speed traps???

[Styx]

I was not sure how to title this......but I am curious about something.


There is a road that leads in and out of our neighborhood. It has a school and an apartemnt luxury home site (or so they call them...they are an eye sore in our neighborhood). The welcome center and a site where a community shopping center will be built are located on this street, as well.

Its a busy street.

Many people zoom by without a care...school zone light blinking or not and many times there are cops on motorcycles hiding behind the gate leading to the apt complex ........I always get a good laugh when someone zooms past me and gets stopped. I simply drive by in my little mommy van, smiling....those Idiots.

On average, I see someone getting stopped about 2 times a week. I dont know how often it happens in a day.

My question....are traffic enforcement officer stationed in a certain place until another call come in or do they just know where to sit an wait for a traffic rule violator? Also, how can my neighbors be so stupid and not have it figured out yet......there is obviously a cop waiting for someone to exit or enter the neighborhood and violate some rule. HEEEEELLLLOOOO.

How can I find out how many speeding tickets have been issued on that street? Once the shopping center is built, traffic will increase and the school located in that street is the one my daughter will attend in 2 years. I have seen children who dont look more than 6 years old crossing that street with the help of a crossing guard, of course...but still! I am not sure what I could propose as a community member once I discover how mnay speeding tickets are issued on that street, but I have to start somewhere.

Any ideas?

[gotthblues]

go to the agency that patrols that area, wether it be city or sheriff, they have the stats you are looking for. tickets are public records, however, if they are still in the stone age, and the tickets are only logged on paper, you may have some heavy resistance, because your request will be a major pain in the ***, versus if all the tickets are on a computer. you may have to go through your city manager to get this done.

your question is also about area activity, not a speed trap, "speed traps" are defined by how much revenue a city takes in off of tickets alone,, not just one specific area. in okla, if a city brings in more than, crap, i think 40 something % revenue from just traffic tickets alone, its a speed trap and the troopers can shut them down and they are no longer allowed to write tickets for around 6 months.

if there is an area with special interest, such as schools, business districts with foot traffic, then yes officers are going to work that area, its harder to argue that an officer is just out for money, when they are working speed in school zones and such.

[Styx]

Thanks, GTB.

Also, thanks for defining speed trap.

I am actually glad cops hang out in that area....according to the command reports we get in our newsletter, there seems to be quite a bit of criminal activity in the area I usually see them. Plus, a lot of people drive way too fast in this neighborhood and they need to slow down.

[Bodie]

You should be glad they are there. If you want a list of real speed traps contact the AAA auto club

[Styx]

You should be glad they are there. If you want a list of real speed traps contact the AAA auto club
Bodie, Perhaos you did not read my orginal posts very well.

I am very glad they are there......there are a lot of children in that area..at any given time. I was not complaining about the presence of cops in my neighborhood
I dont want a list of speed traps; I dont speed, so what good would that do?

I want a list of how many tickets have been issued in that area I mentioned because I think some speed bumps should be put in to slow people down. I need proof that there is a large amount of speeders endangering our children.
All the hoity-toity people in this community will get their panties in a wad about it until one of their own is injured by a speeding idiot who either lives here or is shopping at the center they are building "for our convenience" What a load of crap.......I moved out here to get away from all the city chaos. I dont want it in my backyard.

[gotthblues]

Bodie, Perhaos you did not read my orginal posts very well.

I am very glad they are there......there are a lot of children in that area..at any given time. I was not complaining about the presence of cops in my neighborhood
I dont want a list of speed traps; I dont speed, so what good would that do?

I want a list of how many tickets have been issued in that area I mentioned because I think some speed bumps should be put in to slow people down. I need proof that there is a large amount of speeders endangering our children.
All the hoity-toity people in this community will get their panties in a wad about it until one of their own is injured by a speeding idiot who either lives here or is shopping at the center they are building "for our convenience" What a load of crap.......I moved out here to get away from all the city chaos. I dont want it in my backyard.
:rolleyes: saw that coming, :rolleyes: i understood what ya were askin.. ;)

[Styx]

Well...its my fault for using that title. I did not know what to title it.

Bodie is just Bodie and I am surprised he didn't write more.

I tried to be a lady as I composed my reply to his post.

Honestly, until you defined it , I didnt even know what a speed trap really was or that it was an actual term. Now I know.

