They always have, even when taking me to jail.

I was in a rental van and I came off of the freeway haulin' azz, into these series of curves in an industral area where the speed dropped from 65 to 45 to 35 in about 3 blocks.
There he was, sitting like it is a great place to make some money, despite the pressence of any real need to drop from 65 to 35 in 3 blocks.
Yes, a mistake in signage designation makes for a good place to collect fines, it seemed in my opinion.

Not knowing my way around or the "hotspots", bam, popped.
He walks up to the van.
I say humbly, "I was going a little fast there, wasn't I?"
He smiles & sez, "Yes, yes you were. Can I please see your license and insurance.
I hand him my license & insurance.
He says, "Alaska, huh? You moving here?"
I sez, "Yup, if I can figure out how to get around. These new-fangled freeways has got me all messed up. Half the time I don't know weather i'm getting on a on-ramp or getting off an off-ramp half the time!
He sez, "You insurance card is expired. Do you have another one?"
I say, "I sure do. I got a wad in my wallet right here. My wife keeps giving them to me, and I keep stuffing them in here."
He sez, "Nope, this one is outdated too."
So I start going through all of them, and he sez, "Keep looking, i'm going to go back & run your information. Just wave out the window when you find it."
I look, but no luck. It's in the breifcase in a box somewhere.

He comes back, and I say, "The insurance is in our briefcase packed away."
He said, "Where were you headed?"
I said, "To the apartment we just got in Kent. I'm just not used to how fast things move in the big city. In Alaska we got 1 road in & 1 road out."
I then smiled and in my best dumb voice I said, "I don't know nuttin' 'bout no freeways"

He smiled & sez, "Well, i'm going to go ahead and let you go on your way. But you need to slow down becouse this ticket would have been $550 dollars. In the future make sure to carry an up-to-date insurance card with you."
I said, "Thank you so much officer! I'll be sure to do that. I'm really sorry.
He said, "Enjoy your stay."

This is about the 4th time in my life that I have been busted cold for a traffic offense & let off the hook.
And in every instance I have admitted guilt right off the bat, and expressed remorse.
Could that be why I get cut slack?
Becouse I don't cop an attitude, or put a sour look on my face?

I thought all my life it was just the way Alaska cops were, but here I am a stranger in a strange land, not even carrying all the nessisary items required to opporate a motor vehicle, and hauling azz in a rental van.

Is it all in how you present yourself, or just the luck of the draw (all my life)?

[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 08-18-2010).]

Luck of the draw. Do be careful out there in WA.

The Oak Harbor gestapo wouldn't be so kind. (Oak Harbor is in Whidbey Islands north end.)

A litle off topic:

Being careful with law enforcement on the freeways, go take a tour at Boeing Everett... Its only 5 bucks and you get to see many new wonderful aircraft, and a film about the history of Boeing. Its informative and fun.

Boeing even has its own private Fire Department. THat company is that big! (GRIN) Its also located in your backyard.

[This message has been edited by htexans1 (edited 08-18-2010).]

Did your moving van look like this?

quote Originally posted by htexans1: Luck of the draw. Do be careful out there in WA. The Oak Harbor gestapo wouldn't be so kind. (Oak Harbor is in Whidbey Islands north end.) A litle off topic: Being careful with law enforcement on the freeways, go take a tour at Boeing Everett... Its only 5 bucks and you get to see many new wonderful aircraft, and a film about the history of Boeing. Its informative and fun. Boeing even has its own private Fire Department. THat company is that big! (GRIN) Its also located in your backyard.

Yup, I drive by it quite a bit.
I did not know about the tours, though.
Think I will do that in the next couple of days. (don't tell Maryjane though, i'm supposed to be looking for a job!!!)

Doh!!
Hyperlink... I forgot. my bad!! lol

http://www.boeing.com/compa...fices/aboutus/tours/

quote Originally posted by htexans1: Doh!! Hyperlink... I forgot. my bad!! lol http://www.boeing.com/compa...fices/aboutus/tours/

Cool, thanx!

quote Originally posted by Doug85GT: Did your moving van look like this?

