Arcade again being investigated as speed trap

Thursday, March 31. 2011

The Arcade Police Department is reportedly being investigated by the Georgia State Patrol on allegations that it is a speed trap.

A spokesman for the Georgia State Patrol confirmed Wednesday that the investigation was under way, but would not give any details on the complaint that was filed.

The Arcade Police Department has been investigated several times in the past few years on claims that it is a speed trap, but has been cleared each time.

Late last year, an Athens man filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging that the City of Arcade has developed a speed trap targeting drivers with false charges. This case is still pending.

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#1 Tabitha Kitchens on 03/31/11 at 08:22 AM [Reply]

How many times do they really need to be investigated before someone realizes that it's actually true?

#1.1 Michael Demas on 03/31/11 at 04:24 PM [Reply]

I myself have been targeted with over 600.00 in fines last year alone. It is a shame that living in Jefferson you have to go through such a corrupt area just to get to Athens They are 100% crooks and are well known in the area all drivers who live out there warn people to stay clear.

#1.1.1 never happen on 03/31/11 at 07:47 PM [Reply]

Michael,
How much more money are you going to pay before you learn? I wouldn't even tell anyone I've been so stupid as to get $600 worth of fines from the same department.
Time for you to find another way home.

On another note, Arcade will never have their permit pulled for being a speed trap.
Mark my word. They know what they're doing and they're not going to do it illegally. If they get close to the percentage (I think it's 40%) they won't write speeding tickets. Unless you're going waaaaaay over the limit.

#1.1.1.1 never day never on 04/01/11 at 08:16 AM [Reply]

Spoken from a TRUE ARCADE POLICE OFFICIAL's point of view. And with so much loyalty you're hashing, I would wonder just how much of the loot (fines) you are depositing?

#2 FJCR on 03/31/11 at 10:11 PM [Reply]

Tabitha- Arcade is a speed trap and everyone knows it and if you are from out of state and you go through there then my dear you are as good as screwed? AND YOU WON'T EVEN GET KISSED.
AND as for you never happen- You say Michael Demas is stupid to tell people he got $600 worth of fines from Arcade? I say he's being honest like so many others that have probably been repeatedly targeted by Arcade police Dept.?
AND to get from Athens to Jefferson and avoid Arcade you would have to go up Hwy.441 to Nicholson and take the Brockton Rd. to Jefferson.
ALSO you mention that Arcade will never have their permit pulled to run their speed trap? That's because the whole town is a speed trap. AND all it takes is a high priced lawyer and you can win any case. AND WHO pays for this high priced lawyer? The TAXPAYERS or they'll go crying to the state saying they need more money.
I also want to just throw a question out there to you Tabitha or anybody who thinks Arcade isn't a speed trap? Now you gonna have to do some research to get the answer. Out of everyone who has been caught for speeding OR some other bogus fine HOW MANY OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PARRS? You know the people who more or less own Arcade?

#2.1 Tabitha Kitchens on 04/05/11 at 06:19 AM [Reply]

FJCR .... are you daft? Some people just want to argue so bad, they don't even actually read the responses.

I quote, "How many times do they really need to be investigated before someone realizes that it's actually true?"

Let me slow it down a bit for you.... 'how many times does arcade police department have to be investigated for being a 'speed trap' before they are actually fined themselves and penalized for the 'rumors' and allogations being true.'

#2.1.1 FJCR on 04/05/11 at 03:19 PM [Reply]

Tabitha- I may be SO what does daft mean??? AND calm down baby I was agreeing with you? I was saying if you was from out of state and didn't know how Arcade police work you was as good as screwed?

#3 never happen on 03/31/11 at 10:46 PM [Reply]

"You say Michael Demas is stupid to tell people he got $600 worth of fines from Arcade? I say he's being honest like so many others that have probably been repeatedly targeted by Arcade police Dept.?"

yeah I say it. I mean come on when do you learn? It's like hitting yourself in the hand over and over because when you stop it feels so much better. It just doesn't make sense.

"AND to get from Athens to Jefferson and avoid Arcade you would have to go up Hwy.441 to Nicholson and take the Brockton Rd. to Jefferson."
And that is exactly what I do.
I will not travel through that town!!!!!
Now that says something about the police. I don't care if I set my cruise control at 55, they will find some way to pull me over. And if they pull me over I will have valid insurance, registration, license...everything is valid, I just don't trust them.

