

RobC - spoken like a true lawyer! Especially this quote: “(But I ws doing the speed limit in a large group of vehicles.)”

Shark steaks anyone?

By ATLien4Life!

June 7, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this

Well, CopFriend, it’s nice to see that you’re so perceptive that you can know “volumes” about me from this blog. I wouldn’t say I hate cops, though. I just don’t have one single positive thing to say about any of the ones I’ve ever met, either in or out of uniform. They tend to be power-abusive neanderthals. It also doesn’t help that I’ve been harrassed more than once by some cops that said I “fit the description” of someone else they were chasing. And I wasn’t dressed in any way shape or form like a thug, in case you’re wondering. Has that ever happened to you? I’m gonna guess no. Maybe this will tell you more “volumes” about me: If a cop ever takes the time to save my life, I’ll be as surprised as anyone. As a Blatino male, we’re not very high on their priority list for life-saving. That’s not the “description” we fit.

By WirelessBuzz

June 7, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

I find troubling some of the blind adherence to government exhibited in the “well you should not have been speeding” responses. How about the possibility that these cops are violating a state law saying they must be visible? To suggest that they would naturally hide demonstrates that the poster does not even know the state laws governing traffic citations. How about the profit incentive inherent in the current system? Do cops ticket every violation they see? If not, that is selective enforcement and is ripe for abuse. Georgians, THINK and ANALYZE rather than just blindly acquisience to government harassment. Use some common sense regarding these laws and whether some reform is needed.

By A Long-Time Driver

June 7, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this

I am a 57 y.o. woman who drives at least 50 miles every day and has NEVER had a traffic ticket. The reason? I follow the laws, i.e. speed limits, no tailgating, staying in the right lane and letting the idiots speed past me, etc. If people behind me get upset, oh well. They’ll get over it, and maybe even thank me for keeping them from getting a ticket in a speed trap. Anyone, unless it’s an emergency, has no right to gripe about speeding tickets, whether the officer was “hidden” or not. It’s not a speed trap if you are obeying the laws of the road. That’s what laws are for…not for fools to break because they are 5 minutes late for a cocktail party. Leave the house 15 minutes earlier, and you’ll save yourself money, stress and possibly your life and/or the lives of others.

By Billy Richards

June 7, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this

If you had seen the Police Officer standing in full view, what would you have done? Slowed down. After a couple of miles, you would have resumed your speed and put others life in danger. But, because you got that ticket, you now drive like a person with good sense and is saving not only your life but other lives too.Thanks for Police Officers.

By Commuting Victim

June 7, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

Hi Cop friend,

thanks! but I am sorry to say we can only be friends (with my luck,She is a Centerfold with Playboy)…SHEESH! ;-)

Besides, Us psycho cop types need a woman with a iron plate in her head, Bones like a dinosaur and willing to eat her young as they are born if ya listen to the sniffling spew from some of the “Summer’s Eve packages” on this post! But who know’s Kid! some day as I am kicking the cane out from under grandma, Making Pops do the chicken with a choke hold and punching his retarded kids face in, I’ll think of what we could have been!…RIGHT ED? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

By john

June 7, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

I agree with most of the comments on this page - if you break the law and get caught you pay the penalty. But I do have a question for all the ex cops on here: why shouldn’t the police obey the same traffic laws we all should obey? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a law enforcement vehicle pass me, while I was obeying the speed limit, and they did not have on either the blue lights or siren. Most of the time they were traveling at least 15-20 mph over the legal posted speed limit. Unless there is some provision in the Georgia state law that allows them to do that, then they are as guilty as the next person of speeding. Is it any wonder most people think they are entitled to speed when they see the cops do it? How about a clear direct answer? Anyone?

By ATLien4Life!

June 7, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

Here here, Wireless Buzz… Selective Enforcement, hmm.

Not too much of a stretch from Selective Enforcement to Discrimination, is it?

