Editor's Note: If you think cops target Corvette drivers for tickets or that your fine money is part of a town's revenue-generating effort, this article is for you!
Hello my name is Darren Monahan. I am 32 years old and I own a 1969 Corvette convertible. I have had two other Vettes prior to this one. I just love Corvettes; its a weird passion of mine.
I currently work as a policeman in a medium size city in the San Francisco bay area of California. I would like to take a moment and address a couple of myths.
Some people think that the police are sent out to write traffic tickets to generate money for the city in which they work in. This is not true.
The city gets very very little revenue, if any, from the traffic tickets that are written. As a matter of fact if someone I give a ticket to decides to take it to court, then the city and county lose money big time!
For example lets say someone takes me to court and this person gets found guilty of doing 40 mph in a 25 mph zone. He gets fined $114.00. ( The actual amount depends on his driving record; and, if he has a bad record then he'd better slow down).
When I show up in court, due to the hours I work, I get a minimum of 3 hours overtime pay at $42.00 a hour for a sum of $126.00. If you do the math, you'll see that the city already lost $12.00 plus any fees. Now, who pays the judge, the bailiff etc.? I can keep going but I think you get the idea.
I am not trying to be a smart alec, just honest. When someone tells me "I am going to take you to court!" I think "Cool, I am going to buy something for my Corvette." (Of course if you feel the cop was wrong then by all means take him to court.)
I have no quotas, but remember, I get paid to do my job. If my boss sees that I am only writing one ticket a month, then he knows I'm a slug and not doing my job. This also tells him that, "Hey, he must not be patrolling the neighborhoods etc.
Most cops are not out there looking for the red Corvette to stop and give a ticket to. This red and black sports car thing is a big myth.
Its not hard to find the idiot who is driving too fast or not stopping at the stop signs -- no matter what car they are driving.
If you're stopped by the police remember, they are doing their job.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. You can e-mail me at Biggmon@aol.com.
Copyright 1996 Barbara Spear
