CHP PRESS RELEASE:
Planning is well underway for Super Bowl XLVIII. Along with that planning, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is reminding everyone to ensure they have a plan in place for getting home safely after the game.
If you are planning that perfect Super Bowl party, make sure you have a plan to get your guests home safely as well. Providing safety, service and security throughout the state, local CHP officers will engage in increased patrol and enforcement during the Super Bowl.
The Super Bowl is scheduled for Sunday, February 2, 2014, however, the NFL has put contingency plans in place to play the game any time between Friday and Monday, depending on weather. Funding for additional officers for the increased patrol is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
CHP officers assigned to Bridgeport Area will be out looking for impaired drivers. To prevent loss of life and ensure everyone enjoys a safe, fun Super Bowl, the CHP joins with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by recommending the following simple tips:
· Make arrangements for a safe trip home before the party begins.
· Before drinking, please designate a non-drinking driver and leave your car keys at home.
· If you are hosting a party, make sure to have fun non-alcoholic beverages for the designated drivers attending your party.
· If you are impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
· If you suspect an impaired driver is on the road, report that driver by calling 9-1-1. Callers should be prepared to give a description of the vehicle, license plate number, location, and the vehicle’s direction of travel.
· Remember, if you know people who are about to drive or ride home with someone who is impaired, help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely. If a friend is drunk and wants to drive, encourage them not to, even if it means taking their keys away.
“Save a life, designate a non-drinking driver, before the party starts, and have a great day of football with family and friends.” said Lieutenant R. D. Cohan, Commander of the CHP’s Bridgeport Area.
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What do you think?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNaXcYezt-8
I think it was a very unnecessary conflict that this CHP officer will deeply regret. Hopefully it will lead to training for both fire and CHP so it doesn’t happen again.
Curious….So you want us to believe this incident is the norm…..or something isolated so some can group them all together as “bad apples” ?……I can remember a CHP officer back in 1987 named Alan Peyer that pulled over a young lady in San Diego and murdered her …does that too mean the norm ?…I once knew a Sheriff in Lancaster that chose that field cause he “wanted to legally blow someone away”….I once had a very bad experience with an overzelous officer in Oregon…..there are going to be the “bad apples” in all types of employment when authority is involved…..doesn’t mean they all….or even more than 1 %….are that way.Most Law Enforcement officers are good people doing their job….at least from my own experiences.
Well JJ, you have taken the complicated and tried to simplify it. The war on drugs is a very complicated question. As long as people have a craving for illegal drugs and the abuse of prescription drugs, illegal enterprise, criminals and drug cartels will flourish. You can put this issue into dollars and cents if you want, but it is far more complicated than that. I certainly believe there has to be greater education of youth and adults regarding drug abuse and the eventual health effects and lost life opportunities. On a bigger scale, where there is extraordinary money to be made in the distribution and selling of illicit drugs, there will always be a power struggle amongst the top tiers of the trade for control of that power and money. I think there is enough information on this subject to prove out that with the struggle there is often times violence that comes with it. You have the luxury of thinking at a recreational users level and ignoring the bigger picture. Yes I sent meth lab cookers to State and Federal prison. Methamphetamine is one of the most dangerous drugs and has decimated towns and families across this country. And for the record, you probably guessed, I don’t support the marijuana industry either. In summary, I don’t know about a “War on Drugs”, l do know where there is a buck to be made in the illicit drug trade someone will step up and take the opportunity to do so, and if any thing, illicit drugs weakens us as a nation.
Rich, “illicit drugs weakens us as a nation” is the simplified truth. Current law creates the profit to continue this disaster. Idiotic: ” Elect Me! because I will pander to your wants rather than do what needs to be done” political decisions rule the country. The “War on Drugs” has cost much more, in dollars alone, than the the amount of the current national debt. The unenforceable prohibitions are not only a huge loss of money from our tax base, but are also responsible for a large portion of our health care costs. We pay thousands of times more, Yes!, thousands of times more for drugs than their real market value, because we spend billions of dollars every year failing to irradiate common plants that we need for medicine.
