Austin Police Cracking Down on Traffic Violations

[Updates below.]

APD TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT LOCATIONS

Traffic safety is a major focus of the Austin Police Department and a substantial amount of resources is committed to traffic safety improvements and traffic enforcement. Traffic enforcement is a primary function of APD motor units and one of the main functions of patrol officers. In addition, APD schedules officers each week on overtime, funded by grants, to enforce traffic laws.

I've lived in Austin for a total of about five years. Twice, my car has been broken into and the stereos stolen. Both times I called APD and explained what happened and both times I got a case number and a promise that an officer would stop by to take a statement, collect evidence, and do whatever it is that cops do for small crimes. Both times there was zero follow-up and I was never contacted again. While my experience may not extrapolate in all other cases around the city, it told me that the Austin Police Department doesn't place much emphasis on solving personal property crimes.

Now I know why. They're being quite up front about it.

The goal of traffic enforcement is to increase citizen's voluntary compliance with traffic laws. In furtherance of this goal, APD will now publish a weekly list of traffic enforcement locations. Although this list will not be comprehensive or specific as to exact location and time, it is being distributed to increase motorist's awareness of our enforcement activities. It is believed this increased awareness will lead to safer roadways through increased compliance with traffic laws.

Translation: The goal of this increased police presence is to bully citizens into obedience with our rules. We will make it known that we intend on being particularly intimidating in a few select places around town in order to coerce you into behaving better. We believe that by doing this - cowing you into doing what we want - is in your best interests because safety is a one-size-fits-all collectivist glove with which we want to constrain you.

Don't get me wrong. I want to drive on roads that have reasonable rules the drivers are asked to follow. However, I don't want the government owning those roads and setting the rules for them. Not when it has the power to impose fines and mandatory duties for the simple act of doing 85 in a 60 zone. Not when the state can screw you by taking away your license to drive and toss your ass in jail if you piss it off.

Here is the list for this week. I'll post it as a warning when it comes out in the future.

AVOID THESE PLACES:

1. Monday, September 6th
   
   • Morning -- FM 2222
     
   • Morning -- 1500 block of Rio Grande Street
     
   • Morning -- 2600 to 3200 blocks of Steck Avenue
     
   • Morning -- West Slaughter Lane
   
   
2. Tuesday, September 7th
   
   • Morning -- 2700 block of Metcalf Road
     
   • Morning -- North Mopac from Town Lake to Far West Boulevard
     
   • Morning -- 800 to 1000 blocks of West Cesar Chavez Street
     
   • Morning -- 1100 block of Kramer Lane
   
   
3. Wednesday, September 8th
   
   • Morning -- 1900 block of Willow Creek Drive
     
   • Morning -- FM 2222
     
   • Morning -- 2400 to 2500 blocks of Red River Street
     
   • Morning -- 1700 block of Rutland Drive
   
   
4. Thursday, September 9th
   
   • Morning -- 700 to 900 blocks of Montopolis Drive
     
   • Morning -- North Mopac from Town Lake to Far West Boulevard
     
   • Morning -- 1800 block of West 5th Street
     
   • Morning -- 1200 block of Payton Gin Road
   
   
5. Friday, September 10th
   
   • Morning -- 900 block of East Oltorf Street
     
   • Morning -- North Loop 360 from Town Lake to Spicewood Springs
     
   • Morning -- 1700 block of West Cesar Chavez Street
     
   • Morning -- Braker Lane from Metric Boulevard to North Lamar Boulevard

UPDATE 10/11/2004 4:50pm
October 11-October 15

Posted by Drizzten at September 08, 2004 09:16 AM