The Police(nazi) state I live in...

[Speedwagon]

Ok, so I live near Chicago, and it's snowing today. At least it was. Low 30s most of today, up to 40F as a high.

So, I figure since the boat is still sitting on the lift in the river, it's probably time to take the boat out now. I go hook up the trailer, grab the row boat in the yard, and drive to the ramp.

The ramp is directly across from me, on the opposite side of the river. Quite obviously, noone else is going to use the ramp today. So I back the truck down, launch the rowboat, and leave the truck on the ramp. When I return with the powerboat, to load it up, there's a cop writing me a ticket.

The charge? Obstruction the ramp! From who? She is simply being ridiculous, and following the law EXACTLY as it was written, instead of following common sense laws, and just telling me I shouldn't do that or something.

I mean, c'mon! There's snow on the ground, and it's 1:30 on a Thursday afternoon! Ridiculous!

$75 fine if I pay within 7 days. ABSURD!

I get more sick of this police state(IL) that I live in all the time. Fines for everything, and more cops than you can shake a stick at. Lots of cops is fine for Chicago, but I live in a town of maybe 5,000 people, and they have at least 5 patrol cars, probably more.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

I'd like to add, now that I think of it(cuz I'm quite mad), that this is the same stupid *amen(female)* cop that drives up and down the PRIVATE road I live on, looking to issue tickets for anything she can. Same one who will trespass on your property to write you a ticket. The same one, from what I've heard, that noone in the town likes her. Including, from some reports, her co-workers.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

You're not alone. My town has 18 officers and about 14,000 people. They are all bored out of their mind because no crime ever happens here...the population is 98% white yuppies. I won't even drive through town at night anymore, not because I'm doing anything wrong, but they'll find something.

There are literally more police cars on the streets at night than regular cars. It is ridiculous and nothing else. The worst crime I can recall happening in years is when Subway got robbed by some teenager.

On top of that, last week there was an article in the paper about how terrible their response time is compared to other departments...

 

[ZmOz]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

BTW - if you're as mad as it sounds I strongly suggest you submit a formal complaint about this woman. It WILL go into her record, and when she's got enough complaints, she will be fired.

 

[Mike722]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

I can top that we have 42 people in the department for 19,000 people. They are testing for one more.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

You should write to the city council, and tell them you won't want your tax dollars wasted on more officers.

 

[Mike722]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

They do not care. The unions voted them in. We just spent over $700,000 dollars for a new fire truck that can reach the moon. We may have one fire over the second floor every three or four years, but we have the truck just in case. The fire chief just quit with a pension of over $50k per year and was mad that he do not get a 10% raise in pension that has been given out in the past.

 

[JRJ]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

Perfectly normal to be upset when you get caught8)

God made the people, the people made the town, but the Devil made the small town:}

 

[Mike722]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

BTW Arcola had a female cop just like the one up there. Maybe it is even the same one.

 

[rolmops]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

I would be very careful to call an overzealous police officer a nazi.
You probably have very good and valid reasons to be completely pizzed off at her.She sounds like the typical small brain,big ego,power trip bureaucrat.But a nazi is a different,far worse type of animal. So let us try to accuse her of no more than she is.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

Perfectly normal to be upset when you get caught8)

God made the people, the people made the town, but the Devil made the small town:}

If it was still in boating season, and people actually had to use the ramp, I wouldn't be upset. I'm upset because it was very clear noone else was going to use the ramp(and the ramp was in my sight the entire time).

 

[crunch]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

Hate to be a wet blanket here, but what would be your position if you were driving down a deserted street at 50 in a 20?

 

[ZmOz]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

Hate to be a wet blanket here, but what would be your position if you were driving down a deserted street at 50 in a 20?

The thing about police officers is they are supposed to use discretion when deciding to give someone a ticket, or take them to jail. Just because someone is breaking a law doesn't mean they must be fined. This woman clearly doesn't have such discretion, and has no business working mall security, let alone being a real cop.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

... instead of following common sense laws...

Now there's a concept that's hard to get your hands around. And when you're sitting at a traffic light and nothing's coming, it's only common sense to run the light. Come on. You broke the rule. Pony up and quit whining.

 

[PW2]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

Hmmm.

Is there a statute on the books regarding blocking the ramp with an untended vehicle?
I thought so.

Why should the policeperson be expected to interpret the laws, as opposed to enforcing them?

You won't get any sympathy here. You blocked the ramp. You got a ticket. Pay the fine, and park legally next time.

 

[QC]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

Normally I would be in the PW and BoatBouy camp on this one. However, I am strongly against any use of the police force simply for revenue or ego enhancement and IMHO that is exactly what this was. When police act solely for their own gratification they are bad cops, and when they act solely for revenue they are tax collectors not protectors of the public.

I agree, you knew better, and willingly blocked the ramp, but if what you say is true, there was no safety issue nor was there any issue which inconvenienced anybody else. This is NOT what we have police for. Period!

I also agree with rolmops. Choose a better word for bad cop. Let's save that one for those who really deserve it . . .

 

[alden135]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

Police officers only enforce the laws they feel like enforcing. They pick and choose who gets a warning, and who gets a ticket.

Everyone has seen the poor guy in his beat up old car pulled over for a tail light on the interstate while the BMW's race by at 80+mph.

It's easiest pickings first when it comes to fines. Your rig had a dollar sign posted on the windshield, and she didn't even have to chase you down.

 

[Mark42]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

The bottom line is if your vehicle was not on the ramp, you would not have a ticket.

I sympathise with you given the circumstances. But you did break a law.

I used to complain about every stupid cop for every stupid ticket I used to get for every stupid minor infraction I commited.

Then I got smart. I stopped breaking the law, no matter now trivial a law it seemed to be.

The stupid cops handing out stupid tickets left stupid me alone after that.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

Just fight the ticket and keep a copy of the weather from the paper, circumstances and Pictures of the ramp too. You were in the wrong and the police officer was doing a job. I bet if you have a decent record it will be dropped or reduced.

Selective enforcement is their right...... going to court is our right.

 

[JB]

Re: The Police(nazi) state I live in...

"Police state" and "Nazi" are very strong terms.

I suggest you research what they really mean and count your blessings.