What if the media used freedom of the press to report speed traps?

SGT Kristin Wiley — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 21:04:17 -0500

I know this is a strange question, and I have never worked with local law enforcement so please provide substative information. As I was driving home the other day, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if during the traffic update on the radio we were told the locations of speed traps. Yes we all know it's illegal to speed, but getting a ticket for going 5mph over the speed limit seems like wasted time. I know these tickets are used to fund state operations, but if the media reported these and the police gave less tickets, would more significant crimes get more attention?

I have personally grown up with a very negative perception of the police, and feel that no matter your intentions or knowledge of certain laws they will give a ticket for just about anything. I am wondering if the media reported certain activites (ie speed traps) routinely, if it would force the states to retask the police towards apprehending real criminals.

When I came home on leave from Iraq, I had to stand by my dad getting pulled over by a cop three times in one week. None of these occurences was my father doing what the cop gave him a ticket for. If my dad hadn't restrained me, I definitely would have given these cops a firm talking to about harassing law-abiding citizens and some random stuff about the real defenders of the country are serving overseas so you have these rights. It upsets me to no end that my fellow SMs and I are risking our lives for this country, while cops harass our friends and families.

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are, and hopefully I'll come out of this discussion with more consideration for the police force.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jan 29 at 2015 4:09 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 04:09:20 -0500

I'm sorry, but I love cops. Take cops off the streets and see how quickly things fall apart. They are underpaid, overworked, and often the brunt of hostile remarks by many people they interact with. No one wants to be ticketed and it is natural to want to take it out on the person writing the summons. By the end of a shift I would be clinching my teeth. Do police use funds from tickets to support programs within the deparment? Absolutely. Do I believe that all speed traps are solely to protect and serve vs. bringing in the income? Absolutely not, but then again, speeders have to pay the piper when they get caught. Cops use routine traffic stops for a multitude of reasons. Sometimes they are given specific orders before they start their patrol to pull over certain colored cars, certain aged drivers, etc, etc. In Philly, back in the day at least, just driving down certain streets gave cops reason to make a traffic stop (high drug areas, etc). If their intent is to deter drugs, solicitation, or keep gangs on their toes, some areas will be much "hotter" than others.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Jan 29 at 2015 9:23 AM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 09:23:03 -0500

This is how they do it in Germany.
it is illegal to warn other motorists at all so many people take a sign with the word RADAR very large in the middle, at the top it is written very small "I support" then the large RADAR at the bottom is says "Traps"
so in the end she holds a sign that says "I support Radar traps" but the motorists only can read the word Radar.
In the USA they woudl cart you away to jail either way but not in Germany, it has become somewhat of a sport, some get all dressed up like the lady in this photo:
https://twitter.com/thomas_bildde/status/ [login to see] 84215042

Thomas Knoop on Twitter

“Der Liebling der Autofahrer in #Hamburg: Brigitte Finken(52) mit ihrem cleveren Schild als Radarwarnerin! #Radarfalle”

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jan 29 at 2015 10:15 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 10:15:33 -0500

OK.... I admit that I was a Military Police officer and, therefore, not the most unbiased person to provide an answer to this question, but...

Police are sworn to enforce all laws. We cannot allow them to pick and choose which to enforce and which not to. Enforcement of traffic regulations is certainly not exempt.

The only reason the roads are as orderly as they are (yes, I know there is room for improvement) is because people know that they are patrolled by the police and that, if they violate a traffic regulation, they will be ticketed. If the rules of the road were not enforced, chaos would ensue, as everyone would do whatever they wanted with impunity. To actually think that people would "self-police" is a fantasy.

If you were on the other side of the equation (i.e., if you were a police officer), you would know that, for everybody who complains about police running radar/enforcing traffic laws, there are folks who complain that they don't do it enough. I used to get multiple calls a week asking that we increase traffic enforcement in housing areas, school zones, congested areas, etc., etc.

I'm not going to bore you with the stats that show that traffic accidents are a major cause of death and injury in our country and that speed is a major cause of accidents (along with DUI), but it is a fact. Enforcement is necessary to maintain control of the roadways and to reduce accidents.

Many jurisdictions actually do advertise where they will be conducting enhanced traffic enforcement. They also use roadside radar devices that simply advise drivers of their speed.

Are there officers and jurisdictions who go overboard? Certainly, but I think they are in the minority. Most are simply doing their jobs and many of those are conducting the traffic enforcement operations as ordered by their supervisors in response to citizen complaints/requests or known traffic safety issues.

I won't even comment on the remark about "apprehending real criminals", except to say that, while most speeders are not what one might call a criminal, they are, nonetheless, lawbreakers.

OK ... That's the MP talking. Now everyone is free to beat me up. :-)

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jan 29 at 2015 1:08 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 13:08:24 -0500

Apparently, there is now some "app" that tells people where speed traps are set up and the police are not happy. They claim it endangers everyone but I'm sure the lost revenue doen't factor into the equation...lol. I drive like an old man now. When I got back from Iraq, those first few months were ROUGH!

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Jan 29 at 2015 1:36 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 13:36:07 -0500

Well there were a couple of traffic reporters in Atlanta when I lived there that would say that such such and such law enforcement was fundraising on 285 near such and such road. That translated into speed trap.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2015 6:25 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 18:25:10 -0500

In Kansas, the location of speed traps is reported on the daily television broadcasts.

Response by TSgt Jackie Jones made Jan 29 at 2015 10:48 PM

TSgt Jackie Jones — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 22:48:49 -0500

As a former AF SF (MP) and a current peace officer, I can tell you this: if you or your dad were being harassed as you state, file a complaint. There are a hole officers out there, just like any other job. If you or your dad were not guilty, take it through the court process and make them prove your guilt.

Don't forget while you are the true hero serving overseas and protecting our freedoms, these folks are protecting your neighborhoods and streets, putting their life on the line everyday, too. Most have prior service and know exactly where you are, because they came from there.

Most also usually deal with number on jerkoff dangerous criminals regularly, and it changes their attitudes and hiwghtens their gruffness when dealing with the usual law abiding citizens.

Most departments have people specifically assigned to do traffic enforcement, so "catching the real bad guys" is outside of their duties for that day.