In summary: If we want to see the culprit…. all we have to do is look in any mirror.
Yes It has definitely become a complicated issue, especially when punitive measures leave out relevant social science, I mean if the country would treat drug abuse as a human health issue and not so draconian, it would make more sense. But as long as we have misinformation and those that are to scared to give their input then we can’t really expect any different…
And to be honest I really don’t expect somebody who makes a living and proud of what they do to totally go back against what they are proud of within their life, I mean I am sure you really helped a lot of people, but is this the best practice to carry on for our children and grand children? I don’t believe so… I see no end in sight. And I am not sure how much you acknowledge the fact that depending on what status (class) you are born into, that is a lead indicator of how much of the justice system you will have to answer to, in a general perspective I state that the criminal justice system is really focused on the poor and economically irrelevant, how can anybody say a banker, politician or even a celebrity answers to the same justice system we do?
Yes illicit drugs weaken us as a nation and so does the current approach by law enforcement in their effort to combat such a growing problem, not only this nation but look at the violence that happens around and across the border, that as well is a reflection of our out dated drug laws, because the killings and the cartel power control stepped up when the Mexican gov’t stepped up in trying to eliminate by their own policing power.. its a mess!
I support the marijuana industry because of the green energy values, the cancer treatment to terminally ill patients and the fact it is just a plant, and how can anybody in their right mind think that combating a plant is a winning battle, that plant was used medicinally for thousands of years, And I refuse to believe that this current monetary and political structure has it right!
And why are people against it, when they are so willing to accept alcohol in their social circles?
Let me give a example when people are told the truth and have the ability to choose for themselves;
back in the 60’s when the surgeons general stated that cigarettes where harmful, over 40% of the adult population smoked, in 2012 only 18% adults smoke cigarettes…
Thanks..
DT, I have been in law enforcement for over 35 years including my military service in the U.S. Army as a military policeman, and it always amazes me the nonsense that individuals like you chose to believe and mostly get wrong. Don’t get me wrong on this issue, I support your “God” given right to be a cop hater, but please at least do your home work and get your facts straight about such critical issues as drug laws, search and seizure and salaries before you post. For those of us who have dedicated ourselves to selfless public service, it becomes both boring and offensive reading the same tiresome rhetoric propagated by you. What makes me qualified to lecture you? I have served in every capacity during a long and storied career, took every imaginable risk, worked solo in isolated rural outlaw infested areas as resident deputy sheriff, conducted major meth lab investigations on a DOJ team and eradicated tens of thousands of marijuana plants in the Emerald Triangle with CAMP as an Assistant Regional Operations Commander. I graduated from Three law enforcement academies and the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, and as the Region Eight Chairperson and only CHP Officer to sit at the Executive Board of the California Narcotics Officers’ Association, believe that I posses more knowledge than you about law enforcement issues. And yes, I have a college education and extensive vocational training. So Mr. DT please be considerate of the rest of us and think before you post. I share with you a quote from Gandhi: “YOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD”
All due respect Rich U,
I am no cop hater, nor am I somebody who feels law enforcement shouldn’t be around, but from my perspective I feel Law Enforcement has gone beyond the job of public service…if you expect me to respect your perspective I hope you consider mine..
I imagine your efforts helped many on many occasions, and thank you, I am sure it is much appreciated, I mean, I am one who feels good when I help my fellow brothers and sisters on this earth we share.. but when I look at what we have today and the sacrifices selfless people had to make in the past to bring real progress to the social injustices that run rampant, and unfortunately a lot of the time Law Enforcement has became barriers for people to get their voices heard, and today we see it more often how Law enforcement enforces what suits the established powers and monetary structures, rather then bringing justice to the people..
