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Glenn_Richards's Blog

by Glenn_Richards from Orlando

Last Post 29 days, 11 hours Ago


I don't know if it's my imagination, but it seems to me that ever since the real-estate tax was lowered, there have been many more cops handing out tickets on the side of the road.  It makes sense to me that most cities are running very lean due to the drop in their tax revenue....so are they pulling double duty in handing out tickets?   Are they now pulling people over for just going 1-3 mph over the limit?  Obviously, this would make up for some of their lost $$.  If that is the case I'd rather keep the tax rate up higher....at least I can write that off on my tax return. 

I don't plan on speeding anytime too soon....

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Ericjhach read my blog view my photos
Apr 4, 2008 | 9:36 PM

Quotas. Always been there but now they are higher.

candyaquino read my blog view my photos
Apr 4, 2008 | 10:03 PM

i dont' know about here but in new jersey definately they have a certain quota to reach and it does help the budget. Glen while i understand what you are saying i kinda like it this way PERHAPS THESE IDIOTS THAT REALLY SPEED AND HURT PEOPLE WILL MINIMIZE...ya think

TavaresJim read my blog view my photos
Apr 4, 2008 | 10:07 PM

Some towns here are always extra busy enhancing revenue. Altamonte Springs has a real racket going on. Anyone who has ever been to their traffic court can attest to that.

mscsailor read my blog
Apr 5, 2008 | 6:14 AM

Traffic violations are easy money for cities, counties, and the state. Don't believe it? Look at the push for red light cameras- strictly revenue producing devices. Additionally, LEOs would much, much rather have cushy traffic jobs than assignments that really impact crime and increase public safety.

Wolfrider40
Apr 5, 2008 | 6:40 AM

They don't need to issue more speeding tickets to make up for the lower property taxes - they can just add a $.10 tax to the gas prices and hit EVERYONE at the same time...

Candy - I would agree with you except that it usually seems like it's the guy who was doing 8 mph over the limit who's sitting pulled over on the side of the road - as the idiot(s) doing 20mph over the limit cruise on by.

Rideintodarkness read my blog
Apr 5, 2008 | 7:18 AM

quotas, quotas, quotas,
I went for a ride along with a FHP a couple of years ago. We patrolled I-95 in Brevard County he only pulled drivers over going 90 MPH and faster and we were non stop all night long. So if there is a quota How high would it have to be for an officer to be so desperate and give someone a ticket if they wer ?barely? breaking the law. Try this on for size "Dont Speed"

signal12 read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2008 | 7:39 AM

I have a quota that I must meet every month..

I have to write at least 4 tickets or 4 warnings a month.. I still have my slightly used ticket book, but have gone through several warning books. ;o)

1-3 miles over? sorry you can fight that and win..

signal12 read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2008 | 7:42 AM

The other day I noticed Longwood running their speed trap on 1792. they work the 45mph zone where drivers are doing 60+. More power to them!

LLRucker read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2008 | 9:27 AM

This last week, I've seen Longwood and Lake Mary PD on I-4,running radar.

mscsailor read my blog
Apr 5, 2008 | 11:59 AM

LLRucker sez- "This last week, I've seen Longwood and Lake Mary PD on I-4,running radar"

Another abuse of power. The road is crawling with FHP and city and county cops are running radar on I-4? Crime is at an all time high and the locals are filling ticket books on I4. Think about it. How many times have you heard someone complain about how long it took to respond to a purse snatching or a break in? Now you know why.

signal12 read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2008 | 12:14 PM

mscsailor~
Have you done research? To those of us that know who's on I-4, working I-4. To those who post things like you just posted. Show the ones in the know just how ignorant some of the public can be.

Example: FHP- they work auto accidents on state highways & write tickets. Thats their job function.

Local city and county agencies have dedicated units that only work traffic details. those are the ones you see writing tickets and at auto accidents.

the rest of the onduty officers are answering calls or patrolling neighborhoods.

Now you've been educated. ;o)

signal12 read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2008 | 12:18 PM

I mean really, if it wasnt for people like you that gripe about every little thing we do. We might get more work done..

Over with calls take a back seat to those that are in progress. So yes if a person tha has a house broken into, has to wait an extra 30 mins. because the responding officer witnessed a 3 car pile up with injuries (in progress) then the other call will have to wait..

signal12 read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2008 | 12:26 PM

mscsailor~ in your perfect world we would only be seen when you wanted us.. We wouldnt be stopping speeders, we wouldnt be allowed to stop at dunkin donuts for a cheap coffee and use the bathroom, we wouldnt be sitting in our cars at a gas station or in a hwy median typing a report while the car & our presence offers a deterrent.

