SB US 287 @ N of Estelline, TX

Estelline, TexasJan 07, 20132 Comments

SB US 287 N. of Estelline,TX C.L. speed was75-65-60 -50 2xs. Then dropped from 75-50 in short time w/LEO waiting just past the 50mph sign facing oncoming traffic. I rec’d s/ticket. LEO said he smelled marijuana, asked to search my vehicle, I refused – done nothing wrong. The canine out of view of camera ‘alerted’ and vehicle was searched against my will. No drugs were found (because I do not allow drugs around me), but the LEO’s rummaged through purse finding my legal PROCEEDS from a recent real estate sale, jailed me for money laundering, and took the cash. Now I must defend myself against this travesty of injustice. Watch Out.

Comments:
Estelline, Texas is a very small town located in Hall County, Texas. The population in 2010 was 145. The population was estimated at 141 in 2013. Estelline has a reputation for being a prominent Texas speed trap. In 2012, Estelline was ranked #1 in a National Motorists Association listing of its "Worst Speed Trap Cities" in North America (with a population of less than 50,000). Since 1983, Estelline has had a one-person police force whose main purpose is to wait for speeders. A 2013 civil rights case revealed that 89 percent of Estellines 2012 gross revenue came from asset forfeiture. Furthermore, Estelline relies on speeders to pay its bills. From 2000 through 2009, Estelline had the second highest traffic fine revenue per citizen in Texas, more than 300% the per citizen revenue of third place Domino. State officials audited Estelline in 1999 and 2003, finding in the earlier instance that the town owed the state $15,025 in excess traffic fines. A 2013 Civil rights case revealed that the city of Estelline is paying off a substantial debt for unpaid traffic fine revenues that it was supposed to pay into the state’s coffers. The city owed the state $600,000 for the state’s share of traffic ticket income in 2006 and 2007, but reduced its back debt to about $300,000 as of March 2014, and is paying roughly $10,000 a month to pay it off. Lets request that our legislators in Texas enforce the 1975 speed trap law and stop local police departments from enforcing traffic laws on state and federal highways if the town derives more than 50 percent of its operating revenue from moving violations. If safety is the primary reason for the one person police operation why not encourage Texas DOT to install early warning flashing yellow lights (before the city limits) alerting motorists of cross traffic ahead?? Is revenue from traffic fines more important than safety?? Safety first. (online petition) http://www.change.org/
#1Sep 29, 2014Report Abuse
Located at the junction of U.S. Highway 287 and State Highway 86 in east central Hall County, approximately 14 miles southeast of Memphis and 15 miles northwest of Childress. Although the turnover of rogue officers is extremely high (avg stay 6 months) The policing for profit campaign is in full swing. In 2014 the City of Estelline began cleaning house and their Municipal Judge reported an allegation of official oppression. The traffic cop was then arrested, formerly charged and surrendered his peace officer commission as part of a plea agreement. (Amarillo Globe News 2014)
#2Jan 08, 2016Report Abuse

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