Crosswalk Stings In New Jersey

The Department Of Common Sense begs the various Police Departments of New Jersey (of which there are many, New Jersey likes to over-government at the local level) to separate safety concerns from fundraising.

Parsippany New Jersey is known for it's jaywalking stings.  The police will hide behind a tree and watch you jaywalk and then ticket you when you reach the other side.  Presumably this is done in the name of safety - so why then do they allow you to risk your safety instead of yelling "watch out" or otherwise helping?

Today's news has this gem:

Crosswalk sting nets 800 in Montclair
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com, NJ - 16 hours ago
The pilot program -- which is in South Orange as well as Montclair -- is funded by a $40000 federal grant and targeted at New Jersey's ranking as one of top ...
Taking steps for pedestrian safety The Star-Ledger - NJ.com
all 2 news articles »

800 people!   If they got one person per minute they spent thirteen hours on this!  The feds granted them 40 thousand dollars!

The charge typically carries a $100 fine, plus $30 court costs, and 2 points on a driver's license. Motorists can plead guilty to a lesser charge of unsafe driving that doesn't carry any points, but penalties could reach $440.

Frank Ricci Jr., a well-dressed detective from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, played the decoy yesterday. He was wearing a crisp dress suit and carrying a 4-cup cardboard coffee cup holder.  He'd step into the crosswalk and wait for a break in traffic. He'd time the attempts so the oncoming vehicle would be back far enough, about 120 feet, to comfortably stop in time.

Somehow this is not entrapment.

Some research shows that there is a law in Newark NJ that makes it a crime to buy ice cream after 6pm without a doctor's note.   No, really.

Perhaps officer Ricci would enjoy taking an ice cream truck to Newark shortly after dinner to crack down on more crime.

The Department of Common Sense asks the police that if this really is about safety, how about some public education capaigns such as the "Click It Or Ticket" warnings or the usual Labor Day speeding crackdown which is also well publicized in advance.  

Common Sense Applied To New Neutrality?

The DCS applauds the idea of net neutrality.   


“The Internet is based upon the idea that consumers can go anywhere they want and access any content they want,” Mr. Martin said in an interview. “When they show they are blocking access to some sort of content, they have the burden to show that what they are doing is reasonable.”

Times Article About New Neutrality
 

F.C.C. Chief Would Bar Comcast From Imposing Web Restrictions

By SAUL HANSELL

Published: July 12, 2008

Kevin J. Martin’s recommendation is a strong statement in favor of network neutrality, the idea that Internet access providers should not be allowed to favor some uses of their networks over others.

Sadist Starts Beach Bridge Construction In Mid-July

The New Jersey Department of Transportation decided that the best time to tear down a bridge that leads to a heavily used beach would be July 12th.

 Why start construction in February or on September 2nd when you can start it in mid-July?

The Department of Common Sense calls for the NJ DOT to buy a calendar.


It's a summer beach weekend, and the traffic will be heavy," said Hollis Provins, the chief ranger at Sandy Hook. "Folks should consider avoiding that bridge if at all possible. They should plan to get to the park early and plan their departure for a time outside the normal hour or two in the afternoon when everyone else is leaving." 

Article That Makes your Head Spin

Bike Rentals

 Smart idea that should come to America....bike sharing.

Bike Rentals In Paris

A New Fashion Catches on in Paris: Cheap Bicycle Rentals
By STEVEN ERLANGER
Published: July 13, 2008
A year after the introduction of the sturdy gray bicycles known as Vélib’s, other major cities, including American ones, are exploring similar projects.

Queens Crap: Fake turf can give you heat stroke

Queens Crap: Fake turf can give you heat stroke

The folks at Queens Crap nail it so click the link.

The DCS calls for whoever installed this type of turf to have their head examined.

You Bought A Stupid Car

The Times has some wonderful anecdotes of some folks who find themselves paying over $100 to fill their giant SUVs.   To the owners of Denalis and Escalades and Excursions.....you bought it, you fill it.

At $100 for Tank of Gas, Some Choke on ‘Fill It’

By CHRISTOPHER MAAG

Published: July 6, 2008

Owners of large vehicles have hit an uncomfortable price milestone and are cutting back on recreational driving.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/business/06tank.html?hp