Re:Lidar debate- a cops perspective

[MHLIGGINS@aol.com]

<<In closing, I can not speak on any other departments SOP on "ticket quotas"
or "revenue building" but I can honestly say that I have never heard of such a
thing. >>

	Then you've been fortunate.  There are many places where this is the norm.
At one time the NC State Patrol paid the officers a fixed amount ($3, I think
I recall) for each citation written and required a certain number of tickets
per month.  It was part of the salary requirement.  No tickets, base salary
only.
	Many small communities rely on traffic citations for income.  Thus there is a
demand for them to be written "for the good of the community".
	There is a town not far from here that goes overboard.  The town is 10+ miles
from the Interstate.  But the town has ANNEXED the state highway from their
normal city limit all the way out to within 200 feet of the interstate.  This
annexation is for the highway and 100 feet either side of it.  Their city
vehicles patrol the highway heavily.  I've seen as many as three cars active
at one time on a Saturday afternoon.  To help insure that things go their way
the city REDUCED the normal 55 m/h speed limit to 50 m/h.  They catch lots of
unsuspecting folk.  And they do not bargain away the citations.

	Appreciate the other info you sent to the list.  Just thought you'd like to
know a little more about how the rest of the U.S. operates.  

	Later.
	--ml