[gotthblues]

naah, dont sweat it, i have been guilty of only half *** reading a post,, but youre right,,

i didnt see anything wrong with either post,

if you havent been an officer how are you supposed to know all the lingo and definitions, but speed trap is a commonly misused term, texas statutes may be different, but for okla, what i said earlier is a speed trap.

[Matto]

go to the agency that patrols that area, wether it be city or sheriff, they have the stats you are looking for. tickets are public records, however, if they are still in the stone age, and the tickets are only logged on paper, you may have some heavy resistance, because your request will be a major pain in the ***, versus if all the tickets are on a computer. you may have to go through your city manager to get this done.

your question is also about area activity, not a speed trap, "speed traps" are defined by how much revenue a city takes in off of tickets alone,, not just one specific area. in okla, if a city brings in more than, crap, i think 40 something % revenue from just traffic tickets alone, its a speed trap and the troopers can shut them down and they are no longer allowed to write tickets for around 6 months.

if there is an area with special interest, such as schools, business districts with foot traffic, then yes officers are going to work that area, its harder to argue that an officer is just out for money, when they are working speed in school zones and such.

Heh, I think Oklahoma is notorious, atleast on the east side of the state, for running traps. There are departments there running 100 percent off their budget from tickets, and continue to do so.

[gotthblues]

Heh, I think Oklahoma is notorious, atleast on the east side of the state, for running traps. There are departments there running 100 percent off their budget from tickets, and continue to do so.
true, i know that there is one less doing it now,, *busted*

[Bodie]

The post itslf did not fit the title so how well thought out was that ?
First you started with a title that is offensive to most officers "speed trap" and then go on to say your glad cop is there ????
Yeah I am being just "Bodie" but it's posts like these that cause that.

All it takes alos is for some liberal judge to see a rash of tickets out of one area and come to the conclusion cops have found a cash cow and he starts throwing out tickets or reducing them.

You can sit in a school zone in the country and spend an entire shift and not stop writing tickets. People do not learn no matter how long the officer sits there or how many tickets they write. The unit can be in plain sight all day.

[gotthblues]

First you started with a title that is offensive to most officers "speed trap"

i thought nothing could ruffle your feathers????

[Bodie]

You have no clue the effort we have put into shutting down speed traps that operated for profit only not traffic safety etc.

[gotthblues]

i dont????

[Matto]

true, i know that there is one less doing it now,, *busted*
Which? I can think of three off the top of my head in that area.

[gotthblues]

Which? I can think of three off the top of my head in that area.
well, i dont want to point fingers, but its a two part word, the first is another word for large,,, and the second word is another for a house in the woods,,,, lets see how much smarts ya gotts..

[Matto]

well, i dont want to point fingers, but its a two part word, the first is another word for large,,, and the second word is another for a house in the woods,,,, lets see how much smarts ya gotts..
Hahaha... well **** now you make me look bad. I got big cabin? :(

[gotthblues]

ding ding, yabba dabba doo, we cant write you, :D

[Matto]

ding ding, yabba dabba doo, we cant write you, :D
Holy crap I was right? They should be shut down just for the name of their city. I wonder why Oklahoma won't touch Roland? Not only is their budget fully funded by citations, but they're so crooked and have been complained on I can't imagine how many times. I know OHP stays away from there..

[gotthblues]

i dunno, usually they will swarm them,, i know they hammered the snot out of two around my old area,,

oh yea, your pm box is full

[Matto]

i dunno, usually they will swarm them,, i know they hammered the snot out of two around my old area,,

oh yea, your pm box is full
My bad, clean now. Yeah they are pretty bad around here, I've heard some crooked stories. Go to speedtrap.org and look for Roland or Moffett. :)

[gotthblues]

that really a web site,,, be back,

in the pm i was just tellin ya that tx dps doesnt have take homes, you share the car,, that sucks,

[Matto]

that really a web site,,, be back,

in the pm i was just tellin ya that tx dps doesnt have take homes, you share the car,, that sucks,
Are you serious? When did you hear that?

Yeah its really a website, make sure to look at the comments under each listing.

[gotthblues]

Are you serious? When did you hear that?

Yeah its really a website, make sure to look at the comments under each listing.
when i applied, they pay good, but dont have enuff $ for cars,,

holy crap, i just looked at that,,wooow,, good thing my old pd wasnt on there,,, :D , i also added a comment,,,it aint there yet,, two things kill me about that, one- i guess no one thinks that an officer should work traffic, anywhere period, cause the hole damn state is on there, and two- i dont remember, people are so dumb some times,,, okay, quite often..

