Jefferson looks at increasing fines

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Jefferson looks at increasing fines

Wednesday, March 10. 2010

If you get pulled over for speeding in Jefferson, you will likely be paying a higher fine.

The Jefferson City Council is looking at increasing the city court fines. Police chief Joe Wirthman presented a proposal at the council meeting Monday night with options for both 20 percent and 30 percent increases. The council will vote on the proposal when it meets at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 22, at the civic center.

At the meeting this week, Wirthman said that the fines have not been increased in several years. He looked at the fines charged in Braselton, Commerce, Winder and Gainesville in coming up with the proposal for Jefferson.

The majority of fines in Jefferson, some 67 percent, are for speeding, the police chief said. He added that most of these are for people driving 14 miles per hour over the speed limit.

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#1 deputy dog on 03/10/10 at 09:36 PM [Reply]

They need to cut police jobs, like every other business. To many. If you can't make the payroll. Taxpayers have paid enough. Go find a new job.

#2 Jefferson Resident on 03/11/10 at 06:28 AM [Reply]

Being a speed trap is not good for business. If Jefferson were furloughing employees, it might make sense to raise the fines, which are a form of taxation, but there would seem to be no need.

And, drivers are charged a heavy surtax to pay online rather than have to come to court in Jefferson, so the fines are more expensive in real dollars than they appear on paper.

If Mr. Wirthman wants to help the citizens, he should reduce the patrols on the bypass and put those officers in neighborhoods where car thefts have been occurring.

#2.1 Local Driver on 03/11/10 at 10:08 AM [Reply]

I don't see much of the Jefferson Bypass, but I-85 is absolutely ridiculous. In one afternoon I have seen 3 Jefferson Police vehicles that had 3 seperate traffic stops going on in less than 1 mile of I-85 south. I'm not exactly sure how many officers are working the day shift on any given day, but I think it would be safe to say that 3 of them would be a sizeable percentage.

Lets think about this: 3 traffic stops on I-85...Something occurs in the middle of downtown Jefferson. How long would it take those 3 officers to respond to that situation? Not nearly as long as it would if they were actually partolling IN the town they are supposed to protect and serve.

#2.2 Disappointed resident on 03/17/10 at 09:06 PM [Reply]

Well first thing is first. There is no speed patrols by the city Police on interstate-85. The officers out there are the K9 officers doing drug interdiction and by the way the drugs and money that has been seized by the K9 officers has been used to purchase police overneeded tools that have not cost the taxpayer one cent. GOOD JOB Mr. Wirthman! The next thing is that statistics show more accidents are caused by speeders. If you do not want to pay a traffic fine there is a simple solution- DON'T SPEED!Its easy people just follow the posted speed limit signs.You people will cry over anything that does not suit you OR GO YOUR WAY. I rode with one of these officers just to see what they do because I too was curious. All of you have no idea how bad some of these so called Jefferson residents treat the Officers but yet you all want and ask for more patrols in your subdivisions. Catch the criminals but you want less police officers to work or furlough. All of you cry when you are a victim of theft or burglary and you call the police for their assistance and then complain when your suspect is not caught. I don't know who is worse the common theif/criminal or you crybabies that want everything your way without ramifications. Its not the Police Departments fault that these burglaries that take place in the neighborhoods and don't think for one moment that these criminals do not have lookouts or cell phones to let their partners know when the police are entering where they are and are driving a car with lights on it and say POLICE in bold, blue, reflective words. You know I commend Mr. Wirthman and his Officers who are out there doing what they can for us. The problem that seems to stand out is that we have a BUNCH of crybabies in this city that want everything their way and that they know everything there is to make this city great. YOU PEOPLE AND YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE need to quit your WHINNING!

#2.3 jefferson resident on 03/23/10 at 07:26 AM [Reply]

Do you even know what a speed trap is. There are posted signs everywhere so why don't you just obey them. You say take patrols away from the by pass or is that just an excuse for you to speed. How about policing all over the city. They are in my neighborhhod all the time. We all know its juveniles breaking into the vehicles. Maybe the parents should be held more responsible for letting their little BRATS sneak out and commit crimes of opportunity.

#3 Janis Robins on 03/11/10 at 10:47 AM [Reply]

It seems to me that if you don't want to pay this increased "tax", then don't speed, and it won't affect you in any way, shape, or form.

#4 Jurasic Jack on 03/11/10 at 10:58 AM [Reply]

So, Chief Wirthman has proposed increasing speeding fines.

Glad to hear it! I drive past South Jackson Elementary School every morning, and every morning it appears that a speeder has been nabbed there. What kind of jerk speeds through a school zone? And those blinking warning lights are bright enough to get my attention even when I am texting. Drivers are well forewarned!

Yes, I know that South Elementary is not in Jefferson’s patrol zone. But speeders headed north, pedal to the metal, and that get past the school are headed for Jefferson. Pendergrass and Arcade know that and are waiting for them, so why not Jefferson?

I believe that a fine, the penalty forfeiture of money, can influence peoples’ actions. Knowing that a big-clam speeding ticket in Jefferson could cost me a boat payment would make me slow down.

Speeding is lack of self-control. It is making a bad choice. And it is breaking the law. Put it in terms that we all understand—speeding will cost us a couple Benjamins in Jefferson. Jack

#4.1 Jefferson Resident on 03/11/10 at 03:02 PM [Reply]

I'm glad you pointed out that speeding is against the law.

