[Grovenet] Policing in the Grove

[Jeff Howden]

Steven,

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> From: Steven
> 
> On that basis, we should force everyone to become
> obease and smoke. You live shorter lives and cost 'the
> commons' less in healthcare over your lifietime.
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Huh?  It's been proven time and time again that those that are obese and/or
smoke, while they live shorter lives, actually cost more in healthcare over
their lifetime.

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> Handing out tickets for seat belt infractions costs
> money to many folks who don't have the spare bux nor
> time. [...]
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Your argument is suspect, sir.  Those that don't have the time or money for
a ticket should spend the few seconds it takes to put on a seatbelt.  It
certainly doesn't cost them anything to put one on.

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> [...] A reminder might be in order. But it does bring
> in more $$$. Just like photo radar stuff. Is it there
> for 'the common' or for revenue?
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The answer is yes and no.  I don't think it's possible to say across the
board that all photo radar is either all for the common good or all there
for revenue.  I think you really have to look at it on a case by case basis.
For example, you put a photo radar unit in a schoolzone that has notorious
problems with people speeding during school hours and it could very easily
argue it's for the common good.  The very presence of that photo radar unit
will be deterrent enough for most folks.  Conspiracy theorists will argue
that the police department is just being opportunistic and driven by
revenue.  However, I don't know that there's a soul on this list that can
successfully convince any of the rest on this list that speeding in a school
zone during school hours is justifiable and not deserving of a ticket.
However, you take that very same photo radar unit out on to, let's say, the
stretch of Hwy 47 between Porter Rd and Sunset Dr and most would probably
consider that driven by revenue.  Sure, people don't always drive the speed
limit out there, but there's also very little danger compared to a school
zone during school hours.

Jeff