Impounded!!!!!

[skratch]

Dangit, and the only thing I can contribute is . . . well I can't really contribute .

Ooooops, Rhinoliner on my hootus!

 

[fireplug]

I refuse to let this thread die! Ok back to topic for a sec then, if I may suggest something regarding breakfast cereal?

Here's why I scoff at the lift law situation.

They hand driver's licenses out in every state/province with an absolute flippant disregard for actual skill level. Forget challenging the individuals cognitive ability to preplan, or anticipate accidents, or ANY mechanical knowledge (ie. antilock vs standard braking), a frightful percentage can barely do more than point the freakin' car in the right direction. Hell I don't think most of them have even been taught that slow traffic moves to the right, and you only pass on the left!

How about all the rusted out junkers, with brakes scraping metal on metal, floorboards you can look through, and no brake lights?

How about the hundreds or thousands of people pouring out of the nightclubs on Thurs, Fri, and Saturday night and piling right into their cars, with nary a cop in sight?

'They' pretend they are worried about road safety when the truth of it is they simply see an easy catch to meet their quota, or the tax money coming into the system from the ticket.

I'd say the chances are that most of these lifted trucks are actually pretty damn safe rigs, and the drivers are likely skilled, as they are building them and actually have knowledge and passion for what they drive, or if they are simply 'posers', they've gone and had the liftkit installed at a qualified shop.

Now, I'm going to say...Crispy Wheats and Raisins over Raisin Bran...

 

[Bubba Ray Boudreaux]

'They' pretend they are worried about road safety when the truth of it is they simply see an easy catch to meet their quota, or the tax money coming into the system from the ticket.

I would love to see some factual study to substantiate that statement................

 

[AZ79K5Project]

I refuse to let this thread die! Ok back to topic for a sec then, if I may suggest something regarding breakfast cereal?

Here's why I scoff at the lift law situation.

They hand driver's licenses out in every state/province with an absolute flippant disregard for actual skill level. Forget challenging the individuals cognitive ability to preplan, or anticipate accidents, or ANY mechanical knowledge (ie. antilock vs standard braking), a frightful percentage can barely do more than point the freakin' car in the right direction. Hell I don't think most of them have even been taught that slow traffic moves to the right, and you only pass on the left!

True

How about all the rusted out junkers, with brakes scraping metal on metal, floorboards you can look through, and no brake lights?

I'd say the chances are that most of these lifted trucks are actually pretty damn safe rigs, and the drivers are likely skilled, as they are building them and actually have knowledge and passion for what they drive, or if they are simply 'posers', they've gone and had the liftkit installed at a qualified shop.

Have you actually looked at some the crap that rolls down the road? It's already been stated, the higher the truck, the higher the COM the easier the thing will roll (propensity to roll value is decreased).

Here's the point sparky - taking the dangerous car, unsafe truck, POS turd wagon off the road means one less chance of an accident, one less chance of injury or having to do a death notification. Less impact to the community. Less complaints when dipsh!t soccer mom can't find her friggen way home because the way she normally takes was closed because of the crashed turd wagon and she has no clue how to get home any other way.

The reality is this, the laws are there for overall safety, whether you agree or not.

How about the hundreds or thousands of people pouring out of the nightclubs on Thurs, Fri, and Saturday night and piling right into their cars, with nary a cop in sight?

'They' pretend they are worried about road safety when the truth of it is they simply see an easy catch to meet their quota, or the tax money coming into the system from the ticket.

Looks like someone got cut from the team...

 

[Currank5]

I would love to see some factual study to substantiate that statement................

Here in Mass. there is a program known as "Grant Patrol". I've had this marked on a ticket, but it is basically a period in which the town keeps a percentage of the money they get for writing tickets. .

I know this because i dated a girl whose father worked for the town. He fixed that ticket for me and used to let me know when the cops were trying to make the town some money.

Are you denying that there is any such thing as a quota? I dont know how things are from where you are from but quotas do exist. Please convince me that they dont. There are absolutely times when tickets are written for things that 9 out of 10 other times wouldn't even be an issue.

Maybe this guy's truck who was impounded was a victim? Maybe, probably not, who knows? I'm staying on topic, not just padding... Thanks.

