I am so fed up with the Mayors Courts. Two of the Big Abusers are the Brecksville and Broadview Hts. Police Departments. I have heard many complaints over the years here that cops harrass drivers. I am not talking about drunk drivers. They should pick them up.
In the past week I have been stopped two times. Once for the "crime" of swerving ( I momentarily, ever so SLIGHTLY crossed over a yellow double line at 1:00 a.m. returning from my job at a local hospital. I was yawning and not entirely forcussed. BUt there was no other car there. NO ONE (except for the cop lurking behind me. I would have been more careful if there had been other cars for sure. I AM A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN! Of course he gave me no ticket, but a warning about driving carefully. Give me a break! I know that. I guess he was hoping I had a whiff of alcohol on me -- then the BIG MONEY PAYOUT. But I was not driving like a drunk. I was driving slowly down my street because the deer run out in front of you. I just felt very violated by this.
Then not a whole week later, at 11:45 p.m. I turned right at Rt 21 and Rt 82 in Brecksville. Also NO ONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. Complete dead, emptiness except for a Brecksville cop car creeping in the shadows. ( There is a NO TURN sign at the intersection that is barely visible and I forgot about the no turn there). Well, this time a TICKET for $95.00. While I did break the law, it seems a warning would have been appropriate being I live a few miles away from this intersection and would have liked to have that courtesy at least x one. Believe me, had that occurred, I would have learned my lesson and would be stopping there every time. BUT NO --a fine of $95.00 which is EXCESSIVE for this. If this was rush hour and I pulled out in front of someone then they can fine me $300.00 for all I care, because I don't drive like that ever! This fine is outrageous and one for which I have to toil very, very hard at the hospital I work at.
Because these cities are in budetary crisis, they should start laying off their workers and yes, even Police if necessary, just as the rest of the world has to. I've gotten laid off in the past and it was just "deal with it" But these cities have a money-making system they can always use to get by on the backs of basically innocent citizens. I am fed up with this racket I'm nervous driving around these two places. ABOLISH THE MAYORS COURTS NOW.

Posted by: S. Barbara (Broadview Hts) on December 18, 2008 1:04PM

If this were a safety issue no one would care, but it's all about money. Many times people not only pay a fine and court costs, but also get points on their driving record which then allows the insurance companies to increase premiums. This is just another scheme by local government to underhandedly gouge the public. Raise taxes if you must and be upfront about the cost of running a city or village and stop picking the pocket of those who drive.

Posted by: peter valencic (middleburg heights) on December 2, 2008 5:51PM