Citizens catch cop speeding with cameras / radars, face arrest

Three cheers for citizens arrest! Actually, the case might end up going in the opposite direction, as a Bartow County couple could be arrested and tried for "allegedly stalking a Kennesaw police officer by installing cameras to track neighborhood speeders." While it seems perfectly okay to mount radars and speed traps all over our bustling highways in order to fine citizens for their hasty ways, apparently it's not so cool to keep an eagle-eye on a police officer breaking the same law. The couple spent around $1,200 installing a trio of video cameras and a radar gun outside their home in an attempt to monitor neighborhood speedsters and convince residents to slow down for safety, but things got a bit hairy when the surveillance system tagged a cop scurrying by at 17 miles-per-hour over the posted speed limit. Oddly enough, it seems that the officer was able to generate an acceptable excuse to dodge the penalty for speeding, while simultaneously planning to press charges against the dutiful couple for "stalking." So, dear readers, how exactly does an immobile, stationary camera go about stalking someone, hmm?

[Via Digg]

[Matt @ Feb 19th 2007 5:05AM]

i wanna know what kind of cop drives around in a Lamborghini....

[dcrowley @ Feb 19th 2007 5:26AM]

That's not the actual cops car, its just a photo engadget decided to go with.

[dij @ Feb 19th 2007 7:05AM]

it actually is a cop car

[Mike @ Feb 19th 2007 5:29AM]

I _used_ to wonder why some people call them 'pigs'.

[Marthinus @ Feb 19th 2007 7:48AM]

Not pigs, pork choppers, flows better.

[Berthold @ Feb 19th 2007 5:30AM]

An italian one, apparently. If this goes through, I need to find all the speeding tickets I've gotten over the past years - together, they make a pretty good case of stalking as well, seeing as how they follow me around :D

[Donyell @ Feb 19th 2007 5:33AM]

Well this guy isn't doing anything for the standard police reputation as insecure bullies

[Raz @ Feb 19th 2007 6:06AM]

Actually dcrowley it is an actual cop car: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polizia_di_Stato

I've also seen one inside my local lambourghini garage in south ken

[Rynth @ Feb 19th 2007 6:19AM]

Looks like you CAN stalk someone without moving huh 0_o

Oh well, just goes on to prove my point on how useless the whole worlds police are, let alone the ones in the UK.

Police " You know you have no lights on the bike"
Me " Yeah , I do - which is why im walking with it. But YOU do know that that house over there is a crack den?"
Police " You being funny with me?"
Me "No - actually, I'm being factual - go check it out!!"
Police "I'm placing you under arrest......"

Bollocks! And they did actually arrest me for fabricating a story and wasting police time!! Bastard Pigs. I hate corruptness.

Stupid police, though I'd become one just to drive the Lambo..

[soldierboyadam @ Feb 19th 2007 6:22AM]

Hmm...police call it a stakeout, but if its a citizen, then it is stalking? Thats f***ed up. Someone tried to actually enforce a neighborhood watch and this is what happens. Next time i see a dude getting stabbed in my neighborhood i guess i should turn the other cheek so i am not charged with accessory to murder. If they were caught speeding by with no lights on, then they should get a ticket just like any other law abiding citizen. No excuses. If you have an emergency to respond to, then turn on the lights. I drive about 35 miles to work each day on the highway, and there has been at least a dozen times where a cop has hauled ass by me when i was doing 80. I always think i am going to get a ticket, and then they blow by me at like 90 or so. Granted, i am speeding, but just because they are cops does not mean they should get away with it. I guess they were late for a donut break.

[PEZ @ Feb 19th 2007 6:27AM]

Stalking? They were doing the job of the cops, because obviously cops dont give a shit about people, and just like the best donut around.

[Finite @ Feb 19th 2007 6:35AM]

Hmm... I notice the source for this article is a short preview of the actual newspaper article, not exactly thorough, so we should try to keep in mind that we're only receiving part of the story, and an officer rebuttal might have been in the "premium" content out of our view.

