Orange County, FL Sheriff Deputies Disguised as Costumed Characters Giving Tickets

[redyaris]

http://www.wesh.com/news/11261515/detail.html

'ORLANDO, Fla. -- There was no luck of the Irish for some drivers who were caught speeding in Orange County on Thursday.

Officials with the Sheriff's Office said to look out for the leprechaun, WESH 2 News reported.

Deputies unleashed the power of the leprechaun to help nab aggressive drivers. The unlucky leprechaun had his sights set on University Boulevard near the Central Florida Greeneway.


Deputies said they hope it will slow down drivers and save lives.

"More people die from crashes than homicides or drug overdoses," Deputy Richard Lockman Jr. said.

Officials said some drivers feel it's deceptive to have a deputy dressed as a leprechaun, but authorities said the laser gun nabs the speeders long before they see the disguise.

So far, deputies said they've averaged nearly one ticket per minute. The speed-control effort is continuing.'


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I've been reading about this ongoing Orange County Sheriff enforcement program. Is it really neccessary to put a Deputy in a costume to nail people with radar and running red lights? Pretty lame if you ask me.

I mean would you stop for a dude dressed up like a leprechaun? I would think hes advertising for a business or homeless or something.

I think Police work should be conducted in clearly marked Police uniforms. What say you?

Edited: Seems the Orange County Deputies are feeling a little patriotic this 4th of July...dressing up like Uncle Sam!

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/new..._orlandocrime/

Uncle Sam stops red light runners
posted by Walter Pacheco on Jul 3, 2007 7:01:07 AM

'Uncle Sam wants you to slow down today or face hefty fines or even a day in jail.

An Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy dressed as Uncle Sam will be on the look out for red light runners and speeding drivers this morning at the intersection of Alafaya Trail and East Colonial Drive and later in the afternoon as part of a holiday traffic enforcement operation. (Redyaris:This is close to where I will be living)

The red light running operation is part of the sheriff's office innovative program in which a deputy disguises himself as a popular holiday character and stands on the side of a major road while clocking drivers on a radar gun. In the past, deputies have dressed themselves as Santa, an elf and other popular characters.

Deputies conducted a similar operation last week on Oak Ridge Road and stopped 451 vehicles, issued 241 traffic citations and arrested 26 drivers, according to sheriff's office records. Deputies added that one traffic stop on Oak Ridge Road could help detectives with an ongoing homicide investigation.

A ticket for speeding nine miles per hour over the posted limit may cost a driver at least $80.50, deputies said. The fine for speeding 10 miles over the posted limit increases to $155.50.'

http://www.wesh.com/news/13607903/detail.html

Check out the video from this site. The Deputies have their little handy 'Tintmeters' to measure window tint when they pull you over too. Quite ready arent they!