Why do cops pull over people speeding but not arrest public drug users?

Question

And I'm not talking the drunks. Like those doing 5-8 mph over.

Answer 1

My Brother is a Cop and he gets this question all the time. Why aren'y cops catching real crooks instead of hasseling speeders or other minor traffic violations.

How do you think the Cops get the real crooks?!?
Do you think some dash warning light blares as a wanted felon passes them by? you think there is some sort of Criminal Autodetect system installed in squad cars?

Police will spot a vehicle that rouses their suspicion via any number of things mostly based on past experiance and intuition. but that is not enough to warrant a stop. so they follow the car a few blocks. if in that time the suspect car makes the slightest infraction. WHOOP WHOOP! on come the lights.
They will use this small infraction as probable cause to initiate the "Traffic Contact" During the stop if it turns out to be just an ordinary Joe Bob on his way home from work or whatever, the person is likely to just get a written warning and sent on his way. But if the driver comes back with outstanding warrants. Then he is Arrested and the streets are that much safer.

Note: If you are an ordinary Joe and you get pulled over whatever you do DONT ARGUE WITH THEM! it gets you nowhere and that warning your were likely to get? forget it. you got yourself a ticket now and it IS justified as the minor offence they used to initiate the stop IS a valid violation.
TIPS FOR DEALING WITH TRAFFIC STOPS:

1) If You are in a dark area and wish to pull over in a lighted area by all means do so. but pull over in the FIRST available lighted area. also slow down and turn on your hazards or give some indication to the officer that you do see them and indend to pull over. DONT just keep driving!

2) Turn on your interior dome light so that the inside of your car is well lit and the officer can be more assured you dont have a weapon hidden in the dark

3) Keep your hands in the open. keep one at least on the steering wheel and roll down your window, have your hands in view so that the officer can see them.

4) Get your ID and other information ready before the Officer gets out of the car so that you dont have to go reaching behind you or into the glovebox. If you do have to do this while the officer is there please tell him what you are doing and do it slowly. No sudden moves.

5) If you are upset (either about the stop or some situation prior to the stop) keep calm. The Officer is just doing his job and is NOT targeting you specifically. The Officer doesnt know you from Adam. The more upset and verbally challenging you get the more likely you are going to get a ticket or worse. Arrested.

6) In the state of Texas ANY moving traffic voilation except speeding can result in arrest. Giving a ticket or a warning is only one of their options. Arrest is another. so If you cause some serious trouble for an Officer just doing his job remember this... You can go to jail for failure to signal a lane change. They dont have to write a ticket.

UPDATE: from my brother the Cop:
Not bad, however........................When you are being pulled over by the police (or at least by me and most officers I know) do not get your information ready prior to the officer approaching your vehicle. We would much rather be at the window and be able to observe what your getting. Reaching into the glove box, center console, back seat, etc......sets off are alarms when the officer does not know what your going after or conceling. If you move around enough during the initial stop, it could be considered "Furtive Movements" which could get your vehicle checked for officer safety. Also in the great State of Texas, you may not be arrested for Open Container not just the Speeding.

Answer 2

Im not sure what part of the world you live in but "drug users" as in the narcotic kind do get arrested. As for the "drug users" as in the tobacco and alcohol kind there isnt much that can be donw unless they are violating city/county ordinances. As for the revenue response above there are fines associated to the penalties given the users. As for the speeders getting pulled over, it's either done by CHP (in Calif) or a motorcycle officer to write a ticket and slow traffic down or its done by a good street cop to see who you are and what you are up too......if things check out you're warned and sent on your way.

Answer 3

Doing 5-8 miles over the speed limit provides a valid reason to pull someone over, and conduct a more thorough search. It's called a "pretext" stop.

Because there was a technical violation of the law, it meets the requirement for the stop, which allows them to question the driver, determine if the person is intoxicated, look into (not search) the vehicle, etc.

And if any of that turns up probable cause for some other crime, then they can search more.... it's a simple first intrusive step.

Answer 4

If you have seen people using "Drugs" in Public, then it is your duty to call the police. Most do not have any "ex ray vision or are telepathic", So we ( the public) have a duty to fellow citizens; especially our kids to help keep drugs off the streets. Oh, yea....Don't Speed.

Answer 5

it's all about the money. most responsible people own cars so therefore they have something to lose if they don't pay their ticket. what kind of income are they going to get out of a public drug user? the authorities will have to spend money on them for jail and rehab.

Answer 6

You mean people just sit around outside where you live doing drugs and cops just drive by waving at them?

Answer 7

Because driving fast kills people.. smoking a joint in public doesn't hurt anybody.. Speeding tickets are easy money for the force..

Answer 8

Speeding tickets generate revenue for the city/county.

Drug busts cost the city/county money.

You figure it out...

Answer 9

i don't know where you are from but here in cali you are more likely to be on prop 36 (a drug program) than get a speeding ticket!

Answer 10

its easier to prove speeding than using drugs