Welcome to WDW, compliments of Orange County / Orlando Law Enforcement

[3MGIRLS]

This may have been discussed in the past, but as a frequent visitor, the presence of Orange County Sheriffs and Orlando Police ON Disney property is increasing and the location of that presence, I feel, detracts from what / why it is that we all go there....

We were on-site (Port Orleans French Quarter) for a 10 day stay. On nearly every occasion where we left the hotel (in our vehicle), we saw non-Disney (i.e. Orange County Sheriffs, OCS, primarily) sitting on Disney property in medians (just beyond the "Welcome" arches) and often had people pulled over. (mornings and evenings, generally on our way to / from parks)

I would normally applaud such increased security, in particular, if activity of others warranted such - but most of the drivers I see / saw on this trip were much like everyone else - Just trying to figure out where they were going and how to get there....No blatant speeding, recklessness, etc.

What really got me to the point to generate this thread was that I was followed the evening I arrived at Disney @ 10:30 p.m. (to meet the rest of my family who had already arrived earliere in the day) after a long 9 hour drive from a business trip. I came off I-4 at Exit 67 and proceeded towards Port Orleans. An OCS car, sitting in the median 50 yards into Disney property, pulled out, and followed me the 2 miles INTO Port Orleans French Quarter, and turned on his Blue lights, 20 feet before the guard house for the hotel. (In the hotel driveway)

He pulled me over because I had a tail light out.....Took 30 minutes to run all the required checks and get a $71.00 fine...I was informed that since this was an "equipment malfunction" I would only need to replace the bulb, go the local OCS substation and prove such, and pay a reduced $11.00 fine. Turns out the deputy documented the wrong section code for the violation, which did not enable me to pay a reduced fee. (after going to the autoparts store to get a bulb) I needed to make 2 more trips to the substation on 2 different days, (Just north of Downtown Disney - of course they can only service you between 9:00 and 4:00) have the public service officer try to contact the deputy, etc. The three individuals I dealt with displayed total incompetence and cost about 8 hours of my (family's time) vacation lost.

Anyhow - the message here is "Watch out"! Sheriff and Police may next be looking for jay-walkers on Main Street USA...

 

[WillCAD]

I cannot mitigate the blatent stupidity of what happened to you. Sometimes cops, no matter how good their intentions, simply do dumb stuff that costs averave, law-abiding citizens time or money. I've seen such things myself, and it rankles whether it happens to me or anyone else.

The increased OCS presence on WDW property, however, is due to requests by Disney, in their capacity as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, to reduce the number of speeders during the morning and evening rush hours. It seems that locals were cutting through Disney property on their way to and from work in an attempt to avoid tolls on some of the surrounding roads, and were travelling at very high speeds, and causing accidents. RCID requested that OCS make an effort to reduce this, resulting in speed traps.

What happened to you, however, is unconcionable. A $71 fine for a burned out tail light bulb, and a full day of wasted time, is an outrageous over-reaction to a tiny problem, and an obvious attempt at fund raising through law enforcement.

 

[BroadwayGirl]

I would normally applaud such increased security, in particular, if activity of others warranted such - but most of the drivers I see / saw on this trip were much like everyone else - Just trying to figure out where they were going and how to get there....No blatant speeding, recklessness, etc.

What really got me to the point to generate this thread was that I was followed the evening I arrived at Disney @ 10:30 p.m. (to meet the rest of my family who had already arrived earliere in the day) after a long 9 hour drive from a business trip. I came off I-4 at Exit 67 and proceeded towards Port Orleans. An OCS car, sitting in the median 50 yards into Disney property, pulled out, and followed me the 2 miles INTO Port Orleans French Quarter, and turned on his Blue lights, 20 feet before the guard house for the hotel. (In the hotel driveway)

He pulled me over because I had a tail light out.....Took 30 minutes to run all the required checks and get a $71.00 fine...I was informed that since this was an "equipment malfunction" I would only need to replace the bulb, go the local OCS substation and prove such, and pay a reduced $11.00 fine. Turns out the deputy documented the wrong section code for the violation, which did not enable me to pay a reduced fee. (after going to the autoparts store to get a bulb) I needed to make 2 more trips to the substation on 2 different days, (Just north of Downtown Disney - of course they can only service you between 9:00 and 4:00) have the public service officer try to contact the deputy, etc. The three individuals I dealt with displayed total incompetence and cost about 8 hours of my (family's time) vacation lost.

Anyhow - the message here is "Watch out"! Sheriff and Police may next be looking for jay-walkers on Main Street USA...

