Noff_County's Blog

There is no question; the crash on I-64 involving an Illinois State Police unit, was an absolutely tragic event.  Trooper Mitchell will undoubtedly live with the memory of that horrific crash for the rest of his life.  The mere knowledge that he was involved in an incident where two young people were inadvertently killed, is a heavy burden to bear.  Our hearts, thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to everyone affected by this accident.  We wish Trooper Mitchell a full and speedy recovery; words cannot express the sorrow felt for the family who lost their two daughters.

That said, I have heard some "rumblings" from people who were not even eyewitnesses, placing blame squarely upon Trooper Mitchell's shoulders.  When something goes terribly wrong, and law enforcement is involved, there is a nonsensical, almost automatic presumption that "it was the cop's fault."

Within the past twenty-four hours, certain individuals have made statements to the effect:  "He [Trooper Mitchell] was, or must have been, driving too fast."

First responders, whether they drive police cars, ambulances or fire trucks...get plenty of criticism about operation of their vehicles in emergency situations.  Ironically, they "drive too fast" unless of course, it is YOUR call for service they are responding to.  In those instances, emergency personnel are criticized for failing to drive fast enough...

Trooper Mitchell had every reason, and full authority to be running code (lights & siren activated) in this situation.  The guy wasn't enroute to some "cat stuck in a tree" call.  Apparently, he was on his way to another serious motor vehicle accident where people had suffered injuries and been entrapped in their vehicle(s.)

I have always said, there needs to be a nationwide database containing the names and addresses of everyone whom is ultra-critical of first responders.  For those who constantly gripe about cops driving too fast, they can gladly oblige by driving to your 911 call slower than a snail.  But if you're seriously injured, foot pinned underneath the brake pedal of a smoldering car, that guy or gal with the fire extinguisher and life-saving aid might get there too late.  Your choice.

The Illinois State Police have indicated that an errant motorist cut off Trooper Mitchell, setting this unfortunate chain of events in motion.  More than likely, it was someone not paying attention, on the cell phone or in their own little world...completely oblivious to everything else around them.  EMV drivers are usually pretty well trained; in particular, state troopers are well versed in pushing their units to maximum performance levels.  But even the best trained driver cannot regain control of a vehicle after certain things occur.  Common sense should dictate that pulling in front of a fast-moving police car is a recipe for disaster.  Unfortunately, now two innocent people lost their lives because of someone else's inattention and stupidity. 

I operated emergency vehicles, to include an unmarked patrol car, for several years.  The ridiculous things people do while driving, are never-ending.  To my knowledge, the traffic laws of all states require a motorist to pull over (towards the right) and stop, upon approach of an emergency vehicle with lights and siren activated.  During some shifts, they do everything but that; creating hazards not only to emergency personnel, but other people and even themselves.

One of my all-time, favorite things to do was follow ambulances or fire trucks as they passed through town.  I've seen it all.   People pull in front of the units, presuming right-of-way over an emergency vehicle because "they had a green light."  (Yeah...real smart to pull in front of a speeding 25-ton fire truck in your four-door Buick.  Wonder which one will prevail in that crash...)  I have seen ambulances deliberately cut-off by self-absorbed "important people in-a-hurry."  The all-time classic was outright failing to yield, causing a rig to go around them, sometimes into oncoming traffic lanes.

If I wasn't on a call, every single one of them got stopped, ticketed and occasionally, locked up.  Always made a point of calling the fire house to let the engineer or paramedic know about it, too.  (They deal with it every single day, but are essentially powerless to do anything about it.  Never seen a fire truck initiate a traffic stop...)

Here is the bottom line.  What happened over there is a terrible tragedy.  Seems as though some people want to be tough on Trooper Mitchell, but the person who really caused it is yet to be found and held accountable.  You can bet that he started the shift with a desire to help someone, to make a difference.  The last thing on Earth most officers would ever want, is to be involved in an incident of this sort where bystanders are injured or killed.  So, lets remember to place blame with the moron who pulled out in front of Trooper Mitchell, whom was merely discharging his sworn duties.

