Is it just me?
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed the insane amount of traffic cops patrolling the streets and pullng over Fresno drivers?
I understand the need for traffic cops, and I know that Fresno drivers aren't typically the best of the bunch, but I don't see the need for the ridiculous amount of police I've seen out lately (and I don't just mean Memorial Day weekend). They're everywhere and they don't seem to be cutting any slack as I've seen two people pulled over in close proximity on more than one occassion and a friend of mine told me that they recently saw 4 police oficers (3 cars & 1 bike) at 1 intersection, looking for violators.
I'm wondering if any of this has to do with the Mayor's annoucement of possible layoffs and a pay freeze.
What do you think?
I spoke to a cop...
... this morning about that very thing.
My take: Revenue generator.
The officer I chatted with this morning was very non-plussed and said that officers are scheduled to patrol different areas based on community complaints.
I asked about ticket quotas (officers must give X number of tickets per day), since the city is in a dire financial state and traffic control is a huge revenue generator. She agreed that traffic control was a top revenue generator. She also said quotas were illegal, but that it isn't illegal for the need for tickets to be issued to be stressed to the patrol units.
My take: While there is no official quota, because that would be illegal, there is definitely a push by perhaps higher-ups on their employees to issue tickets.
Case in point: I got a speeding ticket 2 months ago, to the tune of $348.00. Magnify that to one per hour per day per patrolperson, and you see how much money that can be.
Further, anyone else notice that the CHP has been out in tremendous force lately? Given how out of whack the CA state budget is, is anyone really surprised?
Word Rell! Where I now live
Word Rell!
Where I now live I RARELY see any cops (we have only a herb using sheriff). Roll through Fresno for a day and I'll see THOUSANDS.
Wonder who's really in charge? It ain't the citizens in Fresno. It's FEAR.
-s
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