Posted on 03/24/2014 5:00:39 PM PDT by workerbee
An Oklahoma pawn broker took his small town’s police department to federal court, claiming cops clamped down on him when he put a sign on the curb warning of a speed trap ahead.
James Goad, of Meeker, says the harassment that followed his action amounted to a violation of his First Amendment right to freedom of speech. In the suit against the Meeker Police Department and Police Chief Sam Byrd, Goad claims police arrested him and violated his civil rights to get back at him for his sign stunt.
***SNIP***
But the sign apparently bothered former Meeker reserve Officer Sean Sugrue, according to Dawson. Sugrue allegedly began staking out speeders with a radar gun on Red Hill Road, right in front of the pawn shop, blocking customers from coming in.
Goad claims when he told Sugrue to leave, the reserve cop refused and then followed him when he went to town hall to complain to the mayor. Once there, Sugrue accused him of not wearing a seatbelt and of running a stop sign, claims Goad denied.
***SNIP***
"I apologize if my actions appeared unprofessional and showed the town in a bad light," Sugrue wrote. "Mr. Goad needs to know that he does not own the police department and that attempting to get belligerent with a police officer might have some negative effects."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Or
Are they collecting revenue?
If they are trying to slow people down, then Mr. Goad is helping them.
If they feel he is not helping them, then they are nothing more than revenue collectors, trying to fleece the people.
....and yes the police have to understand that they are sworn to uphold the constitution, even the constitutional rights of “uppity pawnshop owners.” The police are in a hard place, but common sense and politeness to the taxpayers who pay their salary is still part of the job, even if one is a “reserve officer.”
In the 80’s the police had a speed trap in one of the towns around my town. That is till 6 of the 8 officers were let go after a millage vote failed. Seems that the police no longer have to work for the people with all the court costs and funding from non local tax authorities paying their salaries..
Another reason for people not to trust the police and view them as an enemy.
I love that this guy’s name is “Goad.”
They left out the middle letter....”N” in his name!
Actually, Officer, Mr. Gonad does own the police department.
With the way cops are nowadays, that sounds like a death threat.
Every tax payer has a right to discuss with others how tax dollar being spent. If Mr. Goad wants to discuss a speed trap with other taxpayers, he can do so with a sign.
I'm not certain of the exact number of unmarked police cars in my county, but if even one of them followed me on my daily commute to and from work one day a month, I'm certain they could achieve their departments monthly ticket quota...that supposedly do not exist!
That big grey F250 riding a foot off my bumper at 45mph in a 45mph construction zone, 4 lane road, right hand lane, in the rain at rush hour traffic today...left lane clear...
yeah that aggressive driver needs an expensive wake up call ticket.
The Thin Blue Line will get you if you fail to properly genuflect to their AUTHORITAH!
There is the problem. The officer should be fired immediately.
Drove a few hundred miles of Interstate today and noticed the Highway Patrol was only pulling over big rigs.
I told my son that fine revenue from big rigs must be more than from cars. He clarified it by mentioning it’s the last week of the month.
Dang! You got logic!
One "violation" could turn into multiple.
From a license tag infraction, maybe a safety violation can be found, to a log book error, to a DOT medical card to who knows what else. And if the company isn't local, its just easier to pay the fine. Usually more than if a normal motorist gets one.
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