DaytonDailyNews.com

By Toni

July 18, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this

Shorty: the topic domestic violence has nothing to do with the topic, the whole topic got out of context; I simply stated that MPD are not heroes, everyone believes they should be rewarded as if they are 4 star generals, that is all, I explained myself for the feelings/personal experience I felt toward the MPD, not you, not anyone else, People take this comment section way off the beaten path. Sorry to offend.

By Shorty

July 17, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this

Who Cares in Middletown: What does the post (domestic violence) have to do with the article? Exchange e-mail addresses and banter back in forth with personal attacks like kids on a play-ground.

By who cares in middletown

July 16, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

Hey Shorty if you dont like it dont read it, freedom of speech my brother, besides it is not published in the paper it is online, you idiot, and props to the journal those people needed told off by Toni, and quite frankly I agree with her, and I am glad she is out of that relationship, and sorry people are so shallow, obviously a sign of ignorance, eh shorty?

By Shorty

July 16, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

“Post a comment” appears to feed the minds of some real losers. Don’t understand why the Journal allows personal attacks & obvious abbreviated profanity. Clean-up the site or get rid of it rather than being complicit to such garbage!

By Toni

July 14, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

This comment is for Steven, you can kiss my A$$, too, you don’t know me, nor my father, this is a simple way of letting you know you are an idiotic a$$hole, who probably is sweeping the floors I walk on, or did I see you taking my order at Wendy’s??? C**k sucker

By Toni

July 14, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this

Hey Jane kiss my a$$ I am not in that relationship it ended in divorce 10 years ago, you stupid a$$, shame on you you stupid b1tch, I revoke what I had to say about your husband beating the s**t out of you Its me who would love to find you a$$

By Hugh Jass

July 12, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

Retardo- You sure are good at interpreting things into your thesaurus ridden world. I doubt you’ve fooled anyone into thinking you are this highly refined, dignified individual. We’re all supposed to roll over and believe what you believe b/c you use big words. I simply asked you to prove it, and you started the defense mechanisms. Yep, the last words shall be mine. “I’ll have a 6 inch turkey club”.

By Chris

July 12, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Maybe the surcharge should be higher…we have to recoup the gas money council members spend driving to meetings and their other meetings. We should increase the wages of other city employees who also have to pay for the increased fuel charges so they can serve and protect us.

By Retired Exec

July 12, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

HUGHJass – The Jetsons. I’ve apparently mistaken you for someone who could poke fun, yet still have the capacity for depth of thought. Please accept my apologies for thinking otherwise. Your intransigence to focus on the topic that actually elicited this verbal banter - while amusing for me too, suggests that your view and access to the world around you is also very limited As such, I’d hate to dissuade you differently. So, thanks for the entertainment too. The last words shall be yours.

By Hugh Jass

July 12, 2008 6:57 AM | Link to this

Retard Exec - The only thing I proved was I can keep you making ignorant comments. I fail to see how slamming stupid comments on message boards and slow driving are related. I agree that people can over-react, but in this instance my “continued use of condescending language” is merely amusement. It isn’t some psychology revelation. You are not the puppet master. Yes, a car not stopping and starting will get better mileage, but where is that a reality? Only on the Jetsons

By Jesse

July 12, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this

Why don’t you people just slow down? This is a self-imposed tax. If you don’t like paying higher taxes, don’t speed. Sounds pretty simple to me, but the people in this area just don’t get it. I say tax the crap out of those idiots. Do whatever it takes to get their attention.

By Don

July 11, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this

so a cop gets to add the price of gas to a speeding ticket. He is doing his job. Does my doctor get to add the cost of his gas to my bill because he had to do his job?

By fedup

July 11, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

leaders of middletown have got their little brains buzzing on how to suck more money surcharge my azz TAX TAX TAX.. middletown is going down the drain wonder why…

By Retired Exec

July 11, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this

HUGHJass – Continued usage of condescending language suggests differently, which further illustrates that a multitude of things can easily set people off - including slow drivers. So, why present data, when you prove it. And, hard to imagine you’ve not seen problems as I’ve witnessed it here and abroad often. I could search fuel data, but try this: what gets better mpg, a truck cruising evenly at 65 for an hour or one that speeds up and down for slow drivers? Now, add more cars to the equation.