In all that time you served bringing drugs off the street, don’t you feel with all that time a resources “we the people’ should have something to show for it? I mean what do we have to show for it besides obvious counter productive measures for the society we live in, because since the 1971 when Nixon declared the war on drugs, we have been left with more drugs, more potency in those drugs, more users and easier to make, oh yeah and DEBT! Look at what other FREE countries (Portugal) have done to address this HUGE problem we face today, it seems we in the USA have got backwords approaches, if bringing service to the people is the real main priority.
This is my real name and this is how I feel, I would much appreciate a response back.
I’ll leave it here with a quote as well;
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
Benett,
There are a handful of posters we are all sick of.
If I suck and I know it.
Mongo, I don’t think it’s you.
DT, your are misinformed. I am a former CHP Officer with a Bachelor’s Degree. A majority of the Officers that Graduate to become a CHP Officer are former Military, College Graduates and very few have just a High School Diploma. Law Enforcement Officers deserve to get paid what do especially when they have to deal with the likes of you on an everyday basis.
With the reputation of our Mono Sheriff and our last Bishop D.A. I would say the locals have good reason to question our present authority. I will say that the majority of our local law enforcement are very professional.
CHP Officer handcuffs firefighter at accident scene. While I am sure this is an exception, it should be noted.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/feb/05/firefighter-chp-handcuffed-freeway/
A post regarding the high wages of CHP officers was deleted apparently by Ms. Kessler. I will make it once more and see if it stands.
CHP pays a patrol officer their eight hours per day for road patrol. In addition, patrol officers are paid 15 minutes overtime at the beginning of each shift and 15 minutes of overtime at the end of each shift to get dressed. On top of that each officer is paid 30 minutes of overtime to take lunch. What other employer pays overtime to take lunch? Most pay nothing, expecting employees to take lunch off the clock.
According to the State Controllers Website a CHP patrol officer Range A will be paid $94,280 regular time and up to $53,064 overtime, for a total compensation of $146,814 and change. That is what Ridgecrest pays their police chief. Sergeants in the CHP are paid anywhere from $220,000 to $330,000 per year depending on how much overtime they rake in.
A CHP officer Range A is making two to three tims more than a scientist or engineer working for the Navy at China Lake, someone who arguabley has vastly more education behind them. I am of the firm opinion that the pay of CHP officers is beyond excessive and is indeed unjust.
Some of us are weary of your know-it-all, self-righteous comments. That’s why I deleted your earlier comment.
Benett Kessler
DT,
I Guess if you employed scuba divers you would expect them to drive to work wearing their gear. You want emergency personnel to turn off their phones and radios, lock the vehicle while they’re “off the clock”?
Recently saw two officers jump up from their meal and sprint to their car. Guess they should have said,”Sorry about the carjacking with a baby in it, but we have to wait til after lunch.”
Maybe Navy scientists should make more, but why are we all racing each other to the bottom to make things fair? You seem to think academic education is the only valuable training in this world.
I am the child of highly educated and privileged people.
To them I am not qualified to prevail in any discussion.
They take their comfort and care in their financial, emotional, and subsequent physical control over me. I know them well and hear all sides of their ever morphing conversations with others. I see their sadistic and narcissistic side as well as the side that is loving and generous. As all of us, they are closed minded to any ideas outside their own. This is the grave liability to them because it causes resentment from those they love .
When I see this abrasive and controlling behavior I recoil and become closed off. This is a grave liability to me because it closes my mind keeping me from being truly open minded.
In society, if I are to be free and just, true open-mindedness to ideas other than my own is my highest achievement.
Compare a high school education and 24 weeks of the CHP academy to four years, often more, of the undergraduate grind and then on to a Masters degree or maybe a PhD. I would say successfully completing a university education in a scientific/technical field and successfully applying that education in a productive job ought to be compensated more highly than a job that does not require so much effort and sacrifice.