By paul

June 7, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

I am amazed how many people say “Well, if you weren’t doing anything wrong then you would not have been pulled over.” That blows me away. The underlying point is that police are not allowed, by law, to sit behind bushes and hide. Let me put it to you this way. You are talking on the phone about maybe something you should not have done; we will just say you wrote off a few gas receipts on your taxes that were not used for your business. Two days later you get a knock on the door and the police tell you they were listening to your phone call, illegally, and heard what you said. You now have an all expenses paid ride to the jail. Does your excuse of “well you know the rules” hold up now…. I think not. The government cannot bend and break the rules whenever it benefits them, period.

By Charles

June 7, 2006 12:59 PM | Link to this

I have an issue with the cops who abuse their authority by flashing their blue lights, just to get thru a red light, as soon as the get thru the turn them off. What makes them so special. One day i followed one them, the idiot turns on his lights and siren to get thru the light because he couldnt wait for it to change, he did all that just go to KFC which was 1/4 mile from the redlight. Go Figure! If i have to obey the laws, the police should. Oops, I just forgot most law enforcement officials are above the law.

By Police Officer

June 7, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

I do want to point out one thing. Georgia law only prohibits police from being concealed for the purpose of running a speed detection device. It does not prohibit or prevent concealment for any other reason including enforcement of other traffic laws. Therefore, unless they were running radar, laser, or some other speed detection device, they can sit behind a bush, billboard, or anything else for any other reason they choose.

By CopFriend

June 7, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

ALien4Life - what the heck is a “Blatino?” Are you American? Then just say, as an American.

And yes, I HAVE been caught up in a case of mistaken identity. I cooperated fully with the officers and in a few short moments it was cleared up that I wasn’t the suspect they were looking for and we exchanged pleasantries and said good-bye. No problem. I didn’t cop an attitude immediately or feel somehow persecuted by the officer. He was just doing his job and I had nothing to hide.

And your last statement just reiterated the volumes I already knew about you.

By Police Officer

June 7, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

Charles,

Did you follow him in KFC to see if he handled a call or ordered food? Don’t lie either.

Do you think that emergency police calls don’t happen at fast food restaurants? Ours get robbed and we respond to hold up alarms, 911 hangups, and disturbances at them all the time.

Our KFC is notorious for activating their hold-up alarm.

By A Few Tricks Of My Own

June 7, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

Do like I do. I keep my digital camera (which also takes videos) beside me on my car seat. I am an avid amateur photographer and never miss a photo opp. I have used it to photograph wrecks, etc. and the pix have helped more than just me in court, like pix of license plates of hit and runners. I have also received many thanks from John Q. Public for the pix I took that helped them win over cops in court.

By ATLien4Life!

June 7, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this

Blatino means that I half black and half hispanic, but I shouldn’t have expected you know that. As far as fully cooperating, I’m willing to bet that when you had your little episode, you didn’t get surrounded by two cop cars and have the process of arrest started on you til they realized it was the wrong guy. BTW, the guy they were really after was very dark-skinned, and I am not. But what else could be expected from small town redneck cops??? Also, I cooperated with them as well, and got nothing even approximating an apology. Maybe because I’m not a white woman? I am very amused by the “volumes” you know about me… Please do tell.

By Get Real

June 7, 2006 01:08 PM | Link to this

Re cops using their lights to get through traffic signals. Sometimes, police are called to problem and they are told by dispatch NOT to use sirens or lights. That doesn’t mean it’s not important to get there quick, and using lights/sirens to get through a light to get them there quickly are thereby justified. Now, if you see them get through the light, then slow down, and take a leisurely Sunday drive, or pull into their precinct at 5:00 sharp, that’s another thing altogether.

By CopFriend

June 7, 2006 01:08 PM | Link to this

Commuting Victim - I think I know you. Been “Scan”ning today? Hmm? You crack me up! Good luck to you!

(Geez - thanks but my playmate days are long gone now! Darned gravity!)

By ATLien4Life!

June 7, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this

BTW, CopFriend, it’s real easy for someone like you to say “just call yourself American”, as if there is no distinction. It shows how disconnected you are from the fact that we do get treated very differently by the police, and anyone who says different is just plain lying.