The reason you may not have seen blatent speeding or reckless driving is primarily because of the presence of OCS on property. Living locally and seeing the aftermath of the many crashes caused by speeding and reckless driving on or around WDW makes me 100% appreciate having OCS around to curtail such activities.

As far as your situation, it really does stink but the truth is you did have a broken tail light which is a violation. If you were coming of the interstate, your speed may have still be a bit over the posted limit as you were decelerating from highway speeds and combined with the broken light you were just unlucky enough to catch the officer's eye. I know I have to be very conscious coming off that ramp to bring my speed down from the posted 65 on I4 to the posted 50 on SR536 and I expect to see the police there looking for speeders!

That doesn't excuse incompetence but it serves as a great reminder for anyone driving to WDW to check their vehicle prior to leaving home to make sure everything is in proper working order as you don't want to give the sheriff's officers any reason to notice your vehicle.

 

[Feralpeg]

Sorry you had a problem, but I am glad the OC Sheriff cars are present on WDW property. While the majority of tourists follow the speed limits, I can testify to the fact that many don't. I always drive the limit on WDW property and am left in the dust most of the time. I see cars cutting other cars off and running lights. How do I know they are tourists? Well, many of them I see have decals or writing on them about "seeing Mickey" or "WDW here we come", etc. Often they are a full vehicle, which is normally not the case with CMs. That is not to say that locals are above speeding. Orlando is known for its terrible drivers. I'd just like to see the driving safer on WDW property. If that takes patrol cars on property to accomplish it, that's okay by me.

 

[we3disneygo]

we were there just last week and can confirm the presence of law enforcement............

 

[3MGIRLS]

The reason you may not have seen blatent speeding or reckless driving is primarily because of the presence of OCS on property. Living locally and seeing the aftermath of the many crashes caused by speeding and reckless driving on or around WDW makes me 100% appreciate having OCS around to curtail such activities.

As far as your situation, it really does stink but the truth is you did have a broken tail light which is a violation. If you were coming of the interstate, your speed may have still be a bit over the posted limit as you were decelerating from highway speeds and combined with the broken light you were just unlucky enough to catch the officer's eye. I know I have to be very conscious coming off that ramp to bring my speed down from the posted 65 on I4 to the posted 50 on SR536 and I expect to see the police there looking for speeders!

That doesn't excuse incompetence but it serves as a great reminder for anyone driving to WDW to check their vehicle prior to leaving home to make sure everything is in proper working order as you don't want to give the sheriff's officers any reason to notice your vehicle.

I agree to an extent. Having also lived there locally for many years, we have seen the results of speeding and recklessness - but rarely on WDW property. I am all for controlling speeders, on and off property. I just think the approach that the OCS took in my situation (as biased as I obviously am regarding the situation) was a little extreme. His inability to do his job right after that fact only led to more discouragement regarding theri presence.

 

[Deb & Bill]

At DL DTD, Anaheim police stroll the area. So you don't just have them driving around the area, but actually walking a beat at DTD. It's nice to have their presence there, too.

 

[TCPluto]

I would normally applaud such increased security, in particular, if activity of others warranted such - but most of the drivers I see / saw on this trip were much like everyone else - Just trying to figure out where they were going and how to get there....No blatant speeding, recklessness, etc.

Anyhow - the message here is "Watch out"! Sheriff and Police may next be looking for jay-walkers on Main Street USA...

Everbody applauds when the police catch the "other" guy, but not when it's them, funny how that is....

I doubt Orlando PD (Orlando is some distance away) is on property, Disney contracts with Orange County Sheriff Dept., that's why they were on Disney property (not off) when you were stopped.

I suspect you were given a verbal warning for your speeding and issued a dismissable ticket for the equipment violation. So you went from a couple hundred dollar fine, points on your license, to an $11 processing fee. Seems lke a good deal to me, you got a huge break.

The number of serious injury accidents casued by inattentive or distracted drivers, like you described, is a huge problem and makes this a high priority.

 

[3MGIRLS]

Everbody applauds when the police catch the "other" guy, but not when it's them, funny how that is....

I doubt Orlando PD (Orlando is some distance away) is on property, Disney contracts with Orange County Sheriff Dept., that's why they were on Disney property (not off) when you were stopped.

I suspect you were given a verbal warning for your speeding and issued a dismissable ticket for the equipment violation. So you went from a couple hundred dollar fine, points on your license, to an $11 processing fee. Seems lke a good deal to me, you got a huge break.

The number of serious injury accidents casued by inattentive or distracted drivers, like you described, is a huge problem and makes this a high priority.

You're right, it is OCS, not Orlando. But again, to my point, and it's not that I'm upset about "getting caught", it the ridiculous nature around the circumstances of such, and inability to OCS to do their job after the fact.