By Cold Ethyl

July 11, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this

Why add on to speeding tickets? There needs to be stiffer penalties for law breakers!, but why doesn’t Middletown just stop spending money on murals on the side of buildings and also control the officers who sit next to each otherwith the ruisers running for the dam air conditioning. I guess that has to be done by a superior, but they are just like the rest of them too. Just wasteful with tax payers money. i have my own views on the MPD and they are are good at all. They are criminals too.

By tomahawk35

July 11, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

reply to RHM,regarding speeding down my streets,last summer I called and ask if I could take tag#s or viedo speeders on my street which I was told nothing could be done unless they (police) actually saw them theirselves. This is not true with these red lite cameras. Why do we have two sets of laws?

By tomahawk35

July 11, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

reply to RHM,regarding speeding down my streets,last summer I called and ask if I could take tag#s or viedo speeders on my street which I was told nothing could be done unless they (police) actually saw them theirselves. This is not true with these red lite cameras. Why do we have two sets of laws?

By Phil MaCrackin

July 11, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

No, it’s only going to cost people who speed. has nothing to do with how hard they work.

By love my kids

July 11, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

phil………… i know this is not a vote who cares what it is or what you call it.. anyway you look at it its going to still cost hard working people money isint that the bottom line money

By Hugh Jass

July 11, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

Retarded Exec, no, it didn’t set me off. Get over your self. How long did it take you to look up all those words in your thesaurus? Your pathetic retort doesn’t make sense. Why would I need to go to the library to get the data that I asked you to provide? You just spout off all this stuff and don’t back it up. You’re right, I don’t have a car, it’s a truck. Maybe City Government should just do what you say b/c you obviously know everything. Or you could just make a 12 inch BLT for us. (toasted)

By love my kids

July 11, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

im a single dad with a single job and its hard enough to put gas in my own car. i agree its wrong to speed and break the law but sometimes we all make mistakes. i have 3 kids and cant afford to even fuel my own car every week to week. i only travel to work and home ONLY if i got a tic i could never afford it. havent had a tic in about 15yrs but if i get one and cant pay its off to jail…. wish i had cable like the people in jail what an easy life some of us have most of us honest ones work..

By Phil This

July 11, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

Hey shorty, didn’t you just comment too? idiot.

Jane, it’s “you’re”, not “your”. and you can’t even spell stupid, much less call someone that.

Finally, “love my kids”, this isn’t up for a vote.

By Retired Exec

July 11, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this

HUGHJass – If demeaning others aids your communication and comprehension skills, then please accept a similar reply to better facilitate your understanding: If you drove a car, versus riding a short bus, you’d recognize a multitude of slow driver errors that easily set others off and other’s reactions to them (hell, my post set you off). As you’re obviously of limited means and thought, please consider using the library’s PC to research a wealth of empirical data on this vs. attacking others.

By bill

July 11, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this

agencies are already supported by tax dollars. budget runs out no police/fire services. do we give into to another government backed armed robbery? one way or another we will. surcharge or police write tickets even if no violation was committed. they want the paycheck and pension and will sell out to have it. they will serve and protect their own needs.

By love my kids

July 11, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this

well well doing it again middletown trying to get more money out of the people who work there butts off its already hard to make it in this tough city where there is hardly any work everything shutting down ghost town malls people shooting and killing people at night clubs i think we can think of much better things to do with money you TAKE from us… it damn sure would not be used for gas.. spend it on real crimes that need solved not speeders and you would have my vote…………..

By Scarlett

July 11, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

I think this is a fabulous idea!! All the morons that think the speed “limit” does not apply to them obviously are opposed to this idea. I get so sick of folks that think going down 75 doing 75 is ok? I think MORE folks should get tickets thru the current construction zones so the city can have more revenue coming in. I say KUDOS to who ever came up with this idea. Alll cities need to jump on this. If you aren’t breaking the law, this doesn’t apply to you…nuff said

By Shorty

July 11, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

I never realized how many fools comment on such Journal articles. …and to think you walk among us!

By Jane

July 11, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

This comment is for “Toni” obviously your pretty studpid to stay in your abusive relationship and expose that behavior to your child. You should be ashamed of yourself and you should remember that everyone has a choice, you chose to stay.

By tbp

July 11, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

Oh, so now the government should tax us for the way we act with the gas product we buy. Law enforcement needs to tighten up like everyone else and not look to fascism to offset costs.

By Hugh Jass

July 11, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this

Retired Exec is probably a retired Subway Sandwich Artist. Slow driving doesn’t cause road rage, stupidity does. Oh no, I caused road rage by driving slow. Makes lots of sense. And you’ll bet it wastes more gas? Where’s your data? Yeah, going slow is more dangerous than going fast. Idiot.

