The Ferguson Kleptocracy

http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2015/03/the-ferguson-kleptocracy.html#sthash.ojKIws ^ | 3-5-2015 | Alex Tabarrok

[TurboZamboni]

Ferguson has allowed its focus on revenue generation to fundamentally compromise the role of Ferguson’s municipal court. The municipal court does not act as a neutral arbiter of the law or a check on unlawful police conduct. … Our investigation has found overwhelming evidence of minor municipal code violations resulting in multiple arrests, jail time, and payments that exceed the cost of the original ticket many times over. One woman, discussed above, received two parking tickets for a single violation in 2007 that then totaled $151 plus fees. Over seven years later, she still owed Ferguson $541—after already paying $550 in fines and fees, having multiple arrest warrants issued against her, and being arrested and jailed on several occasions. Predatory fining was incentivized: FPD has communicated to officers not only that they must focus on bringing in revenue, but that the department has little concern with how officers do this. FPD’s weak systems of supervision, review, and accountability…have sent a potent message to officers that their violations of law and policy will be tolerated, provided that officers continue to be “productive” in making arrests and writing citations. Where officers fail to meet productivity goals, supervisors have been instructed to alter officer assignments or impose discipline.

[fungoking]

This doesn't have anything to do with race, most cities use the police to raise revenue.

[Paladin2]

Sounds like our Feral Govt.

[TurboZamboni]

I agree.

[sphinx]

Traffic camera speed traps being one example.

[I cannot think of a name]

We used to have a group down here that published a map of the most likely places for speed traps. I haven't seen them for a while so maybe they were finally harassed out of business.

The funniest part was that once a year or so the local newspaper used to publish a map of where most accidents occurred. Since the purpose of things like radar traps is to “enhance public safety” obviously the maps overlaid perfectly on each other.

Dream on - not even close!

Almost ALL municipal fines are about revenue. If they had ANYTHING to do with public safety, the police emphasis would have to be where the crimes are occurring.

[Uversabound]

government as usual - = Obama?

Most of the examples in this article use people who have already broken the law to being with. Yeah her ticket was expensive save the fact that she had several warrants and other unpaid tickets......

Now that IS BULLSHIT>

[Da Bilge Troll]

This is not limited to Ferguson. In fact, Ferguson was one of the lesser violators at 15% of total revenue. Ferguson is surrounded by other municipalities in St. Louis County that generate far more revenue this way - as much as 40% or more of their budgets - all run by democRATS.

[Da Bilge Troll]

"Now that IS BULLSHIT"

What makes a speed trap a speed trap?

When you drive around town, do you expect to be ticketed for 2 or 3 MPH over the limit (for instance) or do you expect the cop to use some discretion?

Point being, the law is not always the law.

[NativeSon]

My Dad was a long-haul truck driver. A problem he oft encountered was that you're driving along a state road at around 50 mph and you cross into a town limit not clearly marked with a 25 or 35 mph sign not visible until you're on top of it.

And always there was a cop waiting behind a blind because you couldn't drop the speed quickly enough. Those same towns would also have the jake brake prohibition and when you would try to use that to slow, they'd get you for that as well.

Most truckers would be states away by the time a court appearance wold be set so they'd just pay the fine. Towns that did not have truck stops had speed traps.

[Uversabound]

Point being, the law is not always the law.

ok. well put.

LOL