I do think they should focus on the problem (i.e. speeders, security) - my violation, the reason I was pulled over, was not speeding - I was pulled over for having a tail-light out - nothing else. There was no huge (or even small) break.

I agree, it shouldn't have been out and a simple warning for that would be understandable. BUT - having been cited, I did have the $11 processing fee, but (and this is why the petty-ness of it all is so frustrating) the Deputy OCS was not able to complete the paperwork properly (filled in the wrong section code) and it took 3 trips to the substation and several phone calls to get it to the point where I could pay the $11. And following me right into the hotel?? Come on. Maybe he was the exception rather the than the norm. I hope so anyway. My point is - I was there to spend time with my family, not waste thier time fixing OCS's screw up.

Again, I'm all for security and enforcement of motor laws, particularly those that would / could endager others. I also believe in common sense and this situation didn't include either.

And to Deb&Bills point - There's a reason Walt migrated to Orlando away from Anaheim. If it comes to OCS walking a beat there, then it'll be or in short order become a place I probably don't to want take my family anyhow.

 

[WillCAD]

And to Deb&Bills point - There's a reason Walt migrated to Orlando away from Anaheim. If it comes to OCS walking a beat there, then it'll be or in short order become a place I probably don't to want take my family anyhow.

Say g'night Gracie. I took this on Main Street USA in December 2005:

 

[TCPluto]

... but (and this is why the petty-ness of it all is so frustrating) the Deputy OCS was not able to complete the paperwork properly (filled in the wrong section code) and it took 3 trips to the substation and several phone calls to get it to the point where I could pay the $11. And following me right into the hotel?? Come on. Maybe he was the exception rather the than the norm. I hope so anyway. My point is - I was there to spend time with my family, not waste thier time fixing OCS's screw up.

Again, I'm all for security and enforcement of motor laws, particularly those that would / could endager others. I also believe in common sense and this situation didn't include either.

And to Deb&Bills point - There's a reason Walt migrated to Orlando away from Anaheim. If it comes to OCS walking a beat there, then it'll be or in short order become a place I probably don't to want take my family anyhow.

Even if he made a mistake, I guess you've never made a mistake at work either huh?

Could he have been waiting for a computer check to come back on your vehicle to see if he (her?) was stopping a stolen car, or a car that had just been used in an armed robbery?? I think so. I think his safetly is more important than pulling you over immediately.

One taillight out.... Driving at night, unbeknownst to you (just as you didn't know the first one was out), the other one goes out (the same electrical failure that took out the first one). Now you slow down for your stop/exit at an intersection, applying the brake that should be illuminating the brake lights. But now, you don't have any. Another family comes behind and rams you at 45 mph. Could this be a situation you would term as endangering others? It is....

I guess your impression of common sense changes when you police too many fatal accidents.

 

[TCPluto]

Say g'night Gracie. I took this on Main Street USA in December 2005:

Say, Is that a hidden Mickey on the back of Officer Friendly's melon???

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm sorry that you had to spend so much of your vacation trying to figure out how to pay for your ticket. But--I'm also sure that many people think that getting a speeding ticket is "ridiculous". You had a tail light out. You had to pay for your violation. You may think it "ridiculous" but the officer was well within their rights to cite you for it. It is a hazzard, it could cause a crash.

Again, I would be ticked about the wasted vacation time, but it was up to you to make sure your car was working properly.

 

[hniki234]

I would've been upset, too. It's not that you got the citation (although having an officer follow me for a several minutes before pulling me over does always get me mad when they could've pulled me over right off). It's that you had to waste all of that vacation time on it when he should've done it right the first time. While everyone makes mistakes, it doesn't mean the other person has to be happy about it.

Thanks for letting us know! I'll be sure to check my speed when going from the 65 to 50 mph!

 

[drakethib]

Sorry all.

But with all of the nut jobs running around, I like the fact that we have officers patroling the grounds.

While we would all love to think that WDW only has good people on its proprties, I am afraid the criminal elements sneaks around as well.

 

[JCTigger]

I could be wrong but I was always told by my uncle (who is a cop) that they can only follow you for a mile before they pull you over..... I am all for seeing increased security on property but they should focus more on people who are speeding then following some one with a broken tail light for 2 miles before they pull them over... Just pull them over to start with then go after some one whos speeding and could get into an accident and ruin some ones vacation!

Just my 2 cents....

