Gay real estate broker Bob McCranie reports via Facebook that Dallas police are conducting traffic enforcement out of the parking lot of Walgreens at Oak Lawn Avenue and Cedar Springs Road. Who knows, maybe they’re hoping to catch the next person who crashes into the Legacy of Love Monument. But seriously, last time they did a major crackdown on Cedar Springs it was something of a controversy.
Here’s what McCranie said yesterday:
I was traveling south on Oak Lawn and turned right on Cedar Springs. The light was green, but there is an additional stop sign at the right hand turn. And I stopped, but right after I stopped an officer stepped out from behind a tree and waved me over. He’s parked on private property (Walgreens) and told me I had run the stop sign. My two clients in my car thought I had stopped too.
So the officer was surly and was just baiting me to say anything smart or disrespectful, like he was upset I wasn’t arguing with him. He asked if I was in a hurry. I said, “No more than usual,” and he said, “So, you’re always in a hurry?” I told him that’s not what I said. The ego trip he had was just grinding but I was respectful, took my ticket and went on.
When I got to the Bronx they said that this officer is working the corner and wrote about 40 tickets the other day. As we ate he kept walking out in the street, waving cars over and writing tickets.
I know the city of Dallas needs money but it’s sad to see them resort to ticket traps.
It’s also possible that they are looking for 2 men who mugged my friend at gun point on Reagan St between N. Hall and Rawlins. According to my friend, they’ve been quite busy robbing people in the area.
No Tisha, if that were the case they would be hitting the corner of Rawlins and N. Hall.
They are targettng the community once again.
They come across oas arrogant and power driven. The speak to you as you were beneath them and as the gentleman stated, instigate you into arguing with them.
I am not suprised that he twisted words around to fit his need and position.
The question is how do we as a community put a stop to this kind of harrasment?
why is it that a private property like Walgreens, allow this “trap” to happen?
Shouldn’t they access public property to do this kind of traffic trap?
I am sick of the abuse of power the city of Dallas gives its men and women in blue.
J
The DPD is arguably one of the most corrupt on the planet. I don’t need to launch into a long litany of examples; suffice it to say that this is the way they are trained–to be abrasive, abusive and downright crooked. If the DPD were abolished today, organized crime in Dallas would drop by an unprecedented percentage, and I’d bet money on that.
Maybe these people didn’t stop at the stop sign, ever think of that? I have seen and I admit that I don’t really stop at that stop sign. So before you start bitching that a community is being targeted, get your facts, and in this case, people are not stopping!
@ John – although in this instance, I would say you are correct – Tisha is also correct – I live off of Rawlins, between Reagan & Throckmortin – and they have increased their prescense in that area as well – just to clarify. But in this case – this is nothing new, I have lived on that street for 3 years, and go by that area in the morning on the way home from work – I have seen police sitting in Walgreens parking lot, and pulling people over for ages, seems to be about every 6 months or so.
Follow the money. The city needs revenue and city gays for not coming to a complete stop is a proven money maker.
well no, the probably DIDN”T stop at the stop sign – because for how MANY YEARS, was it a YIELD sign, and NOT a STOP sign?? It’s only been changed to a stop sign in the last year – and if you’re accustomed to going that way – and either not paying attention, talking on your phone, texting…CRUISING….etc….you’re more than likely not to notice.
If it says to stop then stop… Follow the laws and u will not get a ticket.. Don-Don
I’ve also lived in the this area for over 5 years. They start to beef up presence during the spring/summer b/c the weather is absolutely wonderful. Guess who likes to come out during great weather? Criminals. It’s also possible that they’ve set up shop at that corner b/c some people don’t know how to drive and keep hitting the damn monument.
A number of years ago, when I was stopped for not wearing my seat belt on Cedar Springs, The policeman told me it was their favorite street for seat belt violations. Narrow street makes for slower traffic and easier to spot violations.
Always remember a stop is a dead stop. The car can not move. Stop count to 10 and then proceed. Another policemen told me that when he issued me a warning ticket . the driver must come to a complete stop at a stop sign, even if no other vehicle or pedestrian is visible. However, some drivers[who?] practice a maneuver called a rolling stop or nicknamed after a city or region regarded as somewhere it is commonplace (e.g., “California stop”) – slowing down significantly but not stopping completely at the sign.[5] This partial stop is not acceptable to most law enforcement officials, and can result in a traffic citation. It is dangerous because pedestrians, bicyclists and other motorists are likely to assume that the driver is coming to a full stop and may proceed into the driver’s path
I too was one of the drivers that didn’t stop completely at this stop sign. I did the rolling stop, and the light was green, so there was no reason to stop. Anyway, I got the ticket, and did some research. Per the pharmacy’s corporate office, The pharmacy on the corner contacted the Dallas Police and their response was that if they wanted a response when their alarm goes off, they will have no problem with the officer trespassing on their property. I tried to find the ordinance where the yield sign was to be changed to a stop sign by the city council, but couldn’t find it. It looks like someone decided to put up the stop sign without proper procedure. I went to court and this is one of the officers that always shows up in court, so if you want it dismissed by technicality, it won’t happen. It is sad that so many people of our community complain that there is no police presents and then laud the Dallas Police when they come and steal our money. It would be easier and more effective to pay a gang for protection. Most of the crime that happens in the neighborhood occurs after dark, so having the police in our neighborhood during the day does nothing to help crime. In fact, having them here at night doesn’t do a whole lot of good either. The Dallas police used to harass us so bad and they tried everything to shut down our businesses thus the Tavern Guild was formed if I am not mistaken. Folks, DPD is not our friends, not right now anyway. They operate on a reactive basis. You get stabbed on Reagan and they come fill out a report and that’s pretty much it. They don’t have the resources to help prevent crime or track down a criminal. The only thugs that ever get caught are the ones that fall in the DPD’s lap. Buy a scanner and you’ll see just how much crime there really is in this city. 99% never makes the news and probably that same amount never ends in an arrest.
I have a hard time believing that Walgreens was told they could do nothing – DPD cannot refuse to respond to alarms / 911 without putting themselves at jeopardy of getting their a** sued off – although, I wouldn’t put it passed them. I’m not certain, mainly because I can’t remember how long the monument has been there for sure – but I’m thinking the stop sign took the place of the yield sign not long after – but who knows, it’s Dallas – they’ll do what they want. I’m surprised they didn’t take out that turn altogether, and build the monument further over and put in a right turn only lane – would have made more sense really.