Times says the police department has a new aggressive-driving team that’s already been on the move here in WS (Highland Park Way). The article includes pix of their distinctive new cars and a map suggesting this team will be in action on Alki, Admiral, and The Bridge. (Hey, don’t forget the many disregarded arterial stop signs here in South WS!)
I saw this in action yesterday and it was intense! There were at least 4 Chargers and a couple of motorcycles. 3 people were pulled over within the 2 minutes I was sitting at the light at West Marginal and Highland Park. I’m sure they will soon show up on Admiral Way.
I hope this will make a difference in the number of Aholes I/we have to deal with..
Saw one this morning pulling over someone on 35th…however, I saw no markings on the car…just blinking lights hidden in the grill. There wasn’t any other signs that it was a police car, not even distinctive antennas.
I saw one on Admiral (across the street from Starbucks) yesterday morning, pulling someone over. The car was pretty fierce looking…Good luck SPD.
Hopefully they can work their way to the “Residental Raceways” between Californa and the bridge.
People run the light travelling east on Fauntleroy at Oregon with almost every light change I have been at. People speed down arterials too. I have complained to the police but I guess they have bigger fish to fry .. that is.. until someone dies, as the article points out as the partial reason for this police action. Deaths always make it a priority. It’s just too bad it has to come to that point before something is done about a problem that is reported and the police have data on. No wonder people don’t take the time to get involved or report a crime, etc.
We’ve admired a Charger on the north end of California and on Admiral several times in the past few months…down at Alki once. It’s always been moving rather than sitting in wait though. Pretty snazzy ride – and sounds like they’re effective too! Think they might run across the Crown Vic cruiser that almost hit me today while the officer was dialing his cell phone??
Um, might be nice if the police reminded everyone to at least DO the speed limit. I’ve been behind so many people on 35th that wander along at 30mph. Please either speed up or move to the right.
Ok, that said, yes there are a lot of bad drivers out there, but do we need a $50,000 new police car to catch them? The old ones didn’t work? You could get at least 3 new motorcycle cops for that price, and share the love all around. Plus they’re faster, use less gas, and harder to see (a bonus when cops are running exactly this kind of work).
Just wondering what the logic is here. If we want intimidating, why not get big Ford 4×4 trucks?
Cy, you saved me lots of typing. You’re exactly right. Our tax money should not be used for nonsense such as huge 4x4s to stop “aggressive driving”. The crime “aggressive driving” is a farce already, why waste even more cash on the vehicles? I could come up with a laundry list of items Seattle PD could tackle that make a greater impact in the community than this.
I hope they spend some time on Oregon between California and Fauntleroy. Most treat this hill like a raceway. Good luck if you’re trying to turn onto or off of it. In addition to the speeding I’d love it if they’d do a bit more enforcement of noise ordinances. Seattle’s Municipal Code is actually very specific and bans the noise pollution from boom box cars and tuner cars with the glasspack mufflers. These jerks put their pathetic need for attention ahead of the people who have to live in these neighborhoods. Some hefty fines would serve them right.
I’ve seen several of these at the Luna Park Cafe in the mornings. Sweet rides!
And as someone who has been pulled over on 35th one too many times for going a mere five miles over the limit, I’ve had it. I’m fine with the police going after truly aggressive drivers but when they ticket people for going with the flow of traffic? Grrr!
Also, I hate to say it, but I see this more as an attempt to raise funds for the department than to curb a serious problem. With the status of WA traffic laws(one can be found guilty of a traffic citation even if the police officer who ticketed you doesn’t show up or testify…and that’s just for starters!) the police are well aware that they will walk away with the hundreds of thousands of dollars every month they conduct these so-called raids. This is fast and easy money for them.
And as someone who has been pulled over on 35th one too many times for going a mere five miles over the limit, I’ve had it. I’m fine with the police going after truly aggressive drivers but when they ticket people for going with the flow of traffic? Grrr! Also, I hate to say it, but I see this more as an attempt to raise funds for the department than to curb a serious problem. With the status of WA traffic laws(one can be found guilty of a traffic citation even if the police officer who ticketed you doesn’t show up or testify…and that’s just for starters!) the police are well aware that they will walk away with the hundreds of thousands of dollars every month they conduct these so-called raids. This is fast and easy money for them.
And the PO-lease wonder why so many citizens, law abiding citizens, hate cops?! Gee, wonder why?
Driving issues are something that’ll get me posting. :-)
I moved here from New Jersey a few years ago because of aggressive driving and am making every effort to leave that lifestyle behind. I am very happy to see this enforcement being done. I don’t particularly care if this is accomplished with a Dodge Charger, motorcycle or tricycle. 35th Avenue needs a lot of help in this department.
I must admit I have very little sympathy for Tish, even though people going more than 5 MPH over the speed limit should be the ones targeted. I encourage Tish and others here to remember the biker that was killed on 35th Avenue near Morgan last year. Then realize that 5MPH can make a difference.
I am a driver, biker and pedestrian in about equal amounts. If nit-picking means safer streets, I certainly will not complain.
Sorry, comment time is over.
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