No amount of finger-pointing will bring back those two girls, heal the wounds Trooper Mitchell suffered, or abate those emotional scars he will probably endure for a lifetime.  So what good can possibly come from a situation like this, you ask?

It is a reminder.  Turn down your radio, get off the cell phone.  Pay attention while driving.  If you are one of those individuals who goes through life with their head up you-know-where, give your ears a good tug and get with the program.  Operating motor vehicles is not a spectator sport.  It is an inherently dangerous activity, not the time to apply makeup, read the newspaper, or (yes...I've seen it) eat a bowl of cereal, both hands completely off the wheel.  Things can, and do, happen fast.  Reaction time must be instantaneous and resolute; there will be no opportunity to set that quarter-pounder with cheese on your dashboard.

Not only that, but give your emergency personnel a break.  Pull over, and get out of their way.  It might be your sick grandma, clinging to life in the back of that ambulance.  How terrible of a thought would it be...they didn't make it to the hospital in time because you were running late and had a meeting to attend?  Or in this case, you pull out in front of an ISP unit on his way to go help someone; they never make it to the call because your stereo was too loud, and two people get killed in a resulting head-on collision...

Be safe out there!!!

Human beings are infinitely preceptive creatures.  Besides the basic senses that we have been so graciously afforded, we have all experienced "gut instinct" reactions.  At very minimum it is the little voice from within, telling us:

"Hey, something doesn't add up, here!"

Right now, that same voice should literally be screaming at every single consumer in the United States.  What the heck is going on, folks?

It is often said that, one should not "gripe" about something unless they can also provide a viable alternative.  But honestly, the issues are so big and complex...I simply cannot get my mind around every problem at hand.  In my humble opinion, this would be an indicator that many things in our country are now completely out of control.

Once upon a time our economy was structured around the ideals of capitalism.  For it to work properly, competition must exist within a free market environment.  This is not to say that businesses should run amok, without any governmental regulation or oversight.  However, what usually happens when you leave a fox to watch over the chicken coop?

In essence, that is what we are presently up against.  The tide has shifted; large corporations are now operating virtually unchecked, often to the detriment of everyone but their own shareholders.   Upon questioning the available facts and circumstances, the populous is usually treated in a condescending, arrogant manner, provided explanations overflowing with double-talk.

I am just old enough to remember the governmental-induced break up of Southwestern Bell.  It was determined the communications giant had secured such large shares of certain business sectors, they garnered a tremendously unfair competitive advantage.  Yet, what seems to be happening...right before our very eyes?  If you recall, SBC corporation recently merged with AT&T and created yet another behemoth.  It is almost like Humpty-Dumpty waited a few years, quietly glued all the pieces back together, and reclaimed his perch upon the wall, now bigger and stronger than ever.

Our antitrust laws are now over a century old; its principles are relatively simple and clearly defined.  Yet it appears those entrusted with enforcing such policies, thereby defending our way of life in this country, are asleep at the helm.  More likely is the probability that our current political climate has stifled efforts of persons within the Department of Justice or Federal Trade Commission.  When huge sums of money are involved, the big boys take their wallets straight to Washington, D.C.  Anyone who thinks our leadership acts out of altruism, is merely fooling themselves.

As time marches on, fewer of us are duped by their shell game.  It is also precisely why polls consistently show a complete lack of faith in our leaders.  The average American consumer can sense when something is wrong, and realizes they are being taken advantage of.  Yet, a certain state of apathy has settled in; simultaneously pulled every direction due to overly burdensome taxation and sharply rising costs of living, most people scramble just to make ends meet.  Many of us simply cannot devote time to being politically active, thereby making our political process work as it should.  Hence, we have no voice of representation to facilitate meaningful change.

We now live in a world where entities deliberately tinker with supply and demand, yet there is never an investigation to apparent, blatant abuses of antitrust law.  The only recent action that comes to mind, is when our Government went after Microsoft Corporation.  (Bill Gates must have angered an official within the federal machine.)  All of us have seen the interviews with top-notch oil company executives, whining about their industry having such a difficult time.  But in the same breath, they also acknowledge record-breaking profitability during that same span.  How anyone can even weave those two sentiments together and keep a straight face, is beyond me.