HA HA HAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!

Aw shucks, I almost gots me a ticket, paw!

quote Originally posted by FieroRumor: HA HA HAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!! Aw shucks, I almost gots me a ticket, paw!

Although Jethro would probibly call it, "One of them thar' invites!"

It is all the the additude. When i was younger i used to cokmpletley shoot my mouth off to cops and low and behold i ended up with a ticket. if you level with them and treat them with respect they will do the same back to you... Beleave me i have been pulled over in the past 4 years for going a bit faster than i should be (one of them being 120 in a 30 industril park at 3AM) but i havent had a moving violation ticket in about 4 years.

Lol and i have really good luck with female officers... there usualy the ones that never let you go.

[This message has been edited by pontiackid86 (edited 08-18-2010).]

You should have insisted, that the officer do his full sworn duty, and cite you for each and every violation of the law. It is, what the citizens of that state expect him to do and is what they pay him to do. But Nooooo----we know you---you fooled no one--------you bribed him with a fresh peach.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 08-18-2010).]

quote Originally posted by maryjane: You should have insisted. that the officer do his full duty, and cite you for each and every of the law. It is, what the citizens of that state expect him to do and is what they pay him to do. But Nooooo----we know you---you fooled no one--------you bribed him with a fresh peach.

I'd rather pay the $550 then give up even ONE of my 200 mile peaches!

And you're right, people DO pay them to enforce driving violations, and they DO want them to do that job without exception, that is until it is THEY THEMSELVES that are expirencing that rigid level of enforcement.

Kinda like the size of Government people want.
Big enough to stop the OTHER guy from doing what they want, but just small enough to allow ME to do as I please.

[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 08-18-2010).]

Which, in my case, would be absolutely no govt at all. I prefer to answer to a higher authority.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Which, in my case, would be absolutely no govt at all. I prefer to answer to a higher authority.

I could probibly live with that.
Gunfire every night.
Mostly bad guys offing each other.

Then only the good guys will be left.
I wonder what that would be like.
A world of only good guys.

And then there was one..................

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: And then there was one..................

Have fun Boonie!

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: I could probibly live with that. Gunfire every night. Mostly bad guys offing each other. Then only the good guys will be left. I wonder what that would be like. A world of only good guys. And then there was one..................

Gunfire every night sounds like my old neighborhood in Phoenix. That along with noise and illumination from ghetto birds.

BTW, you have 30 days after establishing residence in Washington to change your auto and driver's license.

[This message has been edited by spark1 (edited 08-18-2010).]

quote Originally posted by spark1: BTW, you have 30 days after establishing residence in Washington to change your auto and driver's license.

Really?
I had not heard that.
How do they know?
What if you don't?

I guess I should check into that...................

http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/moving.html

I don't know how strict they are there but most States are hungry for revenue. I don't see how they could prove a residency date, you could just be visiting but once your employed, they might find you out.

If you were a foreign visitor, you could use your old license for a year.

quote Originally posted by spark1: http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/moving.html

WOW!
$45 bucks to trade in your license!!
That is INSANE!!!

When I moved to Ohio, it was more money and I had to take another written driver's test. That sucked, I almost failed the written. (No studying!) If I had missed 2 more, they would have made me take driver's ed. I really am a good driver, just not on paper I guess. .. But they ask you questions like : How old do you need to be to ride in the back of a pickup truck... who cares? I would think it is unsafe for anyone, so I checked none of the above.. of course, its 15, so I missed that one. And many others.

Boony- I know it sucks trading in your license, but it really is worth staying compliant and not paying more money for a ticket. Good luck!

As an officer, I would say you were let off for being polite, honest, and respectful.

Maryjane,
We do not swear to uphold the law and apply it to its fullest extent. We swear to up hold the constitution, protect it from enemies foreign and domestic, we swear to protect and serve. Enforcing the law is not always being "by the book". In the real world things are not simply black and white. There is whats called letter of the law, and spirit of the law. Officers are allowed to use discretion, this is written into state law as well, and for good reason. The people pay us to provide a service and to use our judgement for when to and to not apply the law. They don't pay us to jam up people every single time its possible. That would be silly and draconian.

you may prefer us to to push the law to fullest extent, but this is not how our job written in to state law and application. Discretion is always in play.