And THAT"S a shame. When law abiding citizens are afraid to drive through a town, it's just shameful (if that's a word).
I wonder too how many tickets have been dropped because of who someone knows.

#3.1 FJCR on 04/01/11 at 08:38 AM [Reply]

SO never happen YOU KN OW IT"S A SPEED TRAP and that's why you avoid it? Think about this if you didn't avoid Arcade HOW MUCH IN FINES WOULD YOU HAVE PAID? AND you said it yourself YOU DON'T TRUST THEM? AND you made a valid point that it's a shame when law abiding citizens are afraid to drive through Arcade? SO DON'T YOU AGREE THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW?

#3.1.1 never happen on 04/01/11 at 09:27 AM [Reply]

I'm not saying it's a speed trap. What I'm saying is that it is worse. It's not just speeding, it's simply going through the town.
-Why did you pull me over officer?
-Umm you were weaving
-I was stopped at a stop sign, how did I weave
-Step out of the car...
I just don't trust them. Yeah something needs to be done, but it has nothing to do with a radar permit.

"Spoken from a TRUE ARCADE POLICE OFFICIAL's point of view. And with so much loyalty you're hashing, I would wonder just how much of the loot (fines) you are depositing?"

Read my second comment and you'll see I'm no TRUE ARCADE POLICE OFFICIAL.

Michael, didn't you say they came to your house and stole something a while back?

#3.2 WOW!!!!! on 04/01/11 at 10:28 AM [Reply]

I am AMAZED at the ignorance of the "un-trusting" and am offended that "law abiding citizens" were all just categorized as being scared to drive through Arcade.

I do not live in Arcade; however, I am in Jackson County and travel through Arcade multiple times a week and I have NEVER thought of taking a different route from Athens to Jefferson to avoid Arcade. I have been stopped in Arcade and I was given a ticket...BUT NOT FROM AN ARCADE POLICE OFFICER. It was GSP and I was not wearing my seatbelt; therefore, I received a ticket.
If you are breaking the law, you should be reprimanded. Posted MPH signs are all up and down HWY 129. If you speed, you risk being stopped and fined. GA law is that safety belts must be worn, if you chose not to, you risk being stopped and fined. Window tint, headlamps/tail lamps, tag lights, blinkers all have regulations for the safety of the vehicle operator as well as other motorists...Arcade hasn't made up laws to inflict anger and charge fines.
I don't agree with all of the violations motorists can be charged with, but it's not for me, or you to decide. Laws have already been declared and law enforcement officials are hired to enforce them.

Again, I do not live in Arcade, nor do I work for Arcade...in fact I work in Clarke County and when breaking the law, they have pulled me over and ticketed me...but you don't hear me screaming they are a speed trap.

All this boils down to is the lovely rights we have as Americans: We get ticked off; we can sue. We don't like that we broke a law and got caught; we can sue. We spill HOT coffee in our laps; we can sue...if only we could sue people for being ignorant this world may have become a better place!!!

If someone has a legitimate reason to sue, then go for it. In this case I believe it's a matter of "not enough to do", so lets waste taxpayer dollars to have a city investigated because "I" broke the law. I CAN'T WAIT for the results of this investigation!

#3.2.1 never happen on 04/01/11 at 11:14 AM [Reply]

You just don't get it. Speeding is not the issue. Trust is. Tell me this, do you blindly trust everyone you meet? Of course not, you know as well as I do that there are people out there that shouldn't be trusted. Now why would that preclude police officers? They are picked from the general population, you get bad cops, it just happens.
The problem here is nothing you, I or anyone else on this blog writes is going to make a difference. It is the status quo and no one in Arcade wants to change that. Change can come through a law suit, unfortunately that is what it takes sometimes.
As for the outcome of this investigation, as I said they will keep their speed detection device permit.

