CSP Zero Tolerance ?

Not quite sure I understand what CSP's definition of "Zero Tolerance" might be

Witness says video shows driver speeding in the wrong direction on I-25 near Loveland Saturday - 7NEWS Denver TheDenverChannel.com

This weekend I had the opportunity to go from Ft. Collins to Colorado Springs and back. During that entire trip I observed a single Trooper with a car stopped. If that's a "Saturation" I'd really like to know what normal operations are. Clearly they can't be bothered with wrong way drivers, in broad daylight, with video evidence.

Flame on ~~~ Someone defend this ~~~

I'm guessing they concentrate on certain sections of highway. Over long distances those areas are probably small. I don't think there are that many troopers compared to the miles of highways we have.

For the wrong way driver, can't they still get them if someone will sign a complaint? Hopefully they will. Very dangerous. They need some time to cool their heals.

Always fun reading the Colorado State Patrol Twitter Feeds near the top left of the page.
Those Zero Tolerance and driving drunk tweets.
http://coloradonewsfeed.blogspot.com

While I do not work or live in the state of Colorado there is one thing to keep in mind. Some counties may only have one or two troopers working and that is to handle all crashes and other violators. The interstate is also not the only place that a trooper works as you have many other state and local highways and roadways that they are responsible for. I do not think that the lack of a response was for a lack of care, but that is just my thought.

US 24

This past weekend, most of the CSP 2B units were concentrated on US 24 between Divide and Manitou Springs. Nearly everyone was on the 2B West TG's. This stretch of highway needs a periodic crack-down or the speeds get out of hand.

Stephen said:

While I do not work or live in the state of Colorado there is one thing to keep in mind. Some counties may only have one or two troopers working and that is to handle all crashes and other violators. The interstate is also not the only place that a trooper works as you have many other state and local highways and roadways that they are responsible for. I do not think that the lack of a response was for a lack of care, but that is just my thought.

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I think you are absolutely right, CSP does have responsibility for a number of areas other than Interstates. I would be very curious to see a chart/list/map of the actual geographic boundaries/roadway areas that CSP assumes primary responsibility for.

As I recall, CSP doesn't publish any materials identifying specific enforcement priorities, specific areas where units are assigned, how they decide to allocate troopers, etc. I'm not sure they even publish arrest statistics. If someone made a public records request you could probably find reams of information that was never published on any website.

From CSP

CSP State Wide Saturation Patrol Statistics Report

Starting at 6PM on Friday the 17th of April and continuing until 2AM on Monday the 20th of April, the Colorado State Patrol was out in force across the state. Approximately 600 troopers, from the Chief down to the newest CSP graduate were working shifts throughout the period. Over 100 CSP port of entry officers worked at the ports of entry as well as mobile inspection stations around the state. The reason for this enforcement was to work towards the goal of zero traffic related deaths on our roads. This is in conjunction with the Toward Zero Death® national campaign. Although this saturation patrol was at a time many in Colorado were focusing on marijuana, the Colorado State Patrol was focused on Zero Tolerance for ANY Dangerous Driving Behavior with the goal of Zero Traffic Related Fatalities. (#ZeroZero) Marijuana specific data will be tabulated consistent with our quarterly reporting guidelines.

In the 56 hours the campaign occurred:
• 147 drug and/or alcohol driving arrests were made.
• 54 drug and/or alcohol related crashes were investigated.
• 204 property damage crashes were investigated.
• 25 injury crashes were investigated.
• 2 fatal crashes were investigated. (El Paso Count, Garfield County)
• 478 citations for behaviors suggesting distracted driving were issued.
• 483 citations for adult seatbelt violations were issued.
• 78 citations for child passenger restraint violations were issued.
• 80 Misdemeanor arrests not related to a DUI/D were made.
• 22 Felony arrests not related to a DUI/D were made.
• 2,723 Citations not reported above were issued.
• 1933 Motorist assists were contacted.
• 20 safety, community, and educational programs reached over 1300 participants.
• 3,778 commercial motor vehicles were contacted resulting in 913 inspections and 157 drivers being placed out of service and 65 vehicles being placed out of service.
• Port of Entry cleared 8708 commercial motor vehicles through port of entries.
• 359 commercial motor vehicles checked for chain compliance on the I-70 corridor.
• 7 commercial motor vehicles found in violation of the chain requirement.
• 15 stolen vehicles recovered.
• Over 130 Twitter posts showing the public and media our #ZeroZero message!

I wonder how those stats differ from a normal weekend?
It's true there's a lot going on out there - but we scanner users already know that.