By CopFriend

June 7, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this

ALien4Life - I know what Blatino means. I was trying to make a point. (Got right by ya there, didn’t it?). And what does being a white woman have to do with anything? I’m a citizen just like you. If you look like the perp, you look like the perp.

As for the volumes, you’re quote: “But what else could be expected from small town redneck cops???” Yep, that pretty much sums up everything in the volumes.

By Commuting Victim

June 7, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this

Nope, Sorry Cop Friend,

Unless you live WAAAAAY north of ATL.

I don’t do scanning, too busy on CW and SSB

And of course, Arresting nuns, Throwing Orphaned Babies on a pike, Gigging Old people in the legs, skinning live puppies…Ya know, the usual…

ow, and gravity isn’t all bad, it can add character, and humor ;-)

See ya on the highways! I am pulling into the petstore, bught some hollow points, I see some kids around the guinnea pig cage.. gotta give the gutless liberals something to cry about…Maybe i’ll shove a few spare ribs down the throat of a PETA member- Wanna join me? I’ll let ya run the Lights and siren past the Mental Hospital before we shoot into the chruch school yard

By Ralph

June 7, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this

Why do people complain? In Georgia, police have to give you at least 10 mph over the limit before writing a ticket. The only exception is the State Patrol. Most agencies that I know give a few more miles over than the 10 required. As a former cop with 14 years on streets, my dept gave 13 miles over. So if you are doing almost 60 in a 45 mph zone, then you deserve a ticket.

Yes, there are a few small towns with 1-2 man police departments who probably write tickets for the city’s budget. However, the state keeps tab on these and cities can get into trouble writing tickets which earn majority of the revenue. I took a trip up north on I-95, all the way to New Hampshire. People up there do not speed. I got on the NJ turnpike in left lane at 65 and it was so stress free, no accidents, no road rage, no tailgating. etc. Of course the cops patrol in unmarked cars, which is what we need. As I used to say… Sober up, Slow down, save lives! and buckle up.

By ATLien4Life!

June 7, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this

No, CopFriend, your “point” didn’t get by me at all. You had no point to make. Again, I’ll say it’s real easy for you to pull the we’re all Americans card if you’ve never been treated differently by authority figures because of the color of your skin.

By paul

June 7, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this

I guess no one got the point.

By Commuter victim

June 7, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this

ATlien pulls out the race card faster than a Cindy McKinney right hook at a Capitol Police Officer…Gimme a break!

By pj

June 7, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

Cops are STUPID. They just a have a power complex and dont have the education to get a real job!!

By ATLien4Life!

June 7, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

Commuter Victim, why don’t you mind your own business? This is between me and your girlfriend, or is it that my comment is hitting a little too close to home?

By Robert

June 7, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this

try this website for help:

www.thegeorgiaspeedingticketkiller.com

Georgia specific help.

RB

By Gary Moline PE

June 7, 2006 01:25 PM | Link to this

I was recently “pinched” on Chamblee Tucker Rd in Dekalb County. I was allegedly clocked at 52mph in a 40 mph zone (although my top-of-line radar detector indicated no signal). Frankly, I didn’t know how fast exactly I was travelling, but more likely than not it was more than 40mph. The ticket even noted it was a clear day with no weather and light traffic (In fact I was the only car within sight and I was driving comfortably in my Lexus). There was no conversation with the officer other than a request for a liscense and proof of insurance, just a “sign here”. There was no fatherly lecture about the evils of speeding, public endagerment, etc. It was strictly a business transaction. One transaction which netted Dekalb County a sum of $146. (Seems a little steep doesn’t it?). But even more galling was a camera ticket I got on Clairmont Rd. Just a picture of my car and an allegation that I ran a traffic signal (that will be $70 please and we didn’t even have to provide police services to bring you to justice). In fact I understand that these cameras are not government property but in fact are contractors which cut the city/county in on every transaction they collect. You see it’s really all about money after all, not public protection.

By Commuter victim

June 7, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this

quote: By pj

June 7, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

Cops are STUPID. They just a have a power complex and dont have the education to get a real job!!

