# Why are Suburban Cops So Hungry **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 8, 2018, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808 "2018-05-08T09:35:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/41 "2018-05-09T19:16:27Z")
And one of the most egregious of all time, Ludowici, GA. It was so bad that the State Governor put up [billboards](http://www.atlantatimemachine.com/misc/ludowici.htm) (scroll down a bit to see the picture) on the main road into town warning travelers they were approaching a “clip joint” and “speed trap”. Really, you have to read the article at the bottom of the page. It will make you go :eek: ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/42 "2018-05-10T11:41:34Z")
> [@Uncommon\_Sense](#): > > This!! > As **pkbites** can attest, the driving in Milwaukee is HORRIBLE!! If you had 100 cop cars patrolling Fond Du Lac avenue, they would all have someone pulled over in 30 seconds. The trouble is that hardly anybody would pay the fines, which I suspect is why they don’t bother pulling people over. A lot of MPD units are on their way to a call. Most assignments don’t require use of lights/siren. So while it looks like they are just driving around they may be actually on their way somewhere. Citations from any agency are not withheld because we don’t think they’ll get paid. That isn’t for us to worry about. They don’t get paid and then a bench warrant is issued and during the next traffic stop the violator ends up in jail because of a broken tail light 6 months ago. That’s when the whinning starts about poor people being in jail for small things. All they had to do is drive sensibly or pay fines when they don’t. They seem to have enough money for rims! And just FYI, most equipment violations in Wisconsin get a 5 day warning ticket. Fix the equipment and have any peace officer sign the ticket and no fine is issued. But you’d be amazed at how many people ignore them and it snow balls. Even for simple things like burned out lights. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/43 "2018-05-10T12:50:16Z")
This thread should be merged with the one on ‘no front plate in New Jersey’. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/44 "2018-05-10T13:01:57Z")
The “city” of [New Rome](http://www.newromesucks.com/) used to be the most notorious speed trap in Ohio. That honor now belongs to the village of [Brice](http://www.nbc4i.com/news/investigates/police-chief-says-village-of-brice-isnt-a-speed-trap/1096338908). ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/45 "2018-05-10T13:08:25Z")
Small town cops are the worst. When I was in the Army I lived in a small little suburb that was technically a city but incredibly tiny, there would be cop cars like every 300 yards or so parked, waiting to pull people over day or night and they kept lowering the speed limits. So a bunch of military, not from the area, young privates and specialists with money to add to the city coffers, but they preyed on the locals pretty bad too. I gotta bullshit ticket in the pouring down rain while passing on the right which was legal to do in the state as long as you don’t exit the roadway. The cop said I struck the curb which from his point of view may have appeared that way but my car was a manual and it actually just jerked a little while shifting gears. I fought the ticket for almost a year before I finally convinced the prosecutor to throw it out, they would have multiple calendar calls where you had to show up to court, I had to show up and enter a plea of not guilty like three times, my theory is they do this with the hopes that you don’t show up so they can issue a warrant for your arrest and get even more money. There was a guy in court one day who had been changing a tire and a cop stopped behind him to ask for his license, insurance, and registration, the guy had insurance but didn’t have a copy on him, he did end up getting the charge dismissed, but what probable cause could the cop have to ask that of someone changing a tire on the side of the road? Opportunity to make more money for the city I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/46 "2018-05-10T14:40:55Z")
> [@pool](#): > > Small town cops are the worst. When I was in the Army … 1994-96 My experience in Hinesville, GA (Ft. Stewart) with police as well as merchants suggested they didn’t want our money nearly as much as our deployment. If there was anything nice about being a soldier in rural Georgia, it was the knowledge that we were the one thing blacks and whites could agree on. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/47 "2018-05-10T16:08:15Z")
I look on cities using ticket money to fund services as I do the state-run lottery. It’s a voluntary tax. If I don’t want to play, I don’t have to. A lottery is a tax on people who are bad at math. Ticket-funding is a tax on people who are bad at driving. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/48 "2018-05-10T17:03:27Z")
Yes, yes, we’re well aware of your position that anything bad happening to anyone anywhere is purely their fault and people naturally get what they deserve. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/49 "2018-05-10T17:48:59Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Yes, yes, we’re well aware of your position that anything bad happening to anyone anywhere is purely their fault and people naturally get what they deserve. Maybe I’m wrong - whose fault is it if I lose money playing the lottery? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/50 "2018-05-10T17:53:20Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Maybe I’m wrong - whose fault is it if I lose money playing the lottery? Well you certainly think it’s their own damn fault for being caught in speed traps. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/51 "2018-05-10T18:12:47Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Well you certainly think it’s their own damn fault for being caught in speed traps. Whose fault is it if the driver is speeding? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/52 "2018-05-10T18:13:21Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Whose fault is it if the driver is speeding? You are aware of the how speed traps work, aren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/53 "2018-05-10T18:18:36Z")
Assuming there is deception concerning speed limit signs I would be interested in hearing it. But photo-radar & red light cameras certainly align with Shodan’s post, IMH(ungry)O, ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/54 "2018-05-10T18:32:28Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > You are aware of the how speed traps work, aren’t you? Yes, there’s one on my commute. I was even caught there once\*. But AFAIK it doesn’t involve anyone taking control of the car away from the driver. Is that how they work where you drive? Regards, Shodan \*Once. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/55 "2018-05-10T19:32:27Z")
