YES! Less Revenue Generation in 1 Town! (San Antonio, Austin: oceanfront, home, camping)

[Soviet]

East Texas town furloughs police forece | kens5.com San Antonio

Absolutely wonderful news. Hopefully they will learn the true value of "efficient use of resources".

[Sunderpig2]

This is dumb, from the mispelling of simple words like "force", to the fact that Alto is an extremely small town and may not even need much of a police force. Other than that, the mayor apparently thinks it's a bad move. What's so great about saving some money, but then have the community experience more crime, including robberies which cost people money? It makes no sense. And the OP is out of the country? WTF? Talking about grasping at straws...

[High_Plains_Retired]

I have family who lives at Wells, and believe me, a part time policeman would suffice if they just want to fight crime. If however they wish to continue their speed traps on 69, then they need Alto's help.

[An0nym0us88]

I've driven on 69 to Alto and then turn left on Highway 21 to go to Nacogdoches. Probably driven on it more than 20 times. I've only seen one local cop in Alto which was on Highway 21 camping out in the grass way outside of the city in the last few years.

As for Wells, I pretty much guessed it right. The last few times I went through Wells, there was never that one cop anymore. I was guessing they cut the police funding. Man, that town was such a speed trap. Seen that same cop every other time I pass Wells.

[High_Plains_Retired]

I know the route. I believe Wells doesn't even have a policeman, ah policewoman, anymore but its been several months since I heard that.

"Small-town Texas" is getting to be a bad place to drive through and especially if you are sporting out-of-State license plates. The towns who still have police forces are fiercely using them for revenue enhancement.

During these difficult economic times, I expect all towns and cities everywhere having budget problems to layoff police and fire protection first. Laying off librarians, park superintendents, teachers and bureaucrats won't get the tax increases they want.

[High_Plains_Retired]

Leander, Texas - 10-year-old boy gets ticket for not wearing seat belt properly

[Cathy4017]

Too bad they didn't name the officer in the online article.......what an idiot.

[TexasHorseLady]

Um, folks? If you're speeding and get caught, it wasn't a "trap". It's called the predictable consequences of your own deliberately chosen actions. Own up and don't blame someone else for something that's your own danged fault.

I realize that's a concept that boggles a lot of folks' minds these days, but it doesn't make it any less true.

[High_Plains_Retired]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Um, folks? If you're speeding and get caught, it wasn't a "trap". It's called the predictable consequences of your own deliberately chosen actions. Own up and don't blame someone else for something that's your own danged fault.

I realize that's a concept that boggles a lot of folks' minds these days, but it doesn't make it any less true.

Two years ago I was ticketed in Muleshoe, Texas for not wearing a seatbelt. I had New Mexico license plates on my car because my primary home is in New Mexico. I admit the guilt but when I phoned the Judge in Muleshoe to find out what my ticket was going to cost, she first asked me if I lived in Muleshoe. Although I owned a home in town, I told her no because I did not actually live in it. She slapped me with the highest ticket cost allowed in Texas for a seat belt violation. This was my first traffic ticket of any sort in over forty years of driving.

Worse, I have a friend who lives in Muleshoe who tells me his DWIs in Bailey County were never reported to Austin and did not end up on his driving record.

Regarding Muleshoe police read this: http://amarillo.com/stories/053003/new_muleshoe.shtml

One year ago in Littlefield, Texas I had a local Sheriff's car fall right in behind me as I turned off U.S. 84 into the Town. Again, I still had the New Mexico tags on my car (legally). He began following me not 15 feet off my rear bumper. I was not speeding nor had I committed any violations. Just as the Sheriff's red lights flashed on to pull me over, a (drunk?) pulled out of a side driveway between me and the officer's car nearly causing the Deputy to broadside him. The Deputy went after the drunk although I feel it must have been a hard decision to go after a local drunk driver rather than me with the New Mexico tags.

For the past five years, I have been stopped three times in Sweetwater, Texas with my trailer and truck with New Mexico tags.

There is no doubt that Texas uses its law enforcement people as revenue hounds and that in many cases the applications are prejudiced toward out-of-staters. My experiences and two family members now retired from Texas law enforcement says they do.

I sold my property in Muleshoe since the incident with the Judge and I never go through Littlefield if I can help. I've never owned property in Littlefield but my 2011 Muleshoe tax rate is 3.2334% down from last year. It's usually closer to 3.5%. Keep in mind that Bailey County (Muleshoe) also has a stiff annual county property tax on newer vehicles. Parmer County (Littlefield) used to have this tax as well. Both towns stay broke and have been for the over forty years I have been on the High Plains.

Now I come from a family of County sheriffs, police officers and even FBI agents. I am as pro-law enforcement as the next fellow. In fact, I used to wear a uniform and a badge. I am sorry to say it is you who needs to "own up" and not place all the blame on drivers who get caught in small town speed traps. There is definitely dishonesty in some local Texas governments and many do use their law enforcement in dubious and prejudicial ways.

[Soviet]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Um, folks? If you're speeding and get caught, it wasn't a "trap". It's called the predictable consequences of your own deliberately chosen actions. Own up and don't blame someone else for something that's your own danged fault.

I realize that's a concept that boggles a lot of folks' minds these days, but it doesn't make it any less true.

You know what's a concept that seems to boggle your mind? Inappropriate speed limits for the purpose of revenue generation.

You don't think that exists? Well, hey, I've got a piece of oceanfront property in North Dakota I'd love to sell you.....