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: WOW! $45 bucks to trade in your license!! That is INSANE!!!

The real cost is even higher since you don’t get any refund for the time remaining on the former licenses. Arizona issues a "lifetime" driver's license but you can't transfer it to another State. Would be nice if there were some national license for people who relocate often.

[This message has been edited by spark1 (edited 08-19-2010).]

Boonie (and the rest of you guys), you weren't let off just because you were "polite and respectful." That helps, a lot. You were let off because you were OLD. Ask me how I know. My number of tickets dropped dramatically when the officers started being younger than me. And almost stopped completely when they started being my kid's age.

Hahah... good story Booney.

I have some good stories, and some bad ones. A bad one was when someone backed into my car, I called the police, and the police searched my car for drugs. Even though... I've never used drugs in my life. The officer was friends with the guys who backed into my Fiero and I guess he was looking for a way to let him off the hook. He saw both my friend and I and I guess he figured since we were just 19-20 year olds... we had to have drugs on us (neither of us have ever used drugs).

Either way, it made me really mad, and he coerced me into searching my car without my consent.

All the other times, it's been pretty good.

------------------
Todd,
2008 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x2
2002 Ford Explorer Sport 2dr 4x2
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter

respect has alot to do with it. I had a guy pass me doing 20 over during rush hour. I flipped around on him, he saw me, and pulled right over before I had a chance to even turn on my lights. I was very surprised he didn't keep going as usual. I was very taken back by that.The man who got out was a young black man about the age of 20. He was very polite, respectful, and admitted to speeding. I asked why the hurry, he had started a new job and was late for a training meeting. I explained that because he had stopped without making me chase him, and was so upfront I was going to let him get going. That, and I wanted him to keep his new job. I made sure he had no warrants, and let him go on his way. When people are polite for a change and don't have a chip on their shoulder, it goes along way. Especially when you ending a 14 hours shift of dealing with A-holes and are in serious need of sleep.

quote Originally posted by Zeb: Boonie (and the rest of you guys), you weren't let off just because you were "polite and respectful." That helps, a lot. You were let off because you were OLD. Ask me how I know. My number of tickets dropped dramatically when the officers started being younger than me. And almost stopped completely when they started being my kid's age.

Helps to be white, too.

quote Originally posted by NickD3.4: respect has alot to do with it. I had a guy pass me doing 20 over during rush hour. I flipped around on him, he saw me, and pulled right over before I had a chance to even turn on my lights. I was very surprised he didn't keep going as usual. I was very taken back by that.

I pulled over as soon as the lights came on. Although I was not speeding on purpose, I somehow knew that was it.

If I was an officer, I think my descretion would be based on the attitude I was confronted with.
Cutting some slack can be just as effective.
I have watched my closely speed every since.

Although, with warrants, I believe there should be no descreation.

quote Originally posted by NickD3.4: respect has alot to do with it.

My whole point on life.

Spokane gets a lot of police abuse flack, but my dealings with them have been nothing but great.

quote Originally posted by WhiteDevil88: Helps to be white, too.

Or to be stopped by NickD!

quote Originally posted by Zeb: Or to be stopped by NickD!

I wouldn't mind getting a ticket from Nick, I would probably deserve it if I am speeding through his jurisdiction. But I am sure that young non-white (particularly black and Hispanic) fit a different profile from older white guys.

I've always had good luck with American police. When I'm wrong, I'm wrong, and I admit it. I've been ticketed by Ohio and Pennsylvania state patrols and they have always been professional and let me off with the lesser fine or none at all.

Now British police..........that's another story. Professional yes. Let you off? No, not so much!

Boonie,
Be glad you weren't stopped in AZ.
You would have been asked to provide your drivers license and proof of insurance card, You know, "your papers".

That is just funny right there Partfiero!

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Which, in my case, would be absolutely no govt at all. I prefer to answer to a higher authority.