By Birke

July 11, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

We need to be like Canada where sales taxes are 2.5 % property taxes on a 150K condo are 600.00 a year and no income tax GO Cananda Less Government

By Retired Exec

July 11, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

DISMAY – You, and other high-milers, who drive well below the speed limit are equally as dangerous, if not more! Are you totally oblivious to the back-ups, near collisions, geniuses speeding up to pass you, etc. - let alone the rage your driving brings out in people behind you? You shouldn’t be proud you should be ticketed! Your actions put drivers around you at far greater risk. And, I’ll bet data shows your driving actually wastes more fuel for all around you! Drive right or get off the road

By gas/cars

July 11, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

Hondas aren’t foreign cars by the way they are made in Marysville, Ohio and various other places in the country. So, if you want to support American made products look up where the car is made before you say foreign like it is a dirty word.

By jobe

July 11, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

I find it very amusing that every company, corporation, and now even local government have all been able to come up with a way to recoup the losses they are suffering because of the cost of fuel. Charge the consumers, your customers. Remember us, the people who are paying the same fuel cost increases that you are. Funny my employer hasn’t offered me a raise to help me.

By Steven

July 11, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

Toni, I may not know alot, But from your reply I do know u probabley dont even have a G.E.D. let alone a degree. And yes I am calling your dad an idiot

By poops n scoops

July 11, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

stupid gas, gee wiz. i hate these high gas prices. bunch of MOFOS

By Fugget

July 11, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

if cops need gas they should eat more turnips.

By Deputy Fyfe

July 11, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Seen it first hand because I’m a cop and so is my brother. Most cops I know are alcoholics. I’ve been at parties where they bring out confiscated dope and beer and pass it all around. They confiscate liquor and beer and pot and cocaine for their cop parties. And they keep the drug money they get, too. Many cops DO beat their wives, are closet homos, drunkards, take bribes, & every one of them I know hates catholics, jews, minorities but says they loves ‘em a whole bunch of jeezus.

By Dismay

July 11, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

If people would use common sense in their driving as well as every day behavior some of these rules or laws wouldn’t be necessary. When on the interstate, which I do out of necessity only, I have lowered my speed to 6-7 mph below limit and my mileage increased 2-3 mpg. I guess some just think they are too important to contribute to safety and helping conserve resources.

By Conservative

July 11, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

True, police don’t have quotas but they do have annual or semi-annual performance appraisals with their bosses and I’m sure it looks good to have brought in a certain amount of revenue to the department. Municipalities look at police/sheriff departments as revenue centers.

I got an excellent driving award last December (35 in a 25) and was discussing it with an off duty officer friend of mine, he mentioned that it was said that each ticket pays for one nights stay for the inmates in the jail.

By Gregory

July 11, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Here is the deal on gas for Governmental Vehicles, most Governmental bodies buy gas in bulk, plus they pay no state or federal road tax on it so yes there has been an increase for them, but they are in the $3.00 a gallon range right now in bulk…Even if you see them fill up at Speedway or BP and it shows $60.00 total what you dont see is the actual charge to the fleet credit card minus the discount and the state and federal tax

By Phil Man

July 11, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

Do what every other business does that is struggling. Lay some people off to recover expenses. Put one less car on the street on certain shifts. Conserve, instead of trying to make someone else pay for it. Make only right hand turns when possible. Use bicycles for patrolling. How is it they think they don’t have to make cut-backs like everyone else? get rid of the cell phones. or serve bread and water in the jails.

By Phil Man

July 11, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

How would you charge them for driving around? Creep up ever so slowly and then turn on your invisibility shield as you turn on your stop-watch?

We’d get a lot of 25 cent fines.

By Mandie

July 11, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

police have no room to talk about proper driving. The other day one pulled out in front of me and then turned right in front of me without using a turn signal and no lights were a flashing.
Our country is a mess. there are far better things to worry about then someone going 10 mph over the speed limit but no they are greedy and want more money.

By Karen

July 11, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

More people have almost hit me while talking on their cell phones than people going 10 miles per hour over the speed limit. While they are talking and driving, they are not comprehending what they are seeing and doing. I say charge for the people on the phone $.25 per min. they are seen talking.

By Officer Barney

July 11, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

Most Cops beat their wives and are closet perverts. Seen it firsthand.