 

[MajorWoody]

Hello,

Just a few things to add to this thread. First of all, there is no law or rule anywhere that says you can only follow a car for one mile, or any set distance before stopping them. Same goes for the "cop has to have his hat on rule" that people always seem to ask about. Since I've been a member of the largest State Police force in the country for 22 years, I think I have a solid basis for this . Secondly, it is not unusual for an officer to follow behind a car for several minutes in order to determine how the person is the driving ( in case of DWI), to run a check on the plates before stopping, or the most common reason, to wait for a safe spot to stop the car. The OP mentioned that is was two miles of being followed from entering WDW property to pulling into PO Resort. I have driven this way numerous times, and it is far less than 2 miles in distance. As to the confusion over the correction notice on the equipment violation, it seems like the cop made a mistake, or maybe the deputy at the station did, but then again, who hasn't made a mistake?
In NY if you get an equipment violation, you gat a correction notice, that if completed within 24 hrs of getting the ticket, allows you to get the ticket dismissed without paying any fine or surcharge. This gives the motorist an incentive to get it fixed quickly.


I have also noticed a much larger police presence on the roads at WDW in the last 5 years, and considering some of the reckless driving I've seen on property, I'm all for it. A ticket on vacation sure beats getting into an accident on vacation.

Hope that helps,

Take care,

Bill

 

[DaisyLynn]

He pulled me over because I had a tail light out.....Took 30 minutes to run all the required checks and get a $71.00 fine...I was informed that since this was an "equipment malfunction" I would only need to replace the bulb, go the local OCS substation and prove such, and pay a reduced $11.00 fine. Turns out the deputy documented the wrong section code for the violation, which did not enable me to pay a reduced fee. (after going to the autoparts store to get a bulb) I needed to make 2 more trips to the substation on 2 different days, (Just north of Downtown Disney - of course they can only service you between 9:00 and 4:00) have the public service officer try to contact the deputy, etc. The three individuals I dealt with displayed total incompetence and cost about 8 hours of my (family's time) vacation lost.

I have to admit, unless I take a longish road trip, I never check my car over for lights that need replacing. If I have one, then usually someone from work or a friend will catch it (since they see me drive off). All it takes is one second for a light to go out, and if you're not there to catch it right away then this can happen. And that's ok...it happens! You're pulled over, a fine is given...and having the choice of fixing the issue and going in to pay a reduced fee or have the fine wiped completely is very fair.

I can see where the OP would be frustrated when I consider the time lost fixing the mistake of the officer. I realize that everyone makes a mistake. But what an inconvenience to have to visit the substation more than once and spend more time away from your family vacation to take care of this mistake! It seems that there should have been a better way. Look at it in a different way. What if I overcharged you $60 on an item when you shopped in my store? And you caught it when you got home. And you had to come back to the store for me to adjust it for you? And you lived an hour and a half away? I bet you'd be pretty upset and annoyed. Of course in the world we live in, it's very easy to fix an issue like that by crediting electronically or just sending a check. There should have been a better option for the citizen who was doing what she was told to do to take care of the situation.

Whew...well, after having said that I have to agree with those folks who are happy that there is the presence of OCS at WDW. It's nice to feel like the roads are safer and that backup is nearby if needed for a more serious occurrence.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I think the real message here is if the OP really is annoyed about this contacting Disney directly is the way to go. I sort of doubt they want their guests spending a day trying to resolve a minor ticket. I've never gotten a ticket for a light being out, just a warning/suggestion I repair it...even on the New York Thruway.

That said I see nothing wrong with the officer writing the citation but it probably wasn't what Disney asked for when they contracted for the patrols. I'm happy that they are there because its all too easy to let the car travel the speeds the roads seem to be built to bear.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think the real message here is if the OP really is annoyed about this contacting Disney directly is the way to go. I sort of doubt they want their guests spending a day trying to resolve a minor ticket.

That said I see nothing wrong with the officer writing the citation but it probably wasn't what Disney asked for when they contracted for the patrols. I'm happy that they are there because its all too easy to let the car travel the speeds the roads seem to be built to bear.

So now the Police should not cite people who are on a Disney vacation? Becuase it may cause them some inconvenience? That is just crazy talk!

It would stink to lose a days vacation no matter where you are. But it was not what the police officer intended. They made a mistake in the way your ticket was handled, and I do feel bad about your lost vacation time, but the officer was doing their job. You got a ticket for a light being out. It may seem minor, but it is something you can get a ticket for. It is not like the police are are trying to find ways to mess up your vacation. And if Disney wants more of them on their property, to me that is a good thing. I'm sure they didn't specificaly ask them to "only go after speeders. Let everything else slide." And if they did, I am sure it would not be agreed to.

Why should only certain laws be followed? Is that really what we want to teach our children, that we only have to follow the "big" laws? That small ones only have to be followed if you feel like it? I'm not saying the OP had a light out on purpose, but it was out. So they are responsible.