Are the Police more aggressive these days?

[mheaton76]

Hey this could just be me...but has anyone else noticed that the police seem to have a stepped up aggressive posture these days?

I used to never get speeding tickets in OKC, but have had three in the last year - I'm not driving any faster than I have in the past and generally try to keep it within 5/10 over at the very most. The last three tickets they have consistently said I was going 5/7 mph more than what my speedometer read when I've been pulled over.

Also, and this kind of freaked me out, I was driving to the thunder game yesterday and was driving to la luna to grab a bite. I turned on 10th street from broadway to try an approach from the west to avoid the Ford Center traffic. A police officer turned and followed me nearly the whole time.

I can't think what I could have possibly been doing wrong or to raise any suspicion. I drive a late model Volvo, Tag is current, lights are good - and I'm pretty clean cut. Still, I was being followed...and I was freaked out because everytime those lights flash behind me it seems to work out to about $125 dollars outta my pocket.

Is it just bad luck, or?

[Midtowner]

That stretch between 13th and 23rd on Broadway is a big 'ol speed trap. Nice open road, no traffic, 30MPH limit and plenty of places to hide. My assistant got a ticket there just last month.

[mheaton76]

Once I noticed I was being followed I think I was seriously hovering at about 20 mph just to be on the safe side.

[OKCTalker]

Evan White may feel a little paranoid about getting ticketed, and it's not from the pot.

[mugofbeer]

Cops gotta make those quotas! City gotta make some money!

[smooth]

Hey this could just be me...but has anyone else noticed that the police seem to have a stepped up aggressive posture these days?

I used to never get speeding tickets in OKC, but have had three in the last year - I'm not driving any faster than I have in the past and generally try to keep it within 5/10 over at the very most. The last three tickets they have consistently said I was going 5/7 mph more than what my speedometer read when I've been pulled over.

Also, and this kind of freaked me out, I was driving to the thunder game yesterday and was driving to la luna to grab a bite. I turned on 10th street from broadway to try an approach from the west to avoid the Ford Center traffic. A police officer turned and followed me nearly the whole time.

I can't think what I could have possibly been doing wrong or to raise any suspicion. I drive a late model Volvo, Tag is current, lights are good - and I'm pretty clean cut. Still, I was being followed...and I was freaked out because everytime those lights flash behind me it seems to work out to about $125 dollars outta my pocket.

Is it just bad luck, or?

You may need your speedometer checked. They DO get out of calebration on occasion. The judge will believe the cop before the defendant. It has been that way for decades. On occasion, a defendant will prove a case, but it is rare.

The cop following you. Well! it's just a car. The cop have just been behind you. Do you really believe a cop should say "oh. There's a citizen in front of me. I guess I should change lanes." Not rational. They are drivers who have the right to the road. Yes. I say paranoid.

If any of those citations were in School zones, then you deserve a citaion... Even for one mile over. Most experienced cops will give you a warning on occasion if you are nice and let them do their job. The fact you have been cited before and it shows on their records check is probably why you get cited a lot. My advise? Slow down and obey the traffic laws.

No. They are no more aggressive than 30 years ago.

[mheaton76]

I will get the speedometer checked...That is a good suggestion.

[Hawk405359]

Maybe you've just become more inattentive to things like speed when driving? I've had it happen before, especially when I make a drive over and over again. I commuted an hour to school for several months and one of those days I noticed lights behind me. I looked down and realized I was going 15 over. I couldn't tell you I was going that fast then, and I can't say I didn't deserve a ticket.

[mheaton76]

Yea, one of things that changed was the commute...norman to okc every day. I really have tried to be a good boy when it comes to speed though, especially after the first two tickets ... the thing that surprised me was the speed they said I was going versus what I saw on the speedometer (usually 5 to 7 mph difference).

[soonerguru]

Hey this could just be me...but has anyone else noticed that the police seem to have a stepped up aggressive posture these days?

I used to never get speeding tickets in OKC, but have had three in the last year - I'm not driving any faster than I have in the past and generally try to keep it within 5/10 over at the very most. The last three tickets they have consistently said I was going 5/7 mph more than what my speedometer read when I've been pulled over.

Also, and this kind of freaked me out, I was driving to the thunder game yesterday and was driving to la luna to grab a bite. I turned on 10th street from broadway to try an approach from the west to avoid the Ford Center traffic. A police officer turned and followed me nearly the whole time.

I can't think what I could have possibly been doing wrong or to raise any suspicion. I drive a late model Volvo, Tag is current, lights are good - and I'm pretty clean cut. Still, I was being followed...and I was freaked out because everytime those lights flash behind me it seems to work out to about $125 dollars outta my pocket.

Is it just bad luck, or?

No, you are not being paranoid. They are definitely going after more inner-city traffic violations than they have in the 17 years I've lived here. Seriously, you used to have to try to get a moving violation in the city in the past.