EH... Also, in order to prevent this area from looking like the digg comments section, the actions of one person do not represent the entire group. Most police are trying to do the right thing in a dangerous job, it's just the handful that get most of the attention. It annoying me somewhat when I hear all the comments pegging all police as "power-hungery criminals working together specifically to screw people" or such and hear so many people agreeing and praising the remarks. I mean, if someone were to say "Ah, yeah.. all those arabs, their goal is to to blow themselves up, it's what they're born for." people would just ignore them and rate them down, but in these cases, it's different, even though they're both obvious stereotypes.

Oh well, not that it matters, as it looks like the case was dropped anyway.

[Finite @ Feb 19th 2007 6:36AM]

Hmm... I notice the source for this article is a short preview of the actual newspaper article, not exactly thorough, so we should try to keep in mind that we're only receiving part of the story, and an officer rebuttal might have been in the "premium" content out of our view.

EH... Also, in order to prevent this area from looking like the digg comments section, the actions of one person do not represent the entire group. Most police are trying to do the right thing in a dangerous job, it's just the handful that get most of the attention. It annoying me somewhat when I hear all the comments pegging all police as "power-hungery criminals working together specifically to screw people" or such and hear so many people agreeing and praising the remarks. I mean, if someone were to say "Ah, yeah.. all those arabs, their goal is to to blow themselves up, it's what they're born for." people would just ignore them and rate them down, but in these cases, it's different, even though they're both obvious stereotypes.

Oh well, not that it matters, as it looks like the case was dropped anyway.

[walk2k @ Feb 21st 2007 9:21PM]

Oh please. There are only 2 reasons people join the cops.

1. They are desperate for a job, and don't want to join the Army. They will take anyone, and I do mean literally ANYONE.

2. They are grown-up bullies who want to continue pushing people around in adult life.

Cops are always around to give you a speeding ticket, but when you get assaulted, shot at, robbed, raped, you're on your own.

Btw DON'T EVER PAY A SPEEDING TICKET AGAIN!!! WWW.TICKETASSASSIN.COM !!!

[stan @ Feb 19th 2007 6:45AM]

If it isn't the government officials not following our laws it's our city officials doing it.

[rudiger @ Feb 19th 2007 7:05AM]

Considering that the cameras were most likely pointed to film the occupants in the cars, not the license plates, then that couple would have been privy to the daily movements of most of their neighbours, as the neighbours travelled to and from their homes. I'd guess that cop was one of the neighbours. Organised crime tend to use this tactic to gain private info on police. It's a legitimate threat and I'm not surprised the police don't like it and won't tolerate it.

And for God's sake, a five sentence article extract is not a good enough source to base even a lightweight blog article on. This is almost on par with the "PSP creates porn out of thin air". Over-opinionated and underinformed.

[GIjoe @ Feb 19th 2007 7:28AM]

At face value it seems that this is a pretty bad picture painted. But keep in mind, police officers also have to respond to incidents as Code-2 (no lights or sirens) but are able to drive approx. 10mph over speed limit to expidite response. Now 17mph may seem like a lot over, but it really isnt think about how easy it is to go from 5mph to 10mph without even pressing the peddle. Now what concerns me is, instead of just rebutting the alligation with a copy of the blotter(log of police responses), he actually charges the couple with stalking. I would like to know if this couple continually makes a report on this particular officer or not.

I have been in Law Enforcement for over 8 years, and I have had some valid complaints on my driving, and I am like everyone else, I make mistakes. The problem comes with an ignorant public, making some crazy assumptions based on a small media report like this. Plus everyone hates cops, until they need one.

[Andy @ Feb 19th 2007 7:30AM]

That's actually a Police Car of Italian Police. It's used for high speed transports to hospitals (blood, organs to transplant, etc.). There are 3 or 4 cops trained by professional drivers that are allowed to drive it (at very high speed).