A mid career Navy pilot trying to bring a big combat jet back aboard an aircraft carrier has an infinitely more dangerous and demanding job than anything any CHP officer will ever face, yet the cop makes half again as much money, three to four times as much if the cop is a sergeant. More than the Chief of Police of many smaller communities is paid. I think it is unjust.
I am not arguing for a race to the bottom but to show that some cops are grossly over paid for the work they do and the skills they are required to bring to the job. Any schmuck can get a high school diploma. That takes no discipline. Getting a masters or Phd requires extreme discipline. Completing Navy flight school is even harder still because you have to have some physical skills and superb hand-eye coordination along with a knowledge base equal to any graduate degree.
But the CHP bubba is paid more. And, no, I do not think any one should ever get paid to get dressed. Do that on your own time, not on over time. Make the work shift eight hours straight so you don’t have to pay OT for a lunch break. The cops are playing us for chumps. Don’t be so naive and buy all of their bs arguments.
Not sure why you find it necessary to demean CHP officers. Maybe the Navy pilot should make more. It takes a certain strength and courage to work as a law enforcement officer. No, the systems are not perfect and probably not entirely just. But, it doesn’t need to be a personal slam. A detached examination of our society’s values and how we pay people – take, for instance, football players versus a violin virtuoso – is a subject for thought and dialogue. Calling people Bubba doesn’t really help. Benett Kessler
Desert Tortoise…..To quote one of my employers…..”It is what it is”.
DT–I have two MAs and am working on a third. I clean toilets for a living. I don’t resent how much other people make, and I never went to school with the idea I’d be rewarded with a high-paying job (nor should anyone else). I’ve been corrected about misconceptions by people with neck tattoos, too: everybody knows something, no one knows everything.
I don’t like being pulled over by some newbie cop because my license plate is obscured by my trailer hitch, but I enjoy seeing some reckless driver being pulled over and cited, perhaps by that same cop. Although I seldom need to, knowing I can call someone with a badge, gun and taser when necessary relieves me of thinking I need to (or can) take care of every conflict that arises. I like it when cops make sure the scene is safe before the ambulance crew responds to domestic violence, for example. Your stereotypes of cops as illiterate lunks sounds more like ressentiment with your own situation; read your Neitzsche: your pouting makes you a slave.
DT, first of all, thank you for your service.
It is very clear from your many comments over the years that you would not be able to pass the psychological test to become a cop. Truck driving seems to be a good fit for you as you can listen to yourself talk with no complaints.
Whelp,
Here it is, “BIG GAME SUNDAY”, time to start drinking.
Don’t bother knocking.
Don’t call.
See you all in a few days…
I’ll try the GUACAMOLE, but I’m going to pass on the CHPS!
BURP…. GeRd.. Pffftttt…
Mongo
I really don’t want to see people getting hurt from having a good time, but I really do wish our local police would stop playing on peoples fears with press releases like this. Also, police must witness a infraction taking place and can not go on the hearsay of a 911 caller alone.
The only fears they’re playing on are those who have irrational fears of law enforcement. I take as a friendly reminder to think twice before deciding to do something stupid like getting behind the wheel after too many beers.
As far as the 911 issue – that question was being addressed in a recent court case – has there been a legal decision? I think it’s a good question and I’m interested to see what the court decides.
Charles, I don’t have irrational fears of anyone, I just refuse to wave my pom-poms in support of people pissing in my Super Bowl.
Charles, more seriously ,I don’t know of a case involving the question of just 911 calls, but I do know a local police officer was reprimanded by the courts for not being honest about what he saw before arresting a drunk driving suspect. The case was dismissed in the name of justice, from what I was told.
I found the case I was referring to:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/cert/12-9490
What you’ve described above sounds like apples and oranges. Dishonesty is unacceptable regardless of the 911 question.
