It's bad enough that the Metro cops charged a Toronto store owner for defending his property against a shoplifter with a 30-year long record of victimizing his community. (At least they dropped the kidnapping charge, but at what point did that EVER make sense??)
But according to Brad Diamond, producer and host of TSN'S Motoring 2009, they are STILL charging drivers for something that is patently NOT illegal - flashing headlights to warn oncoming drivers of radar fishing holes.
Brad told me the other day that THREE of his friends have recently been ticketed for this. The Highway Traffic Act section the cops trot out is either the "alternating high beam" provision, which (a) does NOT describe what your lights do when you flash them; they do NOT "alternate" - right/left/right - they go on/off/on; and (b) was put into the HTA not to ambush drivers wishing to help the police slow speeders down but to prevent tow truck operators from using these police-car-style alternating high beams to try and get traffic out of their way so they can be first on the scene of a collision to hook the poor victims; or, the "failure to use dipped beams during daylight hours" provision, which is so ridiculous it would only even occur to a cop who is way behind on his quota.
Brad and I fought his "alternating" charge earlier this year; as soon as the prosecutor saw we were fighting it, all of a sudden "The Crown has no evidence to present in this case your Honour", even though we SAW the cop who laid the spurious charge just outside the court room. If they had no evidence, why was the charge laid in the first place? Because they know most people won't fight it, and if they do fight it, the Crown won't have a legal leg to stand on.
I cannot believe any Justice of the Peace would buy the "dipped beam" argument either, but my Dad, who was a lawyer, said you never know until the gavel drops.
My advice - if you get hit with either of these nonsense charges, FIGHT THEM.
No wonder the police refer to THEMSELVES as "The World's Largest Street Gang". I only wish they were joking.
Come on, boys and girls. If you're running these scams, who is going to take all those hand-held cell phone users off the streets?
Memo to Metro Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair: GET A GRIP!
At least, as far as I know, the Metro cops haven't sunk as low as this photo suggests the Halton Region cops have. For all a couple of photography experts I consulted can figure, this photo, taken in Georgetown, was NOT Photoshopped. BTW, the tiny print on the top of the sign on the car's roof? It does NOT say "TAXI" - it says "POLICE". At least they aren't lying - just being downright dirty.
:
Jim,
It's not just the Toronto cops. The OPP seems to be affected with the "let's tax the drivers" virus as well.
In mid september 4 of us went on a marvellous canoe trip in northern Ontario. The last day we broke camp at 0630, paddled down river to hook up with Ontario Northland RR, and eventually ended up at Fraserdale. My three companions all wanted to be in the GTA the next day so I volunteered to take both canoes and wend my solitary way home. I assured them I had no problem as I am an experienced, safe driver. I have been, and still am, involved in driver ed and know enough to rest if I am tired. Off we went.
A few km south of Cochrane I realized I was too tired to continue so I pulled off the road and parked on a long straight stretch, well off the shoulder and promptly fell asleep. (As a septugenarian I do not suffer from insomnia)
At approximately 0230 I was awakened by a knocking on my window. The young female OPP officer asked if I were all right. "Yes, thank you for checking." She then asked for my driver's licence. Shown. "Ownership please" I'm 90% asleep still; I show her the ownership for my wife's car, our trailer, and finally the truck I was driving. "Proof of insurance please" I had shown her the insurance slip with my wife's registration form but mine didn't seem to be there. "It's the same company" She took my forms and went back to the cruiser. I promptly fell asleep again. Knocking on the window...the male partner handed me my registration forms and a ticket for failing to produce proof of insurance. I went back to sleep.
I woke at 0630, headed south and stopped at the first Tim's for breakfast. Started thinking, (I'm awake now) I just renewed my licence, proof of insurance was required, where is it? Opened my registration form and there it was!! The officer hadn't bothered to look. She had taken my (sleeping) word that I couldn't find it and charged me!
When I got home (Ivanhoe, look it up) I looked at the ticket and I have two options; plead guilty or appear in court in Timmins. At the current cost of fuel plead guilty is far cheaper ($65) but I am not guilty and will not say I am. Damned if I'm going to drive to Timmins either (although they tell me it's lovely this time of year). I call the crown attorney's office for several (fruitless) conversations. Eventually I receive a notice that I have been convicted and owe $70. I send a cheque.
I was convicted for being a safe driver and being too far from court to be likely to fight an unfair ticket. What is happening to our police? I have always respected the OPP and Metro cops (in that order) I am beginning to lose that respect. This virus may be worse than H1N1!
Posted by: Larry Mitz | November 04, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Our police force is comprised of people that can't get off their high chair and keep chastising the public for things that aren't dangerous. In the mean time, they don't stop the drivers that are doing stupid stuff.
As for tickets, ANY tickets fight them. The longer they're in court, the longer they stay off your record. If they're in court long enough, you can get them thrown out solely on the basis of having the right to a timely trial.
Oh yea, and since last Monday, I've taken to the new law by it granting me full permission to honk as much as I want at anyone yappin' away on a handset. :D w00t!
Posted by: Dario "DjDATZ" Zgrablic | November 04, 2009 at 02:11 PM
They aren't the first ones to do it. The NY police are even worse. They actually say "Taxi" on the unmarked cars.
http://razorapple.com/2008/08/06/ny-mags-cop-cab-story-drives-commenters-crazy/
http://cabsareforkissing.blogspot.com/2007/02/undercover-taxi.html
Posted by: Brian | November 05, 2009 at 09:06 AM
You are absolutely correct on this one Jim.
However as an ex cop I am not surprised as any organization that
provides Ford Crown Vics for chasing bad guys in our winters, clearly is out of touch with reality.
Posted by: David White | November 05, 2009 at 03:21 PM
These tactics serve nothing more than another tax grab. Highly trained Police Officers tasked with glorified Meter-maid duty.
Jim, you'll be happy to know my wife sees your beige Yukon unit daily on the 404. You'd think a marked unit would have far more effect in rush hour traffic, but there it sits dolling out revenue generation whilst creating havoc with traffic as the Officer waves the culprits to the roadside.
Not sure what it accomplishes beyond another fender bender.
Posted by: Paul Robertson | November 13, 2009 at 11:08 AM