Cheers

[Justin Eassary @ Feb 19th 2007 7:36AM]

Last time I got pulled over was in a small town in New Mexico and the Policeman told me to take a different route to Colorado because the one I was on had Ice and construction up ahead. Also I was doing 45 in the 35 but he called it 36 in the 35 and gave me a verbal warning cause I was out of state.

[Brandon @ Feb 19th 2007 12:17PM]

For those of you that think this is as much BS as I do here is the email for the Kennesaw Crooked Police Dept.

[e-mail]

[o4saken1 @ Feb 19th 2007 7:40AM]

i agree, cops these days do seem to prove the 'insecure bully' image to be true. personally i've ALWAYS believed that cops should receive HARSHER punishments when they break laws, b/c 1. they're supposed to be the example, 2. it's just hypocritical to be allowed to break the laws you're supposed to be enforcing, and 3. it will be a FAST way to get rid of ALL crooked cops!!!

[sredlums @ Feb 19th 2007 7:55AM]

Sigh.

Start moving your pointers to the red minus-sign there on the right, because I'm gonna defend the police here.
My brother is a police officer here in The Netherlands, so I know a little bit about the other side of the story.
First off, I don't know what's up with the 'stalking' part. It seems a bit odd to me too, but I'm not informed well enough to judge.
But then the 'speeding', that's a whole other matter.
No, police officers are NOT above the law, let's make that clear.
There are, however, differences in the law between a police officer on duty and a civillian.
You won't believe how many times officers get complaints and wise-ass comments like 'you were driving to fast too' and 'you're not allowed to park there either', while in fact, THEY ARE.
So please, inform yourself before bashing others... Like I said, I don't know the exact situation and the laws in this matter, but i reccon, most of you don't know that either, so stop tha stupid hatin'. Please.
After all, it's often those same people that are complaining about the police speeding, that complain when the police takes too long to get there when they are in trouble themselves...

[Sredlums @ Feb 19th 2007 7:56AM]

Sigh.

Start moving your pointers to the red minus-sign there on the right, because I'm gonna defend the police here.
My brother is a police officer here in The Netherlands, so I know a little bit about the other side of the story.
First off, I don't know what's up with the 'stalking' part. It seems a bit odd to me too, but I'm not informed well enough to judge.
But then the 'speeding', that's a whole other matter.
No, police officers are NOT above the law, let's make that clear.
There are, however, differences in the law between a police officer on duty and a civillian.
You won't believe how many times officers get complaints and wise-ass comments like 'you were driving to fast too' and 'you're not allowed to park there either', while in fact, THEY ARE.
So please, inform yourself before bashing others... Like I said, I don't know the exact situation and the laws in this matter, but i reccon, most of you don't know that either, so stop tha stupid hatin'. Please.
After all, it's often those same people that are complaining about the police speeding, that complain when the police takes too long to get there when they are in trouble themselves...

[PEZ @ Feb 19th 2007 8:47AM]

Most people become police officers because they want to get drugs off of raids and steel fireworks from 10 year olds. Also, because donuts are fairly tastey though generally unhealthy to consume frequently.

[Droo @ Feb 19th 2007 8:07AM]

Usually operating a police radar gun without a certification is illegal (FCC situation). If they're just using some sort of radar device like used for baseball, it may be thrown out just because it's not an official tuned enforcement device.

In some counties in the region you can get a civilian course/training in police radar and become a civilian traffic enforcement person. At best you can write down their information and send in a mailed warning, but they are (apparently) legally able to operate/own a radar gun.

I think the stalking claim doesn't hold much water. They're also aiming video devices into 'a public way'. However, one has to ask themselves how much of an enemy they want to make of the police and weigh accordingly. I've long wanted to put a set of spike strips across the road here for when the neighbors decide to rocket up the road in the 25mph zone here. I can certainly empathize with the concerns of these individuals. :)

[Grey Acumen @ Feb 19th 2007 8:29AM]

They hadn't installed it specifically for the cop, but for the neighborhood, so it can't be stalking. They didn't follow the cop, they simply happened to be videotaping him as he was going by.

If he wasn't actively in pursuit of another vehicle, he damn well needs to be obeying the speed limit.

