From Tucson Velo:
The Tucson Police department was awarded another grant for targeted enforcement of bicycle and pedestrian laws.
According to an email from Sergeant Jerry Skeenes, who ran the targeted enforcement that wrapped up in October, they will begin deploying officers in early January.
Skeenes said this enforcement campaign will be less intense because it will stretch over a longer period of time.
This article appears in Dec 30, 2010 – Jan 5, 2011.
So, enforcement of laws in this state is based on what someone or some entity is willing to pay for? Grants such as these should not be targeted at specific laws to be enforced. They should go to general law enforcement.
In October I watched one of these enforcement operations at University and 4th Avenue. Basically the tactic the officers used was related to time of day. They started ticketing cyclists at dusk when it was still light out but technically the sun was down or close to down. They were targeting the cyclists at a vulnerable time, and ticketing them for not having lights. Most of the cyclists ticketed appeared to be students on their way home from classes.
This isn’t about safety or concern for cyclists, let’s call it what it is – revenue enhancement patrol. It’s sad that the state can find money to dole out for crap like this but tells AHCCCS transplant patients to just shut up and die. Absolutely pathetic.