[Matto]

when i applied, they pay good, but dont have enuff $ for cars,,

holy crap, i just looked at that,,wooow,, good thing my old pd wasnt on there,,, :D , i also added a comment,,,it aint there yet,, two things kill me about that, one- i guess no one thinks that an officer should work traffic, anywhere period, cause the hole damn state is on there, and two- i dont remember, people are so dumb some times,,, okay, quite often..
Interesting, not often you see a state agency that doesn't allow take homes, I emailed one of the recruiters just to find out, sounds pretty crazy.

Yeah you can tell which towns work traffic and such by the people complaining, you think that's a lot look at Texas. My hometown made it too, :)

[gotthblues]

Interesting, not often you see a state agency that doesn't allow take homes, I emailed one of the recruiters just to find out, sounds pretty crazy.

Yeah you can tell which towns work traffic and such by the people complaining, you think that's a lot look at Texas. My hometown made it too, :)
they have too many trprs, not enough cars,, my bi has been there around 15 yrs, didnt have his own car, shared a camero with a sgt.

man, that site is just mind blowing,, "even if you were speeding, you can win" "even if you just have a fast car, dont worry, air it out, you can win",,,holy ****.

[Matto]

they have too many trprs, not enough cars,, my bi has been there around 15 yrs, didnt have his own car, shared a camero with a sgt.

man, that site is just mind blowing,, "even if you were speeding, you can win" "even if you just have a fast car, dont worry, air it out, you can win",,,holy ****.
That definitely sucks, not sure if I like that idea.

[gotthblues]

That definitely sucks, not sure if I like that idea.
i wasnt to happy bout it too,, when i went to garland to test, i noticed that all the brass had fully decked cars and trucks, but they dont do crap, other than sit in an office, there was atleast 30 cars that could have been on the hwy.

[Matto]

i wasnt to happy bout it too,, when i went to garland to test, i noticed that all the brass had fully decked cars and trucks, but they dont do crap, other than sit in an office, there was atleast 30 cars that could have been on the hwy.
Hahah, isn't that how it works man? Maybe they've been able to outfit the troopers with cars now, probably not but its wishful thinking. I'll see what the recruiter emails back.

[Styx]

The post itslf did not fit the title so how well thought out was that ?
First you started with a title that is offensive to most officers "speed trap" and then go on to say your glad cop is there ????
Yeah I am being just "Bodie" but it's posts like these that cause that.

All it takes alos is for some liberal judge to see a rash of tickets out of one area and come to the conclusion cops have found a cash cow and he starts throwing out tickets or reducing them.

You can sit in a school zone in the country and spend an entire shift and not stop writing tickets. People do not learn no matter how long the officer sits there or how many tickets they write. The unit can be in plain sight all day.
Bodie,
First of all, I had no ill intent. I merely asked a question. I even started my post with a sentence questioning my title choice.

Obviously you have problems that stem deeper than non-LEOs asking questions using words you dislike.

Dont take your anger issues out on me; I asked a simple question and was answered politely by one of the few gentlemen in here.

[gotthblues]

man, i did some more digging on that site that matt told me about, speedtrap.org,,, holy crap, these people are killing me,, and some of these retards claim how to beat the system, ought to be liable,,

[Matto]

man, i did some more digging on that site that matt told me about, speedtrap.org,,, holy crap, these people are killing me,, and some of these retards claim how to beat the system, ought to be liable,,
Yeah it's pretty interesting, did you check those two towns in Oklahoma I mentioned? Although I don't really use that site for speed traps, I think it's a good source to telling how proactive with traffic a department is.

[gotthblues]

yea, but i havnt heard of them, i just kills me that so many people call a town a speed trap just because they got a ticket, dont get me wrong, i know some exsist, like when you have a town that only has a gas station and houses, you know there is no tax base there, yet they have 5 brand new cv's fully decked out or 3 camero's, but most of the crap on the site is pure trash, just people bitching cause the got caught.
i couldnt tell you how many trips i have made to tulsa in the last 13 yrs, i have never been stopped on us 69, not once, i even drove 5 over several times as an officer just to see if i would get stopped in the "speed traps", they never even looked my way, i went through caney, which has no business being on the hwy,the town is 1` mile off the hwy and there is nothing on the hwy, at 85 in a 70, the officer was sitting 15 ft off the road, and just looked at me, people are just too dang whinny.

