Why is it that so many people, with no law enforcement background or experience are so quick to make statements just because they don't agree with something? I'll never understand it, but I know that laws and powers of arrest are commonly misquoted. Everyone is an expert.
To the poster who stated that the police should be out looking for thieves, rapists and murderers..get real! All laws need to be enforced as much as practical. When is the last time that you looked a young mother eye to eye and had to tell her that her daughter was hit and killed by a drunk driver? My guess is --never.
To the poster who feels that watching the town squares for illegal (drunk driving) behavior is entrapment --do yourself a favor and look up the definition of entrapment in a criminal law dictionary. Sorry buddy, fail.
Regarding the question about keys in the ignition --although I am only familiar with NYS Vehicle and Traffic law, I know that many State laws mirror each other fairly closely. Why the key in the ignition issue comes into play is because under definitions, an operator would be a person operating a vehicle (including a golf cart), or a person in actual physical control of a vehicle. Keys in the ignition equates to being in actual physical control.
Many arrests in my past involved a drunk, passed out at the wheel (some even in the driving lane) with the vehicle engine off, but the key in the ignition. The operator, although not actually driving the car at the time that I came upon the scene, is still in actual physical control.
So the comment about "sitting in a golf cart with a beer can open, is not being an operator", I'm thinking he probably is an operator according to the law. But notice that I said that I'm "thinking" he is. Unlike you, who stated he is not an operator. If you know that as fact, fine. I don't think you do.
I don't mean to come off as having an attitude, but it's so common for everyone to jump to conclusions or be vocal about and misquote laws they have no clue about, just because they "think" they know the answer.
Like others have said on here, I too have lots of fun going out at night and either making arrangements for a ride home, or just not drinking. It's really not that difficult. Anyone living in the Villages who feels that there is too much enforcement and or the focus is on the wrong issues, I think should revisit their own lifestyle. I've never had a problem here with the law and it's very easy to obey the speed limits and enjoy all there is to enjoy.
Understand, I do drink and I enjoy it. I'm just smart about it.
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