So remember that, next time you fill your tank with petrol.  Not only are you getting the shaft at the gas pump, but everywhere else, too.  Our government is not only letting it happen, but fostering an environment that encourages such behavior from irresponsible companies.  As a business owner, I am the last person who would ever begrudge another entity from earning fair profits.  But to my recollection, taking someone's money while their back is up against a wall...is robbery.

"...If we will not endure a king as a political power, we should not endure a king over the production, transportation and sale of any of the necesaries of life."
   -Senator John Sherman, Chief Sponsor of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890.

Hello, everyone...thanks for stopping by.

Before writing another single paragraph, I want to be absolutely clear about something.  The California wildfires are terrible, and it is beyond heartbreaking to see so many people loose their homes.   On the news last night, I watched as an older couple sifted through all that was left...trying to salvage a few possessions from ash and rubble.  If something like that does not bring a tear to someone's eye...

Now for the meat-and-potatoes of my blog entry.  Certainly, it won't be long until someone does an end-run and completely distorts or takes my following statements out of context.  Surely,  by early tomorrow afternoon, I'll be labeled as a cold-hearted jerk who thinks babies should have been left to burn in their cribs.

Anyway, I am a firm believer in the infinite wisdom of Mother Nature.  For centuries, humans have done their very best to tame, or outright whip her into submission.  Though demonstrating unbelievable patience, each time, she strikes back with incomprehensible fury.  Flatly stated, we are not to reside in some of the places where people have chosen to exercise their self-proclaimed "squatters rights."

Sometimes I think we forget our place, within the grand scheme of things.  People incorrectly see themselves as "conquerers" of natural beauty, demanding that it conform with our expectations.  In reality, we are to be stewards of the land, managing its bountiful resources wisely.  This does not mean "plopping" a home or other structure down in an otherwise inhospitable location.

This is, by no means, the first wildfire in history.  But time and again, we fail to learn our lessons.  I recall a fire captain in California being interviewed recently, stating something to the effect:

"These people have combustible foliage right nest to their homes; there is no defensible area for us to work with.  What do they expect to happen under these circumstances?"

Worse yet, despite a natural disaster, we always seem to go right back for another dose.  Thus, more houses burn up, float away, or slide down a cliff...

It seems that someone is always standing by, ready to insure the risk of such inherent losses.  Bankrolled with a wad of cash from their insurance company, property owners rebuild IN THE SAME DARN PLACE!

Now, it is our Federal Government "to the rescue."  Heard something a couple days ago about "insuring the people without homeowner insurance" with taxpayer-derived funds.

WHAT???

These days, any property owner sailing along without a home policy, is knowingly and willingly placing themselves at risk for deep financial peril.  Responsible homeowners retain their coverage, absorbing the cost of premiums for decades.  Now, those who haven't seen fit to play that particular game, are essentially being told "don't worry, Uncle Sam's got your back?"

Once upon a time, human beings learned from their mistakes.  In this new age of non-responsibility, everything is somehow parlayed into the fault of someone else.   Make a stupid decision, gambled the odds and lost?  Not to worry!  You can bet that a government entity will be there to break your fall.  How fair is such a policy to the folks who actually PAID their hard-earned insurance premiums?   You can bet that (comparatively) they won't get diddly-squat from our government, in terms of assistance!

It shouldn't be rocket-science as to why the cost of a homeowners policy, keeps going up.  Yet time and again, we plop another house down, right over the charred remains of a previous one.  I would be interested to know how much our various government agencies will be shelling out to "insure the uninsured" this time.  Heck, it's only OUR hard-earned money, right?  Ironic, considering they PROSECUTE people who are caught driving uninsured VEHICLES! 

If we, or an insurance company, foots the bill for losses of this sort, stipulations should be attached.  Folks need to understand that, upon receiving their checks, they move away.  Particularly if our government is involved, those areas should be held as public wilderness areas.  But for gosh sakes, common sense dictates you don't rebuild in an area like this, after enduring what these people have!