 

[Bubba Ray Boudreaux]

Here in Mass. there is a program known as "Grant Patrol". I've had this marked on a ticket, but it is basically a period in which the town keeps a percentage of the money they get for writing tickets. .

That doesn't prove anything. What you are more than likely talking about is the grants that agencies receive so they can pay their officers overtime so they can work overtime. Other than that, a lot of agencies/municipalities get a percentage of their budgets from traffic fines. That isn't a quota.

Are you denying that there is any such thing as a quota? [/QUOTE]

No, but first, quotas are illegal. Two, reread and reunderstand what I said. Homey wants to claim that we have quotas and that's all we care about. That's a bull**** statement because the vast majority of us do not care how many tickets we right and me personally, I've written too many myself in the last month and that's 3 tickets.

There are absolutely times when tickets are written for things that 9 out of 10 other times wouldn't even be an issue.

And that usually the result because the driver was an ass................

 

[Currank5]

I agree thats not all that they care about, they have a job to do and i can respect that. However, there are times when a cop is out to write as many tickets as possible whether its because he is in a bad mood, on a power trip, or for whatever reasons he has that he may not be able to discuss.

Also the driver being a dick could influence it but there are times when the cop is being an ass and you know you're getting the ticket anyway. Even for something minor but he feels he has to bust your balls. So sometimes drivers come off with an attitude when its somthing petty, but if i know i'm in the wrong i can be respectful and take responsibility for what i've done.

 

[AZ79K5Project]

I agree thats not all that they care about, they have a job to do and i can respect that. However, there are times when a cop is out to write as many tickets as possible whether its because he is in a bad mood, on a power trip, or for whatever reasons he has that he may not be able to discuss.

Also the driver being a dick could influence it but there are times when the cop is being an ass and you know you're getting the ticket anyway. Even for something minor but he feels he has to bust your balls. So sometimes drivers come off with an attitude when its somthing petty, but if i know i'm in the wrong i can be respectful and take responsibility for what i've done.

I can't talk about other parts of the world, but in my little world, cops don't have the time to write for everything they find. I can stop a commercial truck and write two pages of safety violations on an inspection report for the worst trucks, I only cite one or two of the most serious ones that the driver should have known about.

Normal stops, if my focus is traffic enforcement, guess what - I'm enforcing traffic laws. You are going to get a ticket. Almost every cop could write a 5 pack (one complete citation with 5 violations) on every stop. All this does is drag the cop into court. Most cops avoid that.

 

[fireplug]

Looks like someone got cut from the team...

I don't have a clue what you're referring to to make comment but based on

Here's the point sparky

I'll assume it is demeaning?

Also let me be completely clear. I consider safety to be paramount. And I AM supporting safety inspections and enforcement I'm not sure if you misunderstood that. Keep in mind I see, feel, and clean up after the tragedies that unfold on the road. My point is that because the truck is high does not make it more dangerous than a rotted out Pinto, a well maintained tractor and trailor, or a modified Blazer. There are plenty of vehicles legally on the road that are simply killing machines. The operator is the largest factor.

 

[fireplug]

I would love to see some factual study to substantiate that statement................

I apologize for reaching beyond my immediate knowledge. Here there are most certainly quotas. And I don't know where fine money goes in your neck of the woods but I sure do here.

Also, I'd like to be clear, I've no problem with the officer. Nor cops, my uncle is cop, my grandfather was a cop, and I've plenty of friends that are as well. Being a firefighter here anyway, we share a bond and culture. I know very well how the job works. So disrespect is NEVER intended.

And when I stated "they"

Homey wants to claim that we have quotas and that's all we care about. That's a bull**** statement because the vast majority of us do not care how many tickets we right and me personally, I've written too many myself in the last month and that's 3 tickets.

I'm talking the system the politicians that (here) drive the quotas and blitzs.

 

[AZ79K5Project]

I'll assume it is demeaning? .

Nope, not at all. Sparky is a name I use and have used for years.

 

[K5Greek]

LEEREED123 was that truck in jersey yesterday? i saw the exact same one llast night in a parking lot i had to slow down to make sure i saw the flames and what not..

 

[Bubba Ray Boudreaux]

However, there are times when a cop is out to write as many tickets as possible whether its because he is in a bad mood, on a power trip, or for whatever reasons he has that he may not be able to discuss.

