Quick Poll
With Friday's announcement of her show coming to an end in 2011, has the Oprah Winfrey Show been a television 'must see' for you in the past 25 years?
- Absolutely: 10
- Sometimes: 45
- Not At All: 114
- Didn't Care: 46
Total Votes:
Published Thursday, July 02, 2009 in Local
Law enforcement geared up for holiday weekend
The Times-Herald
If you travel Georgia's roadways this week, don't be surprised to see an increased police presence.
The Coweta County Sheriff's Office stepped up its patrols Monday for the Fourth of July travel week. They will be out in force through Sunday, according to Sheriff Mike Yeager.
"Holidays are our busy time," said Yeager. "Reports indicate that more people will be out on the roadways than last July 4. We're going to be looking for any type of violations, especially impaired drivers. People need to take it easy and follow the law.
"If you're going to take a drink -- don't get behind the wheel," he continued.
Yeager has gotten word that there will be no work activity on the interstate as of noon Friday, and so there won't be any lane closures to contend with.
"Hopefully the lack of work will help," said Yeager. "Motorists still need to be mindful. Give yourself plenty of time, slow down and don't be in a big hurry. Enjoy this holiday weekend."
The Fourth of July holiday travel period is technically the 78-hour period beginning today at 6 p.m. and ending at midnight on Sunday.
Law enforcement throughout the state will be concentrating on the most common violations identified as contributing factors in fatal traffic crashes. Those factors are speeding, impaired driving and failing to wear occupant safety equipment.
Traffic crashes during the 2008 July Fourth holiday travel period claimed the lives of 22 people in Georgia. There were 1,860 traffic crashes reported and 910 people injured. The Crash Reporting Unit at the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia State Patrol are predicting 1,874 crashes this holiday with 895 injuries and 22 fatalities. Last year, two of the 22 traffic deaths were alcohol related.
Motorists can report suspected impaired drivers by calling the Georgia State Patrol at Star G-S-P (*477) from a cell phone.
The highest number of July Fourth holiday traffic fatalities occurred in 1972 when 34 people were killed, and the lowest occurred in 1962 and 1984 when two people were killed.
Law enforcement recommends that drivers keep an emergency roadside kit in their vehicles. The kit should include a flashlight, a first-aid kit, jumper cables, gloves, extra clothes, extra washer fluid, non-perishable food, a gallon of water and basic tools.
Comment On This Story
Times-Herald.com does not necessarily agree with the comments posted below. Responsibility of comments rests solely with the writer. Comments posted in ALL CAPS will be deleted.
Submission of a comment does not guarantee publication. Comments will be posted by a moderator after being scanned for abusive language, relevance, etc. See our Comments FAQ for more details.
I read just Fine, and you sir are just a negative person you try and find something wrong with every Article thats published in this paper! but anyway I'm done with this story and you. your negativity isn't worthy of my time.
Posted by Robert at 11:11 PM
So what are you whining about? YOur doing exactly what Felix said you wives do.
Posted by Bubba B Bad at 4:35 PM
I am the wife of a law enforcement officer and I have never complained about his job or him having to work holidays, raised 2 kids with him working most holidays. Just like any other family in law enforcement, we adjusted to it. You speak of training, or lack thereof, as if you know what you are talking about. Just to inform you, these officers are POST certified through the State just like any other agency in the State of Georgia. Not only that, they are all required to meet so many hours of continuing education each year and even more, most of these men and women go beyond that and continue to go to classes on their own time, paid out of their own pockets and in their own vehicles, in other words, to no expense to you. You also speak of their days off, which you were confused about. These men and women have classes to attend on their days off, court to attend, warrants to issue, qualifying on the range, meetings to go to, a lot of these things do fall on their days off. These men and women are dedicated to their profession, not only to protect themselves but also to protect people just like YOU.
Posted by Denise at 2:27 PM
Just because you did not see them did not mean that they were not working. Coweta county is a HUGE county to cover, as well as the City of Newnan. I have a scanner that I keep on all of the time and these people are ALWAYS busy, sometimes with calls having to be put on hold.
Posted by Ole Timer at 2:16 PM
You can't read. I never griped about the police.
Posted by Bubba B Bad at 11:03 AM
Whatever Bubba and how do you know what hobby would be right up my alley? you don't even know me! So stop Griping about Law Enforcement Officers, just so you know I am going to be applying for employment in Law Enforcement so there will be one more Cop for the haters to gripe about!
Posted by Robert at 11:56 PM
I really like the Sheriffs Dept, but I was off last Thursday,Friday, Saturday and Sunday.Did not go out of town and did a lot of running around town.There were more idiots on the road and believe it or not I did not see the first police car the whole time I was off
Posted by Married Couple at 11:06 AM
I want to send a very special THANKS! to our Coweta law enforcement folks.
