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“Show-off” force
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Posted on Sep 15 2000
Firstly, I sympathize with the letter sender denouncing DPS’ unnecessary public harassment in this paper’s issue last Sept. 1, 2000.
Secondly, I myself became a fortunate victim of a similar offense, rear adult passengers, three, not wearing seatbelts. The effort, however, to clarify this issue came in very late for there were a lot of hapless/poor motorists that have been cited already for this kind of offense eventually costing $25.00 for one to claim back his/her driver’s license.
This amount is hard-earned daily pay for an ordinary minimum wage earner. There’s no kinder and gentler effort for these cops to educate the passengers of the vehicle that has been pulled over. Instead, they’re just too quick to issue a citation. I find this rather rude and harsh especially for the nonresident workers.
Much has been said and publicized about new batch of police officers––new motorcycles, new bikes, new uniforms plus the training they went through all but just a “showoff”. Where are these robust, well-built and well-trained cops during the day? Attending trivial matters, pulling over/flagging down minor traffic offenders, escorting funerals or whatever?
Issuance of citation tickets left and right has become a very lucrative business. Don’t you think that their presence are much more needed in the inner districts and communities where incidence of robbery, hold-ups, snatching are prevalent? Not in the main roads or shaded area where everyone can see them issuing citations for a very minor traffic offense. Patrolling these high crime incident areas will best serve the community. Your presence will greatly deter the commission of a much graver offense. The spate of poker/gameroom robberies could have been prevented had there been police visibility in these areas.
Finally, I would like to make myself clear that I’m not against these traffic police force in the performance of their duties, just don’t overdo it ! Practice a little more respect and mildness in treating offenders. In other words, be patient in educating/ informing the traffic violator, and warn them that next time there will be no more excuses.
Name withheld upon request.
