Nanny of the Month (Aug 2010): Police Chief Busts Guy Who Keeps Drunks Off the Street
by Reason TVu
Did you hear about the Oregon health inspector who shut down a seven-year-old girl’s lemonade stand? How about the California mayor who put the kibosh on a three-year-old’s vegetable stand?
Sure they’re both big-time buttinskys, but this month top honors go to the top cop who busted a guy who was offering free rides to keep drunk drivers off the road.
Presenting Reason.tv’s Nanny of the Month for August 2010: Quincy, Illinois Police Chief Rob Copely!
“Nanny of the Month” is written and produced by Ted Balaker. Associate Producer: Alex Manning; Animation: Meredith Bragg.
Approximately one minute.
To watch previous Nanny of the Month videos, go here.
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90 Comments
Abuse of Power is always wrong!
So many fools in all levels of government, and so little time to rid ourselves of them.
This reminds me of obama, Reporting the U.S. to the U.N!
Hey, this was affecting interstate commerce, so government has the authority to intervene…….
HURL ! ! !
Maybe this guy could work for Obama in the "over-reach" department!
Actually, it's cutting into the Chief's revenue stream. The local authorities make a TON of money off of DUI/DWI. That was a major revenue stream for Leesville LA when I was at Ft. Polk.
Betting the Chief was given his marching order to stop this guy from the mayor's office. Not that they really care about anyone's safety or anything like that.
Perhaps I'm just too cynical this morning?
Had he not been from Illinois, I would have been more surprised.
There are way too many Police in the USA.
The Cops should be driving that bus taking people home.
Did he really say they set up a "sting"? Taxpayer dollars hard at work there.
It seems that several levels of our government are doing a great job at KEEPING THE GOOD GUYS OFF THE STREETS!
Alinsky to Soprano….Once in…the made men get a taste from every transaction.
The left "fundamentally transformed" our government into the worlds largest crime syndicate.
Isn't THAT the truth!
Poor Quincians…………………………….especially the drunk ones needing a free lift home.
"The Law is the Law."
Really, is crime so low that resources can be used for this sting? Who funded it, the city looking to regain DUI/DWI fines, or the cab companies?
They're just making more room for the real criminals.
In this case the police did act stupidly!!!
This goes to show you that DUI enforcement, like speed enforcement, is done for revenue generation rather than public safety.
That is the real reason this guy had to be shut down. Clearly the police was upset that drunks were NOT driving, thus denying them checkboxes towards quota. He's lucky they haven't charged him for obstructing "justice".
Look who's going to Iowa !
http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/...
Now the beer…..lol
Geez !!!
Next thing you'll hear is OUR GOVERNMENT is buying books on "What's right with Islam" and passing them out to people !!!!
wonder what the left would say if Bush did this with Christianty ? hmmmmm
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38783
Hey! …maybe this guy should claim a Mexican mulligan! The law’s the law right? Hmmm….
Are frickin kidding me? This poor guy was trying to keep other people safe from drunk drivers he should commend for his effort to help protect his community and neighbors! This just another example of how out of touch the people in our govt are with the citizens. So what that he was given tips by the people riding for free in his vehicle. Maybe he should have just pulled up to the pump and told the people riding to cough up some money for the gas, oh wait that probably would break another ordnance and got his arrested to.
Probably some do good neighbor thought that it is better for the police to catch drunk drivers in the act instead of this guy providing a service that ultimately protected the community from some of the drunk drivers with out any cost to the community.
"No good deed goes unpunished."
This was affecting their revenue
The revenue from drunk drivers is very important to the community,the average cost of getting caught drinking and driving is around 2000.00 dollars so the city can't have anyone get in the way of that stream of revenue .
This, as well as the other two examples cited, remind me of mobster tactics. In other words, pay the government a protection fee to continue doing what you were doing. It is further proof that our government wants to control every aspect of our life.
