Increased NY State Police activity on Long Island

Anyone notice the significant increase in NY State Police enforcement on Long Island over the last week or so? Either the caffeine level has been increased in the barracks coffee pot, or they have been directed to step things up.

I can't help but think this is the result of two management vacancies at the top of the department plus a very weak sitting NYS Governor.

Mel Brooks' governor character Blazing Saddles comes to mind.

 

Or federal funds to close state's budget deficit.

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-3202266-10546635?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2Fvirginia-state-police-help-with-budget-crunch%2F

A federally funded ticketing blitz in the state of Virginia landed a total of 6996 traffic tickets this weekend. The blitz, dubbed “Operation Air, Land & Speed” coincided with frantic efforts by state officials to close a$2.2 billion budget deficit. Supervisors ordered state troopers to saturate Interstates 81 and 95 to issue as many tickets as humanly possible over the space of two days.

“The safety of Virginia’s highways begins the minute a vehicle is put in ‘drive,’” Virginia State Police Superintendent W. Steven Flaherty said in a statement. “Those split second decisions to choose not to drive drunk, to choose to wear a seat belt and to choose not to speed or drive aggressively really do make a difference in preventing and/or surviving a crash.”

Officers had no trouble delivering the requested number of speeding tickets with a total of 3536 ordinary speeding citations written. In addition, another 717 “reckless driving” tickets were filed, although these most often are simple speeding tickets that happen to carry a fine of up to $2500. Driving as little as 10 to 15 MPH over the limit can qualify for this enhanced punishment. On the other end of the scale, some 310 tickets were handed to drivers who either forgot to wear their seatbelts or made a choice not to do so.

Activists with the National Motorists Association pointed out that enforcement efforts may have concentrated on areas where speed limits are expected to rise to 70 MPH following Governor Bob McDonnell’s signature on legislation raising the state’s maximum speed limit (view law). This would mean a significant number of tickets were issued for conduct that will be perfectly legal in a matter of months. The group also indicated that state police tactics may run afoul of state law.

“All officers making arrests incident to the enforcement of this title shall be paid fixed salaries for their services and shall have no interest in, nor be permitted by law to accept the benefit of, any fine or fee resulting from the arrest or conviction of an offender against any provision of this title,” Virginia Code Section 46.2-102 states.

Under the federal grant application process, state officials explained that they would pay officers overtime — at least one-and-a-half times their normal salary — to participate. This special reward for ticketing operation participants appears to violate the spirit of state law.

Since 2006, a total of twenty-three ticketing blitzes have taken place, generating 120,977 traffic tickets.

 

Where have you seen extra troopers?

They're usually around regularly on the Southern State...

 

+1 on trooper activity on Northern state and LIE. Lots of cops everywhere.

Ace

 

Last night Northern State between Meadowbrook and Wantagh State, saw one writing. On Wantagh, saw another and on Southern State saw two sitting on the westbound side at the Deer Park exit.

On Tuesday afternoon, I saw four at the southbound Wantagh Ave exit on Southern State. They pounced (two cars) on someone who crossed a solid white line as they merged into traffic on Southern State. A few seconds later, a third one started trailing a motorcycle that up that that point, had done nothing wrong.

I travel the roads all the time and see cops nearly every day. But the frequency of them writing is what clearly has increased.

 

Today Meadowbrook Pkwy northbound and southbound at different locations

 

Always a good amount of troopers in the Northern, Wantagh, Southern, Meadowbrook box.

If there is a crackdown, be careful on Ocean Parkway these coming sundays as the weather gets nicer. Last year, there was one Sunday when they used air support in a sting which ticketed something like 150 cars and bikes over a several-hour span.

 

It's great living in a police state.

Bastards.

 

My point is more that activity has increased. They aren't doing this on their own; they are being directed to. Police are a fact of life - and a welcome one when you consider how some people conduct themselves. Tickets on the otherhand are not so welcome. If anything, I would say "It's great living in a state that has little control over how much money it spends".

 

They were even out in the rain today. Must be up to something...

Ace

 

Several on Sunrise from Manorville heading east to County 58 as well as the local

 

Two this morning on Ocean Parkway. One is the norm but two? Gotta keep my seatbelt on and the cellphone on "hands free".

 

There were numerous Sheriff 's cars on the Expressway and Sunrise Highway today in the Sayville area, several per mile. Several had stopped cars others were waiting??? For those outside Suffolk County, the Sheriff's Dept (black cars) replaced the Highway Patrol (Blue and white) about a year ago. It was figured that the Sheriff's Dept was cheaper then the Highway Patrol to enforce the highways in Suffolk.

 

there are more state police patroling because the need to pay for there own salary. i saw them on the ramp of the meadowbrook pkwy both sunrise hwy and merrick rd.

 

I have spent many winter weekends driving up to Vermont and yesterday I saw more cops out and at speedtraps than I ever have in 15 years. Traps on Rt.22. three on the taconic, two on 84 and three on 684. Combo of Troopers and locals. Everybody's looking for their piece of the pie.

 

That is an unusual amount for a weekend, let alone a weekday. Yes, this appears to be a very well organized effort.

 

The number are so high it reminds me of the line in the Blues Brothers movie regarding the frequncy of the trains passing by the window. Elwood to Jake "They come by so often you won't even notice."

 

On a mission from God!

So if there were enough cops three weeks ago, before all this increased presence, to respond to the various situations they get involved with, where have all the extra cops come from that we are seeing? Their not on overtime right? Are there actually more on the force than we really need? Gee, how much less would the budget and taxes be if the force was "right sized" based on need?

 

Rt's 78 & 287 in Jersey are covered with 5.0. They love to hide up on the on ramps on 78. Sneaky bastards!

A guy driving along with me yesterday on 78 out west didn't notice me drop my speed by 15 mph and he got nailed....

If you don't know where the speed traps are use your cruise control!!