The traffic citation system includes e-Citation Lidar wands, software, and mobile printers that provide the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station with fast, accurate options for issuing electronic tickets for traffic, parking, permit, or other infractions, city officials said in a news release.
“Speeding puts everyone at risk, whether you are another motorist, cyclist, or pedestrian, and we need people to slow down,” said Palmdale Mayor Laura Bettencourt. “The city is committed to catching these motorists and providing law enforcement with the tools they need to prosecute these offenders.”
The new tools allow Palmdale Sheriff’s Station staff to issue citations within minutes, eliminating errors and tedious data entry. Additionally, the equipment improves officer safety, with less time spent on high-risk roads and highways. Without the new equipment, a deputy would typically take 15 minutes to handwrite a citation. Now electronic citations can be issued in minutes, provide a photo of the driver showing their speed, help reduce questionable evidence, and eliminate the need for deputies to appear in court, keeping them in the field.
“We are extremely grateful to the city for purchasing this equipment. It helps build trust in the community,” said Deputy Kyle Steffes. “When people dispute the citation and we show them the photo, they see the evidence that they were speeding and understand we are not picking on them but just doing our jobs and trying to keep people safe.”
According to law enforcement officials, the purpose of speed enforcement operations is to help prevent traffic collisions from occurring, especially those that cause injuries or fatalities. There has been a substantial increase in injury and fatal traffic collisions in the Antelope Valley in which speed was a main factor. The speed involved in a crash is directly related to the extent of injury the parties endure, officials said.
[Information via news release from the city of Palmdale.]
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Ledesma 99 says
Traffic tickets. Law enforcements final concern.
Tim Scott says
While I am a frequent critic of law enforcement, if they reduce traffic fatalities by as little as 2% they will do more good than all the rest of their activities accomplish, so I seldom take issue with traffic enforcement as a priority. I do take issue with their METHODS.
For example, if you just drive around for an hour you are guaranteed to see someone do something genuinely dangerous. Illegal left turns, passing using the shoulder, weaving through slower traffic. You WON’T see a traffic cop doing anything about these things, because they will be at their favorite fast revenue generating spot: probably a street with an inappropriate speed limit where they can just pull over car after car after car and cite them for safely traveling with the flow of traffic.
Cynic says
Great news. Far too many “Edgars” out there using their fellow citizens as props as they try to recreate their “Fast and the Furious” fantasies, putting our lives at risk in the process.
Hand out citations like candy. This city needs it.
AV Resident says
Kudos to the City of Palmdale supplying these needed tools.
Hopefully the technology can also record those drivers with cell phones to their ear while driving.
M.A. says
Allowing computers to record your likeness on public streets in the name of preventing accidents IS NOT the answer. How are you all commenting saying this is a good idea, so blind? Please realize that you are endorsing invasion of privacy on public streets now. So anything you do in your private vehicle can now be recorded and used against you in ANY WAY they see fit..
Tim Scott says
There is no expectation of privacy on a public street. Has not been for quite some time. As far as applications for ‘the state’ recording your photo goes, if they wanted to press the issue every citation written could be turned into a trip through the booking process, which has always included a mug shot. You could consider the roadside catch and release as a courtesy.
Kevin R S says
Just as you have the right to record an officer, they have the right to record you. What made you think you had a “right to privacy on public streets”
Jon says
Bingo
ACE says
MORE TAXES…
LESS CUSTOMERS DRIVING TO SPEED TRAP PALMDALE…
***
Tim Scott says
I like the “reduce questionable evidence” part. Stop scummy deputies from making their quota by perjuring themselves when they can’t be bothered actually checking speed.
Shane Falco says
Reduces the excuses and lies told by people receiving a citation.
Hopefully all these bottom feeders driving around with expired temporary paper plates, who have no license, insurance and have no business being on the roads start getting cited into compliance…or public transportation.
Tim Scott says
Hi Mike. How’s the pool?
Scummy Citizen says
The scummy deputies will violate your rights regardless..
Tim Scott says
While true, I have a very specific experience that this technology would have prevented. Cop wrote me a speeding ticket without really verifying my speed. When it went to court the cop perjured himself, making the ‘standard statement’ that he used his lidar, it was in calibration, blah blah blah. Not saying they won’t find a way around it, but this tech would have prevented him from pulling people over ‘by eye’ and then falsely claiming otherwise.
Kiki says
This is awesome now all those that don’t have jobs or school speeding like maniacs not knowing were they going high can get tickets. Tired of all these people killing innocent people
Slow Rider says
Who has a better solution to slow down the multitudes of AV speed demons. Just yesterday a black Camero passed me going about 80 mph northbound on Challenger and went straight through a red light at Ave. K8. Didn’t hit his brakes at all. Reckless drivers, if caught, should have their driving privileges suspended for a minimum of 5 years. It will help save the lives of many innocent AV residents
Don Ameche says
This is good news. Hopefully they can write a thousand more tickets a month.
Thank you City of Palmdale