Much as we may try, human beings will never supersede the vast power held by Mother Nature.  In locales where folks have overstayed their welcome, when she speaks...we should listen.  Under no circumstances however, should people be given money to rebuild in the same places where such horrific, chronic natural disasters create an untenable risk to life or property.

Just my thoughts on the matter; thanks for reading.

So there I was...at a QuikTrip convenience store, a little after seven this morning.  Lately, I have been working sixteen to eighteen hours, seven days per week.  Today (Sunday) was no exception, although my better half literally pleaded for me to relax for a change.

Unfortunately, being a business owner who fervently believes in upholding the highest standards of customer service, I could not honor her request.  The orders must be quickly completed and delivered; I am committed to doing whatever that takes.  Weekends, special occasions, and holidays have all but lost any meaning to me.

 The point is, like so many other decent members of our society, I work my butt off to pay the bills.  So obviously I wasn't too happy to meet "Miss Leach" at our local QuikTrip checkout counter.

Moments before I approached to pay for my morning coffee, a middle-aged woman stepped up to the counter with an arm-load of merchandise.  She was dressed to the hilt, in what was obviously not an inexpensive outfit.  Of course, what comes out of her purse to pay for the day's grocery shopping excursion?

That's right folks...WE PAID FOR IT.  She presented a little, blue, Missouri "EBT" card to buy all that stuff.

Worse yet, we're not just talking about wholesome, nutritious things to nourish the body and keep one's family in good health.  I was astonished as she (we) paid for fountain sodas and cans of expensive "energy drink."  Though I was too taken aback to count them, several were placed into her bag...at over $2.25 apiece.

Apparently too stupid to utilize the "pin pad" device and enter her "security" code, she even got snotty with the cashier.  Personally, I would be rather embarrassed to be living on public aid.  Evidently, there is "no shame" or stigma associated with it these days; I guess people get rather bold, thinking the world owes them a living?  But, I digress.  Eventually, her lengthy transaction was completed.  Rather disgusted, I waited around, paid for my life-giving java, and finally turned to leave the store.

However, the show wasn't over yet...not even close!!!

Like rubbing salt in a wound, as I turned around, out came the cash from her purse.  She proceeded to pay for several lottery tickets...

There were exactly three automobiles in the parking lot; a beat-up, old Nissan Sentra, a very nice, late model (near-new) Jeep Cherokee (the expensive "Limited" edition) and my own vehicle.  Out of pure curiosity, I made a point of sticking around for a few moments to see which one she drove away in.

Any guesses, people?  Here's a hint...it certainly wasn't my car, and she didn't get into the beat-up old Nissan.

This "poor" lady, obviously "down on her luck" came waddling out of the store with two arm-loads of merchandise, PAID FOR VIA AN ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM FUNDED BY OUR HARD-EARNED TAX DOLLARS.  She literally had to set things down on the hood of her vehicle, to unlock and open her driver-side door.  Of course, as you probably already figured out, it was attached to the nice, new, gas-guzzling sport-utility vehicle.  As a side note, much nicer than the little economy car I bought (pre-owned) to save money when gas prices shot through the roof.  You see, the state doesn't send my family any "free meal" tickets to live upon.  So roughly interpreted, that means we've got to budget our money, and cut back when prices go up.  I would like, and could probably afford, a nice, shiny new car if "the man" was payin' my grocery bill.  But hey, I guess questioning what I observed, just makes me ___________________ . (Please insert appropriate term, such as judgmental, uncaring, cold-hearted, or mean.  Should this event fly in the face of any form of common sense or logic, leaving an offender literally no rational foundation to stand upon, feel free to simply use the default term of  "racist.")

I wouldn't mind the idea of our government temporarily rendering assistance to those who are upon difficult times.  Yet, this is not the first time I've seen such a scenario unfold before my very eyes.  I am beyond fed up with people like "Miss Leach" taking advantage of the system, sucking the life out of our governmental budgets. 

Again, like so many others in our country, I drag myself from bed every single day and work long hours to make ends meet.  So upon observing such blatant nonsense, and considering Uncle Sam regularly takes a meat cleaver to the paychecks my own family lives on...

