Council to River Falls chief: Write more tickets

Published 12:00 am Thursday, December 22, 2016

A River Falls town councilman expressed his dissatisfaction with the number of speeding tickets written in the town in November.

According to a report given to the council at Tuesday night’s meeting, only four tickets were written in November.

Councilmember Harold Barnes said he was tired of almost getting hit by speeders when he drives.

He also said that there were tractor-trailers flying through town.

“I want some tickets written,” he said.

Councilmember Richard Bowden said he wasn’t for setting quotas.

“But I am for protecting the citizens,” he said.

Barnes said he was surprised there aren’t people getting killed in River Falls because of the speeders.

Police Chief Cody Warren said there can be more tickets written.

“I think you’ll already see more of that in December,” he said.

Barnes said that he believed that police officers should cover their salaries with ticket revenue.

Warren and Mayor Patricia Gunter both told him it was against the law to police for profit.

Warren told the council that in November and December a lot of officers will cut speeders a break because it is close to the holidays, rather than jeopardize children being able to get presents.

However, that is the officer’s discretion.

“Every officer is different,” he said. “I’m more strict on seat belts and insurance.”

Barnes agreed it wasn’t about the money, but about the safety.