The Woodstock Police Department ran a seatbelt compliance roadblock on Wednesday on Route 47, just north of Lake Ave. Can you imagine a more congested section of roadway for this? An officer was setting up traffic cones about 10:15AM.
Previous checks have been made on southbound traffic, because drivers can be directed off the roadway into the unimproved, vacant lot on the northwest corner of the intersection.
What's the objective? To help the State of Illinois push compliance from 92.9% to 93.0%.
Now, you tell me. Does this make sense? Woodstock PD sucks up some State grant(s), possibly backed by federal dollars, to try to gain a 0.1% notch in compliance. The officers may earn overtime for this duty. Let's say a cop earns $80,000/year. That's $40.00/hour.
Put him out on this duty, and he earns $60.00/hour. Does seniority prevail, so that the longest-tenure, oldest, highest-paid cops get the gravy?
The Woodstock P.D. has an electronic sign sitting in its parking lot. Why not place it on the roadway shoulder with a message like "Buckle up or $75 Fine!" Instead, it sits in the parking lot, displaying some useless message to passing drivers, who probably don't pay any attention to it.
You never know who is interested…
3 months ago
4 comments:
The state pushes funding for these programs as a pretext to get an officer to stick his head in your window and sniff for alcohol or pot. Creative policing strategies like this are nothing more than ways to get around the reasonable suspicion requirement for stopping a motorist. One day we will wake up and find ourselves living in a police state, and it will be because of a thousand programs like this, not because of one tyrant.
Why doesn't it make sense? Cops make some money. City makes some money. Drivers are educated to wear the seat belts. Gus, you're the one that promotes a Zero tolerance on traffic laws. Why different here? If Woodstock doesn't take the money, some other town will. BTW isn't the traffic fine minimum now up to $120.00?
John, I agree. However, there is one point you clearly missed. We presently live in a police state. Whenever you look at a police officer and they are dressed like a soldier ... you have arrived at your destination.
The traffic back up went almost back to Wisteds!!! I did see 2 cars in the ticket area and 5 squads with officers standing around bs'ing with one another. Great use of our tax dollars!!!!!
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