That makes me EXTREMELY angry, when our government allows deadbeats like her to flagrantly toss away funds without any oversight or control whatsoever.  Like we really needed another example of our public officials are asleep at the helm...


 

 

 

I guess it comes as no surprise; this is what we have all come to expect from our elected officials.

Unquestionably, the recent murder of Mr. Bshara Kswani, formerly a Manager at Suzy's market in South St. Louis City, was a tragedy. However, the crime of robbery, particularly those targeting convenience stores, is not exactly a new phenomenon.

Well, thank goodness we have Matt Villa riding in on his pretty white horse to save the day! The Lone Ranger himself has arrived, armed with a holster-full of newly proposed regulations for convenience stores.

You see, it is much easier to stuff rules and regulations down the throats of business owners than common criminals. In order to keep their doors open, these Villa-proclaimed "sitting ducks" will have no choice but to comply. (Thereby making them "sitting ducks" in more ways than one...) Yet the criminals themselves, and the very factors that often fuel their behavior (such as rampant drug abuse) will remain essentially unchanged.

Once upon a time, such as when my parents grew up in North St. Louis City, there were convenience stores (similar to those for which Villa is proposing restrictions) on virtually every corner. More than once, I have even heard tales of "the good old days" when shop owners left their front doors unlocked at night. If someone wanted a candy bar at midnight, they left their dime on the counter.

So what happened?

For one thing, our criminal justice system is now irreparably broken. In the new age of our "rotating door" penal institutions and "slap on the wrist accountability" we have now lost any hope of deterrence. But hey...why confront the perpetrators who actually cause problems in St. Louis City? Heck, they don't follow those pesky laws (which are now more like mere "suggestions" nowadays) anyway. Besides, one cannot be an effective legislator unless it appears they are making people "actually do something." Offenders are not exactly the most obedient individuals within our communities...

People like Alderman Villa actually believe the daily operations of businesses are held together by governmental red tape. What he apparently doesn't realize is, it eventually becomes a noose, and one that literally strangles the entire city. Our society is based upon capitalism; in all actuality, entrepreneurs have woven the fabric of this nation. Thus, it irritates me to no end when politicians make willy-nilly "alterations" as they see fit.

Hey folks, who do you think generates the sales tax revenue around here? Roughly interpreted, that means we pay the bills, and expect a reasonable degree of protection (not headaches) in return. I'll bet you that the individual who robbed and killed Mr. Kswani doesn't pay any significant taxes. In fact, I'll even go a step further and toss out the possibility that he is a cracked-out, drug-addicted leach.

So on one hand, we have hard-working folks who contribute to community. Outside that realm are people who could care less about anything, and exist only to suck the life from our communities. Please clarify...you want which segment of your constituency to jump through a bunch of hoops? Which group do you want to make life difficult for, and create rules that restrict activities?

Aww...nevermind. We don't even enforce half the laws that are already on our books!

Even worse, as in this case, the introduction and subsequent passage of such "new rules" is merely a knee-jerk reaction. In so doing, people like Villa pass up an opportunity to effect meaningful, positive change. By clamoring to the tune of "there oughtta be a law for that" we never address the deeper, underlying problems. (Which in turn means people like Mr. Kswani never stand a chance, and continually end up as victims.)

Alderman Villa, if you truly want to deter crime within our eleventh ward, confront the problem head-on. If I might suggest, start by demanding accountability from those within our judicial system. Everyone blames the police for our society's woes, yet prosecutors and judges rarely take any heat...upon failing to uphold their own sworn duties. (Let alone the basic principles of common sense.) Cops are now the ones wearing handcuffs, and don't have a chance in you-know-where without backing from our courts!

If you have any guts whatsoever, stand up against the "status quo" and force those individuals to protect our neighborhoods! As it stands, we have thugs, drug addicts, and even incorrigible juveniles running the show. Everyone but them are at a distinct disadvantage overall, so making additional rules and regulations for quick shops will, in all reality, solve nothing. Being a small business owner is difficult enough as it is, and now you want to make life even harder for them? Yet the stakes haven't been made any higher for low-life scumbags who commit armed or violent robberies of those same entities?