Posted by newnan at 7:00 PM
You know...Id love to stay home on my days off but unfortunately it doesnt always work that way. Shows just how much you know about the law enforcement profession. "Off days" are not always off days because often you have to fill in for someone else or you get called in for a special situation. And no I am not complaining about my job... I LOVE my job no matter how many people gripe about it and I know people resent the law enforcement profession and Im ok with that because I know why I do it. And its kinda our job to give out tickets for both minor and major traffic offenses as well as all the other laws of the state of Georgia. Sorry if you dont like that but its part of OUR job so please stop griping about us doing just that. Thanks! And to the rest of my brothers and sisters out there....hope y'all had a safe 4th and some of you got to spend it with your families.
Posted by K at 10:51 AM
My husband isn't in law enforcement to make friends. He is there to enforce laws and to protect people. He is not there to babysit drunks or to sweet talk a speeder, He is there to do a job set forth by the state of Georgia and this county, Don't like speed limits take it up with lawmakers not the enforcers.
Posted by C at 10:24 PM
My husband has been a police officer for the last 25 years. I do not ask anyone to appreciate what they do for the community, just as he would never either. It is a job and we accept the fact that he has to work most holidays, no problem there. The problem that I have is when people complain because my husband is doing his job. It does not matter how "minor" the offense may be, it is still a law that is being broken. If you do not want a ticket or do not want to go to jail, then do like most decent people do and obey the law. It is really that simple.
Posted by Common Sense Here at 9:54 PM
J first off I misread your comments My apologies. It was actually another individual on here I was talking about. Keep up the good work. To Robert I have never been in jail and second off anyone that doesn't like being a cop then find another vocation and that goes for anyone that doesn't like their vocation. And what part do I not know what I am talking about Robert? You just need to find yourself a hobby like basketweaving which would be up your alley.
Posted by Bubba B Bad at 2:22 PM
I know lots of cops and they all admit the traffic stuff is about raking in money. The drunks and drug people you snag are a bonus of course. Even the guys I know and like are under trained to be doing what they are doing. That is not their fault. It's the state's fault or county's fault or city's fault. And entering into that career you know you are going to work holidays and nights, you know nobody will like you. You know there is not going to be good pay. There is danger. You should only go into that work because you love helping people because there ain't going to be any other satisfaction for you. Oh - and please find your wives something to do so they won't always be reminding us that we should appreciate all you do. You chose police work, she chose you, so both of you stay home on your days off and appreciate each other and stop giving out tickets for minor traffic offenses. Then we will like you more !
Posted by felix at 9:45 AM
J I just want to say thank you for the Sacrifices you and your family make to keep me and my Family safe and people like Bubba don't know what they are talking about and are probably the ones you have to deal with Continuously. Anyway Thank you for your Service God Bless you and your Family!!
Posted by Robert Strickland at 2:30 AM
No unlike you I have never seen the inside of a jail. Like a old sgt in the military told me one time if you don't like it quit whining and get out. If you don't like being a cop then find another vocation. By the way the last 3 years of my military career I was a first sgt in a cop squadron.
Posted by Bubba B Bad at 10:16 PM
Very intelligent comment and from the sounds of it, you are one of the many that has seen the inside of the Coweta County Sheriff's jail first hand.
Posted by Common Sense Here at 8:09 PM
Then find something else to do for a living. Just that simple.
Posted by Bubba B Bad at 2:39 PM
If you don't want to pay the money SLOW DOWN, make life safer for the rest of us. You are probably one of the people that once they get caught are complaining about the fine. REMEMBER FINES ARE DOUBLED IN THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE. So 25 to 30 over means good revenue for county.
Posted by Jamie at 5:48 AM
To Deputy's wife I too wish to tell you thank you for the sacrifices you and your children make when your husband is on duty trying to serve and protect the citizens of coweta county and please tell him thank you for all his Hard work and efforts to keep this county safe for me and my Family! God Bless you and your Family and all of our law Enforcement personnel for the Great Job they all Do!!
Posted by Robert Strickland at 2:02 AM
As usual, I read the ignorant comments about law enforcement and quotas. There are no quotas to be met, there is no demand on these officers to write tickets on holidays than any other day. The sad part is that even in this day and time we still have very ignorant people who think that it is okay to drink and drive. I commend these officers for giving up their holidays to try and make mine and yours safe. These officers are having to take time away from their family and, as one officer stated, most are already on an 8 hour furlough. Before making absolutely imbecile comments about quotas or anything else to do with law enforcement, do your research!!
Posted by Dee at 10:25 PM
All about the money?.......as a cop i dont think about the money when i put crack heads, child molestors and thieves in jail.....i think about children and the lives that these scumbags target.....and it gives me pure joy to put handcuffs on them and put them in jail....i do not do it for the money, lord knows i am not getting over time and i am taking a 8 hour furlough a month...don't break the law and you will not go to jail or get the ticket....just that simple. I would rather with my children this weeekend that babysitting drunks anyway.