By bob smith

July 11, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

Wow! Many of you seem to be mad at the “police” about this. That guy you see in the uniform driving around in the police car has absolutely NO control or voice in deciding to impose surcharges. He doesn’t drive around thinking about raising taxes. This is something “management” is doing. If you are gonna get mad…get mad at the right people.

By Roger

July 11, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

I think that they should stop driving the police cars home. Franklin allows this even if they dont live in Franklin.That would help.

By dave

July 11, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

How did this become an attack on the patrolmen on our streets? They don’t make the laws, sometimes I’m sure they have a problem enforcing them, but be real, if your job benifit was you could drive as fast as you wanted without getting a ticket, would you do it? Sen Gramm is right on, Americans are just whiners and cry about things that doesn’t have to effect their life if they chose to avoid it. Live how you chose to live, get caught and pay the man, or drink the Kool-Aid with Jim Jones.

By Jane

July 11, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

It’s pretty sad that you people think of police officer’s this way. Maybe Middletown should get rid of their police department for a couple weeks and then you people wouldn’t be bitching so much about how much you hate them when the criminals have no consequenses and do what they will. You people should be grateful that the police officers are there to protect you. You people always hate them until you need them, and then you act like they are your best friend. Get a life.

By dave

July 11, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

To TBill, You are an idiot. Your answer to the problem is to start buying foreign cars? Scary thing about your type, you are probably allowed to vote and reproduce!!

By dave

July 11, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

What brain dead idiot thought it was a good idea to announce what they were going to do. Let the judge charge what he’s going to charge and move on. Word will spread like wildfire that speeding tickets are now $115 instead of $100 or whatever. My first seat belt ticket was $10 or watch a movie, the last was $95. I still don’t wear one but I know it will be $95. I speed every day also and the measly $15 won’t stop me. Cost of being impatient. If we elect theives, lets at least elect smarter ones.

By ks

July 11, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Isn’t it amazing how government, schools and other public sector entities can always come up with some rationalization to increase the financial burden on the public? In the private sector, also known as the “real world”, people off-set fuel cost increases by cutting back or economizing somewhere else. Of course, I realize this is rarely or never done at the local, state and federal levels…..it’s too easy to just pile more on to the taxpayers!!!

By Tim

July 11, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

As for the added money for police gas, this is retarded. Police levies, budgets, and money from tickets should well enough pay for the gas charges. If you need to save a little, make officers do foot patrol for 15 minutes out of each hour. As for everyone crying, police are always jerks and crooks when you dont need them, But when your a victim then they are not so stupid are they? You all need to remember, they are the hero’s going into the line of fire to protect you sorry a**es.

By Barry

July 11, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

there are other exits on the highway that you can buy gas (and lunch) at before and after Middletown, I can always stop at one of those now instead.

By Bernie B

July 11, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

What kills me is these guys who are writing the tickets are doing the same thing when they get out of their cruiser and drive off in their private cars. They exceed the speed limit just like you and I do. The only problem is no one issues them a ticket. If the government is really concerned about speed, place governors on cars preventing them from going faster then 65 miles per hour.

By rrlarry

July 11, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

Call it a surcharge if you want but its just another nice way to keep from saying tax.

By Steven

July 11, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

Berry and Toni, you are showing your ignorance. Local police departments do not have quota’s. However I disagree with this. The city budget has plenty of money in it without adding fake charges for gas charges. Thats what the levy’s are for

By Toni

July 11, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

You hit the nail on the head, Barry, there are quotas, I am 34 years old and ever since I was a kid, my dad would always say, well, the cops are out, they must not have met their quota? I have known this since I was a kid, how sad that we all know what cops are capable, of, and sure, I may agree that there are good people out there, and yes they do risk their lives, but PLEASE, this is middletown, not over the rhine, granted we have some dangerous episodes at least the donuts are good at Milton

By Terry

July 11, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

As for catching “real” criminals instead of “just speeders”, it is amazing how many “routine” traffic stops turn up drugs, guns, wanted criminals and other “real” criminals.

Ask any officer, a routine traffic stop is not always routine. It is a very real tool in fighting crime.

By Lea

July 11, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

I like this “tax” better than a lot of other ones. I don’t have to pay it… Unless I break the law. I’d rather they did this than upped my property tax again. Let criminals pay for themselves, I have to pay for the county jail through taxes, while they watch cable TV.

