Cracking Down on Cruisin’ the Wash….

[circletrack]

Cruising East Wash (and the Capitol Square) has been going on for years, many years. I know my parents did it, Steve & I spent many weekends uptown and the tradition continues to this day. It’s been a long time since I was on East Wash., times have changed and it’s no longer the friendly atmosphere it once was and a chance to check out the cars and see what everyone’s driving. I understand the need for enforcement, but does it have to go to this extreme? I imagine most of the citations and warnings were kids in their newer cars, wonder what would happen if we brought one of our classics up for the night? Would we face harrassment also? :huh:

Cops crack down on cruisers, dozens ticketed on East Wash
The Capital Times — 4/23/2009 11:51 am

Cruising took a bruising last weekend on East Washington Avenue.

Madison police teamed up with the Wisconsin State Patrol to write more than 110 citations and issue more than 50 warnings to drivers cruising up and down Madison’s main east-side drag.

The East Washington Safety Initiative, so named by the cops, was the first of the warm weather season, with more to come.

“Not only are most of the activities dangerous and pose significant safety concerns, they also reduce the quality of life for residents living within the East Washington corridor,” said Sgt. Jason Sweeney of Madison’s north district.

While cruising is considered a “traditional” American pastime, made popular in the movie “American Graffiti,” it also results in speeding, reckless driving, racing, disturbances, fights, noise problems, littering, loitering, etc.

Most of the 56 citations written Friday night and 57 citations on Saturday night were for speeding, running through red lights, or having amplified or defective mufflers.

Thirty-three warnings were issued on Friday night and 20 warnings on Saturday night.

Police from the north and east districts worked the initiative with help from state troopers.

“The project was a huge success,” Sweeney said. “It had a huge impact on behavior this past weekend.”

It wasn’t known when the next cruiser crackdown will take place.

Topic

[Eclipse_Tuner]

Quote:

Not to get off subject, but why did you allow them to search your vehicle? It’s perfectly legal to tell them to get a warrant first. Having an officer search under the seats, in the glovebox, in the trunk, etc. is one thing, but when they tear the panels and seats and such out of your car and you allow that to happen, no offense but thats stupidity on your part – especially if they have no probable cause.

Trust me, I filed a complaint as soon as I got home. But yeah, it was a total case of circumstance in that I was in the wrong place on the wrong night and they basically wanted to send a message. I decided to suck it up and let them do it in order to let them waste their time and for me to not get any more tickets than needed…cuz had I said no, then they probably would have written me up for everything they possibly could.

Regardless, the “anti-cruising campaign” is sheer stupidity. The billboards they had up last year really showed their mentality. I try to give them respect and the benefit of doubt because my sister is a cop (not in Madison)…but Madison cops are so backwards and narrow minded, they give me no reason to respect them.

[moparkid25]

Eclipse_Tuner wrote:

Quote:

Trust me, I filed a complaint as soon as I got home. But yeah, it was a total case of circumstance in that I was in the wrong place on the wrong night and they basically wanted to send a message. I decided to suck it up and let them do it in order to let them waste their time and for me to not get any more tickets than needed…cuz had I said no, then they probably would have written me up for everything they possibly could.

Regardless, the “anti-cruising campaign” is sheer stupidity. The billboards they had up last year really showed their mentality. I try to give them respect and the benefit of doubt because my sister is a cop (not in Madison)…but Madison cops are so backwards and narrow minded, they give me no reason to respect them.

Agreed. They should just add jack boots to there current uniforms.

[Author]

Replies