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Saturday, November 27, 2010

Fruitland Speed Trap Vehicle Catches Fire

While many may take pleasure in knowing a vehicle like this could be eliminated,  rumors are spreading that it was torched. That's not true.

This vehicle is specially equipped with two batteries in the back and when they start to drain the vehicle will start by itself to recharge those batteries.

Today, someone noticed sparks coming from the back of the vehicle and the Fire Department and Fire Marshal was called to the scene. It was not torched, it was an electrical failure.

If you are caught going more than 12 miles per hour over the speed limit you will get a ticket in the mail. If and Officer caught you doing the same it would be 2 points and a $90.00 fine. If you receive a ticket in the mail from this vehicle its a $40.00 fine and no points.

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lets see the picture of it burnt up ... id like to see it since i got a ticket from the dang thing

Anonymous said...

HAHAHAHA it's about time Fruitland with it's high taxes and police dept. that's only interested in writing tickets to produce revenue.

lmclain said...

"many may take pleasure"?...you mean "many WOULD take pleasure"....and THAT would be an understatement, regardless of how many points one does or does not get....citizens, every once in a while, get karmic payback from the faceless, anonymous, and constant surveilllance of Big Brother. I wish I was there for this Keystone Cop moment. LOL! I'm surprised it hasn't been a victim of a "drive-by" by now....

Anonymous said...

Yay, burn, baby, burn. Our taxes and utilities are ridiculously high. Our houses are unsellable. Our guests (and us) are victimized by this ridiculous big brother machine. No sympathy here. mk

Anonymous said...

All I know is it makes me happy.

Anonymous said...

There are literally dozens of ways people could screw with the radar this vehicle is sending out. Do a little research online and in 5 minutes you could know how to make this problem go away with out even getting remotely close to it... I can think of three fool proof ways just off the top of my head, one of which would render the radar unit useless after the fact!

Anonymous said...

This speed trap is placed on the least populated roadway in Fruitland. There were no safety considerations on the placement of this vehicle. It is there PURELY to generate revenue for the city of Fruitland. There are TWO school zones where this vehicle would be better utilized as well as the highly traveled and heavily populated Camden ave.

Anonymous said...

They don't call it "Fruit-land" for nothing!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Fruitland doesn't get the revenue from a traffic ticket. You may want to keep digging.

Anonymous said...

6:34 you are wrong. Fruitland does get revenue from this. RedSpeed supplies the equipment and sends the fine to the owner even if they weren't driving. A percentage goes to Fruitland. It isn't designed to slow people down. Only an officer can actually stop a speeder. I say put the car in the drug neighborhoods and video the drug dealers. Then put the cops in the school zones and stop the speeders.
Respectfully,
Rock Doctor

Anonymous said...

Here's an idea: Drive the speed limit and quit worrying about it.

Anonymous said...

Here's an idea: Go soak your head and polish your badge.

Anonymous said...

Why is everyone mad because they may get a ticket for driving 12 miles per hour over the speed limit. If you are going that fast you deserve a ticket. I would rather see this vehicle doing it than wasting an officers time. This unit has proven effective. Simply travel down that road behind a vehicle and watch brake lights go on when the hit the 30 mph zone. When an officer actually issues a ticket, that revenue goes to the state, NOT Fruitland. If you go the speed limit, you have nothing to worry about. I just don't get how people can gripe. Why do you feel it is okay to speed. Speeding is one of the number one complaints to different agencies in government. I guess it is okay to speed as long as it is not on YOUR street. lol

Anonymous said...

By the way, it is not a speed trap. The unit is located after passing 2 30 mph signs, one that contains a photo enforced sign under it. A speed trap would be like the little towns in Delaware where the speed limit drops from 55 to 35 in an instant, and da man is sitting just on the other side of the sign. In those towns, the revenue goes to the town. That is a speed trap.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone looked to see that the accidents there have dropped.

Anonymous said...

It's a revenue maker plain and simple. Same as cops hiding behind a bush to catch speeders.

30 mph is archaic and unreasonable on that stretch of road.

If it was a residential street 30 mph would be reasonable.

And 12 over would be 42. Big deal.

Anytime you try to go the speed limit ANYWHERE you got some jerk 4 foot off your rear bumper trying to push you to go faster.

THAT is a safety hazard. Why don't they enforce that law? Too hard to get a conviction? Not enough revenue?

When was the last time you saw a cop going the speed limit? How many times have you seen a cop tailgating?

Call it what it is and stop the bs.

Anonymous said...

10:42 - Have you not seen all the houses on that street? Why do you say it's not a residential street? The speed limit on my street (Meadow Bridge Rd.) is 40 mph and I can't allow my kids in the front yard due to all the traffic running 60+ (sometimes 90+). Slow down!

