Cops to cars: Slow down!
Local police are reminding motorists to slow down, buckle up, and drive responsibly during this holiday week, a reminder that comes on the heels of a recent week-long traffic enforcement operation on Route 29 between Hydraulic Road and Airport Road (Operation Seminole Trail Slowdown) conducted by Albemarle County police, which resulted in a whopping 296 summonses issued.
According to a press release, 166 tickets were handed out for speeding, 33 for inspection violations, 23 for registration violations, 18 for equipment violations, 12 for changing lanes improperly, 9 for failing to obey a traffic signal, 7 for drivers who had suspended licenses, 6 for drivers who had no license, 5 for not wearing their seat-belts, 4 for tailgating, 2 for reckless driving, 1 for aggressive driving, and 1 for the rebel of the group, who apparently decided to "evade law enforcement."
But that's not all! The operation resulted in 3 criminal arrests– having stolen license plates, possession of marijuana, and carrying a concealed weapon. Other highlights included 3 towed vehicles, 2 traffic crashes, 3 broken down vehicles investigated, and a top speed of 80-mph for one nabbed speeder.
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$500 reward for information leading to the Arrest & Conviction of person/s responsible for Ruckersville Antique Shop Burglary last night. Hog Heaven of Ruckersville was also broke into last night. Please contact Greene Sheriffs office with information. 434-985-2222
I would be a lot more impressed if this didn't simply appear to be a means to increase county revenue in these hard economic times.
Sick,
In all the days that I traveled that strip of highway (every single day) I thought the exact same thing. I mean it's one thing to want to curve speeding on a heavily commuted section of 29, but to have up to 10 cops "working" a 12 mile stretch of road for a full week just seems a bit desperate.
But hey, at least they cought some hardcore criminals right? Some dudes with pot and another with a taser or mace or something.
No, the real hardcore criminal was the one carrying a concealed weapon. Whoopy Doo! If the person had been carrying it in open view, he/she would have been totally legal in Virginia -- as long as the person still had the legal right to possess a firearm of course. Virginia is still one of many states that allow open carry of a firearm within public view. Most of the population is not aware of this, and IMHO the police don't want the public to know it's legal.
As a matter of fact, Virginia law also states any time you go into an establishment that serves alcoholic beverages, you have to carry a firearm in plain view. You can NOT conceal a firearm even if you have a Concealed Handgun Permit. The only exception of course is, as usual, a cop.
But, having said the above, you should see the stink going on down in Norfolk. The Norfolk police think they are going to deprive honest law abiding citizens of their Virginia given right to carry a firearm in public in plain view. They just finished paying one guy $10,000 to settle an open carry lawsuit out of court. Then they started watching this same guy very closely and arrested him again on a technicality, namely where public property ends and private property starts. They are determined to make him spend that $10,000 award on attorney fees in this new arrest. In the meantime, they are harassing other citizens with threats of arrest if they choose to openly carry a firearm, basically giving the citizens a choice, open carry and be falsely arrested (and spend money on the false arrest), or put the guns away in the closet. Norfolk City Council has pretty much gone on record stating they don't want citizens carrying guns in public, even if it is legal. It's getting real interesting to watch Norfolk's next move, step by step. Having already gone from dumb to dumber, I don't think they can get much dumber.
That's right folks, if you want to walk down the downtown mall or up Main Street to the University corner with a firearm in plain view, it's legal in Virginia. It might just stop some of these violent assaults and robberies talking place now.
29 North Wal-Mart to Airport road doesn't have a speeding problem. It has a congestion problem. You are lucky if you can get up to 30MPH nevermind exceeding 45MPH during peak times.
Cut those hills, fill the valleys, go 4 lanes, and remove stoplights in favor of "clovers" and tunnels/bridges.
Dave, I think you exaggerated just a tad. If you run 30 mph between Walmart and Airport Road, you will have traffic backed up for miles. And even in rush hours traffic, you will get run over if you try to maintain just 40 mph.
And even though there has been increased patrol in the area since the recent tragedy out there, it's very easy to get over the 45 mph speed limit without realizing it. I came through police radar southbound Tuesday night at a notch above or below 55 mph.
And to Occifer Cop who didn't pull out to give me a ticket, I thank you. If it's anything like my past experiences working radar, I'm sure a bigger fish came through shortly after I did anyway. :)
I disagree about "Sick of the Local Rambos." Here is my opinion and only my opinion. I'm glad that the police are patroling out there. I think that that is a dangerous strip and that there are speeding problems in that area along with congestion challenges as well. Give the cops a break, they are just doing their jobs. Those who are bashing them know just like me that we all speed through there, but again they are just doing their jobs. Remember these are the same men and women that come to your aid when someone is folloowing you or trying to break into your homes. Keep bad mouthing them and see what happends the next time you call 911 for help. With that said, I know that some can be a little arrogant and through some major power trips around, but put yourself in their shoes. They walk up on cars everyday and they never know what they are getting into. Someone could have a weapon and shoot them the minute they get up to the window. They could be responding to a domestic situation and get shot by some maniac having a jealous rage over their significant other being 5 minutes late coming home. It's a dangerous job and I respect them for putting their lives on the line to protect our community. My suggestion is buckle up, go the speed limit, and abide by the law and it shouldn't make a difference if there is 10 cops on one stretch.
Again, just my opinion and we know everyone has them. We can all agree to disagree.