So is taking cars and objects out of unlocked cars which don't belong to you. Stealing, rather than working, is a lack of self-control; a desire for immediate gratification.

Seeing police officers in residential areas could influence peoples' actions, including deterring them from criminal behavior.

Speeding, by and large, is crime without a victim.

#4.1.1 udumbass on 03/12/10 at 06:14 AM [Reply]

Hey Jefferson Resident, What cave did you come from? Speeding is a victimless crime? Are you kidding? Everybody knows that speed kills. You need to do some reaserch on speeding and speed related deaths.

#4.1.2 Turbo Terry on 03/12/10 at 06:59 AM [Reply]

Amazing. Speed is a crime without a victim? Are you that dense? Every mile per hour faster results in a greater stopping distance as well as less reaction time to avoid accidents.
Perhaps you can explain how the people killed at the Kroger intersection before there was a stop light are not victims? How about the people killed at the intersection of HWY 82 and Damon Gause AFTER the speed limit was raised to 55? I find it amazing there were no accidents at that particular intersection until AFTER the spoeed limit was raised. Now the Arcade cops cant touch you unless you are running close to 70.
I drive for a living and I admit I speed on occasion (around 5 over) but I routinely get passed driving through Arcade and Jefferson by drivers going 70 and greater. I routinely see stupid drivers barely able to stop at the Crow's lake intersection when the light changes or when a car turns North onto the bypass from that new Exxon station because they are driving so fast.
If someone speeds (even me) and gets caught then they need to pay-and yes, I have paid before.

#4.1.2.1 Jefferson Resident on 03/14/10 at 07:31 PM [Reply]

Actually, while you are no doubt passionate about these wrecks, and certainly no one wants to see people hurt or worse in a wreck, I disagree that speeding is the cause of accidents at intersections, for the most part. While I have not read the accident investigation report for the accident at 82 and the bypass, and therefore can't comment on that one, there have been numerous accidents on the road should be attributed to poor road design, such as not having dedicated turn arrows at the Old Pendergrass Road and Winder Highway intersections. Some drivers believe that a green light gives them the right to go anywhere, so a lack of driver education is far more dangerous than speeding.

Nor did I advocate lowering speeding fines, or texting and/or speeding in school zones; I am simply opposed to raising the existing speeding fines.

To clarify my previous post, I think that police officers should be used as a deterrent to all crimes, such as those serious enough to land perpetrators in jail, and not concentrate solely on those which make money for the city.

#4.1.2.1.1 Disappointed resident on 03/17/10 at 09:19 PM [Reply]

Thats too bad you don't see that speed kills. Look at the statistcs that has killed many drivers waiting to turn at Old Pendergrass from Damon Gause. The vehicles approaching that intersection at a high rate of speed. You still say speed does not kill.
2nd)Criminals do not committ crimes when they see police they do it when they are in the next or other neighborhood so they are not seen. WISE UP!

#4.1.2.1.1.1 WEWWEEEE LOOK AT ME I CAN ARGUE ON THE INTERNET TOO!!111 on 03/23/10 at 02:31 AM [Reply]

Ah how the residents of my little town argue pointlessly. Here's your gold medal. Shall we run the Downs-Syndrome 500meter next? Oh, and I say we ban spoons in our fair city! you could kill somebody with one! These murderous implements shall not stand!

#4.1.3 jefferson resident on 03/23/10 at 07:35 AM [Reply]

So why don't you lock your car it is such a simple task? 3 officers working can not take care of all the crimes that take place in this city; Plus answer calls that they are sent to. Speeding is NOT a victimless crime for I have lost a family member due to a speeding driver that was too in too much of a hurry to see and respond to my sister in law attempting to turn By the way he was traveling 22 miles above the speed limit when he struck her. State patrol said he was traveling too fast to react. So I take speeders seriously. By the way police presence does not deter criminals they know the police will leave the area and thats when they indulge in their criminal behaviors.

#4.2 Jack Lester on 03/12/10 at 06:38 AM [Reply]

I don't want speeders in school zones and I damm sure don't want texting. I wonder what kind of jerk textes in a school zone or even while driving

#5 Tim Smith on 03/11/10 at 04:13 PM [Reply]

If you don't break the law then you don't pay! Why should those who choose to break the law not pay more for the enforcement of the law? Maybe this will deter all who choose to risk the lives of others!

#6 Wish I could speed on 03/19/10 at 11:40 PM [Reply]

I'm not sure there's anything to worry about. Jefferson resident's are the slowest driving citizen's I have ever witnessed. I can't get out of town going any faster than 10 m.p.h under the speed limit. So, no worries here.

#7 liberty5449 on 04/12/10 at 03:48 PM [Reply]

WELL PEOPLE ALL I HAVE TO SAY WITH JOBS SO HARD TO FIND AND THE COST OF GAS PRICES YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO SLOW DOWN OR GIVE ALOT MORE OF YOUR HARD EARNED DOLLARS TO THE BACK YARD BARAQUES OR JUST STAY A HOME UNLES YOU RIDE A PADDLE CAR TO WORK THAT WAY THEY WILL TO FIND ANOTHER WAY TO GET OUR MONEY. IF THE GOVERNMENT DON'T THE STATE WILL.

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