GA - Speed Trap? Chief says "Say Thanks

[StlouisX50]

Speed Trap? Chief says "Say Thanks"
Dec 4, 2008

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A sign warning of a speed trap through Climax and past the new Bainbridge High School recently went up on Highway 84 east. The sign was ordered, paid for and placed on his property by Kerry Dean.

Public Safety Director Larry Funderburke was, to put it mildly, a little taken aback. Chief Funderburke stated Mr Dean placed the sign after he received a ticket for speeding.
But, Chief Funderburke stated, his officer did give Mr Dean a break on the ticket, and explained further. Around 4 pm Captain Jerry Carter was traveling east on Highway 84 and clocked Mr Dean at 72 mph in a 55. The Captain turned around and stopped Mr Dean.
We've heard one citizen in front of City Council complain about an officer's discretion, but Chief Funderburke tells his officers that using some discretion is good but don't tell them to see the Chief because he will not "fix" a ticket. With a ticket for 17 mph over the limit putting points on Mr Dean's drivers license, Captain Carter reduced the ticket to 13 mph over the limit, with no points and a lower fine.
Climax Police Chief Joel Jenkins told us the most important thing is the safety of citizens. Chief Jenkins stated "If stopping folks for DUI and speeding through Climax saves some lives, they can say anything they want."
Several Climax citizens voiced their concern with the way people speed through the area. It especially concerns them when the new High School opens.
Chief Funderburke stated that with the sign, and the publicity around it, several Public Safety officers say if that is what we get when we try to help someone, we will just write the ticket for what it is.
"So" Chief Funderburke says "From now on, if an officer refuses to give you a break to help you out, call Kerry Dean and thank him."

[AirMoore]

2 Points:


1) If he was in fact going 72 in a 55 and they really did cut him a break, this guy should not be bitter in any way... he got lucky.


2) The officers should thank him, and not be so aggressive. He will have people slowed down for those ~8miles (More then some 'surprise' speed trap would). Most likely that section of the road will be the slowest traveled section for some time to come.

Though: #2 would only be true if speeding tickets were about safety, rather then revenue generation... we all know the truth there.

[MEM-TEK]

...would only be true if speeding tickets were about safety, rather then revenue generation... we all know the truth there.

I tend to agree, but roughly 60% of fatalities occur on rural roads, not on highways.

[Lucky225]

2 Points:

2) The officers should thank him, and not be so aggressive. He will have people slowed down for those ~8miles (More then some 'surprise' speed trap would). Most likely that section of the road will be the slowest traveled section for some time to come.

Though: #2 would only be true if speeding tickets were about safety, rather then revenue generation... we all know the truth there.

X2, I do agree with you on this one, for them to claim that that area is high risk of dui and speeding and they're doing EVERYTHING they can to help prevent the problem, why would a speedtrap ahead sign bother them? That tells drivers to slow down for the next 8 miles where the alleged problem area is, and is probably more effective as more people will slow down, even if the officer is busy writing another ticket to someone else, someone who saw the sign will have slowed down for fear of a ticket in the first place, but again this isn't about $afety is it.

[lugnuts]

I tend to agree, but roughly 60% of fatalities occur on rural roads, not on highways.

but of those 60% how many are really related to speeding?


the police should be enthusiastic about his sign, he is doing their work for them better then they could. if it is about safety and slowing drivers down.

the only reason the chief would be upset is if they really didn't want to slow drivers down. which they don't they want the public to think so but they want the money more then improved safety otherwise they would be welcoming the sign.