#3.2.1.1 WOW!!!!!! on 04/01/11 at 11:45 AM [Reply]

I do get it. You are the one missing the point. I fully agree that there are "bad cops", just as there are "bad people"; however, I do not believe a lawsuit is going to solve anything. If one is breaking the law...no matter what that law may be, they should be "disciplined". This is how one learns to obey. In this case the discipline is to pay a fine, but instead of taking responsibility for one's actions an investigation is opened.
Speeding isn't the real issue here. The issue lies with those of you who believe you should get away with breaking the law and that Arcade, or any other place for that matter are at fault because of a "status quo".
The investigation is for a speed trap. If you believe there are other issues at hand then get off your computer and do something about it. You want to make a difference, then do it...but making a difference starts with those who take responsibility for their wrong doings and work to change for the better.

#3.2.1.1.1 never happen on 04/01/11 at 12:37 PM [Reply]

"The issue lies with those of you who believe you should get away with breaking the law and that Arcade, or any other place for that matter are at fault because of a "status quo"."

If this is the point you think I'm trying to make then I am not making my point. I'm not breaking the law nor do I feel I'm above the law. It's a lot deeper than the surface argument you think I'm trying to make. It seems we agree at the core of our ideas, I just belive usually court is only way to make government listen. I personally can not get off my computer and do something about it, that also was one of my points. I will agree to disagree.

#4 Michael McCarthy on 04/01/11 at 06:54 AM [Reply]

I've had tickets for the Arcade police dept. in the past. My son too. Too bad we were guilty. Sometimes it's better to just slow down.

#4.1 FJCR on 04/01/11 at 08:51 PM [Reply]

But Michael if you ain't breaking the speed limit you can't slow down because then they will give you a ticket for going to SLOW and when you go to court it's your word against the officers AND WHO DO YOU THINK THE JUDGE IS GOING TO BELIEVE? You a nobody or a police officer AND WE ALL KNOW THEY NEVER LIE?

#5 Jeffrey Boatwright on 04/01/11 at 10:49 AM [Reply]

Don't drive through Nicholson over 45. Coming through Nicholson from Athens I was doing 50. As I passed Benton school I saw three of Stan's boys upon on the right. I slowed down but I was stopped. GSP and JCpatrols 441. One time there was a GSP car out in the boondocks on Brockton Road. As far as who you know. That is the way it is. My wife had an accident when she was hit behind while stopped for a garbage truck. The fat stupid sorry excuse for a deputy who was friends with the party at fault actrd like it was my wife's fault. Lucky that GSP handled the investigation. I got into a confrontation with the tobacco chewing old man from Banks County. He followed me to my car. The deputy told me to get i my car. He didn't say anything to Bubba but kept talking to him. I respect the job law officers do but, Stan, some if these idiots should be putting tires on junk cars instead of driving a patrol car.

#5.1 FJCR on 04/01/11 at 06:52 PM [Reply]

Well Jeffrey- One reason you were stopped is because the speed limit is 35 in any school zone? And if you were doing 50 you were going 15 over the speed limit. You were breaking the law BUT Arcade DON'T HAVE NO SCHOOL.

#5.2 RJ on 04/03/11 at 08:34 AM [Reply]

Nicholson is probably a bigger speed trap than Arcade. Just more subtle. Ever notice how there are hardly any reduce speed or 45mph signs but at least 4 55mph signs leaving the city limits north or south. It's all about the money!

#5.2.1 FJCR on 04/03/11 at 07:24 PM [Reply]

RJ- But Nicholson has a gimmick? Nicholson has a school and most people don't notice where the school zone starts and if you ain't paying attention YOUR BUSTED.

#5.2.2 Fact on 04/05/11 at 10:43 AM [Reply]

Have you ever noticed the speed limit signs had a U.S.marking on the 441signs it is not a Nicholson street but a U. S. Highway GDOT sets the distance between speed limit signs this debate has been carried to the DOT before without any results contact them in Gainesville maybe you can get more signs put up

#5.2.2.1 FJCR on 04/05/11 at 02:48 PM [Reply]

Hey Fact- I wasn't saying nothing about the distance between signs. I was talking about the school zone? If you ain't paying attention coming up 441 you will be in the school zone before you know it AND the speed limit drops in ALL school zones and if you are caught going faster than the posted speed YOU HAVEN'T GOT A LEG TO STAND ON? You just got a ticket and you have no choice but to pay it.
BUT how did a story about Arcade being a speed trap get turned into talking about the speed limit in Nicholson? WELL LET'S LOOK AT IT: Does Arcade have a school? NO Does Nicholson have a school? YES AND the cops are allowed BY LAW to sit within the school zone and catch speeders. THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO KEEP THE KIDS SAFE?

