This is how we can balance the budget in Fairfax County (Alexandria: neighborhood, college)

[Guamanians]

This is a good idea as far as it's objective to balance the budget. I wouldn't shed a tear if they found bullet holes in the cardboard cops, but from a budget/manpower standpoint it is great. And, we could use some of those 9,000 cops to fight real (i.e violent) crime.

[bmwguydc]

Herndon had a dummy named Bertha that they would position around town in a car years ago, aiming a radar gun, and it did deter speeding. However, they did not get the revenue from any potential citations, so I don't know if the practice continues today, since I cannot recall the last time I saw a police car in Herndon (then again, I'm not there every day), much less one with a dummy behind the wheel.

[Guamanians]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

Herndon had a dummy named Bertha that they would position around town in a car years ago, aiming a radar gun, and it did deter speeding. However, they did not get the revenue from any potential citations, so I don't know if the practice continues today, since I cannot recall the last time I saw a police car in Herndon (then again, I'm not there every day), much less one with a dummy behind the wheel.

excellent point BMW. In fact, you bring up THE POINT as far as police actitity, and what their role should be in society. I believe that police should be there to protect us from dangerous, negligent, or otherwise serious lawbreakers who pose a threat to others. Police should NOT be used primarily for money making. The original idea of this post was to balance the budget, and in that respect it is a valid idea. Greedy cops, mayors, politicians, etc. who insist on ticketing otherwise law abiding citizens just for the money are part of the problem.

[normie]

Originally Posted by Guamanians

I believe that police should be there to protect us from dangerous, negligent, or otherwise serious lawbreakers who pose a threat to others.

More people in Nova are killed by drivers going over the speed limit than by someone committing a burglary. That sounds worthy of police attention to me.

[normie]

Originally Posted by Guamanians

I wouldn't shed a tear if they found bullet holes in the cardboard cops

Yikes, I'd shed a tear if people started shooting guns while driving down the road no matter what they were aiming at! Besides, all those bullets and fragmented bits of cardboard would get messy. And you don't want to be a litterbug, do you?

[Guamanians]

Originally Posted by normie

More people in Nova are killed by drivers going over the speed limit than by someone committing a burglary.

that may be true, but the cops usually target the light speeders. I can't tell you how many times there has been aggressive, reckless speeders whizzing by with no cops around. I realize that they can't be everywhere... but, I stand by my statement that 90% of the traffic stops are for harmless infractions (which further shows the reverse priority of money making vs. safety)

[Guamanians]

Originally Posted by normie

Yikes, I'd shed a tear if people started shooting guns while driving down the road no matter what they were aiming at! Besides, all those bullets and fragmented bits of cardboard would get messy. And you don't want to be a litterbug, do you?

what I meant was that "if" some thug did decide to be a bad*****, then at least it would be a cardboard cut-out and not a real cop. For my part, I will continue to link cops & donuts just for fun :-)

[normie]

Originally Posted by Guamanians

that may be true, but the cops usually target the light speeders. I can't tell you how many times there has been aggressive, reckless speeders whizzing by with no cops around.

How do you know they aren't getting photo tickets?

[Guamanians]

Originally Posted by normie

How do you know they aren't getting photo tickets?

I don't think VA issues photo tickets. Didn't they nix that idea?

[statecollege]

"Of course the one of the cop with the radar gun would only be believable on days with perfect weather. Ever notice how you never see the live ones out when the temp is below 65, over 85, or raining? I'm sure their motorcycles and radar guns see little use the other 75% of the year."

Not true. I saw Fairfax motorcycle police during our recent cold snap. They have special winter gear. I'll say it again: If you don't violate traffic laws, you have nothing to worry about. If you do, you deserve a ticket. People should also understand that many speed "traps" are set up because neigborhood residents request police enforcement. Radar checks in school zones make sense to me, unless citizens decide they have no problem endangering the safety of their children.