Of course, with gas prices so high speeders will get caught more often, because there won’t be so many on the road for the cops to choose from!

By TBill

July 11, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

Hey, John Police Officer: with your logic, maybe only the people with kids should pay the taxes for the schools? Yeah, their taxes would easily double. Maybe only the criminals should pay the salaries of the judges and for the courts system? And if I don’t drive I don’t have to pay for the roads? And if my house doesn’t burn down I don’t pay for the fire department?? Just how much fuel does it cost to pull someone over, genius? I haven’t seen many Hondas being used by the police.

By Barry

July 11, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

I am against this idea and will not do business in a comunity that participates in it. The police are already running tickets as a money making thing. (They deny there are quotas, but we know better don’t we kids?) We should pay them more to do something they are doing to raise money? Great plan. Instead of doing things to run off business why not do something to cause people to want to come to your city?

By Tom

July 11, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

TBill, you should read Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point.

It’s not really about focusing on rape and murder instead of speeders. Breaking the law is breaking the law. Period. Lots of studies have shown that cracking down across the board, even on “lesser” offenses, does a great deal towards cleaning up society in general.

Whether people are charged $15 more for a speeding ticket has no direct bearing on catching a child molester, but that also doesn’t mean it’s OK to speed.

By Toni

July 11, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Why not John, Cops make everyone pay , now don’t they. Our opinions are not with Dayton only our fine established Middletown boys, while it is fine for you to offer your opinion, but, my dispute is not in Dayton, only my fine hometown (sarcastic) of Middletown and their finest

By TBill

July 11, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

If they hang me, do I pay for the rope? If they fry me, do I pay for the juice? We pay these fat skinhead Starsky and Hutch wannabees enough already. They drive nicer cars than I. Catching speeders does nothing to reduce crime. The thieves and rapists and child molesters are still out there. Let’s work on REAL crime for a change!

By Terry

July 11, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Toni….I DID say may they NEVER know that sort of pain…and I MEANT it. I DID NOT say “I hope you find out what it feels like” Jeez…WHO would wish THAT??!?!?!

By John

July 11, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

I am a police officer in the Dayton area. We have been told to cut down on our idling in order to save fuel. We have done so, but there are times where we must let the cruisers idle in order to keep the MDT(laptop computer)charged up and other equip. from draining the battery.

Now as far as the surcharges for fuel is concerned, would you rather have surcharges applied to people who break the law? or would you rather EVERYONE in that city have to pay higher taxes in order to cover fuel costs?

By Toni

July 11, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

Boy they dont give you enough space to write, Terry, if you would have read what Speed Trap said he said this was interesting, and didn’t know it was available, you can read can’t you, he never stated hey guys lets go out and speed and not get caught, he just wanted to let people know, if only the world could have more a$$holes like you. Keep on wishing death on people, Terry, are you God almighty??

By Hugh Jorgan

July 11, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

It’s the smoking ban that’s doing it all. Ever since Ohio passed it, gas has increased, housing has taken a dive, GM is closing. Let’s set it right, and let everyone blow their toxic fumes all over everyone else!

By Toni

July 11, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Terry, you should never wish someone paying a price on them or their precious loved ones. Yes, I understand, that you are grateful for the protection that officers provide, but, my god, there is enough hate in this cruel world, you should NEVER wish harm to someone you dont even know. This is a way for people to practice the freedom of speech and voice an opinion to a fu-ked up bid to pay for something the city should have already taken into budget considerations, you really are an a$$hole

By its2sideofquestion

July 11, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

i don’t see a problem with the procedure but the implementation will be far from perfect because they will be setting out away from the people that they are there to protects so they can catch enough speeders to pay for the gas they use - I say let them charge the criminals they catch for transport to and from the court house / jail / hospital etc - on domestic calls for going to/from the site of the problem - or shootings

By Terry

July 11, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

Speedtraps?! “TRAPS”?!?! Like the police are “out to get YOU” when in reality they are there to protect the rest of US. I for one am thankfull.

For those of you who believe you have the RIGHT to drive however fast YOU choose:

You are a selfish and dangerous person. May you or someone you love never have to pay the ultimate price for that selfishness….look up some statisics on traffic deaths as a result of speeding…a ticket is the LEAST of your problems.

By Terry

July 11, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

For those of you who are crying “Boo Hoo! The police are just being mean. They are just STEALING our money!” This ONLY happens when YOU engage in DANGEROUS and ILLEGAL behaviour. Nobody is “commin to git ya” just cuz. Obey the law…keep YOUR money. It’s just that simple. DUH!

