Monday, April 5, 2010
Revenue Generated by Police Tickets in Ellensburg
In a small college town, the local economy is supported by the students living in the community. However, when does enforcing the laws cross the line of abusing police power. As students, we provide Ellensburg with revenue that is essential to keeping the town afloat. Yet, instead of being given some credit, we're given tickets for practically everything. I'm not anti-cop or reellious against the law, but some of the things students are cited for are absoltely ridiculous. What happened to friendly warnings and benefit of the doubt. I understand that people shouldn't be allowed to do whatever whenver they want. But let's be serious its college, people are going to drink, people are going to party, and most of us want to enjoy are college exprience while we can. So if a 19 year-old is out drinking with friends and does the responsible thing by walking home, should he or she be given a $800 dollar ticket for an MIP. If a person is able to walk home and they're showing no signs of intoxication, why should a cop be able to approach and cite them for drinking underage just because they smell a little beer. I'm not supporting breaking the law, but because our town has virtually no real crime, police officers have nothing better to do than sit on every corner and rake in money for new squad cars. What happened to the old Crown Vic's. Why exactly is it necessary for the Ellensburg police force to be outfitted with brand new Dodge Chargers. Protect the citizens, don't harass them. Give a warning before a noise violotaion is given. There's no reason for the court house to be packed with students every week. Are we all just a bunch of hooligans because thats the impression being given by the Ellensburg police department. In this economy, if we all decided to transfer to other schools, Ellensburg would become a ghost town. An occasional ticket to an underage drinker or loud party keeps thins in check, but this town's law enforcement has gone a little overboard. In most college towns, there's a mutual understanding between the cops and students. However, cops dressing in street clothes and hanging outside dorm houses on Friday and Saturday nights goes way beyond benevolent discipline. I'm just saying, cut us a little slack, we're not criminals, we're students.
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Hey, nice background! lol
ReplyDeleteI agree tho, there is absolutely no sane reason to jam court houses with minuscule violations. I know that I want our court systems and law enforcers focusing on other important issues like gangs, rape, and theft. Its not like the judges like sitting there listening to angry student defend themselves day in and day out. Cops are here to protect us and keep us safe so why do so many people hate the law and officers? Its because some cops are becoming cocky guys with little man syndrome who feel like they need to get back at all those people who picked on them by dishing out tickets to everyone so they feel cool. Ok, maybe I exaggerated a little, but I do think that cops need to ease up sometimes. No one likes to have a job where people hate them. Its just sad to me that cops are hated so bad because they are good people and should be respected for their work and yet most of them are automatically hated by society because a lot of "douche bag" cops ruin it for everyone. I guess this is my two cents about cops going ticket crazy. lol
I know that personally, it is much more effective if I get a warning first before a ticket because I realize that I should be thankful and more careful because the next cop might not be as nice. On the other hand, sometimes it takes a ticket to really alter a person's bad behavior. Bottom line, some people just learn the hard way.