Zero Tolerance

[engnerdan]

So anyone else catch wind of the St. Paul Police's new policy on university? What people where talking about Saturday night is the police now are enforcing a "zero tolerance policy". They will pull you over for any violation that they can write a ticket for.

Saturday night my friend got a $166 ticket for no front plate. Doesn't this seem a little out of hand, $166 for a piece of metal that costs less then $50.

I understand that the residents around porkys most likely don’t like all the noise of the cars, and the police don’t care for people screwing off but has this gone too far?

I have e-mailed channel 4, 5, 11, Pioneer Press, and Star Tribune with the hopes of them maybe looking in to this and bringing it to the publics attention. I think we need to do our part to let these people know that we don’t like what is happening. I have included the email addresses for the above people if you would like to write them and ask them too look into this.


jkummer@pioneerpress.com - pioneer press
metrostate@startribune.com - Star Tribune
wmshory@wcco.cbs.com - channel 4
investigative@kstp.com - KMSP Channel 5
http://www.kare11.com/faq/contact.asp - Web page for channel 11

[Shadowgray03]

The one time I was down there I thought it was pretty mellow considering all the horsepower and associated testosterone driving around .

I would also think that the inlfux of people would help the local economy a bit, but I could be wrong.

[DNeinstadt]

I got nailed for speeding when I wasn't. So I'm fighting my ticket.

I would be in for a group session to complain about the various stupid things that go on there. Shouldn't they be out catching CRIMINALS instead of hobbyists or enthusiasts?

I realize they're hired on for "serving and protecting". but who are they protecting by ticketing guys with no front plates for $166?!! That's more than speeding! And serving?

Dan

[punch]

I got a front plate ticket also but mine was only $90. Why did he get $166?? That makes no sense because right on the back of my ticket it says a no-plate violation is $90.

The cops have been pushing a bit on Uni latley but I've learned 3 important rules.

1. Velcro on the front plate. $2 at walmart vs. $90 with the state.

2. Don't go a hair over 30mph.

3. Stick to the TCS lot until late.

[konastang5.0]

ya, stay in the lot. ANd if you dare to venture out dont go over 30mph and dont rev your engine and dont try to have some fun or the cops will f*ck you over. Thankfully i havent had a runin with them yet cause i mostly stick around in the lot and if i cruise i stay at like 25-30mph so they cant stop me for that.

[Steelgrave]

Originally posted by DNeinstadt
I got nailed for speeding when I wasn't. So I'm fighting my ticket.

I would be in for a group session to complain about the various stupid things that go on there. Shouldn't they be out catching CRIMINALS instead of hobbyists or enthusiasts?

I realize they're hired on for "serving and protecting". but who are they protecting by ticketing guys with no front plates for $166?!! That's more than speeding! And serving?

Dan

I think they are trying to mainly prevent this:

http://www.corner-carvers.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9876

Handing out tickets for plates and plate covers and all that cheesy shit is just that, cheesy (although everyone knows you need to have a front plate in this state).

I have no problems with them going after the cheeseballs that think uni stoplights are a drag tree. Sorry but if you're dumb enough to drag race someone on one of the busiest roads in the metro on a fri/sat night, you deserve it (and you know there's all kinds of cops there, pretty hard to miss them).

I would also imagine that if fewer cheeseballs were up there and people just stuck to hanging out and not causing trouble they wouldn't care anywhere near as much.

It's too bad a few people can spoil it for everyone. Hopefully a dragstrip closer to the cities would alleviate alot of this. 95% of the people down there just hang out and BS about cars and meet new people etc... Too bad we can't just get rid of the other 5%...

[DNeinstadt]

I just called regarding my "speeding" ticket. The computerized phone system tells me my fine was $155. On the back of the ticekt it says 10-15mph over limit - $90. I called and talked to a person and the cop is claiming I wasn't wearing a seatbelt. Add another $65.

ARGH! I *was too* wearing a damn seatbelt. I ALWAYS wear a seatbelt. In my car, if you DON'T wear a seatbelt it dings every 30 seconds unless you disable it. Which *I DIDN'T DO*.

So now I have to go to court and show the ticket (Which DOES have the "No seatbelt" box checked and NOTHING on speeding) to them and claim I was either not speeding AND wearing a seatbelt or try to claim not wearing a seatbelt and not speeding.

Any advice? ARGH!

Dan

[Steelgrave]

Originally posted by DNeinstadt
I just called regarding my "speeding" ticket. The computerized phone system tells me my fine was $155. On the back of the ticekt it says 10-15mph over limit - $90. I called and talked to a person and the cop is claiming I wasn't wearing a seatbelt. Add another $65.