[Styx]

I rubbed someone the wrong way and rather than be labeled a trouble-maker, I changed the title of this thread I started.

I was unaware of the definition of "Speed Trap" and obviously had no clue that its really done . For that I apologize; I learn something new everyday.

[gotthblues]

now, now, stick to your guns, be a TEXAS CHICK, :D , if someone gets offended then poo on them,

[Styx]

now, now, stick to your guns, be a TEXAS CHICK, :D , if someone gets offended then poo on them,
I dont think I offended anyone, but now that I know that Speed traps are not just a civilian term, I dont want to be considered anti-cop or anything. The location in question is merely an area that needs to be patrolled often and I am grateful it is.

I am a lady and I wont say what I am thinking , but my original post was twisted and turned. One poster actually made it seem as if I am out to get the Sherriff's department who patrols our area into some kind of battle with the city.
Where was that pulled from???

[gotthblues]

i wouldnt sweat it, some people constantly get their wheaties ****ed in... but hey, when you have some time and are bored, go to www.speedtrap.org, i just found out about it last night, its mostly entertaining and half offensive, i guess thats why the term "speedtrap" is so offensive, i guess,
people are always going to bust a nut about officers working traffic, however, it made me want to poke them in the eye with my pen when i was working an accident report, it was always the same, "man, they were haulin ***, you guys need to work this street more" or "people always run that stop light, you guys need to crack down on people" but these are the same people that if you stop them tomorrow for speeding, they'd bitch about it, i guess thats why the term "speed trap" is so sore for officers.

[Styx]

i wouldnt sweat it, some people constantly get their wheaties ****ed in... but hey, when you have some time and are bored, go to www.speedtrap.org, i just found out about it last night, its mostly entertaining and half offensive, i guess thats why the term "speedtrap" is so offensive, i guess,
people are always going to bust a nut about officers working traffic, however, it made me want to poke them in the eye with my pen when i was working an accident report, it was always the same, "man, they were haulin ***, you guys need to work this street more" or "people always run that stop light, you guys need to crack down on people" but these are the same people that if you stop them tomorrow for speeding, they'd bitch about it, i guess thats why the term "speed trap" is so sore for officers.
Gotcha......thank you for being so pleasant about this and for the information.

[jerrymaccauley]

Just the term speedtrap should be more of an insult to the speeders than to the police who enforce the speed. I mean, it's not like there isn't a sign that tells you how fast you can go. You gotta feel feel pretty stupid when you get caught. And trust me, we've all done it.

[Styx]

Not I ...if the sign says 50, I go 50 or a little over....not 70 or anything like that.

I have only been stopped once and am surprised I didn't get a ticket. I was polite and accepted my wrong-doing ...so perhaps that is why the officer let me leave without a ticket.

[jerrymaccauley]

Admit it...you flashed him...............your best smile.

[Styx]

Admit it...you flashed him...............your best smile.
Well, I am just a smiling kind of person and its rare that I dont smile when I meet someone. I even smile at people I dont care for, but they dont see the teeth.

He was doing his job, I did something wrong and admitted it (long story), but he just told me to "be careful, pay attention, and slow down."

[Bodie]

First of all let me guess the apartment owners don't live in your city or even in your state so the apratment community that creates all the traffic is merely a profit mill for some far off rich people so why should they care.

Second if they did they would contract with a special duty officer with crusier to set up in the complex and on the nearby street to control traffice ie speeding. Same goes for the shopping center yet to be built.

Rather then complain to police get neighbors to complain to owners and the city and the media. That may have a far better effect. Most apartment complexes never pay their fair share of taxes that justify added police and they alreday by their very nature use far more resources then can be paid for by homeowners etc.

[Styx]

First of all let me guess the apartment owners don't live in your city or even in your state so the apratment community that creates all the traffic is merely a profit mill for some far off rich people so why should they care.

Second if they did they would contract with a special duty officer with crusier to set up in the complex and on the nearby street to control traffice ie speeding. Same goes for the shopping center yet to be built.

Rather then complain to police get neighbors to complain to owners and the city and the media. That may have a far better effect. Most apartment complexes never pay their fair share of taxes that justify added police and they alreday by their very nature use far more resources then can be paid for by homeowners etc.
Thanks for finally giving me an answer I can work with. Why didnt you just say that from the beginning instead of getting all annoyed with me.......

