New York State Police out in full force for Motorcycles

[thatguy]

Not questioning you,just curious as I'd never heard that before.

[802er]

Article on the subject from 2008:  
http://policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=1536&issue_id=72008

State troopers, along with officers from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and the East Fishkill and Kent Police Departments, conducted a motorcycle checkpoint at a rest area 17 miles west of the Connecticut state line. The checkpoint was conducted concurrently with an annual motorcycle event held approximately 25 miles to the east in Connecticut. This ensured a sufficient volume of motorcycle traffic to justify the substantial number of resources involved. Also participating in the checkpoint were investigators from the State Police Special Investigations Unit (SP-SIU) and the Department of Motor Vehicles Division of Field Investigations Unit (DMV-FIU), both of which specialize in stolen motorcycles.

All motorcyclists were directed by three portable variable message signs (VMSs) to exit the Interstate into the rest area. Once in the rest area, riders were directed to a coned-off area, where they were inspected by members of the State Police Motorcycle Unit, SP-SIU, and DMV-FIU. Traffic tickets were subsequently written by troopers and other law enforcement officers. Safety violations, such as illegal helmets and unlicensed operation, were the primary focus of officers, although riders were cited for other violations as well, including illegal exhaust systems, for example. Investigators inspected selected bikes for suspected vehicle identification number (VIN) issues. Public information and educational materials were distributed to all riders and passengers. In fact, the safety and education aspect was stressed at a preoperation briefing, where all aspects of the detail were discussed.

The NYSP took great care to plan for fleeing motorcyclists and in fact fully expected flights to happen. In an effort to apprehend any such fleeing riders, an NYSP Chevrolet Camaro (a designated chase car) was positioned near the entrance to the rest area. Another patrol vehicle with a license plate reader unit was also positioned near the entrance. At the first exit down the road from the motorcycle checkpoint, the NYSP set up a seat belt checkpoint both to apprehend any fleeing bikers who attempted to jump off at the next available exit and to make use of the personnel waiting for them at that site. Finally, an aerial speed enforcement detail was conducted approximately five miles down the road from the motorcycle checkpoint, both to have aircraft already in the air in the event of a pursuit and to use the aircraft for additional speed enforcement.

"The checkpoint was conducted concurrently with an annual motorcycle event held approximately 25 miles to the east in Connecticut. This ensured a sufficient volume of motorcycle traffic to justify the substantial number of resources involved."


I read that as we will ticket as many people as possible to pay for our effort to educate you, the riding public, about motorcycle safety.  The article also tells a brief story about a NY Trooper killed chasing a fleeing motorcycle, as if it somehow justifies the checkpoints.  It just seems out of context here.  

[DosEquis00]

Having your shit in order is not the point.  You shouldn't be riding or driving without your shit in order, period.  The point is, we, as a group, should not accept being singled out.

+1000 as it is pure harassment!

[FJRski!]

Just another form of harassment.

Make sure your papers are in order and get over it.

I can't tell you how many times I've been stopped just because a Leo want to check and see if all my papers were in order.  Best one yet, one time I got stopped riding a mostly white Yamaha enduro because they were looking for a red Suzuki street bike that had just been stolen about 25 miles away.  Amazing what you can do with a spray can in about 25 minutes.  LOL

[brockep]

Is New York trying to get everyone to move from the State.  All the taxes and everything else makes Iowa seem more and more attractive.

[TuffguyF4i]

Gotta love revenue generation from the poplulation that works and minds their own business (ie people that ride).

Keep in mind, if you are from out of state, in-state inspection criteria do not apply and cannot be enforced.

[TuffguyF4i]

"The NYSP took great care to plan for fleeing motorcyclists and in fact fully expected flights to happen. In an effort to apprehend any such fleeing riders, an NYSP Chevrolet Camaro (a designated chase car) was positioned near the entrance to the rest area. Another patrol vehicle with a license plate reader unit was also positioned near the entrance. At the first exit down the road from the motorcycle checkpoint, the NYSP set up a seat belt checkpoint both to apprehend any fleeing bikers who attempted to jump off at the next available exit and to make use of the personnel waiting for them at that site. Finally, an aerial speed enforcement detail was conducted approximately five miles down the road from the motorcycle checkpoint, both to have aircraft already in the air in the event of a pursuit and to use the aircraft for additional speed enforcement."

.....and what do you charge that person with if they blow by the stop and have all their papers in order?  

[FJR1300]

That's what I was thinking.  What would the penalties be if you disregarded the signs and continued on?  

My guess is you could be ticketed or arrested for failure to obey the direction of a peace officer.  He mentioned it was State Troopers doing the inspections... not commercial vehicle enforcement officers.

[marc11]

I'd like to know what the hell this cost us tax payers...multiple agencies, air support....and to think, they found a perfect time to do this when no other violent crime was being committed anywhere in the tri-county area.  It is so freaking great that every other drug dealer, murderer, child molester and petty thief spent Sunday home so that a vast number of resources could be dedicated in clearing the highways of menacing motorcyclists.