I was thinking the same thing. How much do they make off DUIs…
Also, This guy prevents people from driving drunk and potentially hurting others. By busting this guy the Chief is encouraging drunks to drive themselves… and endangering others.
What a pud!
Not surprising, since Soros and his Mathusian buddies see us little people as nothing but 'livestock'…
Did you notice that all three examples of the idiot nanny state intruders were from Left Wing Democrat controlled states? California, Oregon and Illinois. That should tell you something!
Maybe it IS time for a separation into two countries, one a free Republic and one a marxist "democracy".
It's sad in todays world in order for a community to survive they must generate revenue by such means. Take for instance everytime I take my truck in for repair. I don't care what the problem is the bill is always $400.00 or more. I finally realised that in order for the repair center to stay afloat they must charge a minimum price for each vehicle.So they HAVE to find something wrong worth 400 bucks. Deception and thievery has replaced honesty in the landscape of America because people have to eat. Faith in God that he will provide is hard in todays world. Sad.
I'm going to have to ask to see your permit to hurl.
Let me get this straight. They can set-up a sting to close down child-porn rings, drug rings, dog-fighting rings, or….
…they can set-up a sting to stop a guy who keeps drunks off the streets?
If I was a cop, I'd be embarrassed.
This guy was keeping drunks off the road and all this city can think about is it's missing license fee. This is the perfect example of what's wrong with our government.
MADD should be picketing that law enforcement officer.
The Police Chief quality of life was being downgraded, losing all those bribes.
I think the real motivation of the Quincy Ill. police department to go after this guy was — think of all the huge fees and fines Quincy collects on drunk drivers. Quincy can't be concerned with something as trivial as drunks behind the wheel when Mr. Free Taxi Guy is cutting into their revenue stream. Rob Copley should be fired for this mess.
Looks like a voter opportunity waiting to happen!
If the chief isn't elected, the city council or mayor probably are.
It's time for the idiocy to end!
You are EXACTLY correct, LG. And it's not only the local governmental authorities. The legal industry couldn't take the hit either.
You've got it exactly right, in fact I made almost the same comment below before I saw your comment. It's all about the revenue stream — safety be damned !!!
Where's the DoJ on this? Shouldn't there be an investig…..
….Oh, right…..
"Perhaps I'm just too cynical this morning?"
Nahhhh………lacking naivete this morning I think would better describe your assessment of the piece above.
…………………..and that's not a bad thing at all.
I am sure you wouldn't hear 0bumble say it this time though.
Good link, I had not seen this one before. Thank you.
A police chief who needs to lose his job. Along with whatever union hack or apologist put him up to it.
Doesn't surprise me. A similar thing happened in Fayettevile AR yesterday. Was in the news that a group running a free designated driver service was told by the city to stop because they were cutting into the local cab company's business. They were told to get permits to operate a "cab company" or stop.
I swear, the world is upside down.
Gee the Mexican drug cartels kidnapping Arizonans and running drugs through the US better not set up a lemonade stand or offer a drunk driver a ride.
It's true, cab companies are complaining about him steeling their business with out having to have to pay for permits, taxes, etc.
the cab companies have more influence on the powers at be than this guy. there is a whole 20/20 Dateline thing on it a wile back. they portrayed him as making a pretty good tax free living wile he was running a couple of busses.
I'm not bashing or hating just saying that there is more to this story,
If the Founders knew what had been done by the Progressives with their "commerce clause," they would never have included the damn thing in the document to begin with.
And AZ specifically. That was, to me, the ultimate in gutless and ballsless. Seriously, AZ doesn't bend over immediately to his wishes so he runs off and tattles hoping the big, bad UN will write AZ a nasty letter?! Give me a break and man up for once.
And people wonder why we have so many people unable to fend for themselves. This politico police chief is just one example of people's dependence on "big brother", and our administration approves of such actions. Seems time for a replacement in the police department. Wait a minute. This guy is probably a dim so he's protected. My vote goes to the guy who more than likely uses whatever tips come his way to fuel and maintain his transport. I doubt whether he makes any serious cash.