[strider_mt2k @ Feb 19th 2007 8:39AM]

Welcome to Amerika 2007

[regomodo @ Feb 19th 2007 8:46AM]

well, remember that cop who was driving well over a ton in the UK? His excuse was that he was testing it out!

"everyone hates cops, until they need one"

Well, considering they have never ever helped me or my family every time we called or reported. Father's been wrongly imprisoned, me and my sister have been wrongly charged for something we proved we didn't (oh, don't worry, it'll be off your record in a few years).

Last incident, i spot my motorbike that had been stolen being ridden about, phone the pigs, effin nowt. I get hold of it (after some vigilantism (?)), walk it home, then get swarmed by 3 cop cars and ~6cops askin me this and that and won't let me go.

If you need the police, don't call them, just run down the street with a tv in your arms.

Rant over

[mikey @ Feb 19th 2007 9:19AM]

AMEN

[GIjoe @ Feb 19th 2007 1:23PM]

In my experience people like you bring attention to yourself and in a way crave the attention. In some instances you may not see the police helping, but in the background they are doing things to help. IE: recording trends, analyzing data and adjusting manpower, funds and tactics to each communities needs. I am sorry, but I dont buy for a minute that cops "never help you out when you call". Maybe you shouldnt jack people's bikes.

[Chewie67 @ Feb 19th 2007 8:56AM]

This is pure BS. It's nothing more than a cop who was caught red handed abusing the legal system to get revenge on the couple.

If there is a shred of decency left in our courts, this will get thrown out 2 minutes into the proceedings.

IF IT DOES NOT...that would make a strong case to say that radar guns and traffic cameras IN GENERAL are illegal. Right?

[mikey @ Feb 19th 2007 9:19AM]

no excuses, the fact that he's trying to worm him way out of it is ridiculous.
I got runover by a speeding postal van last year, it hurts...trust me.

[g @ Feb 19th 2007 9:36AM]

I'm always perturbed that cops don't think they need to stop for red lights. My sister was almost killed when a cop ran a red light for no reason.

[anonymous @ Feb 21st 2007 4:01PM]

G I have never seen a cop car just blatantly run through a red light. even when chasing a subject they make a cautious approach through an intersection that is not giving them the green light.

[Grant @ Feb 19th 2007 10:46AM]

sounds like just another insecure high school loser who wanted to have some power over the people that abused him.
i swear those people must make up like at least 1/4 of a typical police force.
those people give the police a bad name, and if i was on the same force as him, i would kick his ass for being a disgrace.
Unless he's some sort of supercop, i hope the force does some sort of disiplinary action for him being a whiny little b1tch.

[David @ Feb 19th 2007 11:01AM]

I went to school with a girl who was killed by a cop who was not only speeding with his lights off, but ran through a stop sign without stopping. He was on his way to an emergency, however, he was busted for NOT using his lights and sirens and NOT going through the intersection safely.

No matter what this "police officer" was doing he was abusing his authority not just by speeding, but not using his equipment properly.

I think *everyone* should call the Kennesaw Police department and file a complaint or just tell them that they are hypocrites.

[srilyk @ Feb 19th 2007 11:05AM]

1)They installed 3 video cameras - I should imagine it's an awful lot like the "big brother" cams in, say Cali - where it catches the plate and the face. If it's legal for law enforcement it should be legal for regular citizens. And vice versa.

2)17MPH increase in a residential area, which is usually posted as 25-30MPH is OVER a 50% increase in speed. Also it's enough to kill someone.

3)We don't know many more relevant facts than that.

That being said, it still worries me that a suit like that is even possible...

oh, and
4) I don't hate cops until I need one. I would prefer to be in charge of my own security, personally.

Too bad that won't ever happen while I'm alive and living in the Good Ol' US of A.