In your book police officers are always wrong, we never do anything right.. So why should we exsist? what would you do in our shoes? Please tell us so that we could be educated.. :o)

signal12 read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2008 | 1:26 PM

Glen Im not sure the rise in officers writing tickets can be blamed on amenment 1. Agencies normally work traffic details at least once a month. they go out and target agressive drivers, as this has been a constant complaint of drivers on the roads today..

PegasusWing read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2008 | 9:11 PM

My street is underposted at 25mph. The houses are set back 50', no congestion, no schools, no playgrounds, very little traffic. It should be 35-40mph. Rather than do some good and catch real speeders, the sheriff's dept. takes it easy. They sit on the side, and just walk into the street and flag people over. That is theft.

ocsoorlando
Apr 5, 2008 | 9:57 PM

Sorry Glenn, but by Florida State Statute you cannot get a ticket until you are going 6mph over the limit, you can be stopped for less but cannot get a ticket. As far as Quotas, they are against the law and if the Federal Government would find that an agency has a quota they would be in serious trouble. A Deputy or Officer can get away with writing no tickets for the month since quotas are not allowed. The only incentive to writing traffic citations are to hopefully save a life.

ocsoorlando
Apr 5, 2008 | 10:08 PM

I really like when people call them "speedtraps". The majority of time the officers are standing out in the open on the side of the road, no trap there. If people would pay attention instead of talking on their cell phones, text messaging, reading books, newspapers, maps, putting make up on or whatever else they are doing instead of paying attention to the road and whats going on they wouldnt be "caught" not "trapped" like people prefer to say. I have an idea, as crazy as it sounds, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT YOU DO AND DON"T BLAME EVERYBODY ELSE FOR WHAT YOU DO. That goes for everyday actions not just speeding down the road so totally absorbed in yourself that you speed, drive drunk or run others off the road because you had to comb your hair. And for you mscsailor, GROW UP, don't blame the Police or Deputies, blame the goons in our society that create all the crime that is out there and could care less about any other person on this earth.

signal12 read my blog view my photos
Apr 6, 2008 | 1:11 AM

ocsoorlando~ very well said.

Rideintodarkness read my blog
Apr 6, 2008 | 5:39 AM

No pegasuswing that is called getting a citation because you think you should be able to drive faster then the posted speed because the houses are set back 50', no congestion, no schools, no playgrounds, very little traffic. If you think it is underposted then try and get it raised, until then drive the posted speed limit and you wont have to worry about getting a ticket.

Rideintodarkness read my blog
Apr 6, 2008 | 5:51 AM

why is it that some people that blog on here seem to think that only certain laws should apply and almost all of the time never to them. The law is the law, just because you dont agree with it doesnt mean it shouldnt be enforced. In my perfect world all the cops would be fat and lazy because there would be no crime and nothing for them to do. It isnt a perfect world but if everyone would obey all laws then maybe we would be a step closer.

sabaii read my blog
Apr 6, 2008 | 8:14 AM

I drive I-4 frequently back and forth to Tampa. I drive 75 to keep from getting rear ended.The drivers going by me at 100 speed right past the troopers in the median and are not caught.By the way, I come home at shift change of the Tampa Police Dept and they are hauling butt and breaking the law so they can go home. NOT in persuit of anyone.

GrayWolfNOrlando read my blog view my photos
Apr 6, 2008 | 3:05 PM

If cops are issuing more tickets now, why weren't they doing it all along? If a person becomes a cop, then enforce all traffic laws, none of this selective enforcement crap. When was the last time you seen a cop sitting at a intersection and a driver clearly blows a red light and the cop goes after him/her. I saw that yesterday. As a matter of fact, I had paused a few seconds before I proceeded and had I been quick on the gas pedal I would had been hit. Now, I would of thought the Orange County Deputy that was right behind me in the same lane would had gone after this driver. Nope.....didn't happen. I've been in Orlando for 15 years and have seen quite a few times where cops are at intersections and drivers blow traffic lights and they do nothing. I see why red light running is an epidemic here. They see that cops will not pull them over for running a traffic light. There is no fear here of getting a citation. The state can put up all the signs they want for fines of running a traffic light, put camaras up and what will that do. NOTHING! Until they get cops that enforces all traffic laws this will be a continuing problem.

mscsailor read my blog
Apr 6, 2008 | 5:22 PM

sabaii sez - "Tampa Police Dept and they are hauling butt and breaking the law"

Not just Tampa, but everywhere. We all see it. Cops speeding with no emergency. ow many time have you been passed by a cop (especially FHP!) on the 408 doing about 15 over for no reason. It is a symptom of the cop mentality.