And what of CT?  How grateful THEY must be for our great law enforcement officials and our tax dollars for intercepting these brutal motorcyclists before entering their state with *gasp* and expired inspection sticker.

Farking a-holes from the top down.  This is the best use of tax payer law enforcement dollars, clearly...

[FJR1300]

As a LEO, I agree completely.  I would have ridden right by that exit.  Motorcycles are not under the same laws as commercial vehicles, which are required to stop for inspections.

As a LEO too... I can't believe your comment.  Yes... it might be targeted, but the officers were just following their orders.  If I was ordered to do the inspections, I would and if I caught you doing what you stated you would have done... I would have no problem arresting you.

As I mentioned in a previous post... I believe the OP stated it was State Troopers doing the inspections.  If this happened in Missouri and you failed to stop, it would considered the same as failure to obey a peace officer.

[hobbes]

Article on the subject from 2008:  
http://policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=1536&issue_id=72008



"The checkpoint was conducted concurrently with an annual motorcycle event held approximately 25 miles to the east in Connecticut. This ensured a sufficient volume of motorcycle traffic to justify the substantial number of resources involved."


I read that as we will ticket as many people as possible to pay for our effort to educate you, the riding public, about motorcycle safety.  The article also tells a brief story about a NY Trooper killed chasing a fleeing motorcycle, as if it somehow justifies the checkpoints.  It just seems out of context here.  

That's a monumental waste of money.

[garry]

It's clearly unconstitutional.  You can't stop everyone just to see if they are breaking the law (except for a Terry Stop, which requires specific reasonable suspicion).

Might be unconstitutional, but that doesn't mean squat. Consider DUI checkpoints as one example. Unless they are allowed to assume everyone on the road after 10pm (or whatever) must be drunk or drinking.

[marc11]

Might be unconstitutional, but that doesn't mean squat. Consider DUI checkpoints as one example. Unless they are allowed to assume everyone on the road after 10pm (or whatever) must be drunk or drinking.

My brother in law was a cop (retired) and he had a motto, "anyone driving after 2 AM was either a thief or drunk" take it for what it is.

[spd2918]

I'd like to know what the hell this cost us tax payers...multiple agencies, air support....

Umm...nothing.  It probably generated revenue.

Iand to think, they found a perfect time to do this when no other violent crime was being committed anywhere in the tri-county area.  It is so freaking great that every other drug dealer, murderer, child molester and petty thief spent Sunday home so that a vast number of resources could be dedicated in clearing the highways of menacing motorcyclists.

These are usually overtime grants, done in addition to regular enforcement.  I am not sure how many child molesters are investigated by highway troopers.

Might be unconstitutional, but that doesn't mean squat. Consider DUI checkpoints as one example. Unless they are allowed to assume everyone on the road after 10pm (or whatever) must be drunk or drinking.

That's why many (most?)  states don't allow DWI checkpoints.

[802er]

That's why many (most?)  states don't allow DWI checkpoints.

There are only 12 states that have outlawed DWI checkpoints.

[marc11]

Umm...nothing.  It probably generated revenue.



These are usually overtime grants, done in addition to regular enforcement.  I am not sure how many child molesters are investigated by highway troopers.

A) You don't know that.
B) Over time grants...from who would this money come from that it doesn't come from tax payer money in one form or another?  Please tell me?
C) State Troopers here respond to and investigate ALMOST ALL crimes and generally respond to all 911 calls, even if local police respond, many towns have little or no local police pressence.

Great to see you support this.

[nnjhawk02]

As a LEO too... I can't believe your comment.  Yes... it might be targeted, but the officers were just following their orders.  

And so was the German SS - but does it make it right?

The blind being lead by the deaf, dumb & stupid...

Cue > Beatles: Back in the USSR

[nnjhawk02]

As my last post on this topic

I plan on attending Americade & staying w/ a group of HD peeps in the nearby area.  As HD riders (some of which R LEO) they, by HD law have to take hiways, thus they will be stopped by NYST.  I've directed them to tell NYST, on my behalf, to Fcuk Off.

I, as a good STNer, will be on back roads...

Achtung where are ur papers?

[me109g4]

"Only following orders",,,,,,, hmm, where have we heard that before.

Ausweiss!! mach Schnell!!!!

[Ken]

I've contacted the AMA, I suggest each and every person do the same:

http://www.amadirectlink.com/email.asp

This is just unacceptable.  Stop all vehicles, fine by me.  Stop a bike speeding, loud pipes, hidden plate, no problem, stopping just bikes, just because?  BS.  What if the sign read "Honda Cars Stop Here" or "African American Males Under 25 Must Exit" how well would that fly?  It wouldn't, and stopping just bikes with no just cause is total BS and illegal IMHO.

Thanks for the link. I've contacted the AMA about this and will fire off a few emails to our Congressional representatives as well. This type of harassment, and blatant profiling, must be stopped. Surely there are more important things for all these LEO's to be doing. A quick scan of the morning paper will confirm that...