> [@anomalous1](#): > > State Police usually sitting along the sides off of the highway, they’re there. Oak Brook Usually getting people southbound crossing 22nd. Pretty sneaky but if you look they are there, except that stretch of 83-Kingery Hwy. I think it’s because those concrete dividers would stop them from getting in on that long stretch, who knows. Westmont definitely has people pulled over all the time, I’ve seen that too. Not sure about Clarendon Hills but I don’t doubt it. > > I’m not so much peeved by it (I drive legal, safe etc.) as I am curious about the volume of people they seem to nab. I’m just glad that people are talking about my neck of the woods. I tire of New Yorkers and Californians dropping the names of streets I’m unfamiliar with, but Oak Brook, Westmont, and Downers? It’s my turf. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2018, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/56 "2018-05-13T15:34:44Z")
> [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](#): > > That’s a great attitude pkbites. Of the last 100 times you saw fellow police officers break the traffic laws,\* how many tickets did you write? How many did they pay? Do you treat members of your force any differently than members of other police forces? 36 years on the job (I’m actually on a 2nd career with another agency after full retirement from 25 years as a sheriff Deputy) I have not pulled over anywhere near 100 off duty officers. Maybe a dozen or two tops. It doesn’t happen as often as your imagination thinks it does. When it does it’s almost always newer, officers, young dumb full of cum that need to learn about the ethical dilemma they are putting the on duty officer in. On the other side of that coin I’m sure that if mentioning what you did for a living got you out of a traffic ticket you’d mention it. So spare me the holier than thou posts, please. Good user name, BTW. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2018, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/57 "2018-05-13T17:48:20Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Yes, there’s one on my commute. I was even caught there once\*. But AFAIK it doesn’t involve anyone taking control of the car away from the driver. I gather you are unfamiliar with tactics like sudden decreases in speed limits with no warning for motorists entering a town (and cops hanging out just inside the city limits to nab “speeders”, mostly out-of-towners who don’t know about the scam). Seven states have acted to limit the percentage of traffic enforcement revenues a town can keep, in order to curb corrupt practices. > **[New laws aim to put brakes on nation's speed traps](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/speed-trap-profits-could-come-end-small-town-new-laws/)** > > Small towns use money from speeding tickets to help pay bills, but AAA believes some citations are form of policing for profit ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2018, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/58 "2018-05-13T20:19:06Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Thanks for showing your ignorance so that I can educate you. > > [Limit cities’ reliance on revenue from traffic fines – The Denver Post](https://www.denverpost.com/2015/05/15/limit-cities-reliance-on-revenue-from-traffic-fines/) > > [http://www.rmpbs.org/blogs/news/a-handful-of-colorado-towns-rely-heavily-on-money-from-traffic-tickets/](http://www.rmpbs.org/blogs/news/a-handful-of-colorado-towns-rely-heavily-on-money-from-traffic-tickets/) > > [The Town That Lived Off Speeding Tickets | Fox Business](https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/the-town-that-lived-off-speeding-tickets) > > [Traffic Tickets Are Big Business - National Motorists Association](https://www.motorists.org/blog/traffic-tickets-are-big-business/) > > [https://www.parkingpanda.com/blog/post/top-10-cities-with-highest-revenues-from-parking-violations](https://www.parkingpanda.com/blog/post/top-10-cities-with-highest-revenues-from-parking-violations) > > It’s unfortunate you chose to mock this with a quip about doing a search but were unable to find what took me 5 seconds. Your google-fu is weak. I wasn’t mocking or making an insulting quip at all. I was being serious. I was shocked by the amount of places that do that, thank you for the links. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2018, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/59 "2018-05-13T20:27:09Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I’m just glad that people are talking about my neck of the woods. I tire of New Yorkers and Californians dropping the names of streets I’m unfamiliar with, but Oak Brook, Westmont, and Downers? It’s my turf. I feel the same way about it! I get fatigued hearing about NY and Cali like I do when so many movies take place there. That being said it’s not really my turf, but I do pass through there a lot and aside from the crazy ticketing, they are very nice areas. If I wasn’t such a sucker to like living in the city, they’d probably be one of my choices to move, like a lot of places Southwest/or Wesat…Except Stone Park, Stone Park is a different story… driving south on Mannheim is like driving through the set of a 1980’s crime noir. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2018, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808/60 "2018-05-13T21:13:38Z")
> [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](#): > > The answer you gave in your OP is absolutely right. There tends to be more crime in cities, so cops in high crime areas typically focus on eradicating violence or things that lead to violence. Suburban areas are already less violent, so cops in those areas have the bandwidth to focus on minor traffic infractions. That’s part of it. The other part is that some of these low-crime areas are wealthy, and like to feel protected, so sometimes the police-to-citizen ratio is extraordinary. I used to live in a smallish city that was like that. You couldn’t turn a corner without seeing a cop car. Whenever I was driving back from being out of town I’d get into the city limits and there would be a cop car with its flashing lights with somebody pulled over, then further on another one on the other side of the street, and I’d go, “Ah, back home again!”. The problem of course is that low crime + overpopulation of cops = very bored cops with nothing to show the town council to justify their existence, so the definition of law-breaking necessarily starts to get very exacting and even creative. > [@pkbites](#): > > 36 years on the job (I’m actually on a 2nd career with another agency after full retirement from 25 years as a sheriff Deputy) I have not pulled over anywhere near 100 off duty officers. Maybe a dozen or two tops. It doesn’t happen as often as your imagination thinks it does. When it does it’s almost always newer, officers, young dumb full of cum that need to learn about the ethical dilemma they are putting the on duty officer in. > > On the other side of that coin I’m sure that if mentioning what you did for a living got you out of a traffic ticket you’d mention it. So spare me the holier than thou posts, please. What you didn’t tell us – and many of us unwashed common citizens would love to know – is how did you resolve those ethical dilemmas? Getting down to brass tacks, did any of those young dumb officers – fully confident that they were immune from getting ticketed – actually get ticketed by you? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suburban-cops-so-hungry/813808.md?page=4)