#6 OU812 on 04/01/11 at 09:17 PM [Reply]

My dad, who is 72, says that Arcade was know as a speed trap back when he was in College in Atlanta and had friends that went to UGA. I guess that nothing has change in the 50+ years since he use to pass through there. If they changed the law and all the money from the fines went to the State instead of the cities then I bet you would never see anyone pulled over in Arcade or Pendergrass.

#6.1 FJCR on 04/03/11 at 07:12 PM [Reply]

NOPE OU812 you wouldn't if they knew beforehand they wouldn't get the money they wouldn't be writing so many tickets? I have often wondered WHAT ARE THEY DOING WITH ALL THAT MONEY THEY COLLECT? Is the police Dept.and city council having a drunken party with the money OR has someone got their hand or hands in the cookie jar?

#7 Ron on 04/02/11 at 12:47 AM [Reply]

that is why i never speed, i have been driving for over 32 years and i have never had a speeding ticket, i allways go the speed limit and people pass me like i,m crazy. there is just something in people that do not want to drive the speed limit, so you get what you deserve.

#7.1 FJCR on 04/03/11 at 07:18 PM [Reply]

Ron Ron Ron and I guess when you get run over you can tell them NOT TO DO ANYTHING because you got what you deserve? Look at it like this YOU MUST HAVE BEEN GOING TO SLOW???????????????????

#7.2 Jurasic Jack on 04/04/11 at 11:01 AM [Reply]

You are right on, Brother Ron.

Every year in Georgia about 1,700 people are killed in auto accidents. Here are some interesting numbers:

21.5% of Georgia’s fatal accidents involved a speeding driver, and 55.7% involved people not buckled up.

But I suggest that police officers stand back and let people drive like bats from hell. Drivers who can’t equate the use of seat belts and safe speeds to staying alive are making poor additions to the human gene pool. They don't understand risk. A little self-initiated elimination might be good for the rest of us. Jack

#7.2.1 FJCR on 04/04/11 at 11:34 AM [Reply]

Jurasic Jack I agree IF I don't buckle up and I speed and I have a wreck and kill myself. IT'S ME. IT' MY FAULT but that's not what WE were talking about? If you speed or drink and drive YES you deserve a ticket BUT what some of us were talking about is the STUPID tickets like having a tag light out? AND tell me this since you and Ron never break a law? How is it if a person from Arcade gets caught speeding the fine is one price and then you let someone from out of state come through Arcade running the same speed and the fine is so much more? How is that?

#8 rayman on 04/05/11 at 04:13 AM [Reply]

Some of you people are just whacked out of your mind. I have had to drive through Arcade for the last 7 years, and have NEVER been pulled over.
I could see it being a speed trap when it was 45 going through there, when everything else from the interstate to Athens was 55, but not now.
Half of the posters seem to have an attitude because of their own stupidity. Maintaing your car (lights, tires, etc.) is part of being a responsible driver. Try driving like a normal person, and maybe you would avoid scrutiny.
As far as fines, I would bet that drivers history, good or bad, has a lot to do with it.

#8.1 WOW!!!!!! on 04/06/11 at 04:22 PM [Reply]

The article was about Arcade being investigated for being a speed trap, yet somehow the comments have turned to everything from Nicholson's and Pendergrass’ antics, to the state's role in MPH signs, to stop sign BS and other unnecessary posts that have nothing to do with the article.
I obviously do not feel that Arcade is a speed trap and when I first read the article I knew that there would be comments like the ones posted on here. I believe they are mainly from those who refuse, or simply don't know how, to comply with laws and regulations. Take responsibility for your actions! This world is going down the toilet because everyone blames the other person instead of owning up to his or her own misconducts.
I am so happy to see a post from someone with some common sense! It angers me to see all of the blame games..."Stupid is as stupid does." You are 100% correct that maintaining your vehicle is part of being a responsible driver. I don't understand how someone can state a ticket for an "un-safe" vehicle is stupid, however minor the offense may be; it's still breaking the law.

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Arcade again being investigated as speed trap

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Arcade again being investigated as speed trap

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