By Know Your Speed Traps

July 11, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

SPEED TRAPS!

This is interesting. When you get the web site up, click on the state.

Then the next window is a listing of all the cities in that state.

Click on your city and there are the speed traps listed.

I had no idea this was available to everyone.

http://www.speedtrap.org/speedtraps/stetlist.asp

By Greg

July 11, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Along those lines, why don’t they impose surcharges for the oil in the engines, tire wear, the additional time used to issue the citation, wear and tear on the roads, personal massages for the officers, etc. How ridiculous! A fine is a fine. Perhaps we should also impose additional taxes on those to consume excessive amounts of food? The incompetence level continues to rise.

By Katmandu

July 11, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

I think this is a great idea! I used to work with the Ohio State Patrol so I know first hand what it takes to chase down speeders. Think about this. When a Trooper is cruising down the highway traveling 65 MPH, and his radar cruiser’s radar clocks a speeder going 80 MPH (in the Opposite direction). The Trooper now has to slow down (FAST), turn around in the median, and now go WOT (Wide Open Throttle) at speeds of 100+ MPH to run down the Speeder. I’m sure this consumes at least a gallon of gas!

By Pearl

July 11, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Its funny how the police departments just want to offset their rise if cost to the people. What are the people supposed to do about thie own rise in costs. So the police want to fine me for the gas they use? So can I fine them for the wear and tear on my car’s brakes I had to indure when they pulled me over?

By Reason

July 11, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

…If the money grubbers at the City Department Factory building has their “publich safety” concerns removed because no one is speeding, what will they do then? Claim a safety town victory or will the finance guys start crying over the loss of revenue. Sin taxes and fines as part of general revenue is always a bad idea. (see social security). But, I chose not to play in the game and will not speed and they can charge whatever they want.

By Reason

July 11, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

I love the common sense of the common man. The proposed increase in FINES is not a tax. It is a FINE. FINEs are penalities to breaking a law or ordinance. A TAX is penalty/cost on everything. This could be sales, smokes, land, income, etc. If the city/county/state/fed choses to increase fines (and even sin taxes), then don’t do the crime. If the city govt choses to implement these increase, and speeding tickets go down, (or even ZERO)!

By Ray

July 11, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

I understand the need for offsetting higher costs. What I don’t understand is why police and fire departments have wasted money for years with idling vehicles setting around or eating lunch, etc.

By Bill

July 11, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

Most certainly tack on a surcharge for “fuel” costs! Speeders don’t deserve a break anymore than OVI’s! Oh by the way, since ammo costs have went up, why not levy a surcharge on domestic violence or assault charges! Can’t waste the taxpayers money by doing stupid things now can we?

Wake up America, get a grip on life!

By HuberTucky

July 11, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

Bone-headed Councilman Bob Knipper says “If you don’t break the law, you don’t pay it.” Later the article says, “…Officials in both cities said they would need to make sure the surcharge does not violate state law.” Hey Bob, did you even consider checking the legality of your move before proposing it? Knipper may very well be breaking the law by proposing this change…easy for him since, like most politicos, he thinks he is above the law and that laws don’t apply to his ilk. What a scumbag.

By Desk Rager

July 11, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

HELL NO! Have you all lost your mind? Companies are thinking up new ways to pass THEIR gas costs onto us, the consumers! We have to pay for our gas AND theirs! It has to stop somewhere.

By John 15:13

July 11, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

For all those that talk about the police like they are dogs, I really feel sorry for you. The men and women that put their lives on the line everyday for complete strangers should be praised and not bashed. These brave men and women, at any day, could go to work and not come home. Yes there are a few officers out there that have done some questionable acts in the past, but that does not mean that every officer is the same. Greater love hath no man than this that he give his life for his friends

By also fedup

July 11, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

Middletown can’t discriminate with only upping the fine for speeders. It would make much more sense to add $5 to all fines given since they are using gas to find all people who are breaking a rule/law. They would also bring in more money. For those who are saying ridiculous things such as $5000 for the third offense…those who live in glass houses… It is easy to say until you get the very fine you are clamoring for.

By jamie

July 11, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

In days of old people respected the police and probably would not have had a problem with something like this, but today they are just as bad as the accused. They break the laws and go around speeding and prosecute someone else for the same thing. Then the media seems like they are always showing pictures of police getting busted for posing with strippers, or sexual abuse scandal or something. It is hard to condone them raising the fine limit. I am sure some of them are still good though.

