What do you think?? I can remember "cruising" up and down the main street in this podunk town is south Georgia and the city cop harassing us then. that was 20+ years ago. I feel the same today as I did then, there is no real harm in it as long as you obey the law.
cruising Posted by Doug 97SS #1499 (Member # 100) on :
Wow,
I am sure one of America's finest will chime in and explain why its so important. Me? I never muched cruised simply because I didn't have a car as a young teenager, BUT when I joined the service got my 69 Camaro. Did I cruise? Yer damn right I did. On any street I could find in Lawton OK. Posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :
The City of Portland and many others have had anti-cruising ordinances on their books for many years due to trouble makers.
Unfortunately, a few bad apples have spoiled it for the whole bunch.
Posted by Diggler's HMS (Member # 1067) on :
They implemented the "no cruising" theme in Virginia Beach a while back also. You cannot pass the same point twice within a 3 hour period.
The beautiful side of it......when its well into the summer, it takes 3 hours just to go one way on the strip. Posted by 35TH ED/ed (Member # 1709) on :
Can you imagine someone out of town trying to find a place . I've gone past the same spot several times without any luck. Guess I would be guilty of cruising Posted by twobratSS (Member # 2180) on :
I am a reserve deputy for our sheriff's department, and personally, I wouldn't waste my time enforcing an "anti-cruising law". If they're not violating a driving law, then there's no probable cause to stop them. I agree with the author that by stopping them for "cruising" you're taking away the ability to move freely.
IMHO, I'd rather have them out on the streets where I can monitor them than in a house doing who knows what where I can't see them.
Posted by Old Coyote (Member # 1343) on :
Every Friday and Saturday nights ............ major cruise in ........... Main Street .......... High Point, North Carolina ............ the police are present and will enforce the laws ............ but they don't really "harass" anyone .......... actually had a police cruiser race me to the 35 mph speed limit one night ........ we both were having fun and the "Kiddies" couldn't believe we did it ............. High Point policemen are really neat Posted by Rhode Island Red (Member # 220) on :
I have to drive 12-45 minutes to cruise anywhere others cruise
I have not ever had trouble nor know anyone harassed for "just cruising" as here in newport.. nearly every visitor cruises along Belleview Ave to see the mansions and it is a major draw of $$$ to the community. In addition cruising along thames street during tourist season is the norm... if anything cruising would severly impact the $$$ for newport... I forsee no cruising laws here anytime soon
Posted by el ess1 (Member # 1544) on :
The article touched a nerve. Not as a car-guy, but from an American freedoms point of view. I'm far from a liberal, or a cruiser, but the enforcement tactics should be a concern to everyone regardless of their flavor of politics.
While, admittedly, there are some benefits of anti-cruising laws, on the face of it, the laws seeem flawed when applied as a huge net encompassing non-cruisers or others of an otherwise law-abiding nature just to get to the few bad guys. One could argue the terrorist protection laws for boarding airlines invade freedoms, but travelling via commerical airliner is bit different in context than cruising in your own personal vehicle. At least nobody to my knowledge has been arrested for frequent flying between two cities. It's considered criminal to trap innocent dolphins in shrimp nets since they weren't the intended target, yet our own society seems ok with casting a net to arrest a whole town just to get to a few bad apples. I'm not advocating the netting of dolphins, but priorities seem a bit messed up here.
I am not a judge. But if I were, my ruling, without regard to politics or emotions (as real judges normally do) and based solely on the article's information, could not in good conscience uphold the police-state ideals of how these particular laws are enforced.
While doing some research on the specific wording of some of these anti-cruising laws, I found some interesting reading. Ironically, the ACLU (a group I normally disagree with as to their tactics) has already written a letter on this subject to the Salt Lake city council, which mirrors a lot of my own viewpoints on the situation.
My gut says the basis for these laws are about money and control. In my own opinion, I think it would be easier and cheaper to spend the time to enforce the laws already on the books. I know it's 2004, but laws like these make it feel more and more like "1984." I'm just afraid of what other freedom-infringing blanket laws could be coming down the pike.
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
quote:Originally posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS: Unfortunately, a few bad apples have spoiled it for the whole bunch.
I agree! That is always the case in anything good.
Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :
quote:Originally posted by el ess1: ....the enforcement tactics should be a concern to everyone regardless of their flavor of politics......
......I'm just afraid of what other freedom-infringing blanket laws could be coming down the pike.
As a huge proponent of personal freedoms (Aquarius....go figure)....I totally agree. If the actions of the cruisers cause a problem (blocking traffic or reducing traffic to only one lane, excessive noise, indecent exposure, etc.), then deal with those individuals. There seem to be too many far more serious issues to deal with......
....any other law enforcement officers' opinions?? Mr. POFOMOCO??
also....Mr. el ess1.....you really ought to consider law school....IMHO, you have a very logical and pragmatic approach to issues.... Posted by CamaroSCG (Member # 1591) on :
Newark, Delaware, a college town, has this law also. I believe someone once said "timing is everything" . I try not to make the same loop within the time limit. A lot of places are having "cruise nights" now so you can park and walk around the other cars, which helps, but doesn't solve the "1984 Big Brother" issue.
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. I've gone past the same spot several times without any luck. Guess I would be guilty of cruising ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
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