[Talk Host]

I'm wondering what it would be like if the police/sheriff NEVER enforced speeding laws in The Villages. What if they weren't there, EVER. What would it be like?

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

I'm wondering what it would be like if the police/sheriff NEVER enforced speeding laws in The Villages. What if they weren't there, EVER. What would it be like?

Maybe something like this:

http://youtu.be/RjrEQaG5jPM

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by red tail

ive always wondered why retired law enforcement folks still carry a badge. i realize it says' retired ' on it but why carry it?no offense intended i'm just curious?

I assume that is retorical? I think you know the answer.

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

I assume that is retorical? I think you know the answer.

Not really. It was a good question.

[red tail]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

I assume that is retorical? I think you know the answer.

it was in response of two former law enforcment people saying they have never 'flashed their tin' . got me to wondering why retirees would carry a badge.

[collie1228]

My guess is that retired cops still carry their badges for the same reason that 80 year old Marines still say "Semper Fi". Marines and cops are both part of something much larger than themselves, and feel proud. I've been neither a Marine nor a cop, but I think that's a good thing.

[GeorgeT]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

I'm wondering what it would be like if the police/sheriff NEVER enforced speeding laws in The Villages. What if they weren't there, EVER. What would it be like?

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by NJblue
My observation is that the speed limits are ridiculously low given the roadways. For example, Buena Vista, a 4-lane divided highway with a speed limit of 35 is way too low. It could be at least 45 without being unsafe. Of course, the limits around the circles should be much lower. Same thing with 25 MPH on Morse on the bridge.

These unusually low speed limits given the nature of the roadways constitute a speed trap by my definition

Originally Posted by red tail

i think they are 35 so we that drive lsv's are legal to use these roadways.

I think line of sight also comes into consideration when determining speed limits. For instance, if traveling north on BV and making a left turn onto Talley Ridge you may find a car not visible when you start to turn suddenly almost on top of you. Increasing the speed limit to 45MPH will result in people driving in excess of 50MPH.

It seems driving in excess of the posted speed limits is considered an entitlement by a lot of drivers. The same applies to running red lights and stop signs.

[Chief X]

Originally Posted by red tail

it was in response of two former law enforcment people saying they have never 'flashed their tin' . got me to wondering why retirees would carry a badge.

Speaking personally as to why I carry my police I.D. (typically not a badge) is for identification purposes. It's common for me when I am in an area for an extended period (vacation, visiting relatives, moving to the Villages) I tend to stop in at the local police department and introduce myself, as I still consider these people as family.

I also offer up my assistance at times, like two mornings ago (3:15 a.m. in NJ) when a car crashed into the telephone pole in front of my home and I assisted the operator and with traffic, while waiting for the duty officer to arrive. Anytime that I see an officer in harms way, I will go out of my way to assist. Having my I.D. readily available can be very important at times.

Do active officers and retired officers carry their badge as a means to hopefully "get a break" if they are stopped? Most certainly. Face it, that's just life. Professional courtesy is not limited to the police. I'm sure that a cardiologist needing open heart surgery, will get a much better deal than I will. I'm sure that a dentist doesn't pay full price for a root canal etc.

I also know that many motorists get breaks everyday. It's those who don't that usually feel that cops and the system aren't fair.

Just my two and a half cents. Carry on.

Chief x

[jackz]

Originally Posted by Chief X

Speaking personally as to why I carry my police I.D. (typically not a badge) is for identification purposes. It's common for me when I am in an area for an extended period (vacation, visiting relatives, moving to the Villages) I tend to stop in at the local police department and introduce myself, as I still consider these people as family.

I also offer up my assistance at times, like two mornings ago (3:15 a.m. in NJ) when a car crashed into the telephone pole in front of my home and I assisted the operator and with traffic, while waiting for the duty officer to arrive. Anytime that I see an officer in harms way, I will go out of my way to assist. Having my I.D. readily available can be very important at times.

Do active officers and retired officers carry their badge as a means to hopefully "get a break" if they are stopped? Most certainly. Face it, that's just life. Professional courtesy is not limited to the police. I'm sure that a cardiologist needing open heart surgery, will get a much better deal than I will. I'm sure that a dentist doesn't pay full price for a root canal etc.

I also know that many motorists get breaks everyday. It's those who don't that usually feel that cops and the system aren't fair.

Just my two and a half cents. Carry on.

Chief x

Agree with Chief on this subject of carrying retired ID or badges.

Law Enforcement is a tight knit family which comes from the fact that many Law Enforcement Officers (LEOS) have many times had to depend on each other to protect themselves and the public when in harms way.

Law Enforcement does not hand out a gold watch or other token of appreciation at retirement. The best they can do is present you with your credentials and or badge with the RETIRED notation on them.

Although a lot of retirees carry them as a sign of pride in their previous career they are also very handy to identify the retiree when he/she will inevitably step in to help a current LEO who may be in need of assistance.

Originally Posted by NJblue

My observation is that the speed limits are ridiculously low given the roadways. For example, Buena Vista, a 4-lane divided highway with a speed limit of 35 is way too low. It could be at least 45 without being unsafe. Of course, the limits around the circles should be much lower.

FYI NJblue: Buena Vista isNOT a 4-lane divided highway like 27/441--it is a RESIDENTIAL street. I'll bet you go crazy on Morse Blvd north of 466 where it is 30mph! I set my cruise control to 32mph because if I set it at 30 then people like you are riding my bumper. I have the opposite problem on 466: people driving 35 on a 45mph road! Go figure!