Charles, your response and attachment is probably the best I have ever received on any subject I have smarted off on. But I will continue to root for the under dog and oppressed and will continue to do so. P.S. this article is still prof of police playing on peoples fears. PSS, I walked home!
Swatting proves that anonymous tips to 911 are always reliable.
@Trouble,
If we can try to steer clear of the cheap shots we might find we can learn from one another. I appreciate reading the various perspectives on the issues. The constant sniping that occurs here really has no value though. I’m guilty of it too. I’ll try to do better with that and would ask others to do the same.
As far as the underdog goes…..if this forum is any indication, law enforcement seems to be the underdog on the Eastside.
COJ,
More like apples and pears. If I’m unrightfully detained by the actions of a dishonest LEO or a dishonest 911 caller, it pretty much looks the same to me. Dishonest caller and a dishonest or unprofessional LEO and you could be in a real predicament.
Family member was arrested, booked and prosecuted based solely on fabricated statements of one person, no other evidence whatsoever. Was aquitted very quickly when defense showed witness was totally unreliable and had motive to be vindictive. Lazy ass Police and DA could have found the same information in the half day it took the defense lawyer’s private investigator. Cost the innocent accused their job while in jail for two weeks, and it cost me thousands of dollars to defend this young person from being railroaded into a plea bargain or worse. Cost the city and state where it happened god knows what. So forgive me if your follow the law and everything will be alright advice rings hollow.
@Pedro…
I’m under no illusions that our law enforcement/criminal justice system is perfect in all cases. If you’ve got a better system in mind – please share. Otherwise, the concept of following the law is best way to stay out of trouble with law enforcement.
COJ, I gave one example of many from my life because it spoke to the 911 question and the reliability of informants. My experience is that we have a good framework, but the implementation is corrupt on a major level and justice is not even handed for far too many. You want a better system then hold LEO to the higher standard they give oath to.
You are truly blessed if your “concept” has worked for you. There are plenty of law abiding citizens who can’t say their reality is the same.
Pedro,
I’m truly sorry if your personal experiences have tainted your view of law enforcement as a whole. But the concept of following the law is not mine, it’s one that has been passed down for generations – and it works quite well for the vast majority of citizens. No blessings required.
I hope your future experiences with law enforcement are more positive.
COJ,
I have had many positive interactions with LEO and one of them probably saved my life. Just think your “vast majority” may be overly optimistic. I may be overly pessimistic and the overall truth is probably in between. Must say that the CHP has always been the most professional, fair and helpful I have encountered. Seems like that may be changing lately and I hope not. Still believe good officers allow themselves to be tainted when they tolerate bad behavior by their coworkers.
Only on those who have irrational fears on Law enforcement? So when I see two of our local police (off duty) officers come into the local pub, already with a strong buzz, drink a few beers and assume one of them is going to drive in the vehicle they drove up in.. so should I fear that? or fear that not even law enforcement can live up to the standards they uphold (On-duty).
Give me a break! today law enforcement has merged far away from actual service to the public… it’s all about the money…
That’s a generalization. I know some very fine individual officers who do care about the public.
Benett Kessler
Trouble….Don’t think it’s LE trying to play on anyone’s fears…..well,maybe it is….telling people if you drink and drive,we’re gonna get ya….nothing wrong with that….as far as the 911 calls,if a motorist calls and reports an erratic driver on the highway,that is reason for Law Enforcement to respond to whats going on with him…I’ve done it….not just based on the 911 report,but if a driver is drunk and driving erratically,once he looks in the rear view mirror and sees a patrol car behind him,there’s a good chance he’ll end up doing something stupid to warrant a stop.
Catch me if you can. Because it’s Super Bowl Sunday is NOT probable cause.
….but….if your drunk and/or impaired,weaving around on the highway,that is probable cause to pull you over…..before you slam into an innocent family of 4 head-on…..you say “catch me if you can”……doesn’t that sound kinda stupid when this story mentions LE trying to keep impaired drivers off the highway ?…..you ever lost a family member to a drunk driver?….or cleaned up an accident scene brought on by a drunk driver ?….my guess would be,if you go to the Bridgeport area on Sunday,party watching the Super Bowl,and then do much driving afterward, they can,and will catch you…without much of a problem.