And what do we need to form a Contraction???

That’s right simple one- an apostrophe!

Us uneducated cops who can’t get a job anywhere else know that because of the snibbling idiots who hire ambulance chasers to defend them after they run blindly drunk into the school bus!

Class dismissed.

By CopFriend

June 7, 2006 01:33 PM | Link to this

ALien4Life - ya just don’t get it, do ya? I’ve never been treated differently by authority figures because of the color of my skin? Well, let me enlighten you. I went to school in Atlanta during the school integration. I was the only white girl in my class (two white boys). I was hated relentlessly because of the color of my skin, by students and teachers alike. Everyone had a chip on their shoulder because whitey was getting more than them, so they attached that label to me and ran with it. So don’t preach to me about racism. I just chose NOT to let it affect the rest of my life or the way I feel towards others.

So wear your little “Blatino” badge with pride. It’s the only one you’ll ever have if you keep this up.

Now if you REALLY want to get into a nasty little tiff, we can discuss the differences between the way the SEXES are treated to this very day. So keep your testosterone laden racial prejudices to yourself. Women are oppressed throughout the world, give it a rest.

The issue here is cops, not color or sex. So, back to topic. You choose to let the actions of a few distort what the rest of them do daily for you AND me. You will probably never see the trees for the forest.

By singlemom

June 7, 2006 01:33 PM | Link to this

Kudos to Fedupcop. I have the utmost respect for you and your fellow officers. My brother is in law enforcement. Preach on. These idiots who think they own the roads, and have absolutely no respect for anyone other then themselves deserve everything they get.

And tim, I cannot believe you are wasting way to much time on this. If you have had more than one or two speeding tickets, then you need to take a look at your behaviour behind the wheel. I’m glad that judge made you come into the courtroom. He should have suspended your license for at least one year, and taken your vehicle away. People like you are the killers on the road. I think Atlanta drivers are the rudest, most obnoxious drivers in the world. Everyone is out for themselves, they will not let you change lanes in front of them, and if you use your signal, the other drivers speed up and won’t let you in. No wonder no one signals, they just come on over. Not a day goes by that I don’t see some idiot doing something stupid that will harm the other drivers. Keep up the good work FedupCop!!! I’ll support you!!!!!!

By ATLien4Life!

June 7, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this

Ahem, it’s Forest for the Trees, CopFriend.

By Commuter victim

June 7, 2006 01:39 PM | Link to this

Hey there Cop Friend!

YOU GO GIRL! If you’re gonna be that Fiesty, I’ll let you shoot at the Guinea Pigs first!

Take Care!

By ATLien4Life!

June 7, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this

And really, just what the heck do you think you know about me, CopFriend??? I’ve done very well for myself, thank you very much, and you’ll get no sympathy from me on the school thing. I was one of maybe 20 black kids in a huge high school in north georgia, and because I did better on tests than most of the white kids, I was hated as well. I was regularly referred to as N(&gger or W(*tback. As far as the oppression women face around the world, we’re talking about America, as you said, and you won’t know oppression until you’ve been a black woman. They are the ones that have suffered more than anyone else here. So you can climb off your high horse now, missy.

By CopFriend

June 7, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this

ALien4Life - I said it that way on purpose. Never mind…trying to get through to you is like trying to ram my head into a concrete wall. Both give me a headache and you’re just not worth it.

Commuting Victim - I’ll bring my peashooter! When and where? ; )

By ATLien4Life!

June 7, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

Maybe you’re not getting through to me because your opinion has nothing of value to offer me. You are not, nor will you ever be, in a position to offer me any advice whatsoever on my viewpoints regarding race and authority.

By Phil

June 7, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

Hap Arnold That is a cop out as much as a Death certificate saying that some one died of Heart Failure. Speed most likely didn’t cause the accident more likely the truly dangerous activity of Following too closely, improper lane changes or failure to yield were more than likely the real culprits.

By Robert

June 7, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

http://www.thegeorgiaspeedingticketkiller.com

Completely FREE during 100 Days of Summer Heat!

