Problem intersections in DC?

[Detector]

Speaking of Wyatt Earp. It never ceases to amaze me the consistency at which major road construction happens during Dodge City Days. Its almost as if someone(s) intentionally schedules road work to coincide with the time the most tourists can be effected by it.

[K C Muffin]

OOD, I don't necessarily agree with you. In the metro (KC), when there is any construction on a highway, speed is reduced all the time. I'm especially reminded of my usual route to the airport. Normally a 35-40 minute drive. Now, with the construction on 635 and the reduction in lanes, it can take up to an hour. I find myself slowing down when there aren't construction workers present simply because the lanes narrow so much and the turns are a lot sharper. It's just not possible to travel at 65 mph and still make the turns without leaving your lane. Although some do it. As soon as the contruction zone ends, "some of us" find it necessary to travel at 70 - 75 or even higher in order to "make up time". Hmmmm. Nice place for a speed trap, I guess. Normally there's no patrol during rush hour, which is a good thing. The freeways are so jammed up that if a traffic stop were made, it would take hours to get to work.

[Bargod]

I have found that there is always construction in KC. They just move the signs to a new spot and start again. Now, when they took that bridge down on I-35 (I think) on the MO side to repair it, that really threw me for a loop. It took me over an hour to get my bearings and find my way back to Olathe. Missouri never was my strong point.

I feel bad for the folks still in DC, I can't even begin to imagine 14th and Comanche as a 4-stop, but sadly, I can picture it. When I lived there, it was always one of the busiest intersections in town, and with all the illegals there now, I can only wonder how bad it has gotten.

The worst place for me was trying to come off of sunnyside to go north on 2nd street. That was almost impossible. You might ask why I would try something like this when there were so many other ways to go... my friends and I used to play CB hide and go seek and the easiest way to get somewhere wasn't always the best way.

[lurker]

Welp, I got two unique incidents I witnessed in the Earp construction zone this week that have been memorable.

Monday morning I passed through to the east and saw a crime stopper clocking traffic from Arby's parking lot... no biggie. I had business beyond that area.

I returned towards McDonalds and was approaching the 7th. Street intersection to left turn into McD's. Sausage biscuit/hash browns and coffy. I wasn't wearing a tie.

A car was travelling East through that intersection who must have been clocked because the Black & White had whipped out of Arby's at nearly full acceleration to catch his prey. No lights or sireeeen but very much in excess of safe and reasonable speeds through that busy intersection. Alllll rittie, let's catch a bad guy because his speed endangered the public but unreasonable acceleration and speeding through one of the busiest intersections inside the 'zone' without lights or noise seems wrong to this basset hound. But I wrote it off cuz the offender could have easily eluded the (cough-cough) crime stopper by turning onto Fourth into the park or (goD forbid) hidden behind the steer.

I avoid that area as much as possible but today's ventures found me at the Unicell office looking at a racecar on display in their parking lot. This area is just west of the danger zone and I was parked so I knew I was 'in the clear' from our crime stoppers but I FROZE when I heard a sireeeen from the East.

Sure enough, a troublemaker was targeted by a full blown and lit crime buster while he was pulling his trailer west from the 4-way stop and he'd nearly escaped to the area in front of the Silver Spur before the impetitous sireen and lights convinced him to pull into the Spur's modest parking lot.

Had the pickup/trailer made it to the area of four-full-lanes of traffic, he'd have surely escaped and we'd have lost him forever.

THANKS DCPD. You're wonderful.

[Highwayman]

Ya just can’t be too careful with some of those newer pickups with the big diesels. I see where a few modifications like bigger exhaust, low restriction air intakes, maybe some bigger injectors coupled with new software and propane and nitrous injection is kicking those babies up into the range of 500 to 800 HP. Yes sir officer, suck my black smoke and watch my tail lights get smaller and smaller.

[NoLongerInRadioGuy]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But, if you have a problem with the way an officer did something, by all means, contact the PD about it. Get a car number or tag number or description of the officer and time and area...but dont get sarcastic and blame the whole PD for one thing you saw.

Just because one dog pooped on my yard doesnt mean I go around kicking all of ya!!

[lurker]

Originally Posted by NoLongerInRadioGuy

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But, if you have a problem with the way an officer did something, by all means, contact the PD about it. Get a car number or tag number or description of the officer and time and area...but dont get sarcastic and blame the whole PD for one thing you saw.

Just because one dog pooped on my yard doesnt mean I go around kicking all of ya!!

You're right radio. These types of law enforcement efforts are worthy of note; especially the incident at McDonald's.

Accelerating through that intersection without safety flashers/siren was more dangerous to people than the offenders speed AND ridiculous when one considers the distance, velocity and time factors. He probably got to the offender 3 seconds sooner than without excessive speed. My point through sour-casm was "where's" that motorist gunna hide? And my unasked question is "why" didn't he wait until he got to the 3-lane area to begin his pursuit and adrenalin rush?

The take-down of the west-bound pickup (pulling the trailer) at the west end was over-zealous to say the least. I have no idea where the b&w turned on his lights and doubt that the P-U driver was able to see them (the trailer was a tall box-type) but I wouldn't expect that rig to simply stop in-lane; and the sireeeen when they were still in the squeeze chute & south of the KwikShop was a bit too much.

Once again, You're Right Radio! Mayhaps this should become more than a simple public bitch.

Will the PD allow the public to view any patrol videos with a simple request?



Edit: Today's HutchNews has a Letter to the Editor from one Bill Hinton who is simply asking for common sense in Law Enforcement

[TexKan]

I don't know bout there but here - lites and sound are not required. I do know that if a rig can't see behind him - he shouldn't be on the road. That's what side mirrors are for. I don't know of any officer that is gonna be upset that you drove a little futher to pull off in a safe zone. Just cause the cherries are flashin doesn't mean you pull over THAT instant. Lots of women will wait and pull into a stop n shop, a kroger, etc. Cause it's not safe for them to stop on the side of the road. Truth is most cops would rather be in a parking lot writin or warnin than on the side of the road.

If ya turn your hazards on it tells the officer you know he's there and you are gonna pull over - when you feel safe. That is not a crime and probably appreciated by the officer as well.

Lots of rapes, assaults, etc by faux cops down here. If it were night or I felt uncomfortable - hell I would drive to the PD before I pulled over. You won't get in trouble for that down here. So pick you spot and take your time. Most of all try to follow the rules so you won't be in that situation to begin with!! Which reminds me - gotta get my safety sticker before I see my own behind me with the lights!!!

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by TexKan

....I don't know of any officer that is gonna be upset that you drove a little futher to pull off in a safe zone.....

I do. Bypass and Sixth, thirty years ago, KHP. Cost me triple.

BTW, when I went it to pay it I was reading the totally bogus BS the officer wrote on the back of the ticket when the clerk ripped it out of my hand telling me that was not for my eyes to see. I vowed to contest every ticket after that. Make them tell that crap under oath.

[TexKan]

Aww come one Hiway....... 30 years ago???? World was a different place then. People didn't try to run cops down, they didn't dress up like cops and kill ya, people has some respect for others then. There wasn't the open records act, the attorneys were abit more honest - that's a hell of a long time to holda grudge. Hell that cop is probably retired by now and your makin all the new ones tryin to be good cops pay the price? No wonder you get in trouble with them youngins!!!............... LOL LOL

Course you can always come down here - most of em won't get mad at ya IF ya let them know they are there - and not speed up -