The city does not give a damn and the land owners of our subdivision...forget it; they have land to sell and people who want to be a part of this "wonderful community" When the apartments were just an "idea", we wrote letters, had meetings, complained
.....all that good stuff. The ugly things were built anyway and all the problems started. Since its grand opening, there have been far more traffic issues, domestic issues, vandelism ....etc..
A retirement community will be built next year on the West side of the area I mentioned and a Luxury Condominium plaza close to that. More people, more traffic, more problems.

Looks like it wont be my nice quiet neighborhood any longer. What a shame.

[Bodie]

That is only other option.
We have dozens of apartments here all owned by invstors that have never seen them. We have shopping centers owned the same way and warehouses out the butt.
But it's your own elected officials that allow the building and development and can you guess who the biggest contributers to campaighns are ?

We had one city manager that had a new house built in a community he lobbied for. Only thing is on his pay he can't afford the house and he has so many upgrades it's sick and you know what ? Price paid for large house with all upgrades was less then one at base price with no upgrades.
Can we prove anything illegal. WISH THE HELL WE COULD.

Had another attorney that was on a city planning commission get a vaery lucrative contract to manage community centers and neighbor groups and he's the same attorney that voted time after time to approve the devlopers plans that gave him the contract. Any action taken when exposed ? Oh he resigned from the planning commission and still has his contracts. Illegal oh yeah.

Raise hell in medai and keep it up until action is taken but get others to join you / No easy to do these days.

[Styx]

That is only other option.
We have dozens of apartments here all owned by invstors that have never seen them. We have shopping centers owned the same way and warehouses out the butt.
But it's your own elected officials that allow the building and development and can you guess who the biggest contributers to campaighns are ?

We had one city manager that had a new house built in a community he lobbied for. Only thing is on his pay he can't afford the house and he has so many upgrades it's sick and you know what ? Price paid for large house with all upgrades was less then one at base price with no upgrades.
Can we prove anything illegal. WISH THE HELL WE COULD.

Had another attorney that was on a city planning commission get a vaery lucrative contract to manage community centers and neighbor groups and he's the same attorney that voted time after time to approve the devlopers plans that gave him the contract. Any action taken when exposed ? Oh he resigned from the planning commission and still has his contracts. Illegal oh yeah.

Raise hell in medai and keep it up until action is taken but get others to join you / No easy to do these days.
Thanks for the advice.

The selling points for the new mini-shopping center are convenience to the residents of the community.....I laughed when I read that in the newletter issue that informed us that this would be breaking ground. There will be a dental office, a child development facility (with 6 sexual predators in the surrounding area.....7 miles away) and a liquor store. My how convenient for me.....driving down a busy street that people speed on everyday , avoiding children crossing the street...to get a shot of Shnapps. I am surprised they are not going to build a pub. Its only downhill from there.

My husband will tell me to get over it...he wont move. He likes it here because .....it is a beautiful area ..for now. And the golf club is a hop skip and a jump away...if he can make it without getting into an accident with some clown speeding.

They wont build on all the land available because there are endangered species living there and its protected. In my city, you dont mess with that....a blue cheeked warberler racoon is more important than children crossing the street. What irony.

[Bodie]

We the people are the only truly endangered species.

By the way could you change the picture, It just scared the dog.

[Styx]

We the people are the only truly endangered species.

By the way could you change the picture, It just scared the dog.
Years ago, a new 3M plant was being built and mid-construction, it was discovered that an endangered animal lived there...its habitat. Construction was halted ...company lost mucho dinero and maybe hundreds of people were without a job including the guys building the place and all the other contractors who lost tons of money.

But the animal was safe.

Regarding the avatar......as you wish.

(It reminds me of my former sister-in -law, anyway).

[jerrymaccauley]

I remember a few years ago some tree hugger types wanted to close down a few of Miami International Airports runways because rabbits lived there. When a city's tax base is threatened, you should see how creative they can get. They did everything but call on Elmer Fudd, but the runways stayed open.

[Styx]

I remember a few years ago some tree hugger types wanted to close down a few of Miami International Airports runways because rabbits lived there. When a city's tax base is threatened, you should see how creative they can get. They did everything but call on Elmer Fudd, but the runways stayed open.
Just like Bodie said...we are only truly endangered species. I mean, heck.....what are we going to do as our population explodes and we have no place to live or work because 6 toed , green tailed Bunnies with 3 ducted anal sacs need a place to reproduce and live?

What about US!!!