By edge770

June 7, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this

I can give an example of a speed trap, Cobb County has a unmarked unit sitting on a bridge aiming radar and reporting speed, they radio in the offender and then mr. cobb camaro cop goes and does the stop. Along with 10 other “bright bulbs” bringing home the bacon to George Hatfield and formerly Bob Hightower. Grants are predicated on traffic stops. look if a cop is behind me driving to Krispy Kreme and sees me do something wrong, fine. But to use airplanes, motorcycles, and Dodge Chargers that’s going overboard. Put the cop On The ROAD not doing surveillance and actual patrol, and they might get more respect. The Dukes of Hazzard, Smokey and the Bandit stuff has no place in legitimate law enforcement circles, and don’t get me started on the bribery by the feds called “Click it or Ticket”. It’s these overly zealous enforcement tactics (I know a cop that does 6 traffic stops an hour every day on average).. That’s a little overboard and causes this antagonism.

By Rich

June 7, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

Hey Police Man, I know exactly what Atlanta would be like if you were not “policing” the roads……….they would be like they are today b/c not you or your partners are policing the roads.

And get over your idea that you have “seen” more than anyone else. That gets real old. It’s like an old war vet stating “you never seen the things I have seen”……Grow Up

By Richard Burger

June 7, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

If speeding is so dangerous why not nail people in p** down rain that are doing 70? Why only run speed traps on nice days? Fair weather policing does no good.

By nikki

June 7, 2006 02:07 PM | Link to this

Commuter Victim - You just woke me from a stupor. I thought this was some more of your freaky humor, but man what a speech! Applause, applause, applause

By ATLien4Life!

June 7, 2006 02:07 PM | Link to this

Hey, Commuter Victim. I’ve never claimed to have suffered more than the entire world, nor do I claim that anyone owes me anything. Maybe it is that wonderful education of yours that makes you jump to such wildly stupid conclusions. I am not attacking the white race as a whole either: I had several white friends come to my aid in my high school days, and maintain friendships of all racial backgrounds. I’m simply having one conversation with one “middle aged white female” who is making the de facto claim by her comments that she may have some clue as to my relationship to authority figures in uniform. Bottom line is this about cops and cops only to me. I don’t personally like them, I don’t trust them any farther than I can throw them, and this goes for white and black cops alike, by the way, and I’ve never had one do anything for me that would remotely change that opinion. Are we clear? Or do you want to bring Native Americans, the Irish at the turn of the Century, and everyone else into the mix, just to show that “everyone” has been oppressed at one point or another?

By CopFriend

June 7, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this

Rich - have you ever worn any uniform? Been in the armed service or public service? Do you have any friends or relatives of that sort? If so, shame on you! If not, you have no idea what they’ve seen or haven’t seen.

Be sure you walk a mile in someone else’s shoes before you dump dog crap all over them!

It’s amazing to me that there are people still willing to save your sorry butt or fight for your right to spout your drivel.

Step right up and see the man with absolutely no cohones! He calls himself Rich but most know he is very, very poor.

By edge770

June 7, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this

I might want to add that there is a greater threat with these “speed traps” and that is looking for something else. I happen to know the former “top dog” (no pun intended) K-9 officer in the state, he made his reputation doing drug busts and other significant law enforcement activity all based on a traffic stop. I know a burglar may speed, or a drug dealer may sweat on a stop, but I think this “everybody is evil” lets have patrolmen wear SWAT uniforms raises that anxiety level, so things like traffic enforcement bites a big nerve in the community at large. There are cops that have passions on nailing all the DUIs they can. Problem is that overzealotry whether it be by the chief, watch commander or personal beliefs causes greater problems and I am afraid a serious backlash by the public and a mockery of things like “click it or ticket”. So as long as the pressure is there for the stepped up enforcement mechanisms, and people not boycotting the businesses that resides in the communities of the worst offenders. (I do not shop in Holly Springs, Doraville or Duluth for this reason). The problem will continue unabated. If a law enforcement agency wants people just to slow down, put your oldest patrolman or crossing guard, put them in a car, and people will slow down. you don’t need dragnet to make a point.

