Who do you think was right here?

[MeanLaureen]

There was an interesting article in our local paper today. It was a story about a convoy of NJ policemen passing through Virginia on their way back home from helping down south with the Katrina issues.

The problem? Their convoy of cars was running with light bars flashing so that cars would pull to the side of the road out of their way, and the lead car in their convoy was clocked at 95 MPH!

A local sheriff's deputy attempted to pull them over, but some cars never even stopped. The ones that did were ordered to turn their lights off and obey the speed limits.

The NJ Sheriff called the local deputy a "disgrace" for pulling them over. Here is THE WHOLE STORY

What do you think? Should police, especially those from other states, be able to run with their lights on and drive whatever speed they feel like when they are not on a call?

I think it was a "disgrace" (to quote the NJ Sheriff) that these officers felt they should be able to do close to 100 mph with their lights flashing because of who they are - they had no emergency. They just wanted to get home faster. That could have been a disaster had they hit another vehicle. I appreciate that they helped with Katrina relief, but the lives they were risking along the way as they drove like they did..

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I always think it is a disgrace when cops think they are above the law and speeding for no real reason.

Seeing as these cops were allowed to go and help with the hurricanes..I can assume that they had plenty of backup at home that didn't require their near 100mph lights on convoy.

They were abusing their...what do you call it?...their authority?

 

[mrsltg]

No. They're not supposed to use the lights/sirens/excessive speed without an emergency.

Erin

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Just read the article..the NJ authorities seem whiny. With the logic they have...I guess all fema vehicles, all semi's with necessary items, all insurance adjustors--can all speed on down to the stricken areas.

 

[MeanLaureen]

Just read the article..the NJ authorities seem whiny. With the logic they have...I guess all fema vehicles, all semi's with necessary items, all insurance adjustors--can all speed on down to the stricken areas.

Even then.. they weren't speeding down to the stricken area.. they were heading home for pete's sake!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Even then.. they weren't speeding down to the stricken area.. they were heading home for pete's sake!

True...NJ justified their employees b/c they had "much needed equipment". That was the basis of my response.

The whatever he is who hung up on the deputy after saying "I don't talk to deputies" sounds like a real prize.

 

[Meezers]

Oy yeah...and you wonder why some police officers have bad reps.

I can tell you right now...if any of the officers in my department pulled a stunt like that...they would probably be looking for jobs right about now!

 

[MeanLaureen]

Ahhh Meezers is MY kinda boss!

 

[bballmom56]

I'm from NJ (and used to live in Passaic County) and I think what the NJ cops did was totally wrong. That many cars driving at 95 mph! But that is the attitude with a lot of the cops here - we can do what we want. We have a friend who lives in our town and is a cop in a major city about 40 miles from here. As he travels the first major highway to work, his vehicle is well known (since it has a defect that wouldn't pass inspection) so the cops of that town don't ticket him for doing 90 in a 55. Yet these same cops will give someone a ticket for 56 in a 55. It really aggravates me.

 

[sweet angel]

I'm from NJ (and used to live in Passaic County) and I think what the NJ cops did was totally wrong. That many cars driving at 95 mph! But that is the attitude with a lot of the cops here - we can do what we want. We have a friend who lives in our town and is a cop in a major city about 40 miles from here. As he travels the first major highway to work, his vehicle is well known (since it has a defect that wouldn't pass inspection) so the cops of that town don't ticket him for doing 90 in a 55. Yet these same cops will give someone a ticket for 56 in a 55. It really aggravates me.

You beat me to it. I was going to say the OP obviously doesn't live in NJ...where the police are above the law.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

No excuse for speeding if it not necessary.