I suppose we can be sure that seatbelt and distracted driving cites were up?

Did the Ports work longer hours? (and thus see more trucks and truck problems?)

The enforcement concentration this year like last year is DUI/DUID drivers so most of the saturation was scheduled during night shifts.

Moosemedic said:

Clearly they can't be bothered with wrong way drivers, in broad daylight, with video evidence.

Flame on ~~~ Someone defend this ~~~

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So I'm guessing (maybe I should say "Clearly" for emphasis) you have a dislike of the Patrol.

"Clearly"? Says you. Through what colored glasses?

Where was the closest unit, if and when they were dispatched?

Was there a saturation patrol being conducted in another zone with the assets used in your area on other days?

Video evidence? Of what? Just as the trooper can't be at every instance or incident, nor can the TV station.

So,...yeah, I'm guessing you have it in for the Patrol in Colorado. I would recommend doing a "ride along" some time so you gain some knowlege and understanding of what you are ( from a position of neither) criticizing.

No defense of the patrol needed, as they didn't err or commit an offense. Flames delivered.

profiledescent said:

...
I would recommend doing a "ride along" some time ....

.

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Any ideas on how one might do that, if your just a regular civilian???

how many radio transmissions

Did the Colorado State Patrol keep records of how many radio transmissions were made and of what type? P25 phase2, narrowband VHF hi etc.

Also wouldn't it be cool to give an award to the officer with the most transmissions!

I've been listening to CSP on my hour-long commutes for 11 years now. I recognize the voices of many of them.

When there's a problem they try to get there and take care of it as quickly as they can.

There aren't always enough officers on shift or the ones that are on shift are already occupied or are too far away to make an intercept. It's just that simple.

I'm proud to have been dismissed from jury duty stating that I've listened to them for many years, have heard what they deal with, and could not be impartial toward the defendant. (who was up for doing 30+ on N. 287 north of Ft. Collins)

When I listen to CSP it always seems like they do a very good job. Especially when things get crazy with the weather.

profiledescent said:

So I'm guessing (maybe I should say "Clearly" for emphasis) you have a dislike of the Patrol.

"Clearly"? Says you. Through what colored glasses?

Where was the closest unit, if and when they were dispatched?

Was there a saturation patrol being conducted in another zone with the assets used in your area on other days?

Video evidence? Of what? Just as the trooper can't be at every instance or incident, nor can the TV station.

So,...yeah, I'm guessing you have it in for the Patrol in Colorado. I would recommend doing a "ride along" some time so you gain some knowlege and understanding of what you are ( from a position of neither) criticizing.

No defense of the patrol needed, as they didn't err or commit an offense. Flames delivered.

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Well for starters you're dead wrong with the assumption that I "have it out for CSP" I've personally signed several complaints at the request of an officer, and not once was I asked to go to court. An eye witness, and the system of Attorney's keep them from doing their jobs on the street.

You have no idea what I do for a living, nor do I need to do a ride-along to understand what they do.



My point is (was)
Why would anyone bother to dial *277 to report ______ If the default answer is "Unless witnessed by an officer" ?

If red light cameras and speed radar vans are acceptable in court, why wouldn't the cell phone video of the driver on the opposite side of the highway, crossing back over the median and speeding off (Note that Ch 7 blurred the plates) not be sufficient to run the plate and go have a chat with the owner? As you read it in the news, CSP said it was a Weld Co SO problem, Weld finds the registered owner and says it's a CSP problem.

If their hands are tied, so be it. I just feel it's inconsistent to rattle the saber, and not act. If this video wasn't on the news would anyone even taken the time to look?

The main problem with listing the plate to issue a summons is that someone (witness or officer) has to appear in court to identify the person who was driving. Without that, the owner/driver could use Judge Judy's SODDI defense (Some Other Dude Did It). And of course, an officer won't go to someone's house to 'chew him out'.

Identification of the driver is essential to red light cameras and photo radar van tickets, too. Just owning the vehicle doesn't make you guilty in court.

As for CSP response times, I heard a statistic that there are now fewer troopers on the road than there were 20 years ago. And you know what has happened to traffic in that time. They're overwhelmed.

Not only does the person need to be ID'd as the driver in court, the video shown on the news report could have been shot in any number of western states, on any given day. I did not see anything identifiable as to the location involved - not even remotely.
The tag number was photographed after the vehicle transitioned to the correct side of the road. Is the video continuous and intact to show that crossover? And/or is there video of the tag number on the vehicle on the wrong side of the highway? Is this witness good with going through the motions necessary to get a conviction even if it were followed up on after the fact. Nobody was injured, there is not much that can be done.