By DangerDriver

June 7, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this

I have to thank the Roswell cop that gave me a ticket a couple months ago. I didn’t have my license or even my wallet. He asked me if I knew I was doing 80 in a construction zone (no one working - as if that is better??) and I said “yes sir”. He only ticketed me for speeding but let me off for having no license or proof on insurance. When I went to court, the prosecutor dropped the ticket to 69 in a 55 so I wouldn’t get points on my license. All that in exchange for my time and $180. It could have been a whole heck of a lot worse but they were more than fair. Also, you can’t get mad at a City of Atlanta police officer because they’re out catching real criminals instead of catching speeders. Go ATLPD!

By CopFriend

June 7, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this

ALien4Life - leave the Irish out of this!

You wrote: “I’m simply having one conversation with one “middle aged white female” who is making the de facto claim by her comments that she may have some clue as to my relationship to authority figures in uniform.”

And then followed it up with: “Bottom line is this about cops and cops only to me. I don’t personally like them, I don’t trust them any farther than I can throw them, and this goes for white and black cops alike, by the way, and I’ve never had one do anything for me that would remotely change that opinion. Are we clear?”

No guesses as to your relationship to authorities in uniform. You made it quite clear with your pointed remarks as well as the previous posts. You are a cop-hater, plain and simple.

And if you want to enter a battle of wits with an educated person - may I suggest you reload your weapon?

By Sara

June 7, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this

Cliff — what the heck does Cynthia McKinney have to do with Lawrenceville? Personally, I like to stay out of y’all’s city and county — I’m not a fan of Gwinnett. but Ms. Bullard is addressing a traffic issue related to -gasp - Lawrenceville and Gwinnett in general, and you feel the need to lame her out for it? Maybe you need some more fiber in your diet to unloose the cranky. Good luck with that.

By singlemom

June 7, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this

This blog is getting quite disgusting. People sitting here dissing the cops, breaking laws, etc, blaming others for their problems. Now the race card is being played.

I wonder how many of you who hate cops, blame them for your tickets, berate the judges in court for doing their jobs, and make snidecomments about donuts, are actually willing to go into law enforcement. The police academy has openings. How many of you are willing to lay your lives on the line for the rest of the idiots. That’s what I thought, it’s easier to blame someone else, hide behind your computer and blog names, and diss the ones who are out there doing their job, trying to keep us safe, then actually taking responsibility for your own actions……They are not out to get YOU, they are keeping ME safe from YOU…. Slow down, obey the traffic laws, that’s why we have them, and quit whining like little two year olds…..if you don’t like the system, do something about it other than b***…….then take responsibility for your actions, and realize YOUR actions have consequences.

By d

June 7, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this

To all you COPS posting here. Where is the Life or Death situation when good old DULUTH follows me home, al the way to my driveway, then keeps going.. Nice try but I live in the back of my Hood and yes I knew my own way home. Or how about the time DULUTH pulls me over to check my window tint, even thou my windows were down not up, and also the COP did’nt even have anything on him to gage my windows.. Or when they pull over my wife and threaten to take her to jail for flashing her lights at oncoming cars heading for YOUR speedtrap. Is’t it saving lives that she’s telling people to slow down?? It finally took a nice little private email to the Chief of Police as I let him have it with everything I could thing of without being a threat. Since then not one FBIWANNABE DULUTH cop has pulled us over, not that i’m sure the letter did any good from that. But I did find out he posted my letter in the breakroom or something, from what I was told.. OH AND ONE LAST THING.. If that very heavy set motorcycle cop is gonna smoke while using his SPEEDTRAP/Radar, me might wanna find a trashcan for all his butts!!!! I stopped at his fav place one day and counted 17 BUTTS, of the same brand, all stamped out in the same spot.. One day I’m gonna get him on video and show it to the Judge. Not the She gives two BUTTS about it!!!!!

SMB DPD!!!!

By Sara

June 7, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this

Janet_G, that was awesome. Thanks for your post.