Maybe these places have to many police officers if they can waste time on these kind of things,
I wanted to give to charity, but the government decided they knew better and just taxed that extra money away.
I wanted be a Good Samaritan, but the government decided they had laws against me helping my fellow man.
Of course this tool of a police chief would bust the guy. DUI ticket, court, and fine revenue is in jeopardy. Add to that the fact that the tax fattened cops would have less actual work to show to justify their budgets come next fiscal. Besides, the perp doesn't look like a politically correct protected citizen, so throw the book at him.
I doubt this guy could catch a cold in a Kindergarten class! Following the "unwritten Illinois Law" that NO TOUGH LAW SHALL BE ENFORCED, they're left with busting guys trying to help people and prevent tragic drunk driver caused accidents.
What a guy. Makes ya proud, don't it?
With soooo many excellent examples in just the past month……we need a
BIG NANNY SITE!
IT WOULD OVER FLOW DAILY WITH BONE HEADED STORIES LIKE THESE ON THE VIDEO.
Agreed. That's how communists work! I can't wait for the GOP, Darrell Issa, specifically, to serve each one in the Obama Admin with Subpoenas to hold them accountable, on TV, for High Crimes, Abuse of Power, Deriliction of Duty, Passing Legislation, not yet written, against a televised, protesting Nation!
Also make them explain why obama Admin refuses to enforce our Fed Immig Law & KEEP U.S. SAFE? I want to see them explain, on the witness stand ONE BY ONE! Refer this Post to any Dem who 'can't understand why the U.S. electorate is demanding JUSTICE FOR U.S!
He needs to practice the Dems way to handle money discrepancies…. "I had NO IDEA why people were giving me the money"
Sorry folks, my perception on this is contrary to the consensus posted so far above.
Generally I'm opposed to government intervention and I do acknowledge that this guy is providing an important service which may actually be saving lives.
However, I think we have to consider other aspects.
If we want to get rid of licensing requirements for cabs, then fine, let's do that. But we can't do it for some people and not for others.
Suppose someone wanted to go into the cab business part-time but didn't want to get a cab license or to live by the regulated fare requirements. He could just park near bars in the evening and wait for riders, then tell them he'll take them where ever they want to go and that he accepts tips. He has no way of telling if they're drunk or not. That would basically be running a taxi service without complying with local regulations.
Now suppose another driver takes it a step further. He does the exact thing (no cab license), but at the local train station around commute times. When he's arrested for running an unlicensed cab service, his defense would be, that the other guy, the one who picks up people at bars, gets away with it. And, there is no guarantee that his riders are actually drunk, they may just want a cab ride somewhere.
Now maybe the City of Quincy needs to modify their laws a bit to spell out under which circumstances a person could offer rides and accept money, but as it is, the City is following their laws.
Most cities in the US regulate their cabs. In Chicago, a medallion fee costs tens of thousands of dollars (40k-80k). San Francisco sells new medallions for $250,000!
It's unfair to cab drivers who pay all their fees and comply with fare restrictions to have to compete with a group of unregulated drivers. This one guy doesn't represent a threat to the cabs in Quincy, but if the number of unregulated cabs were to grow, that would basically wipe out the regulated cab companies.
If cities want to change the laws, that's fine with me, of course.
Your argument would have merit if he were charging for rides, but since he isn't/wasn't, then you may want to rethink your position. Tips =/= Fare.
Quincy,Ill-let me guess-does this happen to be Phil (i have a wild) Hare(up my ass) district?????? it would figure if it did. Methinks this idiot needs to get sent to Maricopa county ,Az and be shown by Sheriff Joe how we do things the right way downtown. No wonder Illinios has pols like Maobama,Daley,Blago, Gio, the Mad Agains, Sheetkowsky, and Hare. They have useless idiots like cokehead over here to do there bidding.
