Bryan’s Freedom Blog

Well the new year is just about to start. Tonight is New Years Eve! Here in the Phoenix metro area we have a new light rail system to escort everyone to the local celebrations. Of course, the police have already stated that they will have extra patrols at all the rail stations to see if people are drinking and taking the rail back to where they parked their car and driving. So have a designated driver, even if you are taking the rail.

In Arizona we past a new law to allow the police to pull you over. As of tonight, if your license plate frame covers up the name of the state at the top, you can get a hefty fine. More importantly, its another way to make a stop. I’m sure in 2009 we will see more of these types of ridiculous laws. This is an action that is slightly related to another post of mine, about the economy. Money is tight for governments just like for you and I. So, as we stop spending, they will find new ways to generate revenue to support their bloated budgets. Fines are the easiest way to get your money. Keep your money in your wallet and take your license plate frame off!

January 6, 2009

Have to give some credit to a local radio station for this one: seems there are lots of accidents in just the first week of the Phoenix rail system running. It appears to be kept on the silent side of the news…mostly cause no one has been killed yet. Just a matter of time before some poor soul stumbles in front of the silent but deadly rail. I heard on the radio that people were already saving others by pulling them away from the on coming train in Tempe. Poor souls, just out drinking and stumbling around waiting for a ride home. Oh well, this is a small post to remind you to drink responsibly and don’t get run over by your ride home! LOL

What a night in the news! First a story about Sheriff Joe losing a federal court battle because his jails are health hazards, and then a Minnesota police officer is arrested for DUI. It was in a separate report that the Minnesota officer was trained to work on a DUI task force, as well. He faces extreme DUI charges and child endangerment (his kids were in the car).

Looks like the Federal Judge found the Sheriff was guilty of violating the following statutes:

Arizona Revised Statutes
Title 31 Prisons and Prisoners
31-121. Duty of sheriff to receive and provide for prisoners…
A. The sheriff shall receive all persons who are committed to jail by competent authority and provide them with necessary food, clothing and bedding…
31-126. Examination of certain prisoners for mental disorder
When a person confined in the county jail upon arrest for or conviction of a misdemeanor manifests symptoms of a mental disorder, the sheriff shall notify a licensed physician who shall examine the person. If in the judgment of a licensed physician the person is suffering from a mental disorder, proceedings shall be taken as prescribed by title 36, chapter 5. The proceedings under title 36, chapter 5, shall be separate from court proceedings relating to the misdemeanor charge.
31-127. Abuse of prisoner; classification
A public officer who with criminal negligence is guilty of inhumanity or oppression toward a prisoner under his care or in his custody is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.

Don’t drink and drive; and stay out of jail - no news here. The stories ran on Fox 10 news at 9pm.  The full story on Sheriff Joe’s Jails can be found on myfoxphoenix.com.

I can’t help but wonder what the effect of the bad economy will have on ticketing and arrest rates here in Arizona. I noticed a reduced amount of police vehicles on the road when our gas rates hit their peak. Saw more bicycle police than patrol cars. It was just a few months ago that our municipalities were experiencing the pain at the pump. Now that everyone has slowed down their spending and companies are laying off workers, it seems logical that the ticketing and/or arrests of citizens will rise to make up for the lost income to the municipalities. The little things that used to get overlooked, i.e. a cracked windshield, 10 mph over limit, changing lanes without using signal, may soon be the money generator ‘they’ need. Watch the ‘little things’ and keep your money in your wallet.

Updated: 10/16/08

Well it didn’t take long to get comments on this one. I couldn’t help but listen to the news these last few days regarding the State’s and City of Phoenix budgets. Seems they both have been planning on spending WAAAYY more money than they are taking in. As they plan their respective budget cuts, looks like (at least the city) will not cut back on Police and Fire protection. Instead, they will just not hire anymore personel to try and keep their departments budgets on track. Well, maybe there is some truth to my musings. Obey all the traffic laws, keep your taillights and license plate lights in working order, don’t speed, and use your turn signals! Keep your money in your wallet!