Anonymous said...

EVERYONE who got a ticket from that thing should subpeona it to court.
If it's in court it can't issue tickets

Anonymous said...

Most towns have a staute that all streets are 30 mph. This section of S. Division St. is in the City limits. All of you that are complaining are the type that must speed. There is no BS to it. I would rather some money from people breaking the law stay in Fruitland than go to the state. You know where it sits, just go the speed limit. I guess there will just be different opinions on this, but I see nothing wrong with it. The ones complaining are likely the ones that run 3 to 4 feet off the back of somebody's bumper. By the way, if someone is tailgating you, simply take your foot off the gas and slow down. I do it all the time. Some of you posting on this page have probably seen me do it. When RedSpeed replaces their unit, I hope they bring two. The unit is legal where it sits, and Maryland passed legislation permitting them. Deal with it, or go a different way.

Anonymous said...

Speed enforcement within school zones is hardly just a money maker - and before you jump on here and say that area is not a school zone, it is because it's within 1000 feet of the Primary School. It is also a residential street that has houses and several developments along the road, and is used by quite a few bicycle riders in the area. Start using some facts to base your arguments on.

Anonymous said...

best news i have heard all year!

Anonymous said...

Thats what ur property taxes pay for.. Id be asshamed to live in fruitland.. FPD should be embaressed

Anonymous said...

10:14, you are the exact type of individual that has NO CLUE of what you are talking about. This unit is of no cost to Fruitland residents. Let me repeat, this unit is of no cost to Fruitland residents. The revenue generated from this unit go directly back to law enforcement, and if anything save Fruitland taxpayers money. Let me repeat, this unit actually saves Fruitland residents money. We can thank mostly outsiders that speed on our roads for helping to subsidize our police department. If you live in Fruitland, you should be glad, if you don't well then too bad, don't speed on our streets on your way to WalMart!!

Anonymous said...

Just goes to show what a fire hazard these things are. Fruitland should cancel this dangerous, communist program before someone gets hurt.

Anonymous said...

^^^"this dangerous, communist program "^^^

HAHAHA you people are idiots.

lmclain said...

11:54......so, the police are preying on citizens to fatten their own coffers and using the "logic" that "it is saving the citizens money"? LOL....you mean, the more you spend, the more you save??? I never understood THAT reasoning either. Ther are ALWAYS going to be mindless, subservient citizens who would nod their heads in agreement even if the government said the sky was pink and green. Not all of us, though.

Anonymous said...

5:47, no you idiot. It cost money to do business. The more money that can be generated to "do business" in the form of user fees (money collected from lawbreakers used to fund the department that enforces the law) the less money that law abiding citizens have to shell out to support a department thats purpose is to enforce laws. They are not "preying" on citizens. Nobody makes them break the law. How can you justify them breaking the law? There is no pink and green, you either are breaking the law, or you aren't. Would you feel better about it if a "live" officer was out there doing it instead of trying to get thugs off the street? Maybe you should write the book on which laws should be enforced and which ones shouldn't since you seem to be such the expert.

Anonymous said...

second try,

Do you know that this is how FPD got their retirement system. This program is used to fund their retirement at no cost to the city. That is why the city voted to give FPD their new retirement. Also FPD is a growing agency as they often have more officer working on the road than the county or state. Besides this their officers seem to be stopping everything that moves in the evening or night except when they are visiting their favoriate place wal mart getting shoplifters.
But the real purpose of the radar is to pay for their retirement.

Anonymous said...

8:52, Do you realize that traffic stops net more than just a speeding driver? Especially on a road like Rt. 13 at night. Did you know that Fruitland police probably write more warnings than they issues speeding tickets? As far as WalMart, unfortunately that comes with having a large store within city limits that draws patrons from a large geographic area. Would you prefer they didn't respond and simply let thieves just have their way. The pension plan was funded in part by the decision to eliminate filling certain positions. The decision to allow LEOPS was not based on the thought that REDSPEED would generate funds to support the retirement. nice try. Fruitland does not have more officers working the street than Wicomico, or MSP, that is a ridiculous statement. I am glad that Fruitland has a good police force because if it means keeping Salisbury's problems on the north side of Tony Tank, then I am all for it. So..... Redspeed does not fund the pension, they do not have more officers on the road than Wicomico or MSP, and they have to respond to Walmart if a crime is reported. Maybe you should become a police chief, or run for office to try and straighten out all the misdoings or atleast become informed.

Anonymous said...

Fruitland has been breaking the law with this camera. They've stationed their 'school zone speed camera' outside the posted school zone, which violates state law. It must be nice being the government.