Bless the USAPATRIOT act

[DRS @ Feb 19th 2007 11:08AM]

O.C.G.A. Chapter 17, the Georgia Crime Victim's Bill of Rights Crime Victim's Bill of Rights:
http://www.kennesaw.ga.us/index.asp?NID=317

#3/15 Reckless Conduct
#15/15 Stalking (in this case known as Embarassed because you're an ass)

http://www.kennesaw.ga.us/index.asp?NID=223
E-mail: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[v_dogg @ Feb 19th 2007 11:16AM]

.hhmphh.. dirty cop

[Jeremy K. @ Feb 19th 2007 11:53AM]

Alright, the stalking business, whatever... But going over the speed limit? C'mon guys. What are you talking about? Cops are the ones who should be able to do this. Who knows if they had to get to a crime scene or what have you.

[Anteuz @ Feb 19th 2007 12:19PM]

Only in US, only in us. That's just f¤ucking crazy, all fear mighty stalker cam pffft :) Really shows the justice system if the cop walks.

[jordan @ Feb 19th 2007 12:32PM]

Here's a link with more information and a video link from a local news station about the incident. http://www.wsbtv.com/news/10935892/detail.html

[Spartacus @ Feb 19th 2007 12:42PM]

I believe the problem here is that the cops knew this was going to make the news. If the headline had been that the cop was fired over this, then you'd have people all across america setting up these little traps to thin the police herd. Just look through the comments section here, we've all seen cops doing what they weren't supposed to, but it never matters cause there's no proof. Well, if we're gonna start putting proof together that's a major problem for police. Thus the story is, do this and you'll get arrested. Problem solved, as long as you're a cop. It's all about precedent.

[Scott @ Feb 19th 2007 1:04PM]

I think it's his public duty to speed. I mean, look at that car. I'd speed too.

[matt @ Feb 19th 2007 1:13PM]

as i try to read the story, every few words my eyes get diverted back to the gallardo

[regomodo @ Feb 19th 2007 5:58PM]

try having your family being the neighbourhood scapegoat for everyones f**kups for 13 years (for me, from the age 4/5) of just because you are the only ethnic family within a mile radius. Several courtcases, 3 burglaries, dozen broken windows, multiple unprovoked beatings, 1 cutting, one bankruptcy, one reposession, 2 arsons, 3 written off by cars by fire or all windows being smashed out, 2 death threats (1 involved fire, the other a claw hammer), daily racial abuse (well that was only for a few years until they got bored) later and say the same thing. I could keep going on and on but i dont think several logbooks will make good reading.

In all fairness we did have 1 case which did actually get a conviction, becuase the off his tits local knobhead was filmed by v'camera, in its entirety, trying to deck my elderly father at our door then later attacking police (for the second time)

That still doesn't make up for when 2 15year olds beat up my 8yr old brother with sticks. Police just said, "oh, it's just kids playing" and the time 2police officers caught someone trying to blow up our car (after calling on another incident that day). They told us about it and let them off with a warning.

From all this all i have is experience how much people can screw you over for very little reason.

Also, try reading what i said. It was my bike that was stolen. So i found it (for the 2nd bloody time and don't give me sh*t about "try locking up better next time" you don't know what they had to go through to get it) and got it back. I didn't steal it.

Thanks very much, you made my day

[Andy @ Feb 19th 2007 1:42PM]

That's actually a Police Car of Italian Police. It's used for high speed transports to hospitals (blood, organs to transplant, etc.). There are 3 or 4 cops trained by professional drivers that are allowed to drive it (at very high speed).

Cheers

[bigm @ Feb 19th 2007 2:03PM]

Let them know what you think!

[e-mail]

I did. That sucks.

[2Perfect @ Feb 19th 2007 2:03PM]

that's so much bull...

Cops: 1, Citizens: 0
---------------------
Seriously what the hell is that? Weren't the cameras installed at their house? If I installed a camera in my house could my family charge me for stalking them? Wow... *still can't believe it*

[engadget @ Feb 19th 2007 2:46PM]

Here in So Cal, I've, many times, witnessed cops turned on the emergency light just to go through red light. Did that kind of action constitute to abuse? If I catch them on camera, can I file a complaint?