Ericjhach read my blog view my photos
Apr 6, 2008 | 8:43 PM

Glen the worst city is right where the studio is, Lake Mary. You have four lane roads with grass mediums with a thirty mph speed limit. Go over the limit by two mph and you will get a ticket.
As far as quotas the police will never admit to it but everyone knows that they have them. I have heard of police officiers getting repramanded for not writing enough.

Brokergirl
Apr 7, 2008 | 4:21 PM

I drive a black 06 mustang and I swear they pull me over just to pull me over!!! I am sooooo frustrated - I have had police officers actully follow me home and give me a ticket after I have stopped my car and gotten out to go into my home!! I had one officer going the opposite direction actually turn around and say it "looked like I was going too fast" - didn't give me a ticket but made me late for work - and No I was not speeding - I don't dare - I always set my cruise control in Volusia. I had another officer pull me over and refuse to show me the radar - I should at least be able to see what he said he clocked me at - I had just left a red light and there was no way I was going 45 mph - I do have a stang but it is a pony - not a GT. I just think that will all the other problems in Florida - someone going 5 miles over the limit should be left alone.

Brokergirl
Apr 7, 2008 | 4:22 PM

P.S. - Everyone and I mean Everyone knows there are quotas.

signal12 read my blog view my photos
Apr 7, 2008 | 4:50 PM

Really Quotas? I have a friend thats written one ticket in 20yrs. lol, so no theres no quotas some are more inclined to write more than others..

Most agencies dont run lights & sirens to calls, but need to get there quickly. Thus it gives the public something else to complain about..

Brokergirl~ You should have known, you bought a guy catcher car... lol

I remember one night we had a lady pullinto a gas staion in her 06 mustang. next thing she knew there where four cops drooling over her ride. they didnt care about the girl just the car and what better person to ask questions than the owner. ;o)

mscsailor read my blog
Apr 7, 2008 | 5:37 PM

Brokergirl sez -"Everyone and I mean Everyone knows there are quotas"

Correct. A quota by any other name is still a quota. They may be called "performance goals" or "contacts", but however they want to twist the language- it's still a quota.

Sorrento_Dude read my blog
Apr 7, 2008 | 7:05 PM

I was pulled over about 2 years ago for making an Illegal u-turn. I pulled up to the light and didn't see the sign. When the officer pulled me over hel pulled my record and saw that I hadn't had a ticket in more than 10 years. He said to me "wow dat es pretty good, Ju can no say dat no more" told me to sign here and have a nice day. What a pr1ck. So now I hate cope, especially rican ones.

Sorrento_Dude read my blog
Apr 7, 2008 | 7:07 PM

I was pulled over about 2 years ago for making an Illegal u-turn. I pulled up to the light and didn't see the sign. When the officer pulled me over hel pulled my record and saw that I hadn't had a ticket in more than 10 years. He said to me "wow dat es pretty good, Ju can no say dat no more" told me to sign here and have a nice day. What a pr1ck. So now I hate cope, especially rican ones.

sipedo read my blog view my photos
Apr 7, 2008 | 9:15 PM

As I sat in court today as a witness for a friend on a speeding ticket, I began to keep a rough tally of the fines handed out, 5700 dollars in a matter of 45 minutes. It definitely makes you wonder. See my blog for the account of what happened today in court.

TavaresJim read my blog view my photos
Apr 7, 2008 | 9:48 PM

I got a bogus ticket in Altamonte Springs. A jackboot wearing patrolman claimed I was going 72 thru the intersection of 436 & 434 at 2pm in the afternoon. This while driving my old hunting Jeep that won't even do 72 going downhill with a 100mph tailwind!!! Lucky for me I have the resources to have an attorney. He got it thrown out. It cost me more than the fine would have been but that didn't matter, I knew I was right. The poor folks who didn't have legal backing got screwed. Anyone who thinks there is justice at Altamonte Springs Municipal Court is fooling themselves. A giant ripoff plain and simple.