I disagree about "Sick of the Local Rambos." Here is my opinion and only my opinion. I'm glad that the police are patroling out there. I think that that is a dangerous strip and that there are speeding problems in that area along with congestion challenges as well. Give the cops a break, they are just doing their jobs. Those who are bashing them know just like me that we all speed through there, but again they are just doing their jobs. Remember these are the same men and women that come to your aid when someone is following you or trying to break into your homes. Keep bad mouthing them and see what happends the next time you call 911 for help. With that said, I know that some can be a little arrogant and throw some major power trips around, but put yourself in their shoes. They walk up on cars everyday and they never know what they are getting into. Someone could have a weapon and shoot them the minute they get up to the window. They could be responding to a domestic situation and get shot by some maniac having a jealous rage over their significant other being 5 minutes late coming home. It's a dangerous job and I respect them for putting their lives on the line to protect our community. My suggestion is buckle up, go the speed limit, and abide by the law and it shouldn't make a difference if there is 10 cops on one stretch.
Again, just my opinion and we know everyone has them. We can all agree to disagree.
quote" "It’s a dangerous job ...." >/i>
Oh Boy! Here we go again!
1- If they are scared, they need to look for a new job. Perhaps as a drive-in bank teller behind bulletproof glass.
2- Nobody twisted their arms in order to make them take the job. I think most of the new rookies grew up watching COPS on TV and begged for a job.
3- You are correct, most of the rookies hired in the last 10 to 15 years are just about arrogant as they can be, and they stay high on their power trips.
4- Their job is not even close to the top of the list of the Most Dangerous Occupations in America. The logger who cuts trees down so you can have printer paper is at the top of the list. The deep sea fisherman who puts crab legs on your table at Red Lobster are right at the top of the list too. Truckers and airline pilots are also at the top of the list. The yearly list is usually based on deaths per 1,000 employees.
5- In all of the home invasions I recall lately, the occupants have been mugged and robbed.... and one person was even killed. The murder took place on St. Clair Avenue. There was a pretty serious home invasion on Cherry Avenue, And there was a pretty serious home invasion on Park Street. Occupants can't put the crooks on hold while they call 911.
The last time I thought somebody was thinking about breaking into my property, it turned out to be none other than the POLICE themselves! They were circling my property in total darkness, in dark blue uniforms, and had parked their marked police cars out of view. What a stupid thing to do. What if I had gone outside with a weapon in my hand? Or perhaps that's exactly what they wanted me to do, exit my home with a gun in my hand? Justified homicide is what we could call this!
6- If there's 10 cops on any stretch of road very often, they must not be spread as thin as they want the public to think.
OK, so obviously I know what side of the law you are on. Anyone that is a law abiding citizen would respect what Police Officers
do for the community each and everyday. Take 9/11 for instance, I would hope that you would not tell those Police Officers and Firefighters that they are scared to do their job and that there are more dangerous jobs in the world after they put their lives on the line to rescue those in need. I know that there are other dangerous jobs in the world. If you think about it, any job dealing with the public is dangerous and trying at times. The cashier behind a counter of a convenience store has a dangerous job and can be as arrogant as a so called "Local Rambo." The fact remains that they are still just doing their job and trying to protect or serve our community. I'm not saying that there are no arrogant or cocky officers out there, but just because you may have encountered one or two does not mean that they are all like that. For every one or two bad ones, there are a dozen good ones. We still should respect them for who they are, just like you would respect any other person. It doesn't matter what job you are in, everyone deserves respect. You do not know what a person goes through until you walk in their shoes.
I believe they are trying to do a good thing. Maybe if more people were positive and supportive instead of giving everyone a hard time our country might be better off. There has to be laws or everyone would be running rampant. As far as Police Officers running thin, they may not have enough Officers to cover; some could be working overtime. Charlottesville and Albemarle are big areas to cover, so yes I believe the departments are working on very thin staffing issues. With the economy the way it is we are short staffed in most positions and like my job we work more hours with less people in order to compensate for the loss.
Driving up 29N past Forest Lakes (the cause of the problem) is ridiculous. 45 MPH on a 4 lane highway. It is like driving in a residential neighborhood.
I drive the section everyday and wonder if the Albemarle County Officers have any other areas that they patrol? They always seem to be in this section.
It is apparent that this section is a revenue generator for unsuspecting out-of-towners. This section of road is giving Forest Lakes and Albemarle County a bad name.
quote: "Take 9/11 for instance, I would hope that you would not tell those Police Officers and Firefighters that they are scared to do their job and that there are more dangerous jobs in the world..."
Now you're comparing apples to oranges, Windy. A fireman's job is much more dangerous than that of a cop. As a matter of fact almost 350 firefighters died on 9/11. Compared to 60 cops.
This also could bring us back to one of your earlier comments too. If your home is being broken into, call the Fire Department. There's no doubt in my mind that firemen would get to your home faster.
Appears as if these young arrogant rookies would have been better off out setting up a speed trap.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/mad/top/316015
Obviously you didn't read my other comments that "anyone working with the public is a dangerous job." I'm just saying cut them some slack. It is quite obvious that you have your opinion and I have mine. I think at this point we shoulod just agree to disagree.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday. Best wishes from my family to yours.
wow rambo!!
Does it surprise you in the least bit that these officers in your above link where 19 and 20 years old!!?!! my my my.
imagine what C-ville/ Alb. Co or VA for that matter hired at 19??