Interesting statement and again, a wrong statement.

I apologize for reaching beyond my immediate knowledge. Here there are most certainly quotas. And I don't know where fine money goes in your neck of the woods but I sure do here.

Then next time, put a little more thought into what you right before you post. Generalizing a whole profession just because of your observations in BFE Ontario is not the way to go about things.......................

 

[gibby2268]

personally, I've written too many myself in the last month and that's 3 tickets.



And that usually the result because the driver was an ass................

Bubba, I think you might have me beat on that one, I think I've done 2.
No quotas here, and its a good thing, cause I'd be out of a job..most all of us here would be. Yes, there are those that get off writing tickets, but those are actually few and far between...they are just the ones everyone sees and remembers. I do make traffic stops, just normally don't write tickets unless they are being a nutsack or they are doing something downright reckless and dangerous. I didn't take this job to be a revenue generator or a tax collector.

 

[lar300mag]

Just wondering-where does the money go that people pay for tickets/citations? Since I try my best not to give my money away, I never thought much about it.

 

[AZ79K5Project]

Depends on the jurisdiction and articles of incorporation.

Here is how one jurisdiciton splits the fine:

• Forfeiture: $30-Goes to the county; if it's a state charge, it's split 50-50 with the state
• 23% Penalty Assessment:$7.20-Goes to the state for a law enforcement training fund
• Court Costs: $25-The state gets $15, the county gets $10
• Justice Information Fee: $9-Goes to the state for computer systems development (includes non-court systems)
• Jail Assessment Fee: $10-Goes to the Sheriff's Office for jail expansion and maintenance
• Drug Enforcement Assessment: $7-Goes to the state crime laboratory
• Court Support Fee: $68-Goes to the state; a portion is returned to counties in block grants for court-related expenditures
• TOTAL: $156.20-YOU PAY THIS AMOUNT

This is a typical breakdown.

 

[AZ79K5Project]

Bubba, I think you might have me beat on that one, I think I've done 2.
No quotas here, and its a good thing, cause I'd be out of a job..most all of us here would be. Yes, there are those that get off writing tickets, but those are actually few and far between...they are just the ones everyone sees and remembers. I do make traffic stops, just normally don't write tickets unless they are being a nutsack or they are doing something downright reckless and dangerous. I didn't take this job to be a revenue generator or a tax collector.

It's not about generating revenue or a tax collector. It's about reducing careless or dangerous behavior that causes collisions. Not flaming just my opinion. Anyone that approaches enforcement with a revenue generating attitude is an asshat and creates a negative attitude towards LEO.

I hate stats, most are complete and utter B/S. I came across a study that I do use when I do training and cert classes. "For each 1 MPH in drop of average speed results in a 5% decrease in collisions."

We see it our jurisdiciton. Low tolerance directed enforcment reduces crashes - period.

 

[Bubba Ray Boudreaux]

Bubba, I think you might have me beat on that one, I think I've done 2.
No quotas here, and its a good thing, cause I'd be out of a job..most all of us here would be. Yes, there are those that get off writing tickets, but those are actually few and far between...they are just the ones everyone sees and remembers. I do make traffic stops, just normally don't write tickets unless they are being a nutsack or they are doing something downright reckless and dangerous. I didn't take this job to be a revenue generator or a tax collector.

Well, two of them were Texas Longhorn fans so I couldn't let those go

Just wondering-where does the money go that people pay for tickets/citations? Since I try my best not to give my money away, I never thought much about it.

Like has already been said, all depends on the jurisdiction. Even though we have some ungodly fines here in OK, a sheriff department gets all of about $10 per ticket written in the county except for municipal tickets; the city gets to keep most of that. Hell, one trooper around these parts probably writes more tickets in a day than everyone in my department in a month's time. The rest of it gets doled out to different state agencies and the courts.

 

[fireplug]

Interesting statement and again, a wrong statement.



Then next time, put a little more thought into what you right before you post. Generalizing a whole profession just because of your observations in BFE Ontario is not the way to go about things.......................

ok

 

[Can Can]

Randy:

Although I replied to your post, I was talking about this thread in general. Sorry for the confusion.

In hindsight, what I should have written was:

This thread is disappointing on many different levels.