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by jackz

Law Enforcement does not hand out a gold watch or other token of appreciation at retirement. The best they can do is present you with your credentials and or badge with the RETIRED notation on them.

Don't get me wrong - I really appreciate anyone in civil service. But to say they don't hand out a gold watch? Most law enforcement people I know have great pensions and health benefits after retirment. My uncle basically triple dipped (SP in the Navy 20 years, 15 years detective in RI and then state fire marshall office). Yes they deserve it but to say they don't get any token of appreciation is just not correct.

It's a brotherhood and that's OK with me - just don't downplay it.

[jackz]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

Don't get me wrong - I really appreciate anyone in civil service. But to say they don't hand out a gold watch? Most law enforcement people I know have great pensions and health benefits after retirment. My uncle basically triple dipped (SP in the Navy 20 years, 15 years detective in RI and then state fire marshall office). Yes they deserve it but to say they don't get any token of appreciation is just not correct.

It's a brotherhood and that's OK with me - just don't downplay it.

Russ:
By no means was I attempting to downplay the retirement of law enforcement officers. I did not equate an earned retirement and benefits with a "token of appreciation".

You are correct that retirements and benefits are excellent, especially in the current economic climate we are all in.

I for one do not begrudge the benefit packages that are provided after a
FULL career in law enforcement.

I would also hope that your medical profession offers a brotherhood of sorts. Have a great day.

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by Chief X

Typically I won't comment on forums where police matters are brought up --because many people need a scapegoat, rather than take responsibility for their own actions. But this time, having just left Dunkin Donuts, and now sitting in front of my computer, I feel the need to respond.

It has always been interesting to me to hear about law enforcement agencies that are doing one particular function of their job, in this case --traffic enforcement. For the past 30 years, I've heard it all; "why aren't you out there arresting real criminals? What is your quota for speeders? I saw an officer speeding past me and he wasn't responding to a call," etc.

A few have said it on here - "if you don't want a ticket, don't speed". That sounds pretty reasonable to me.

I also like where the Talk Host was asked if he ever had to "flash his tin" to get out of a ticket. He apparently never had to do that, which makes two of us. Maybe we are just more aware of, or pay better attention to the speed limits, having been in an enforcement capacity. Too many people today are preoccupied with that almighty cell phone while they drive, along with those who find it necessary to eat, put on makeup, or a host of other distractors while driving. News Flash -- Driving is a full time job!

Having only lived in the Villages for 7 months, I may be a newcomer, but I have very good observation qualities. Not only do I ride a motorcycle around the Villages, I also run and ride my bicycle 6 days each week, so I do observe a lot of things here including traffic.

My first 4 months here I witnessed two accidents involving my sons car and a friends car that were hit while parked, and I was also hit on my bicycle by a car. One of the drivers told me she was legally blind. Go figure! I've had many close calls while running too. I guess if I stated that the majority of drivers in the Villages are horrible drivers, that would be no different than inferring that cops sit at Dunkin Donuts when the weather is bad.

From what I've seen while living here, I fully understand why the local police have active traffic enforcement patrols. I for one have no problem --even on the Harley-- keeping within the posted limits.

It's kind of like the weather, or perhaps the restaurants around here --some people are just never happy.

Chief X

Chief,

Having lived much of my life in New England - cops and Dunkin Donuts jokes are just a part of life. However, when I had need of the police in my town, they were always professional and highly effective at their jobs.

I agree that if you don't want to pay the dime (or do the time), then for goodness sakes don't break the law. And I do agree that speeders are "real" lawbreakers.

However, here is where I take exception and I think that I am not alone. When a speed limit drops by 20 mph or more - with or without warning - in a short expanse of road, and an officer is just waiting, well.... that is revenue raising. Play fair. If the speed limit is going to drop - give adequate warning to allow drivers time to comply. I think it is situations like these that give rise to the "quota" comments.

JMO

[rubicon]

I just found this thread. the New York Troopers fought back raising the speed limi from 55MPH when the rest of the country was at 70MPH. They complained that an increase would cause more deaths. Fast forward some 20 years plus and national stats indicate both accident and auto deaths are down. I will concur that safer vehicles contributes to the good stats.

I have repeatedly read in this thread that police do not give tickets as a source of revenue. If not then why is it everytime police begin contract negotiations the first thing they reference is how they can slow up on issuing tickets. Police will never admit it but they patrol or park and wait in areas they know are easy pickings because of the nature of the area such as easily missing the speed limit changing from 45 to 35 ...and guess at which line the police officer waits? It isn't getting a ticket that gets me its the hypocrisy of it. The same applies to red light cameras wherein the timing of changes of the caution (yellow) can be manipulated. Keep in mind the companies selling, installing and maintaining theese lights split the revnue. But you will never win that argument because the public message is "we are keeping your roadways safe". Also keep in mind when an officer investigaterd an accident and can't pinpoint the cause he/she normally will default to "speed too fast for conditions" Its a catchall. Please understand I have great respect for police officers and the work they do but the ticket issuance has always set badly with me and I only got one ticket in my life. I don't like to putt putt around in my car but I do here because they have too many speed traps here and you are bound to get ticket no matter how diligent you are determined to be. But right or wrong that is why they do it. It doesn't make sense and the traffic engineer in an earlier post was spot on. Whenever anyone says "it ain't about the money", its about the money
By the way an ex-police officer (Florida) was looking in TV as he retired. He made mention as to his pension and free medical. His pension and benefits far exceeded in 20 years what most people from the private sector make after 35-40 years.