By Police Officer

June 7, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

ATLien4life - I’d just like to take a moment to point out how hypocritical your argument is.

How many cops have you met in your life? There are around 429,000 police officers in the United States according to the FBI. Take your number and divide it by 429,000. Please tell us what percentage of police officers that you have met. I’m willing to bet it is not even 1 percent.

Now, you are going to come in and complain that you are mistreated because of the color of your skin. You don’t think it is right that people judge you based on that one characteristic.

However, you’re going to come in and say you dislike cops. You don’t trust cops as far as you can throw them. You’re going to make generalizations that we wouldn’t save your life because you’re the wrong color.

Yet, you want to sit and say it is wrong to judge people based on one characteristic.

You know what.. I totally agree with you. It is wrong to judge people just because of the color of their skin… Just like it is wrong to sit in judgment of all police officers.

By Rod

June 7, 2006 02:43 PM | Link to this

ATLien4Life! - you’re part of the problem with the country. Jerks who want to blame others for all of their problems and take no responsibility for their own actions.

Grow up and be responsible and stop complaining about how tough your life is - if you don’t like it, end it (trust me, the world will be a better place).

By ATLien4Life!

June 7, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this

Listen, cupcake, this isn’t about any battle of wits. This is about my opinion of cops and their attitudes and strategies. If, by your definition, I’m a cop-hater, then I’m a cop-hater. I can live with that. I’m certainly not a cop-lover.

The central point of our argument is that you fail to see any validity in why I am, as you call it, a cop-hater. My opinions are based on my experiences, not yours, and therefore you have no basis to challenge my opinion in this case. If you love your cops, keep loving them. You have obviously had experiences that led you to such an opinion.

Police are, in my opinion, a necessary evil. While things would almost certainly be worse off without them, in many places they can do more harm than good, and certainly have a historical track record of often alienating the very people they are purported to “protect and serve”. I’m going to hear it for pulling the race card again, but are you going to argue that “racial profiling” doesn’t exist? Or how about the fact that in many places, according to published reports, officers are encouraged to take steroids, making them more aggressive and “ready for battle”? I personally see it as a further control over not just the minority races, but all citizens. With the gun laws in place in many areas, we are shifting to a time when the only armed and able to defend themselves are gonna be the government, and the hardcore criminals, and neither group has any trust from me. Or does anyone really think those laws are designed to deter criminals? They are all buying their guns on the black market anyway.

By CopFriend

June 7, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this

d - I can guarantee you one thing…you are being heartily laughed at by the cops. If your email was posted in the breakroom (it’d be interesting to find out how you know that) I can promise you it’s not there to warn them to leave you alone.

There are laws that apply to the tint on your windows. Do you have the tint on your windshield or back window? I’m sure that might have tipped the police off to your tinting…regardless of your side windows up or down position.

Your wife broke the law by flashing her lights at oncoming cars to alert them to a speedtrap. It’s illegal.

If you want to break someones cohones about cigarette butts, go for it. I can’t stand to see those things lining the roadways either. But don’t stoop to referring to his weight as some sort of issue. I’m sure your not a perfect specimen of humanity either. You actually stopped and counted the cigarette butts? Man, you’ve so many other issues to worry about if you did that.

By Transport advocate

June 7, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

Jacqueline, come on sweetheart, you were speeding into a construction zone into the path of a roadside cop who was clearly visible. All of the cars rolling in the pack where you were ticketed should have been slowing down to at least somewhere in the 50-60 m.p.h. range, but lets get real, this is Atlanta. Life ain’t fair, sometimes that’s the way that the cookie crumbles.

I’ve gotten speeding tickets that I know I deserved and I’ve also gotten tickets that I thought were either somewhat or highly questionable. I am originally from Indiana where people complain about tickets that are $150 maximum in urban areas, but are primarily only $80 in most rural and suburban areas, fines that are relatively dirt-cheap compared to the $300-plus fines that are common in Georgia.