YOUR PAPERS PLEASE.
Nobody likes the thought of getting pulled over while driving. But what’s worse than pulled over is getting taken out by an impaired or otherwise irresponsible driver.
Bottom line, follow the laws, don’t drive impaired, and law enforcement will leave you alone.
That would be nice if it worked that way…read the Sheet, you’ll see that at least some of the Mono County sheriff deputies don’t quite have that concept down.
What I see in The Sheet are comments from the accused man’s lawyer. And lawyers NEVER bend the facts to support their clients position, do they?
I’ll wait for the court to decide this rather rush to judge these officers based on the words from you or an arrestee’s lawyer.
Actually Charles, getting pulled over without probable cause is pretty serious. Once this is accepted by the populace, you’re paving the way to police state. If you’re that worried about being taken out by impaired drivers, don’t drive. The roads are full of drunks, speeders, texting teens, and blind 90 year olds; the cops cannot save you. Drive defensively and assume the majority of drivers on the road are impaired in some way or another. Take responsibility for yourself and accept the risks every time you pull out of that driveway.
“If your that worried about being taken out by impaired drivers,don’t drive”….THAT has got to be THE DUMBEST thing I’ve ever read….on this site,or anywhere else……
You just made a good case that officers have a probable cause to pull over just about everybody, “…assume the majority of drivers on the road are impaired…”
But I see so few of those “impaired” drivers talking to the law that I wonder what’s really happening? Perhaps you could tell us…
TBone,
I agree, getting pulled over without probable cause is serious. But regarding the specific incident Sugar Mag commented on, the question of probable cause hasn’t been answered yet. I’ll wait for the court decision on the matter before I pass judgement on the actions of these officers.
The remainder of your comments don’t even deserve a response.
.Tbone.”If your that worried about being taken out by an impaired driver,don’t drive”…and then you go on and say “Drive defensively and assume the majority of drivers on the road are impaired in some way or another”…let me read you a headline in the Lancaster Antelope Valley Press newspaper,dated Sept.25,1971…..”Lancaster Marine,18, killed in Memphis motorcycle crash….”…he was sitting at a stoplight waiting for it to turn green and him,along with another 18 year old Marine,were both killed by a drunk driver that failed to stop at the light and ran into the back of them…..how would you suggest one can drive defensively in that type of situation ?… …The 18 year old Marine mentioned here was my older brother.
Thank you cops.
If you pull Mongo over he will take off his sunglasses, turn off the radio, put his hands on the wheel where you can see them, and be respectful and kind.
That is the very least he can do for folks who put their lives in danger to keep our roads safe.
Seriously, thank you…
Politically correct I’m not! Oh well.
I am no stranger to Trouble…
I draw my boundary line on idiotic behavior at the road and shooting range.
I’ve come too close to dying too many times on 395 completely sober.
Hmmm, Stuporbowl Sunday is usually a prime day for a motorcycle ride. While everyone else is sitting in front of the boob tube watching an inane sport while stuffing their faces with all four food groups (sugar, salt, alcohol and cholesterol) some of us are usually taking advantage of the Andromeda Strain empty roads to have a nice uncongested and normally unpatrolled ride. Maybe not this year. Killjoys.
It.s all about the fines, penalties overtime and dont forget they need to pour billions into their public pension ponzi scheme.
GGW
Thank You for not showing a close up of these bushwhackers.
Boy that’s a lot of dislikes. I guess a man can’t enjoy a few beers on Super Bowl Sunday anymore.
….not if they choose to drink AND drive….
Trouble!
Go to your room!
!
After the game Mommy! P.S. please don’t call 911 on your friends.