Howard Co (MD) Police are completely out of control

TD · 03-28-2007, 10:19 AM

(And, no, I didn't get a ticket.)

This morning headed northbound on US 29 toward Columbia (a 6-lane divided, limited-access highway for those not familiar) I see this one HoCo officer running speed in a place where this same officer (a heavy-set black man) often runs speed. This stretch of Rt 29 in a series of hills and valleys. This officer was set up at the top of one of these hills targeting southbound traffic. And he's doing so in a way I find offensive - trunk lid up obscuring the lightbar sitting along the shoulder.

So far, pretty normal. And I'm glad I'm heading northbound rather than southbound into his target zone. Then I get to the top of the next hill.

On the left shoulder of the southbound lanes are two Maryland State Highway Admin vehicles. First a van with flashing orange lights with a flashing arrow sign mounted to the roof. In front of it was a large "cherry-picker", again with flashing orange lights, with it's basket extended straight up. This is all positioned right behind a bridge abutment so as to partially obscure the setup from oncoming drivers. State highway workers (who probably drove the vehicles to the site) were standing around.

And up in the cherry picker basket is another Howard County officer holding binoculars and a radio, looking for targets across the next valley/hill. No radar or laser from him, so no advance warning possible.

But at least 3 highway workers and two highway department vehicles were employed in this two officer speedtrap.

I swear. I wish Howard County would just f**king raise their damn property taxes to fund their operations and leave motorists alone. This type of bullshit revenue enhancement exercise should outrage everyone.

03-28-2007, 10:19 AM	#1
TD Founder emeritus Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 21,007	Howard Co (MD) Police are completely out of control (And, no, I didn't get a ticket.) This morning headed northbound on US 29 toward Columbia (a 6-lane divided, limited-access highway for those not familiar) I see this one HoCo officer running speed in a place where this same officer (a heavy-set black man) often runs speed. This stretch of Rt 29 in a series of hills and valleys. This officer was set up at the top of one of these hills targeting southbound traffic. And he's doing so in a way I find offensive - trunk lid up obscuring the lightbar sitting along the shoulder. So far, pretty normal. And I'm glad I'm heading northbound rather than southbound into his target zone. Then I get to the top of the next hill. On the left shoulder of the southbound lanes are two Maryland State Highway Admin vehicles. First a van with flashing orange lights with a flashing arrow sign mounted to the roof. In front of it was a large "cherry-picker", again with flashing orange lights, with it's basket extended straight up. This is all positioned right behind a bridge abutment so as to partially obscure the setup from oncoming drivers. State highway workers (who probably drove the vehicles to the site) were standing around. And up in the cherry picker basket is another Howard County officer holding binoculars and a radio, looking for targets across the next valley/hill. No radar or laser from him, so no advance warning possible. But at least 3 highway workers and two highway department vehicles were employed in this two officer speedtrap. I swear. I wish Howard County would just f**king raise their damn property taxes to fund their operations and leave motorists alone. This type of bullshit revenue enhancement exercise should outrage everyone.