By RMH

July 11, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

Everyone wants the government to cutback. Ok, maybe in some areas they could do a little better, but in the areas of police and fire/ems protection, less is not always better. The same people complaining we are wasting money will be the first complain when the crime rate goes up, or when it takes to long to respond to a call, or when you complain about the speeders on your street endangering you or your children and the police do not have the time to do a directed patrol in your area…

By billis

July 11, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

I think the city should move all the donut shops closer to the precinct so the officers don’t have to drive as far. That would save gas. My tax dollars already pay their salaries and expenses as is. If it isn’t enough, then downsize or better manage your funds. Leave taxpaying citizens alone! Going around breaking people’s lives down is not your job, piling excess fund extraction onto a speeding ticket. I see cops speeding all the time.

By Steve

July 11, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

Yes, I believe this would help out instead of raising our taxes. However I dont think we would need to raise it 3 or 4 dollars a ticket

By Bob

July 11, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

Lets raise taxes on cigarettes to pay for it!

By Retired Exec

July 11, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

This is a naive way to deal with the real issue – declining revenues.

It’s also discriminatory. Data shows that driving below certain speeds is also wasteful and dangerous. If this is enacted, then surcharge both, else wait for appeals.

Just raise all fines or get creative and assign vehicle registration fees based on engine size/type/displacement. Or do what a few greedy nations do: assess fines on people’s annual incomes - oops, broke part of Obama’s energy plan early, please ignore

By Laura Pavelka

July 11, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

Who are we paying gas to with these higher fees? Me? Me & my family are the ones at risk on the road against these idiot drivers.

By Toni

July 11, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

Oh stellar middletown, stellar, you need more money for cruisers,for what? I for one if ever see a cruiser out, patroling. I do however see you parked at towne mall or kmart side by side, and the newest at burger king as you wait for your next tan blond to cheat on your wife with, right? Blow it out your a$$ middletown, I pay enough, and i know it is wrong to speed, and yes there are penalties but people still do it, dont they? Why tack up more money, times are tough guys

By Conservative

July 11, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

If the government would downsize, we wouldn’t need all of these “Fees” for things that we are ALREADY paying for with our taxes. Government has grown 70% in the past 10 years. Why? All we need government to do is create and maintain infrastructure, police, fire, and military. The government needs to quit giving away FREE stuff and we would have a surplus. Get back to 1950’s and early 60’s level of government and the budget will take care of itself.

By Toni

July 11, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

BRAVO!! lets see how much more money we can dish out to the cops to sit at the towne mall parking lot side by side preying on the next blonde they will cheat on their wives with next? That is just where I want my tax money to go, and yes, you should not speed, and there is already a penalty in place, but people still do it, dont they? They already get enought from the F’d up cameras, that have drivers paranoid as hell, to even approach. Stellar job your doing Middletown

By Retired Exec

July 11, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

This is an asinine way to deal with the real issue – declining revenues.

It’s also discriminatory. Data shows that driving below certain speeds is also wasteful and dangerous. If this is enacted, then surcharge both, else wait for appeals.

Just raise all fines or get creative and assign vehicle registration fees based on engine size/type/displacement. Or do what a few greedy nations do: assess fines on people’s annual incomes - oops, broke part of Obama’s energy plan early, please ignore

By Boogie

July 11, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.

I think we need to test that at the State Supreme Court.

By Stunned

July 11, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

Perhpas it would be wise if the city trade in about 10 cruisers, and placed 10 motor cycle patrols driving around town if hey were really worroed abou safety. And when did Officer Jeffrey get a job at Middletown after starting In Oxford, Ohio? Oh, maybe the .25% levey allowed the city to hire he children of parents who were retired from the city as employees like Sgt. Jeffry. Now, the recession- predicted 4th QTR 08, QTR 01, in 09. ACLU would be fighting city on constitutional grounds.

By 4winston7

July 11, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

Speed violators (and I’ve been guilty) are a hazard to others; likewise those who don’t drive at least the minimum posted speed. That said, the real problem lies with the “waste” by law enforcement AND citizens. Any public servant who sits in a parked vehicle with the motor running IS wasting taxpayer money — it must be stopped. Likewise, citizens who sit in drive-thru lanes, or even fire lanes, etc., with their motors running are stupid. Instead of whining, they need to take responsibity.