RE: Cop stories

["Tom @ Datsun2000" <tom@datsun2000.com>]

I have had a Washington County Oregon plain cloths officer driving a small
Dodge fastback follow me after I nearly spun a car avoiding him as he
entered heavy freeway traffic and started changing lanes while dialing his
cell phone.  He followed me until I stopped and called in a marked car so he
could issue me a citation for reckless driving.  During the conversation
before the marked car arrived he informed me that my observation of his use
of the cell phone would not be heard by the judge against his word because I
was ONLY a citizen and he had held a badge for 14 years.  13 years later I
still get very angry when I think about this, and spent about an hour
talking with his supervisor after I finished paying the fine.  I waited
because I wanted the supervisor to understand that I was not trying to get
out of the ticket.  Whether it did any good or not I never knew.

On a lighter note, today I drive Lincoln Towncars for much of my income.
Another driver received a minor citation while carrying a passenger.  The
officer was a little rude and discourteous to the driver while issuing the
citation.  The passenger gave the driver his card and told him to plead not
guilty and call him with the court date so he could be there.  When they got
to court the officer treated the accused driver about the way he had on the
street.  The driver then introduced his passenger to testify and provided
the judge and officer with a brief list of qualifications on the passengers
letterhead.  The letterhead identified the passenger as a retired Chief
Justice of another states supreme court....  The officer angrily stomped out
of the court room and the case was dismissed.

Unfortunately the only ticket I received in my 68 2000 was for a stuck
throttle when the maintenance screw caught on the gasket in the fuel
pressure regulator.  I went into third gear at near full throttle and right
into a radar trap.  Because I managed to release the stuck throttle before I
stopped neither the officer or the judge would believe me.  Be sure you
check the clearance between the head of the maintenance screw and the fuel
pressure regulator when you are finished balancing your SU carbs.

Tom
69 2000 - Mr. Hyde
Portland
http://www.datsun2000.com