NEye4NEye read my blog
Apr 7, 2008 | 10:29 PM

Well, ocsoorlando, at least someone here has some sense!

For those of you who think the cops are writing more tickets to make up for Amendment 1, here is a little tidbit of info for you: Only a small portion of the fine goes to the issuing agency, the rest goes to various funds as determined by the legislature.

Quotas are illegal and an agency will get in a lot of trouble for inforcing any quota. That happened a while back in Volusia Co. I believe when a Sgt. or Lt. put something in a memo or email about having to write a certine number of citations.

And as someone pointed out already. If you do not want to get a speeding ticket then DON'T SPEED! Unless you are dirving WAY over the speed limit on a LONG trip, your speeding is not going to make you get there any faster really, and may cause you to catch more red lights if they are synchronized. Speeding also greatly increases you chances of being involved in an accident as well. And just because the speed limit sign says 65, does not mean you should drive 65 (or faster). Depending on conditions (rain, traffic, fog, etc) 65 may be too fast and you can get a ticket for that. Not to mention that if you are intentionally speeding and are involved in a crash where someone is killed you could end up with prison time instead of a ticket. Big risk just to get there a few minutes earlier. It is a lot easier and safer just to leave earlier if you want to get their earlier!

mscsailor read my blog
Apr 8, 2008 | 4:47 AM

NEye4NEye sez -"65 may be too fast and you can get a ticket for that"

65 may also be too slow when the cops get their "left lane" law passed this year. Now their lobby wants the power to give you a ticket for going too fast OR too slow, but they can speed anytime they are late for the donut shop.

cookie-lady read my blog view my photos
Apr 8, 2008 | 7:50 AM

So, it sounds like I can start driving about 6 miles over the speed limit and not get in trouble. This is wonderful information!

I sincerely believe that if you pay money to drive the toll roads, you ought to be allowed to drive as fast as is safe to go. Think about it, you pay no money and get to drive 55 mph on I-4, but then get on 528 and have it with 50 mph max in places. What a rip off!

Edgard19
Apr 8, 2008 | 9:09 AM

i think the worst city is winter park. about a year and a half ago i got a ticket coming out of whole foods supermarket and making a left hand turn on aloma (which i had made many times over). well, this time, "someone" had installed a no left turn sign just below the stop sign, which me, along w/ other drivers after me never saw. just waiting down the road there were 2 winter park cops pulling us over. long story short, i went back to see if the sign was regulated by the dot (sticker on back) and it was NOT REGULATED! so i went to court (with pictures and all)only to find out that in winter park there is no "... and justice for all"... they're a bunch of crooks ... from the high-fiving cops to the rude a$$ hearing officer who knew exactly which sign i was talking about. funny thing is, now that sign is no longer there... and all street signs point out the fact that it is acceptable to make a lefthnad turn... makes you go hmm!

NEye4NEye read my blog
Apr 8, 2008 | 12:21 PM

mscsailor ,

The "left lane Law" as you call it is not about driving faster, it is about driving in the right lane unless unless you are passing someone and not driving below the speed limit in the left lane right along side of another car driving the same speed in the right lane.

And as for cops speeding, I am sure there are some cops that drive too fast for no reason. However, just because you see a cop going faster without his lights or siren on does not mean that he is on his way to the donut shop. Cops often respond to calls without using their emergency equipment because the minute they turn on their lights most drivers on the road become total idiots. 9 time out of 10 when a cop responding to an emergency comes up behind another car, the driver looks up in his mirror, sees the flashing lights, and JAMS ON HIS BREAKS!!!! instead of just pulling over out of the way.

Also, sometimes cops drive along the highway at say 10 over the limit according to their calibrated speedometers. Then when someone either begins gaining on the officer from behind, or pulling away from the officer in front, the cop can stop them and write them a ticket for at least 10 MPH over the limit. It is called a "pace clock".

Additionally, how many times have you seen a "cop" driving along right at the speed limit on the highway as traffic piles up behind him causing a rolling road block and said to your self, "why don't he speed up or get off the road"? If it suits you it is OK, if it helps the cop get his donut while the "Hot & Fresh" light is on at the shop it isn't......

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Glenn_Richards

Don't mess with my forecasts!! It's been an excting ride here in Central Florida in our wild world of weather. It's started with the storm of the century in 1993 and continues today.....

Member Since: 7/12/2006