“Speed Traps: Lawbreaking or moneymaking?” How about moneymaking off lawbreaking? The fines are well over $300 in many places down here, but just taking one look at most, if not all, Atlanta-area roads, the steep fines and heavy enforcement (in some areas) don’t appear to be too much of a deterrent so of course these small towns and cities are going to take advantage of the rampant lawbreaking and haphazard habits of Georgia drivers.

Jacqueline, speaking to your situation of being ticketed. If you think Georgia is strict on construction-zone speeding and you think that your situation of being picked out of the pack of speeders was unfair and bad luck, consider the approach that the state of Illinois has taken to deter speeding in construction zones. The state of Illinois uses PHOTO ENFORCEMENT VANS manned by Illinois State troopers specially trained in that field of enforcement.

The photo enforcement system is the most fair system because speeders get a highly-visible visual roadside warning with a digital sign that tells drivers their speed and gives them a chance to slow down before triggering the camera and the radar. If the driver refuses to slow down, a picture of the driver, the car and license is snapped and is sent along with the exact time of the violation, with a citation, to the registered address of the driver within six days. The photo enforcement system is also a better system because fewer drivers escape punishment and the system is more about safety and protecting the lives and well-being of road workers than just merely punishment, enforcement or revenue.

A few years ago, a road construction worker was hit and killed by a speeding motorist in a work zone in the Chicago area. What made this tragic accident even more tragic was that the worker killed was a mother of 10 young children, none of which were older than age 12. The resulting media coverage and public outrage led to stepped up enforcement and increased penalties and fines in construction zones, with a $375 fine for first-time offenders, a $1000-fine and loss of driver’s license for 90-days for second-time offenders and an automatic minimum 14-year sentence and $15,000-fine if a construction worker is hit.

Everybody makes mistakes and drives over the speed limit every now-and-then (mostly now, then and then some and then some more in Atlanta it seems), but excessive speeding in construction zones just can’t and shouldn’t be tolerated because those workers have lives and families of their own and are out there trying to make the roads safe(r) for the entire public to be able to better and more efficiently use. If the roads aren’t maintained then not only can we not all get to work safely, but all of the goods and services that we all like to purchase from essentials like food and clothing to extras like electronics, computers, jewelery and other machinery can’t be shipped to where it needs to go to be used by the consuming public if there are big potholes in the pavement because no one wants to work on the roads because the risk of life and limb isn’t worth the not-quite-enough-pay.

I hope that we all, myself included, think about that the next time we go through a construction-zone. SLOW-DOWN and give the road workers a break out there risking their lives to make our commutes and therefore our lives, a little bit better.

In the meantime, for all the tickets that are questionable, I’d suggest that everybody that has to drive on the roads get to know the name of a good traffic lawyer and put ‘em on speed-dial and do some reading on local traffic laws to minimize your liabilities both in terms of avoiding as many fines and keeping your record as clean as possible and therefore keeping your insurance as low as possible.

By ATLien4Life!

June 7, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this

Quick note to Police Officer and the other cops on this blog. When I meet one of you that genuinely changes my opinion, I’ll let you know. Until then, my opinion is my opinion.

By Rod

June 7, 2006 02:52 PM | Link to this

d, why don’t you and your wife take some responsibility for your actions? Flashing lights at oncoming cars telling them to avoid a radar gun would get anybody busted - she should be glad she didn’t get a ticket (but you complain instead of praise). You say your windows were down so how could they see the tinting?!?! What a stupid comment - obviously not all your windows were down.

AND, you found out your letter was posted in the police breakroom?!?! Why are you blatantly lying now? How did you find out - one of your cop friends down there (doubtful since you hate them all). And I’d bet everything that you didn’t get out and count the cigarette butts - you’re nothing but a pathetic lying excuse of a man. Grow up and take responsibility for your actions and stop blaming the big bad cop just because you’ve got a racial chip on your shoulder.

You’re pathetic.

By Preacher

June 7, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this

Hey ATLien4Life!, it always comes down to this - He who cries racism the loudest is always the biggest racist. Instead of bad circumstances or dumb luck - which the rest of us accept, it’s always racism to you. Grow up.