The new Vancouver Police initiative to use cardboard life-size cut outs (Police unveil cardboard cops) of a traffic officer in full regalia replete with a handheld radar gun along the Knight St. corridor is creative, I will say that.
One wonders how long it will be before the first ones go missing, the target of a college prank or to decorate a dope dealer's smoking room? Or indeed, how long until the gang bangers start tossing rounds from a nine as they scoot by in their high-powered cars?
Knowing how well these tattooed half-wits shoot, I wouldn't want to live in a home behind one of the cardboard cops.
There's no question that the Knight Street corridor is the most dangerous in Vancouver for the number of motor vehicle accidents that occur along it. And, there's also no question that more traffic enforcement initiatives need to be deployed to combat the carnage. But cardboard cops? This is a joke, right?
Leo Knight
primetimecrime@gmail.com
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7 comments:
This isn't the first time a city in Canada have utilized cardboard cutouts to reduce traffic speeds along out-of-control throughways. I believe they work, to some degree. Although I believe it should come complete with a cardboard tailgate with lights to make it more believable!
Some stores such as Canadian Tire utilize cutouts, as if to remind people that stealing is wrong, or to instill some sort of fear or paranoia to combat their natural tendency to shoplift, with a 'presence' of law enforcement, albeit illusory.
Its terrible in my city, speeding that is, since I started using cruise control to maintain a 50 or 60, since some streets 'feel slow' due to optical illusions, or some roadway downgrades lend most vehicles to a natural state of expediency. However, it is troublesome when people become visibly angered and exhibit classic signs of roadrage when you are simply doing the speed limit.
One day I decided to test a theory, that it does not matter what speed you do, people just want to pass whoever is infront of them, like some sort of illness. 10 above the limit, everybody passes me. 20 above the limit, everybody passes me. 30 above, same. This was in short periods, and I will never test crazy people again. 80 in a 50 and people are passing you by at least 20 is LUDICROUS. And all over the city, its not like there was an erupting volcano behind us.
Whats the matter with you people? Enjoy my cruise control on posted limits! I am looking forward to arresting you.
What was most interesting is when they decided they were going to pass you, and you match their speed. 50, they want to do 60, ok then lets do 60. But no, they HAVE to pass you. And everybody seems to drive like that.
Whats even funnier (or scarier depending on your viewpoint) is that you can do the same in an UNMARKED police vehicle and motorists exhibit the SAME driving behavior!
I mean what is more obvious than an unmarked police vehicle with antennae all over the roof and wig wags in the back window...sheeeesh
Remember the photo-radar fiasco along the 401 in Ontario? For those that don't most if not all of the tickets issued had the problem of identifying the driver, since the tickets were issued to the owner of the vehicle.
It would be nice if there was a system which recognized the driver, which would create a biometric identifier, which could be uploaded to a regional database for ticket issuances, which would quickly link to biometric identifiers in a relational database, after pre-processing drivers' licence photos. This way you can show the vehicle tag, the recorded speed, and the driver.
Such a system could also revolutionize policing, since a peace officer would only need a uniform-imbedded camera and a software application, to do away with so much paperwork.
What it comes down to I suppose, is making a system that is indisputable when it comes to fighting it in court, because the photo-radar also caused a backlog of the court system due to its ruthless speed of ticket creation. :) Lawful ruthlessness is a good thing if somehow it can alleviate the courts.
I am on a path to making that happen, I just hope this comment puts the right minds in gear to make it happen first.
London England was the scene of a red light camera experiment in the mid 1980's. The old technology used 35mm film in a cassette that housed 180 shots. The concept process was to leave it working for a while and go back and check to see how many offenders had been 'caught'. Imagine the traffic departments surprise when they discovered that the film had run out after only 24 hours, rather than the two weeks they thought would be a reasonable period.
I am all in favour of the use of deterents, however I wonder if the publicity surrounding their deployment was not somewhat counterproductive in this case???
Actually, I believe the deterrent was not counterproductive, I believe the problem was grossly underestimated.
Quote: "Actually, I believe the deterrent was not counterproductive, I believe the problem was grossly underestimated".
Well anonymous, I agree and if you read my post, I mention the publicity element as counterproductive. As a regular road user in the GVA, I am often the one holding back the hordes when I stick to the limit. I am a true believer in the statement that 'speed kills' having served as a Police Officer for many years.
Given the choice, I would not have released the information to the media, just put up many more of the cutouts and observed from the side streets.
Hey Leo, want to suggest a candidate to pose for a Mountie version??????????
Uh, no . . . I think I will avoid that endeavour . . .
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