Ok,, you guys caught me,, I'm a liar,, it's a big conspiracy. I'll go check the sink vids for an update on the cosplay thread.....
Law Enforcement officers are a part of the collective consciousness, too ya know.
Not that I'm suggesting any California agencies are partaking in such deeds, but here's an article with a study attached relating increases in traffic tickets issued to economic downturns.
Here's a little local flavor on the issue (note: this one is more political/admin. related):
The MUNI guy in the Chronicle article does have this to say, which is on par with what I've read in this thread.
"There's no doubt we need revenue from every possible source, but our role here is simply to enforce parking restrictions from street cleaning, and the amount of street cleaning needed is decided by" Public Works, he said. "Our goal is not to write unnecessary parking citations."
As for my own $.02 on the issue... I've noticed a lot more enforcement on the routes I've been travelling almost every day for the past four years. It seems like more people are getting tickets. It's also a well-known fact that state and local government coffers are pretty much bone dry. I know traffic tickets are a great way to generate often at least a few hundred dollars of revenue per citation for those local and state coffers. But this is the Internet and since I have not personally conducted a peer-reviewed study on the exact topic I can't state one way or the other if traffic enforcement has intentionally been increased in order to raise money.
ETA: Here is the abstract for the study linked above
Let's see now, the first and last article referenced are not about California which has laws to prevent the actions described.
The California article shows that citations are DOWN 26%.
Hmm.
Do the rules also apply to the LEO's?
Unfortunately, my respect for the LEO's has declined from each incident that I have been personally present at.
Yes, the rules do apply to LEO's.
Here's the problem with today's society: We blame everyone for the actions of the few. We no longer hold people accountable for their actions, instead, we blame everyone.
Examples:
All Priest and Scoutmasters are pedophiles, because a few have been.
All Cops are heavy handed, bullies, or on the take, because a few have been.
All athletes use steroids because a few have.
All sport bike riders are stunters or criminals, because a few have been.
The police work for the citizens that employ them. It's your right to question the actions of those there to enforce the laws. However, you, as the citizen create the laws that they enforce.
LEO's don't need your respect in order to do their jobs. It's nice to have, makes things a little easier, but not needed.
The professional will do his/her job with or without your respect, and will do it professionally.
Let's see now, the first and last article referenced are not about California which has laws to prevent the actions described.
The California article shows that citations are DOWN 26%.
Hmm.
I haven't accused any CA agencies of the practices listed above. I posted the articles/study to show that, while maybe not here, it can and does happen elsewhere.
The citations are down in the Chronicle article because they reduced some street sweeping routes, which resulted in less time for restricted parking. The article states that city agencies, not pleased with losing almost $4 million dollars in parking ticket revenue (while only saving $1 million from the reduced sweeping), were considering reinstating the street sweeping routes in order to collect that lost revenue. Sweeping streets so there's an excuse to issue citations IS using law enforcement for the sake of revenue collection. The article shines some light on the thought processes of administrators.
Following the old axiom "Correlation =/= Causation," I'll take your word that not enforcing the law in order to drum up revenue is the practice de jure.
Two points:
Parking is not the police. While officers do sometimes issue parking citation, the task usually falls to another agency within the city.
And in the article you posted. Even though the elected officials were complaining about the dropping revenue, the public works stated they based the street sweeping on need and not ticket revenue. Now there is government working for you.
Two points:
Parking is not the police. While officers do sometimes issue parking citation, the task usually falls to another agency within the city.

Yes, the rules do apply to LEO's.
Here's the problem with today's society: We blame everyone for the actions of the few. We no longer hold people accountable for their actions, instead, we blame everyone.
Examples:
All Priest and Scoutmasters are pedophiles, because a few have been.
All Cops are heavy handed, bullies, or on the take, because a few have been.
All athletes use steroids because a few have.
All sport bike riders are stunters or criminals, because a few have been.
The police work for the citizens that employ them. It's your right to question the actions of those there to enforce the laws. However, you, as the citizen create the laws that they enforce.
LEO's don't need your respect in order to do their jobs. It's nice to have, makes things a little easier, but not needed.
The professional will do his/her job with or without your respect, and will do it professionally.
I noticed that several of my statements were never directly addressed. When a complaint was filed, I was harassed by other officers in the form of being followed and pulled over without being told why. Please note that a ticket was never issued! Where is the accountability?
I have noticed a very high increase in chp and sheriffs vehicles on the road ways. Noticed that is not just a higher presence but they are also pulling over a lot
Two posts...both in this thread...claiming they were subject to a conspiracy of harassment!
Don't feed the trolls.
You must not be in SF, Oakland, or San Mateo county. Whenever I see a traffic stop, I do a double-take to make sure I am not seeing things.
I think there must be a new policy in SF, Alameda and San Mateo, (and CHP) all LEOs must not be seen, or pull over crazy drivers, you must allow drivers to run amock all over the place scaring the shit out of Jim every time he leaves the house...
You must not be in SF, Oakland, or San Mateo county. Whenever I see a traffic stop, I do a double-take to make sure I am not seeing things.
I think there must be a new policy in SF, Alameda and San Mateo, (and CHP) all LEOs must not be seen, or pull over crazy drivers, you must allow drivers to run amock all over the place scaring the shit out of Jim every time he leaves the house...
Before judging, have all the facts. A friend that was a LEO in another department in the county, confirmed this harassment existed through his contacts. As soon as his involvement with me was known by the offenders, they backed off.
Coincidence, I don't think so.

