Just a brief note of response to Mr. Woodward's letter concerning Operation Pullover and questioning whether I'm listening.
Operation Pullover is a statewide program administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. The entire program is funded using federal monies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There is absolutely no connection between its cost and the 24 percent average property tax increase imposed on Hoosier taxpayers. Property taxes fund local government and schools.
Mr. Woodward is correct in that police cannot set up enforcement zones for seat belt monitoring. That was stopped when the new seat belt law took effect. Operation Pullover is simply increased patrols on the streets with an emphasis on seat belt, child restraint and DUI violations. Officers are paid overtime with the federal funds, so it is outside their regular shifts.
As to the quotas mentioned, they are simply guidelines with no penalty if they are not met. For accountability purposes, the government would like to have some measure that the police are interacting with the motoring public and not just sitting in a parking lot and collecting the money. If I can be of further assistance or answer any questions, give me a call, or if you prefer we can do this through the newspaper.