I agree that tips and fares are not the same thing, but if you've ever done fund raising, you'd know that giving something away can often lead to MORE money in tips than the equivalent fare would be. Too, tips and fares don't have to be identical for them to be similar enough to be treated the same.
That's one reason why our high school cheer squad does "free car washes" when they want to raise money. The guy who runs the program says that they make far more money now that they don't charge for their service.
I have personal experience in this area. I do fund raising for one of the other booster groups at the high school. I charge nothing for the service I perform. Yet, I almost always make as much or more for the school in contributions than I would if I charged directly. In general, people feel compelled to be generous when they think the provider is being generous himself. I've been stiffed (no donation) only one time in six years.
Second, consider my other point, that if the city lets this guy do it then they're going to have to allow others to do it as well, and under less noble circumstances – like the driver who picks up fares at the train station during evening rush hour. If some people didn't give him a tip, then he would just stop picking them up and he'd go only for those who tip well.
Illinois is like two different states. Cook County is thoroughly corrupt – and liberal. The rest of the state is much more conservative. Unfortunately, because of the population size and liberal leanings of Cook, that one County can override the rest of the state when it comes to elections.
Agreed EOD. Is it not better to offer free rides home than to have to scape some stupid ass off of the wall? Or some innocent pedestrian off of the sidewalk? This guy provides a service that not only makes that little part of the world safer, but also makes the cops job just a little bit easier, and they bitch? What is this world coming to?
Like the new avatar.
I can see your point, and actually agree now that you have explained it a bit more. A well thought out and reasoned response, thanks for enlightening me.
For an ordinance violation, no less.
I'd be willing to bet that a majority of college campuses operate the same kind of company, at no charge to its users.
I agree its unfair one group has to buy a license and another does not BUT the solution is NOT to force everyone to buy licenses. Instead the solution is to eliminate the license. Licenses remove the bottom rungs of the ladder to prevent entry into a market. That's their real purpose. They prevent entry and destroy competition so only a select few can have the business. Its no different than the gov requiring only members of a guild or union to practice a profession.
Another example are road side fruit stands. All the grocery stores have to abide by strict regulations and licenses and pay hefty taxes and fees so its unfair someone else can avoid these. But again the problem is the fees, regulations, licenses and taxes, NOT the act of selling.
This practice destroys entry in the market making it harder for poverty stricken people to support themselves. yes a poor person who has a car should be able to start a cab business to work their way out of poverty and not have to buy some hugely expensive license that has to be renewed each year.
The real problem is the license system, the taxes, the fees… not the act of doing business.
City ordinances and regulations are generally (generally!) set up to 'protect' individuals from some kind of hazard. Like the health dept and their regulations for portapotties and food preparation. An ordinance no matter how unconstitutional it is was suppose to protect individuals. What I want to know what 'Taxi' Ordinance this guy violated. He got tips, so what, are they ticked off because he didn't pay taxes on those tips? People need to start questioning ordinances set up, this police chief should have seriously questioned this ordinance unless he is of course a part of the problem and not part of the solution.
People need to start questioning this crap and working on getting it removed from the books. We don't need Nannies, I don't need a nanny. Free enterprise would be a lot more free without all these rules and regulations.
It won't be long before some regulation will be slipped through congress requiring U.S citizens to have a waste permit to own a toilet. I am salivating in anticipation of Nov 2nd!!
I agree that the approach is to re-evaluate taxi licensing.
One of the most powerful and effective guilds these days involves orthodontists. They have the most restrictive control over supply in any medical profession, reducing competition and artificially inflating prices.
Of course we want quality in their profession, but I think it's possible to sustain quality even if they increased supply by 50-100%.
Getting back to the taxi issue, if we want to increase competition, that's great, but let's not go after the police in this for just doing their job. A lot of the comments blamed the police and that's just not fair.
