Berkeley Traffic Stops

[Ben]

Berkeley is going to use unarmed city workers instead of cops to do traffic stops from now on. I believe I've read elsewhere the same thing mentioned in the link - that traffic stops are one of the most dangerous things cops do. It might not be as dangerous for the city workers since I guess all you have to do is give them the finger and drive away. No need for a shoot out to make your escape.

https://twitchy.com/dougp-3137/2020/07/16/karen-is-getting-police-powers-berkeley-calif-moves-forward-with-plan-to-have-unarmed-civilians-enforce-traffic-laws-what-could-possibly-go-wrong/

[dogmush]

From the statistics I've read traffic stops are the most dangerous thing a cop does because they are likely to be run over by an oblivious driver passing them.  This seems like a risk the unarmed city workers will also face.  Should be interesting to see how this goes.

[Fly320s]

Why would I pull over for a city worker?  If they have the authority to pull me over, they have the authority to detain me, which means they have the authority to arrest me, which means they are law enforcement. 

[Big Hairy Bee]

I guess there will be an app for traffic stops that will SMS you a fine.

[Ben]

I guess there will be an app for traffic stops that will SMS you a fine.

That's actually what I was thinking. Similar to red light cameras and guilty until proven innocent. They won't even have to interact with you. A city employee could just sit at busy intersections and look for things like "failure to use a turn signal", grab your license plate, and a couple of days later you get your fine in the mail.

[cordex]

I look forward to seeing how this works for them.  The cool thing about the American system is that we can let some localities try weird, stupid sounding things if they want to and maybe it will turn out great.

Or not.  Either way, we get to see what happens.

I think they should also consider sending social workers to domestic disturbances.

[Jim147]

Several city's have talked about the social worker thing. I don't talk any current LE anymore but when I did that was a call they hated. Get the one beating pulled off the other one and the one that was being beat up jumps on your back or smacks you in the head with something.

[MechAg94]

Several city's have talked about the social worker thing. I don't talk any current LE anymore but when I did that was a call they hated. Get the one beating pulled off the other one and the one that was being beat up jumps on your back or smacks you in the head with something.

Now cops will be called to the scene of a social worker who was killed/hurt.

[WLJ]

So what happens if you refuse to stop and/or pay? They ding your social credit score a'la China?

[bedlamite]

San Angeles is closer every day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlyMZNURdmc

[just Warren]

San Angeles is closer every day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlyMZNURdmc

I hope the three seashells come with an instructional pamphlet, preferably on non-glossy paper.

[K Frame]

Hello, large, naked, inebriated man. I'm Gurt Birkenstock, of Berkley Traffic Control and Social Services.

The reason I pulled you over is you ran a red light and struck three pedestrians. Could you put down your meth pipe and stop beating that lady of evening long enough that we could talk about your feelings?

[griz]

So what happens if you refuse to stop and/or pay? They ding your social credit score a'la China?

Assuming they go the route of having a social worker jot down the info and mail you a ticket, then they probably would, after billing you and proper notice, revoke your drivers license.  That may not sound like a big deal but it is, as it prevents renewal of registration and other day to day stuff that you need for a polite society.  But that brings up the question:  What if you just drive with no drivers license and no license plate?  You know, like a car thief or a bank robber might be tempted to do.  Eventually somebody, whatever the job title, needs to enforce the law by pulling over this suspicious vehicle and investigating.  Does that mean that driving without a license is beyond a traffic offence?  How about not pulling over, or refusing to give your name.  At some point I guess the social worker will need to call the police for this "traffic stop".

[HankB]

Now cops will be called to the scene of a social worker who was killed/hurt.

Whatever keeps the number of social workers in check . . .

[WLJ]

Got this image in my head of a lion yelling at a running herd of zebras
Stop!
Please stop!
Pleeeeease stop!
Stop or I'll ding your social credit score!
I mean it!
Stop or I'm going to cry!
Why won't they stop???

[RoadKingLarry]

Now cops will be called to the scene of a social worker who was killed/hurt.

Nah, just send another social worker out with the coroner.

[WLJ]

  What if you just drive with no drivers license and no license plate?  You know, like a car thief or a bank robber might be tempted to do.  Eventually somebody, whatever the job title, needs to enforce the law by pulling over this suspicious vehicle and investigating.  Does that mean that driving without a license is beyond a traffic offence?  How about not pulling over, or refusing to give your name.  At some point I guess the social worker will need to call the police for this "traffic stop".

Undocumented driver.
How long before we start seeing sanctuary cites?

[griz]

Undocumented driver.
How long before we start seeing sanctuary cites?

I can see that happening.  I also predict that the sanctuary cities will be more strict on expired registrations to make up for the lost revenue of the undocumented vehicles.

[dogmush]

Also the cost of insurance for uninsured/underinsured motorists will skyrocket.

[WLJ]

Also the cost of insurance for uninsured/underinsured motorists will skyrocket.

On the soon to be free list

[French G.]

Well if this keeps up I want a LCD plate cover that goes opaque or displays something other than a plate. The trick is figgering out what sensors such as radar detector, scanner, or detection of IR LEDs for camera cops and plate readers so that the plates automatically obscure. Not like they are going to chase me and shoot me.