In this week’s TheNewspaper.com Roundup!
–CO ballot measure stops speed trap cities–
–Smith Co, TX loses appeal over illegal speed cam deal–
–ACLU sues SD over forced DUI catherization–
Friday, July 21, 2017
Colorado Ballot Measure Would Block Traffic Stop Profit
Local law enforcement agencies would no longer be able to rely on highway traffic stops to enhance their budget if voters endorse a proposal currently circulating in Colorado. The group Stop the Shakedowns, led by activist Steve Kerbel, hopes to collect the 98,492 signatures needed to put an initiative on the 2018 ballot that would take the profit incentive out of police work.
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Smith County, Texas Loses Appeal Over Secret Speed Cam Deal
Smith County, Texas will not be allowed to conceal already released details regarding the secret speed camera deal spearheaded by former Judge Joel Baker. On Tuesday, the county decided that it would not appeal a recent ruling by the state Court of Appeals dismissing as futile an attempt to recall videos of the closed door speed camera meeting that have already been made public.
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
South Dakota: Lawsuit Challenges Motorist Catheterization
South Dakota’s use of catheters to forcibly administer drug tests against motorists and others suspected of minor drug crimes has sparked a class action lawsuit. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is asking US District Judge Roberto A. Lange to order the South Dakota Highway Patrol, local police departments and hospitals to immediately cease their participation in the practice.
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Washington Supreme Court Orders Return Of Seized BMW
Police in Sunnyside, Washington were overzealous in taking the silver 2001 BMW 325i sedan and $5940 in cash from a man accused of exceeding the speed limit, the state Supreme Court ruled last month. Justices ordered the return of the car and money taken from Andreas Gonzalez on September 1, 2013 on the assertion that Gonzalez was a drug dealer.
Monday, July 17, 2017
France, Italy: Cats, Fire Take Down Speed Cameras
A cat brought about the demise of a speed camera in Ardeche, France on Wednesday. According to France Bleu, a car was making its way through Tournon-sur-Rhone early in the morning when a cat darted across the street. The driver took evasive action and wound up slamming into the automated ticketing machine, which failed to prevent the accident. In Ain, members of the French Federation of Angry Motorcyclists (FFMC) disabled sixteen speed cameras by attaching a white circular sign over the lenses of the devices, Le Progres reported. In Strasbourg, vigilantes on Wednesday set fire to the speed camera on the A35, according to France 3.