Anonymous said...

I think the only people who are against camera use are people who are afraid they might get caught doing something they shouldn't be doing.

Anonymous said...

7:02, not illegal.
8:45, Me thinks your right.

I guess that all the people comlaining on here are against cameras in stores to catch robbers and shoplifters.

lmclain said...

7:04....you MUST be a cop, because you are apparently stupid enough to make my point...the police use cameras to fund their department and you think they don't have an interest in making more money? If there were no --- none--- zero --- traffic laws being broken, do you think the police would suddenly stop patroling the streets for traffic crime?? LOL....they would just lobby for new "violations" to generate MORE revenue in order to keep their jobs. Look at the stats (those inconvienient FACTS)....the lowest number of highway deaths in YEARS and the HIGHEST percentage of seat belt use EVER, yet the police are constantly trying to convince 'we, the people" that our roads are SO dangerous that they need more and more technology and more police and more checkpoints and more surveillance and more radar stops and more laws so we may be "served and protected" in ever increasing amounts...don't you cops EVER quit? Go polish your badge and practice your "seig heil!!". Also, grow about 5 inches so you can get rid of the short tough guy complex.

lmclain said...

Further, after re-reading your post, you absolutely reveal the true nature of your belief in what the police do ---- BUSINESS. it is NOT business, although the police DO make a lot of money with their particular "business model". And your idiocy is revealed to an even greater measure by your statement that the more "user fees" generated by the businessmen wearing badges, then the less citizens have to pay for services. I would dearly like to see ANY proof of THAT speculative concept. Perhaps you should stick to copying driver's license info and leave the mental heavy-lifting to those more capable...Never trust the Devil to give you an honest lecture on the virtues of evil.

Anonymous said...

7:23, apparently you are the one with the complex. The police department, or government, for that matter, doesn't "make" money. They provide services with revenue. They are not like a business that makes a profit. In order to provide services, it requires revenue. The best way to generate the revenue is to allow the ones that require the service to pay for it, hence, the speeders (law breakers) can help pay for traffic enforcement. Yes, highway deaths have decreased, however, that can be DIRECTLY attributed to things like special enforcement, improved traffic control devices, better safety enhancements in vehicles. My guess on seatbelt usage compliance would be that there has been a great deal of ecucational campaigns stressing the use of seatbelts that reached a generation of an impressionable age group that is now driving, and also, not wearing your seatbelt is a primary offense and you can be pulled over for not wearing it and get a $25 fine. So.....what has led to these great improvements? Enforcement and education. Your argument doesn't hold water. By the way, I am NOT a cop. You are actually arguing because laws are being enforced. Not sure if it is because an inanimate object is able to do it while the animate object is out locking up thugs, or if you are just mad because you got the $40 ticket in the mail. Either way, if you don't like the law, go and fight Annapolis. So tell me, why do you think seatbelt use has increased and highway deaths have decreased? I can't wait to hear you logic on this.

lmclain said...

8;07....good arguments, but, in my opinion, a liitle on the disingenuous side. The police department DOES "make" money...if not, then why do I see police cars emblazoned with "this car paid for with drug confiscations"? They didn't "make" money to pay for that car? refer to the post from 8;52...if true, then the police have a VERY vested interest in producing as many fines and fees as possible. There are many many points to be made (in a larger sense) regarding traffic laws, i.e. designing roads for 70-90mph but lowering the speed limit to 55, but just to clear ONE thing up, I've had 2 tickets in over 15 yrs. Better than the national average. So, I don't have a personal beef to settle. My issue with seat belts is more of a complaint against special interest influence (insurance companies were a HUGE driving force for the implementation of these laws --- not to save lives, but to increase premiums. And our supposed "representatives" went right along, regardless of the citizens disdain for them (the laws, and the reps) once they realized the revenue stream it was. Further, as a personal freedom issue, I bought the car, my taxes helped pay for the road, I carry insurance and the government works for us, not the other way around. I resent being told what to do in my car but (and you KNOW its true) am powerless to change the law, mainly because of the revenue it generates. I suspect seat belt compliance is LARGELY due NOT to "education" but from relentless and pervasive police activity. How many MILLIONS has this law alone generated for the state? I'd rather just put my seat belt on than have a cop in my face every day. But, I don't need a cop or anyone else telling me whats best for me and how I should live my life. And if you know any police (I do) then you know that "revenue" is a constant factor in their operations. Don't believe that? You are being naive. Let the revenue from police operations drop from the prior year and see how many tickets get written in the last 2 months of the fiscal year. I call that "preying" on the citizenry...And I'm sorry for calling you stupid...