ARGH! I *was too* wearing a damn seatbelt. I ALWAYS wear a seatbelt. In my car, if you DON'T wear a seatbelt it dings every 30 seconds unless you disable it. Which *I DIDN'T DO*.

So now I have to go to court and show the ticket (Which DOES have the "No seatbelt" box checked and NOTHING on speeding) to them and claim I was either not speeding AND wearing a seatbelt or try to claim not wearing a seatbelt and not speeding.

Any advice? ARGH!

Dan

Good lord that went from bad to worse... That doesn't make it 2 separate tickets does it? I wonder if you get any points on your license for the no seatbelt?

I feel for ya man. I got 2 speeding tickets in one weekend several years ago in fla, and they were both over $200 each (10-15mph, don't speed in fla ) This state is relatively cheap on speeding tickets I think compared to the rest of the country...

[5.0Cobra]

Take your tickets to court. You have the right to a trial and are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt , for ANY ticket. The burden of proof is on the state and you don't even have to testify if you don't want to. If everybody did this, the courts would be so flooded with stupid traffic violations they would probably stop writing so many tickets. Problem is most people don't realize this or bother to fight it because the state makes it so convenient to just pay and be done with it (you can even pay by credit card over the phone).

You should go to the ramsey courthose (st. paul or maplewood)and talk to a hearing officer and they will probably drop the ticket.
Most times they will drop a ticket if you have a clean record. It would cost the courts way more than the price of the fine to have a trial and prosecute you.

By the way, a no front plate ticket from St. Paul police in ramsey county should be $60 (on the back of the ticket).

[5.0Cobra]

The courts system is a bit unfair with traffic violations. You don't have the right to a jury (only a judge) or a lawyer (but you can hire one yourself). You are kind of at the mercy of the judge in terms of whether he/she believes the officer's word against yours is proof beyond a reasonable doubt. In any other case, or with a jury, I don't think that would ever be considered proof.
I've heard in some parts of New York you don't even have the right to a trial for speeding tickets, you are forced to pay. You're at the mercy of law enforcement...not very consitutional.

[Steelgrave]

Originally posted by 5.0Cobra
The courts system is a bit unfair with traffic violations. You don't have the right to a jury (only a judge) or a lawyer (but you can hire one yourself).

Too bad you can't hire a judge too

[LX Sport]

alright, ive had a couple of run ins at midway. First, i was at Shepard at about 12:15 (im 18 and i dont know better not to street race, give me a break ) and nothing was even happening, but 2 cops in 1 squad came up and blocked the exit, then started checking ID's. Me and my Friend in my car where both 18, and we show officer Hard a$$ are ID's, and then he said "ive seen you around here tonight, and if i see you again, im going to have your car towed, and im gonna take all the s--- you have under the hood and put it on my Mustang, now get out of here," i wish i had a Camera of a tape recorder then, my friend with a 94 Tbird 4.6 was there a night i wasnt, and he was leaving shepard when the cops came. He just happen to be the first on out, and the cops pulled him over. First, he didnt do anything, no racing, no squelling tires, no nothing. The cops gave him a ticket for spinning his tires and speeding. they also didnt write the speed on the ticket. so we figured there was 3 witnesses there that came to court to fight for him. there was also 3 cops at court. He didnt do anything, but he got $100 fine and 1 year of probation. Point is, even though every one says its easy to get out of tickets and all that, the cops can get away with more then you think, dont mess with them cause they can get you good if they really want to or they dont like you. Just behave and dont give them any reasons to pull you over

LX Sport

[93SVT]

they have had ther "zero tolerance" thing for years now, they tell me that everytime

[Tommy]

1) Everyone take their tickets to court. Do it on the same day and all of those cops have to show up if you take it far enough. If they don't, the ticket may get dropped.
2) Maybe we should go on a hunt for the Chief's spot in town. I know he has a large group of rod & custom guys that all hang out somewhere close to downtown. I remember a few years ago getting close and being turned away. My friend Ed took me down there. The mustang I was in wasn't the right kind of car and not old enough so I couldn't park it in their blocked off area. We need to go hunting.
3) Get a petition together about a new place to go and cruise. Someone has to know of a place. I remember when Hopkins was the place to go, they shut it down so we defected to Anoka. There has to be somewhere.
4) Move around in St Paul. There are lots of places to park just off the beaten path. Obviuosly the restaurants aren't fighting for the business. University farther East is much better lit at night. Move back and forth.

Just ideas guys. BTW if for some reason one of these news agencies shows up...don't turn into someone right out of hicksville USA. Act normal and don't screw it up.

[Zephyrefi]

Originally posted by 93SVT
they have had ther "zero tolerance" thing for years now, they tell me that everytime

That's what i was going to say. I haven't seen anything that tells me that's ever NOT been the case. They write every ticket they possibly can down there.