Now I frequently see them staked out all over town. Perhaps this is a revenue-oriented change due to their huge TWO PERCENT budget cut.

[Dustin]

I've noticed Edmond police are really agressive but not OKC. There are at least three Edmond cops I see on my way to UCO every day.

[bdhumphreys]

Hey this could just be me...but has anyone else noticed that the police seem to have a stepped up aggressive posture these days?

I used to never get speeding tickets in OKC, but have had three in the last year - I'm not driving any faster than I have in the past and generally try to keep it within 5/10 over at the very most. The last three tickets they have consistently said I was going 5/7 mph more than what my speedometer read when I've been pulled over.

Do you have a "Yes for MAPS!" bumper sticker?

I'm just sayin....

[mheaton76]

A big Yes for MAPS! banner prominently displayed on the Volvo, Blair. lol...

[hipsterdoofus]

I know I don't ever see OHP on broadway EVER - used to see them on LHP. Wish they'd be there ticketing the idiots that don't get over when the lane ends at 36th street - don't even get me started.

[soonerguru]

I now have Yes for MAPS yard signs. Will the cops bring the K-9 unit around for a sniff?

[mugofbeer]

I dont know if cops are being more aggressive but those intersection cameras certainly are!

[MikeOKC]

I know I don't ever see OHP on broadway EVER - used to see them on LHP. Wish they'd be there ticketing the idiots that don't get over when the lane ends at 36th street - don't even get me started.

Is the part of the Broadway Extension you're talking about a state or federal highway? They're on LHP because it's a state highway. They are not a state police as some states have, they are, in fact, Highway Patrol with certain specific jurisdiction.

[LakeEffect]

Is the part of the Broadway Extension you're talking about a state or federal highway? They're on LHP because it's a state highway. They are not a state police as some states have, they are, in fact, Highway Patrol with certain specific jurisdiction.

Broadway Extension is US 77, so wouldn't they have jurisdiction? I recall seeing a OHP car with someone pulled over in the past 6 months. That said, almost every Sunday trek up to Edmond for church, we pass OKC cops on Broadway Extension. I've always wondered why they cover Broadway Ext. so much, but the OHP doesn't...

[hipsterdoofus]

Is the part of the Broadway Extension you're talking about a state or federal highway? They're on LHP because it's a state highway. They are not a state police as some states have, they are, in fact, Highway Patrol with certain specific jurisdiction.

I'm talking about all of it I guess - I've seen some up at like Britton or so parked under the bridge, but not very often.

I was more looking for a way to gripe at the idiots that cause all the traffic problems at 36th by not getting over even though there is a sign that says "lane ends" - I think we need some stop sticks in that lane

[iron76hd]

Is the part of the Broadway Extension you're talking about a state or federal highway? They're on LHP because it's a state highway. They are not a state police as some states have, they are, in fact, Highway Patrol with certain specific jurisdiction.

Their juridiction is the State of Oklahoma. City streets, state highways, Interstates. If it is in this State it's their juridiction. Their are special rules for the turnpike, but that's a long story.

5/7 mph over? I can't imagine having the time to stop that when their are so many others 15-30 over everywhere..

Most of the time if you see several officers or troopers working a certain area it's due to recent traffic accidents due to speed or specific complaints from citizens.

[OKCTalker]

Broadway Extension is US 77, so wouldn't they have jurisdiction? I recall seeing a OHP car with someone pulled over in the past 6 months. That said, almost every Sunday trek up to Edmond for church, we pass OKC cops on Broadway Extension. I've always wondered why they cover Broadway Ext. so much, but the OHP doesn't...

Broadway Extension is also I-235, which gives OHP rights to it.

[okcmomentum]

The last three tickets they have consistently said I was going 5/7 mph more than what my speedometer read when I've been pulled over.

If you have larger wheels than the stock wheels on your vehicle I understand that will throw the accuracy of your speedometer off as well.

[hipsterdoofus]

Broadway Extension is also I-235, which gives OHP rights to it.

I don't jurisdiction, but I believe it is like this - I-35 from I-35/I-40 up to I-44, Broadway Extension North of that, the whole thing is US 77, but the whole thing is not 235.

[Kerry]

Here is a little trick that has saved me. I drive through rural Georgia a lot and when I get to a little town I use my cruise control to make sure I don't speed. As I approach and leave a small town I set my cruise control at every speed limit sign. That way I don't find myself speeding up in a 35 mph zone just because I am use to driving faster. It really helps.

[hipsterdoofus]

Here is a little trick that has saved me. I drive through rural Georgia a lot and when I get to a little town I use my cruise control to make sure I don't speed. As I approach and leave a small town I set my cruise control at every speed limit sign. That way I don't find myself speeding up in a 35 mph zone just because I am use to driving faster. It really helps.

Except most cars I know of the cruise doesn't work below 45.