FYI -----Original Message----- Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 7:32 PM Subject: Mineral Point speeding response from Police Chief
Hi Tim, You may recall last month I cc'd you on a letter I sent to Police Chief Noble Wray regarding a fast police car I witnessed overtake me (at 20mph in my rare role as pilot of a minivan) in the school zone on Mineral Point road. You replied, "let me know what the response is". Here it is, and it is predictable. The Chief delegated his response to Captain Jay Lengfeld (West District). Captain Lengfeld telephoned and inquired whether I saw any children, which I did not. The statute and signs posted indicate 20mph is only required "when children are present". I have always read that to mean that children are "likely to be present" is the same as "are present". I guess they have to be smeared grease on your bumper to be "present" according to state law. I suspect this is a state law, not local ordinance; so what can we do? The law lacks common sense! Since when is a orange coned crosswalk, a yellow flashing warning light, an adult crossing guard, and impending school release not equated with "children present"? They could dart out of blind spot, etc. Captain Lengfeld was sympathetic, even supportive, but what can he do? So no action will be taken internally within the PD. I didn't ask for an individual officer to be disciplined (though I provided details to identify him or her), I asked that the PD take its role more seriously about controlling speeders, setting an example and fulfilling its mission to be above reproach, let me know what is being done to calm traffic and improve respect by motor vehicles for pedestrians and bicyclists. (Well, I never claim to have low expectations.) I know there are high priority crimes to be prevented and solved, and unfortunately traffic enforcement becomes a low priority. This response just allows our community to live in cognitive dissonance when we should be prioritizing solutions for creating walkable neighborhoods, clean air, and reversing the CO2 emissions slope. As a result of this I don't ask you to do anything you are not already doing in your role as city alder, Tim. You are already on my side. But I wanted to let you know how this experience went. Thanks for listening. George P.S. Feel free to drop off a "Re-Elect Tim Gruber" yard sign at my house? My girlfriend and I helped out with literature distribution 2 weekends ago. What else can we do? George J. Perkins ------ __o 442 Toepfer Avenue ------- _`\<,_ Madison, WI 53711-1660 ---- (*)/ (*) Home: 608-442-5558 E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace Corps: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gherkinsforperkins/ BikeAid: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gherkins4perkins/ _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
