Semper Fi

Richie is away for a while, but in his place one of his pals, Officer Friendly,takes a look into the reader mailbag.

Dear Officer Friendly,

I heard that you guys have to meet a certain quota of parking tickets and speeding tickets.Why is that? Do you guys need the money that badly or what?

Signed, Angry Driver

Dear Angry Driver,

Officers generally don’t write that many parking tickets any more, other than for specific and particular reasons; blocking a hydrant, or handicap access; that sort of thing. During the day we have Traffic Enforcement personnel who enforce the overtime parking statutes. Any fines collected go straight to the City of Lewiston and most assuredly NOT to the Police Department.

Speeding ticket are another matter. Although there are no quotas in either case, Officer can and will write traffic Infraction or Misdemeanor summonses when and where and as often as appropriate. I can only speak to my own experience; different Officers have different opinions. I would wish we only had a quota. Unfortunately, there are no lack of drivers who bring themselves to the attention of an Officer and end up getting a summons or two. No inspection or expired inspection sticker ? You might just as well wave a flag or shoot a flare to call attention to yourself ! Or, perhaps do any one of a number of things to draw an Officers attention; like, be real cool and squeal your tires, or, maybe run with a loud muffler (after all, you can’t be cool unless everyone sees you, right ?), or drive around with a “Free Abu Mumia Jamal” sticker on your car. Oh no; we never lack for people who want a summons ! The best part is that many of our clients are repeat customers; they just can’t stop themselves from doing the behavior that gets them in trouble. I mean, what’s that all about ?

Lastly, any and all fines assessed by the Courts goes straight to the State of Maine. The Police Department does not get one cent of it.

SignedOfficer Friendly

Dear Officer Friendly,

What should I do if I’ m stopped by an Officer ? I’m innocent! I didn’t do anything!

Signed Just Curious

Dear Curious,

Years ago Officers didn’t have to worry about personal safety quite as much as they do now. Now, we are considerably more cautious. Pull over when signaled. Don’t make any sudden moves like reaching under the seat for something. The Officer is going to ask for your license, car registration & insurance form. Have them ready ! Be polite. If he gives you a ticket; sign the form (it’s not an admission of guilt, it merely acknowledges you got the ticket) and move on. Court is the place where you can argue to your hearts content with an impartial Judge to hear you.

DON’T go on about why is the Officer stopping you. He’ll explain it to you. DON’T play the “I didn’t do anything !” game. It doesn’t work. If you didn’t do anything, he wouldn’t have stopped you !! If you deny the validity of the stop, in other words, denying his Probable Cause, then to safeguard himself he pretty much HAS to give you a ticket.

Always tell the truth. Nothing frosts an Officer more than to be lied-to. Lie to the Officer; you better expect a summons or two.

Back when I was in college in Massachusetts, I had to drive from Lawrence to Boston down 93 on a daily basis. Sometimes I was running late, and yes, I would exceed the posted speed limit. And yes, I would get stopped. I knew what I did. I knew I was wrong. I always had my paperwork ready for the Officer when he walked up to the car.

I always kept hands in sight on the steering wheel. No sudden moves or foolishness.

I always said something like “Ya, Officer, you got me; I was going a tad fast. I was in a rush to get to school.” I would further explain what ever I thought might garner sympathy. Well, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar; and I never got a ticket. Got a bunch of warnings; and thank God I never seemed to get the same cop twice !

I never had a problem determining who got a ticket and who got a warning. Sometimes merely effecting the vehicle stop was a sufficient enforcement action. Some people though, just had to have a ticket; they would make that extremely clear, and so I would be glad to oblige them.

Hope that helps.

Signed Officer Friendly