Chesty? Yeah, I know he's not at the top of the chain of command but, he's durn near the top.

Ron

I wish i would have met the cop you did Boon.. I got pulled over in my Fiero a few months ago in my neighborhood. At the end of my street is a stop sign, it was 6:30am, i was on my way to work. I "stopped" at the stop sign, but i guess i didnt fully stop, one of those where your basically stopped but still inching forward a little bit. Well the cop came flying up behind me from out of nowhere, and with the urgency of the way he was driving, you'd think i just did a drive by or something. But regardless i pull over.. Iv delt with cops before pulling me over, and i always know to be respectful, which usually gets you on your way faster, without a ticket. He walks up too my window, as his 300lb fat ass woman partner waddles her way over and stands at my passenger window, eclipsing the sun. Anyway, the cop says "Whats your hurry boy!".. Which i found interesting that a black cop was calling me "boy", and the fact that i was the same or close to his age.. Anyway, i said, "no hurry sir, just on my way to work, whats the problem, cause im sure i wasent speeding, as i live in this neighborhood, and am always very careful due to the children in the area".. He replies "no, you wernt speeding, but you ran right through that stop sign back there". I said "are you sure, i coulda swore i stopped there." He then said "are you questioning my ability to perform my job?".. Well after that i pretty much knew i was dealing with a total a-hole, so i just said "no sir, if you say i didnt fully stop, then i must not have, and i promise to be more careful in the future.". Well he said nothing, took my license, and went back to his car.. About 10 minutes later after chatting with his massive partner, he walks back to me and says "well you havent had a ticket in over 10 years, so it looks like your due for one".. Wrote me a $200 ticket for running a stop sign.. Which for me is about a week and a halfs pay.. So i figured since hes a total a-hole and was giving me a ticket anyway despite my driving record, i felt there was no need to be respectful anymore.. He gave me the ticket, told me to have a nice day, and i said, you have a nice day too "Boy", and drove away..

What a prick.

I don't think I've ever met a cop I couldn't like. I've met a bunch of them in my driving experience. Can't tell you how many times they have knocked the speed down from where it should have been or simply let me off with a warning. I agree, it's all about respect. They have a job to do. Giving them crap because they caught you (or me) is quite frankly IMO. When ever I'm pulled over, I always figure that it was my turn. I can assure you, there have been many, many times I should have been pulled over and wasn't. Yep, I don't care who you are, give a cop a rash of crap and you're volunteering to pay the piper. Treat them with the respect they are due and you might be surprised. Yeah, I know cops are just like us, some days are good, some days aren't so good. I just make sure that when I just happen to be in his sights, I don't make his/her day worse cause I know they can make my day a whole lot worse.

Ron

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 08-19-2010).]

quote Originally posted by blackrams: I don't think I've ever met a cop I couldn't like. I've met a bunch of them in my driving experience. Can't tell you how many times they have knocked the speed down from where it should have been or simply let me off with a warning. I agree, it's all about respect. They have a job to do. Giving them crap because they caught you (or me) is quite frankly IMO. When ever I'm pulled over, I always figure that it was my turn. I can assure you, there have been many, many times I should have been pulled over and wasn't. Yep, I don't care who you are, give a cop a rash of crap and you're volunteering to pay the piper. Treat them with the respect they are due and you might be surprised. Yeah, I know cops are just like us, some days are good, some days aren't so good. I just make sure that when I just happen to be in his sights, I don't make his/her day worse cause I know they can make my day a whole lot worse. Ron

Well said, but the highlighted part hits it right on the mark.

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: Well said, but the highlighted part hits it right on the mark.

Yes but, please understand that, all that was in my past when I was younger and dumber.
.
.
.
.
At least a month or so ago.

Ron

quote Originally posted by blackrams: Yes but, please understand that, all that was in my past when I was younger and dumber. . . . . At least a month or so ago. Ron

I have scored more breaks then hits, that's for sure.

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: Although, with warrants, I believe there should be no descreation.

There isn't, With a warrant, you MUST arrest, unless they will not extradite.