Bad, bad police men

Today I received an e-mail from a local subscriber detailing the following:

"I was driving on I-264 West when I noticed a car coming up very quickly on my left. As it passed I realized it was a silver LMPD cruiser. Approximately a quarter mile ahead a different car changed lanes and entered the left lane to pass another vehicle. The LMPD cruiser immediately had to slam on his brakes because of how fast he was driving and then proceeded into the left hand emergency break down lane in order to pass the car in front of him, which caused that car to swerve into the lane next to him. All the while, the LMPD cruiser, without its lights flashing, seemed oblivious to the recklessness he left in his wake."

Additionally, today, LMPD #5474 was parked on the corner of First and Hill Street. He was not in his cruiser...but the cruiser was still running. I checked the tail pipe to make sure. Officer of car 5474...this is illegal! As I once received a citation for this. And, in the words of the officer who so kindly issued such citation to me stated, "...is against the law. Somebody will steal your car, a high speed pursuit will ensue and somebody will die." Well, there you have it. The words spoken straight from the mouth of one of your own finest...its illegal and now you know why. Yeah, I never paid that citation by the way. I went to court. The prosecutor laughed and the Judge had a difficult time keping a straight face. It was dismissed.

Oh yeah, and the officer of car 5474 jaywalked. This was at 5:29 pm.

only one today...

About 4:38 pm, LMPD cruiser no. 5351 was parked at an expired parking meter near the corner of Floyd and E. Brandeis. No officer was in sight. Shocker!

recent offenders

I have not seen too many offenders the last few days. I actually haven't seen too many cops the past few days. Maybe its too cold for them. Here is what I do have to report:

LMPD (Louisville Metro Police Department), car no. 941 at 9:31 am on January 26, at exit 20B off Interstate 264, changed lanes without a signal, was speeding and cut me off! He looked to be driving his cruiser in plain clothes too. Hmm. Maybe they changed uniform requirements. Instead of casual Friday it was casual Saturday for him. :)

Boone County Sheriff's Department, two cruisers sitting on I-71/I-75 Southbound, approximately 10:50 am, lights flashing, just south of the Florence/Union exit. One was facing the wrong direction (how did that happen without breaking any laws????). They seemed to just be chatting to eachother (I am sure about offcial police business). Couldn't see identifying information because of the concrete barrier....I was travelling northbound.

9 million to be generated in traffic ticket revenue

I received the following e-mail today...

[text copied and pasted from actual e-mail]
Speeding Tickets in Louisville- Crackdown in FebruaryShare this with family and friends;Heads Up!! In February 2008, we will launch a 30-day speeding ticketfrenzy.The city estimates that 9 million dollars will be generated in speedingtickets. 1 million will go to pay Metro Police overtime.There will be 50 Metro Traffic Officers on duty 24/7 patrolling thefollowing highways AND MORE!I-65 North and SouthI-64 From Shelbyville Rdto Portland AvePreston Highwayto city limitsNow, 5 mph above the limit can justify a ticket and every Traffic Officeris supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every 10 minutes. Theyhave issued 30 brand new unmarked Crown Victoriacruisers and they arebringing all their part timers on full time.* Wear your seat belt* Have nothing hanging from the rear view mirror* Do the speed limit - use cruise control if you have it* Have insurance papers* Use your turn signalsSharonda Duerson, Mgmt AssistantUrban Design/Landmarks CommissionMetroDevelopmentCenter444 S. Fifth Street, Ste 300Louisville, KY40202(502) 574-5705(502) 574-8129 fax

Here's an idea...ticket all the cops breaking the same laws and generate another 9 million on top of the 9 million they think they are going to get from the civilians!

Why we are here

Ever get really mad when you see a cop breaking the law? Maybe its just an illegal lane change without a signal. Maybe its a cop standing outside his vehicle while the engine is still running (yes, this is illegal and I have been ticketed for letting my car "warm up" in the winter). Maybe it is an off-duty officer taking his wife to the grocery in his cruiser (using public funds for the gas in that cruiser). Whatever it is, tell the world about it. I encourage you to post your stories. Include city, state, plate and car numbers, badge numbers, locations, dates and times. I accept no responsibilty for the stories and content that are posted here. I trust that you will watch your language (I am a mother, after all), tell the truth, and use this forum as a place to make law officials aware of their abuse of power and hopefully make a difference.

I love Jimmy Justice. Check out this link http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/20311210/