Comments on: Got an Opinion About Decatur’s Level of Traffic Enforcement?

By: fancyfree

fancyfree — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:20:42 +0000

I have inquired about the speeding issue with the Decatur PD. Apparently officers can only use their lights and sirens for certain calls and traffic stops. I spoke with an officer who told me they try to respond to calls ( like alarm calls) quickly, but their policy prevents them from using their lights and sirens. He even stated he has been screamed at by citizens to “slow down” when he is trying to get to a call. Apparently not all officers are just abusing their powers. If I’m in jeporady, I don’t want the PD doing the speed limit to get to me.

By: w poncer

w poncer — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:08:14 +0000

How bout some old fashioned warnings handed out for a week or so when a major change is made? I know it was crazy on my street when they switched from four lanes to two. Some not so expensive educational enforcement would have made the learning curve a lot quicker for everyone. And there are still a lot of people that think the bike lane is for passing or making a right turn onto Adair.

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 05:57:08 +0000

I’m having a hard time reconciling our excellent experiences with Decatur Police vs. the above. But I’ve heard similar complaints and so perhaps DPD does real well in some areas but there’s room for improvement in others. We have been extremely pleased whenever we have reported a property or identify theft–immediate and compassionate help at our home. Also pleased with responses to accidents, home checks while away, the interaction of the police as community workers with our elementary students, and with enforcing speed limits around the schools. And the few times over the years when I’ve been stopped and/or ticketed for traffic violations, I deserved the enforcement, appreciated the “learning experience”, and was treated respectfully. However, I have heard of practices or incidents that worry me, mostly related to the high school oddly enough. Maybe DPD does react differently to situations related to younger adults and teens. I’m no 20-something so I wouldn’t have the same experience. Maybe the police are sensitized by the types of crime they see in that age group resulting in practices or a culture that profiles by age (and I’ll bet by male sex), at least functionally if not officially. This is a tough one–I want my community and schools as safe as possible but do not want any residents to feel profiled or treated inconsistently or unfairly.

By: Bijoux404

Bijoux404 — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 03:35:22 +0000

There’s a comment on the site about someone getting a ticket for cutting through their own neighborhood to get home. I wasn’t aware that was happening. Can someone explain?

By: Frankly

Frankly — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 01:46:14 +0000

This is, unfortunately, consistent with what I know about DPD in recent years. We have lived here 30+ years, and it truly was different ‘back in the day’. And Steve, I would never file a complaint, because that would just ask for more police attention. I know people who have experienced it.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:30:41 +0000

Did you file a complaint with Decatur PD?

By: Revenue-Negative Household (a.k.a., My unruly brood is here to clog your sidewalks and erode your tax base.)

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:15:13 +0000

Pool Zone, then?

By: Revenue-Negative Household (a.k.a., My unruly brood is here to clog your sidewalks and erode your tax base.)

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:13:26 +0000

Hell to the yes. Fight the power.