Posted by j at 5:23 PM
Sorry if i hit a nerve, my bad. But it's always about the MONEY.
Posted by M.J.D. at 3:41 PM
Don't break the law and you will not be making a donation to the Sheriff's office. You obey the law and you won't have to pay the fine. It's that simple.
Posted by Smarter than you at 2:40 PM
I think the LEOs should all just take the 4th of July off this year. Since everybody thinks they are out to make money and not enforce laws. My husband can spend the day with me and the kids goofing off. But see criminals usually don't even take off holidays. And that is who we all really need to be protected from not speeders.
Posted by C at 1:10 PM
You tell your husband that the citizens of this county love our sheriffs department and it is a privilage to have such professionals serving us, they are our guardian angels .
Posted by citizen at 1:09 PM
Do you honestly think these deputies want to be out there on a holiday "babysitting" ignorant drivers? Don't speed and don't drive drunk...problem solved!
Posted by Coweta Resident at 12:18 PM
Remember - he who goes forth with a fifth on the fourth, may not come forth on the fifth! Don't drink and drive...car or BOAT.
Posted by John Martinez at 11:46 AM
I'm very pro-law enforcement but c'mon! Yes, road safety is a top-of-mind awareness thing at every holiday but who can deny that it's also a "cash cow" opportunity for law enforcement to write tickets that generate income? It is what it is. Thank you Law Enforcement Personnel for all you do. Everyone, Happy 4th & be safe out there. And to Bubba B Bad: you just ain't right-nuttiest comment yet!
Posted by Citizen at 11:26 AM
Just like Michael Jackson's death...It is all about the money...always will be.
Posted by Anonymous at 11:01 AM
Seriously I'm so sick and tired of people complaining that it is only about money. My husband is working this holiday to make sure the roads are safe for people even like you. I promise its not for the money!!
Posted by Deputy's Wife at 10:54 AM
This weekend they will be giving tickets out by the size of the car. Those little cars that toyota you know the ones that look all squashed up get a half ticket. They have to pull over two to give out one ticket. Then big gas guzzlers get two tickets. They were going to go by weight of the occupant. But in Coweta County there are so many overweight people they would be working overtime and plus its difficult to pull a fat person out of the car not less you grease them up first with some ole fashoned lard. Thats how I get my girlfriend out of the car. I hate it though the cats always follow us whereever we go.
Posted by Bubba B Bad at 10:41 AM
The first words out of your mouth always have to be about money. It gets old!!! Think of something else to use.
Posted by Newnan resident at 10:25 AM
Anyone know what the cops quota is for tickets these days? If they double up on holidays they can lay low for days after.
Posted by M.J.D. at 10:03 AM
If they were serious about this they would do it every day. You can't drive on I-85 south of town unless your willing to go 70 in a 50 zone. Day after day, no cops. More drivers on a holiday just makes it easier to collect more money, thats all it's really about.
Posted by Skip at 7:56 AM
Most Popular
- Viewed
- Emailed
- Commented
- Schools continue search for thief
- Teen charged in string of robberies
- Judge denies new trial for wife convicted of killing her husband
- Newnan rallies past M.L. King, returns to quarterfinals
- Senator shares bad budget news with teachers
- Police: Mail carrier found drunk, eating noodles
- Cougars face another hurdle in M.L. King
- Hikers should avoid Chatt-Bend park this weekend
- Jobless rate rises; many job seekers 'giving up'
- Annual holiday sale Friday, Saturday
- 5-year-old wants Christmas cards
- A Better Way Ministries makes move to Senoia
- Teen charged in string of robberies
- 81-year-old tries to set girlfriend on fire, sets house ablaze
- Rezoning denied on 54, 16; OK'd on Lower Fayetteville
- Police: Mail carrier found drunk, eating noodles
- It's Chubby Checker Day
- Hollis assets drop $4M in three years
- Authorities: Man tied lizards to chest at airport
- Cougars roar back in second half to return to quarterfinals
- Be aware there are increased patrols on roadways
- Northgate's AAAA state title reign continues for third-straight year
- Senator shares bad budget news with teachers
- Obesity, bad health troubling sign of times
- Cougars roar back in second half to return to quarterfinals
- Rezoning denied on 54, 16; OK'd on Lower Fayetteville
- There's talk of a future need for an air traffic control tower
- High school coaches under pressure to win
- Jobless rate rises; many job seekers 'giving up'
- Schools continue search for thief
Bubba
7/8/2009
Link To This Comment
No not whining, please get a dictionary and look up the meaning. I am educating the uneducated.
Posted by Denise at 6:07 AM