Sheesh – why does no one ever point the finger where it belongs??? The legislature! (or other rule-making body)
I don't WANT the police selectively enforcing the laws. It gives them too much power, and they DON'T represent the people. They should be enforcing every law, no matter how stupid it is. And then when the press comes knocking after they shut down a little girl's lemonade stand, they should provide the names and phone numbers of the congresspeople that wrote the law.
The only latitude the police should be given is *how* they enforce the law (i.e. don't send a swat team to knock over the lemonade stand, just talk to the parents)
That SOB should be tarred, feathered and run out of town on a rail!
Sure. Do you think then that the city ought to interfere with a charitable service? I think they are pissed off that they aren't getting all those DWI fines.
Besides, this wasn't just a university service. It was a city wide service with multiple volunteers who asked for donations, not fares.
There's alway room for one more in that dept.
That's the thing. If you regulate it in one place, you have to regulate it in another. What right does the university have to infringe on the city bus service, or on taxi company's turf? It's the same argument that requires the guy to have a cab license. If he needs a license, so does the university. Equal application of the law.
I think it's a stupid law–laws should serve the greatest good, and lining the city's pockets is a much lower good than protecting families from rampaging drunk drivers.
Hi all, ya gotta understand the landscape. The gentleman simply needs to take a few more steps.
First, setup a not-for-profit and then take donations. Obviously he's not making much money doing this.
I guess they believe that it is necessary to create a federal program to take care of drunks who drive.
Thanks, the old one was my Shoulder Patch, the new one is the EOD Crest.
Many times the Police in the United States view themselves as Jailers, as if the Nation was but one huge Jail, where we the Citizens at large are their property.
Politicians have set things up that way over the years.
Police (as well as Politicians) are in fact Public Servants……. they are the property of the Citizens at large while they are on the clock.
And, Politicians are salaried out for the year, so, they are always on the clock.
Hello Mrs. Stomp.
I talked to several Native Americans when I stayed in Gallup last night (not a great town) and they tipped me off to a location in AZ that had a ridge (rimrock) for over 4 miles with petro's on it. I hiked it and got some amazing pictures. I even found some pottery shards.
Thought you would enjoy that.
I like your thinking on this. The penalties for drunk driving are so severe in many cases that guys will sometimes try to flee than face getting pulled over. The carnage that ensues would not happen if police were just there to "talk some sense and give a fella a ride" instead of "throw his ass in jail and take all his money."
Goodness Gracious the man was keeping the drunks off the street. I think there is an abuse of power here. They could have just given him a warning after all he was helping out the police and not letting the drunks on the streets. As one poster said, No Good Deed Goes Unpunished. I hope he keeps it up though because he is doing a good thing.
You know you might be onto something. Since he was giving these people free rides he was taking the money out of the pocket of the Quincy Ill pocket. Ohhh I'm sure they had plenty of drunks to pick up, he couldn't get them all.
The cops knew they could bust this guy without calling for back up. Why deal with a hardened criminal when you can deal with a nice guy bus driver?
Back in the day the Cops would at the very least follow someone who was drinking a bit home, or, back when Cop Cars had 2 Cops each, one would just drive the guy home while the other Cop followed. Cops even used to just tell the guy to park the car and just have Dispatch call for a cab.
That was when Cops were Public Servants.
Even as a lawyer (though not a criminal lawyer) I didn't even think of it that way! Good catch! You are most very likely 100% correct!
Aw man, you beat me to it!
You know that would never work. I can hear the screams now, "That's not fair!".
hahahaha … you got me laughing while I was drinking. Good job. Now I need to clean my keyboard.
So this cop arrested a guy who was giving free rides to drunk people so they didn't drive and possibly kill people? I thought the goal was to keep drunk drivers off the road, and the guy was helping do just that.
My brain hurts trying to reason this out. Ow, ow, ow.
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