How do you stop a speeder in the neighborhood?

Question

I have a problem with a moron who drives a lifted dodge ram pick up who has no respect for children. We live in a neighborhood in the outskirts of San Antonio and this red neck zooms through our neighborhood, probably going to the same house to buy drugs. I've called the sheriffs' but they didn't do anything. My husband wants to shoot this guy in the a** but I am too afraid since I stay at home taking care of our son. Any suggestions, or do I have to resort to tire slashing or rock throwing?

Answer 1

The following requires a video camera...

Use a point of reference such as a house or sign. Videotape your husband driving your car at the legal speed limit from your point of reference to another point of reference. Make sure he travels at the same speed for the entire distance. Measure the distance physically. The next time the guy goes through speeding, videotape him. Using a stop-watch or even just a second hand on a wristwatch, you can verify on film that he is speeding. Proceed to your nearest law enforcement agency with proof that he is speeding. Take the information to the closest state police office as well. Remember to videotape him AND your husband from the same viewpoint (preferably from the safety of your home if possible, or from a vantage point that will not show who took the video (this requires sitting out for a spell). If he continues to do it, take a few more videos and hold up the same day's newspaper to show that it is taking place on different days to prove the repeated offenses.

Answer 2

You need to contact the police again. That they didn't do anything in the first place is wrong. This person is a menace and there is a high probability that he could seriously injure or kill someone.

Next time you see him, write down an accurate description of the truck (make sure you get the tag number). If you have a video camera, even better...tape this **** as he tears through the neighborhood and turn the tape over to police (keep a copy for yourself).

You could contact the county department and ask about the installation of speed bumps. Do not resort to violence. There is a possibility of retaliation and someone could be seriously hurt. Let the police handle it...MAKE the police handle it.

Answer 3

I understand your frustration but violence is certainly not the answer. I have gone through a similar situation, our 'speeder' was a high school student driving fast and reckless past my kids, who are walkers. I called the authorities and they patrolled the area when school let out. A word of advice, coming from a law enforcement family, and from watching Cops for years, you get better results when you are calm, collected and respectful. The police deal with scum and BIG problems all day. In all reality, your 'speeder' is really probably not going to make them loose sleep and you've got to see their point. On the other hand fear for your children's' safety is HUGE to you, so don't give up OR make the situation worse. Just keep calling, keep calm and keep your kid safe. Good luck to you.

Answer 4

i dont have an answer to the question but i do have a comment to make about one of the answers.

Fin gave you a descriptive answer about how to catch him on videotape by first having your husband drive at the speed limit then to tape the speeder to compare the two. CLEARLY this person knows nothing about law. speeding in an infraction and infractions MUST be observed by law enforcement for a citation to be written. a videotape would be useless. the only exception to this rule is the red light cameras, which are considered extentions of law enforcement.

Answer 5

if you're the type of person that spends alot of time in the front yard or garage, just grab a soccer ball/basketball and throw it at the truck (maybe in front of it as its driving, but in my case the guy didnt get the point until directly hitting his bronco). There are a lot of kids in my neighborhood and this has worked for me.

Answer 6

If the sheriff won't help, and the county won't put in speed bumps, get some blacktop and put in your own. That will get their attention every time.

Really, though, pester the sheriff's office, and if you don't get a response, go over their heads. If you have any neighbors who feel the same as you, then get them to join the campaign.

Answer 7

You can install some "child at play" signs and have other neighbors keep watch, too. At the very worst, you might try a homemade speed bump, I'm sure there's a way you can make one. Good luck! We have the same problems here in San Diego.

Answer 8

Video tape him but please DON'T point the camera at anyone's house! It's illegal to film another person's house..It is legal to film your own house, or your mail box, or fence line running along the street, or bushes for security measures....AND IF you just so happen to get him in the recording .... WALLA , there is your evidence that he's speeding// Do as the other YA said, and record your husband driving at a normal speed and show the sped. inside the vehicle showing how fast your husband is going...This will be a good comparison recording......You can also do a film of your kids playing as he is speeding by.....This video will show your kids at risk...Take all the videos to court, and you'll prob. get 45 min. to present your case...You'll have to pay to have him served, and pay the court cost but it's worth it to get a restraining order on him...If he does it after all this , and you film him again, he'll go to jail...ALSO< Call the cops and make a paper trail showing everytime you call, AND take the dispatch slips with you to court to show the judge, too!....Get neighbors to come to court with you as eye witnesses ....Bring your kids in and let them testify how scared he makes them feel when he drives by....Do it right the first time, so you can nab him...God Bless!

Answer 9

If you have his license number just keep reporting him. I had a teacher in college who did that. The police finally did do something; maybe because they got tired of hearing from this teacher. He lived in a cul-de-sac and his little girl and other children played outside. This idiot was speeding in a residential area almost every day.

Answer 10

Try lobbying neighborhood to have city/county put up road humps on your street. This will deter all needless traffic and speeders