Not only that, but everyone in government service is familiar with the term "unfunded mandate." I can only imagine that your proposed policies will result in additional out-of-pocket expenses (and lost profits) for those convenience store owners. Of course, why would one care that their constituents pay an additional dollar for each gallon of milk they purchase? Afterall, higher prices equate to additional sales tax revenue. It's all in the name of public safety...right?

It would probably be "better for everyone" if we just drive your tiny entrepreneurs out of business altogether. Why should we even dream of the days when a shop owner can once again leave their front doors open at night? Heck, just pass a law requiring everyone to buy their necessities at their nearest "big box store" or supermarket. As proven by the 1980's massacre in a local supermarket (located here in the city, if I recall correctly) they are inherently "safe" places.

Why would we ever consider making St. Louis a great place to live, with quaint, low-crime neighborhoods? Again, once upon a time, parents in north city could actually send their children to the corner store for toilet paper or a loaf of bread. In all but a handful of cases, they arrived back home without having suffered any harm whatsoever. But now, look at how dangerous things have become!

Yeah, I guess you're right...its those darn "stop & rob shops" interspersed throughout the eleventh ward that have changed everything. If we just get them back on the straight-and-narrow, peace and harmony will prevail througout Saint Louis once again.

I sure as heck wouldn't open a business in the city!!! You people are nuts! If you want to create an atmosphere where entrepreneurs can thrive, don't make it difficult on them. In fact, make life absolutely miserable for the ones who perpetrate crimes. Only then will the City of Saint Louis become a vibrant jewel of commerce as it once was...

Thank you.

On one hand, it is admirable that Sen. Bill Stouffer (R-Napton) is trying to take action against the problem of unlicensed drivers. Considering attention was brought to this issue through the recent death of Mr. Aaron Helfrich, his heart is certainly in the right place.

Section 302.321 of the Missouri Revised Statutes makes provisions for dealing with such individuals. In fact, the penalty phase ranges anywhere from "class A misdemeanor" through "Class D felony" for repeat offenders.

We already have a law on the books that addresses this very problem. Yet, quite often, our society has a strange way of dealing with criminal offenses. When something doesn't work as intended, legislators scurry about with grandiose ideas and "make new laws."



Folks, I hate to break the bad news, but your local prosecutors aren't utilizing the tools at their disposal. Either that, or willy-nilly judges are letting things slide without holding people accountable.

Here's how it works. Your official guide to driving "suspended" or "revoked" in the St. Louis region...

For whatever reason, your license gets suspended. At some point, you get "busted" for a traffic offense. You're either (1) ticketed, (2) ticketed and get your vehicle towed, or (3) get "the whole enchilada." In other words, arrested, ticketed and towed. In most law enforcement agencies, option #3 takes an officer away from the street for upwards of three hours. (Booking, paperwork, report, etc.) Small agencies just don't have the resources to deal with that.

Either way, it equates to either 25%, 30% or 38% of an officer's entire shift. Think about that for a second. You want me to take 1/4 of the whole tour of duty dealing with one clown that has a suspended driver's license? Yet, when your house gets broken into, all cops hear is that we "woulda, coulda, shoulda" from people who tell us how else to do the job.

So anyway, I digress. You bond out, have somebody get the car from impound, and of course...start driving again. At some point, you get nailed by those "mean cops" again, and the entire process starts over.

In many municipalities, where the offense is considered a mere ordinance violation, judges assess a monetary fine and twelve points towards your driving record. So, the most it can cost you is around five-hundred dollars. Jail time is often not a factor, because housing prisoners costs money. (Criminal justice? Its all about the "cash money" baby!)

Shortly thereafter, Missouri Department of Revenue "revokes" the driving privilege due to excessive points. But, you obviously don't care anyway...and begin driving again. (Happens all the time, folks! See it every single day.) At some point you rack up so many tickets, paying the fines becomes next to impossible. So along comes that fateful day when a warrant gets issued for either failing to pay, or not showing up to court altogether.

In the interim, before you get locked up, a court clerk initiates action to "suspend" your already-revoked license for "failure to appear." Thus, the vicious cycle continues...

On any given day, police officers in your community deal with their well-known "frequent fliers." (In other words, "problem people" who couldn't follow the law if they were literally dragged behind it on a leash.) Same holds true with suspended and revoked drivers; it is not unusual to catch the same individuals time and again.

So, what about using RSMO 302.321 and pursuing misdemeanor or felony charges on the state level? Depending on where you reside in our great state...good luck getting a prosecutor to issue the appropriate charge! (Particularly if the case is brought forth by a municipal police officer.) Not only that, but the statute itself is riddled with two or three loopholes. For instance, an offender must have served at least ten days or more on each prior offense, etc.

 

A high ranking official in my own agency once discussed this problem, and we got in touch with a supervisory member of the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Unless the case is somehow interleaved with a felony offense, they won't even entertain it. Forget even driving to Clayton for warrant application on something like that; it will be a waste of time and all-too-precious fuel. "...Just send it [the case] through your Municipal Court.." we're told. When pressed for a reason, the answer is essentially: "...we just don't feel like dealing with it."

So, lets recap. We have a law to punish unlicensed drivers. Repeat offenders, if they meet all the criteria of RSMO 302.321, even stand a chance to get some prison time. (But only if the Earth, Sun and Moon line up properly, and they can't circumvent any loopholes built into that particular statute.) Yet, nobody wants to put these folks in jail to begin with. Thus, they never serve "ten days" on each previous offense. Therefore, we can all just forget about seeing anyone prosecuted under the threat of a "class D felony."

Folks, that's why people continue getting behind the wheel, completely undeterred. Every so often, they get nailed and smacked on the hands by a municipal court. Its just part of the game, if you've got a suspended or revoked drivers license in our state.

 

There are places in Missouri that do take these matters seriously. Within the last couple years, I went to a "probation revocation hearing" in an adjoining county. They escorted some wayward lad into the courtroom, whom subsequently plead guilty on two counts of "driving while revoked, 3rd offense." The judge sentenced him to "four years in Missouri Department of Corrections." Nearly fainted and fell off the bench...couldn't believe it; just like I died and went straight to Heaven!

Some people would consider this "too harsh a punishment" for so-called "non-violent offenders." What else do you expect our legal system to do? If someone has been convicted three our four times for unlicensed driving, they obviously don't "get it." Jail and prison time are wonderful ways to help facilitate deep, meaningful comprehension of the exceedingly simple concept: "thou shalt not drive."

We're not exactly talking about upstanding, "responsible" citizens, here. So anyone who thinks these folks' driving abilities and/or habits are any better, needs their head examined. These are the same ones that will pass you on the sidewalk, stunt-driving on only two of their four wheels. Red lights and speed limits are just "suggestions" to them, nothing more. So if you think jail time is "too harsh" I hope they never t-bone your family while driving somewhere. If it happens, I challenge you to tell me it is an inherently "non-violent" offense that "couldn't have been prevented" or otherwise deterred.

By the way, a lot of suspensions and revocations arise due to intoxication-related encounters with law enforcement. So chances are, they'll not only be unlicensed, but drunk, and (more than likely) uninsured, too.

Personally, I have mixed feelings about the use of different license plates for enforcement purposes. In a sense, it could be helpful to sort through the endless sea of traffic and "weed out" violators. Then again, there are drawbacks, too. But if nothing else, I hope this post has shined light upon a dank, dusty area of our regional criminal justice system. The problem is multi-faceted, and has deep roots that need to be addressed first. Otherwise, all the "good ideas" and legislation on Earth will be utterly useless.

Why?

See a "special plate" and make the stop. Issue ticket, tow car, maybe make an arrest. The true underlying problems still haven't been appropriately dealt with, so our "rotating door" starts spinning once again...

What's my PERSONAL solution to the problem? Quit. Get out of law enforcement. I've had quite enough; find someone else to patrol your crime-ridden neighborhood, at the risk of life, limb, or financial peril. If nothing else, I am tired of building good cases, putting forth hours of my best effort, only to have prosecutors and courts do as they darn well please. I can think of much better (and significantly less aggravating) methods of spending my work days.

Stay safe out there, thanks for reading, and I hope my post has been somewhat enlightening.