There is only one-way in and out of Nahant, and it is on a two-lane causeway that is undergoing and extensive $20,000,000.00 rehabilitation. The construction will improve the roadway and the tourism business in Nahant by making the beach and other attractions more accessible.

According to an established and well-publicized formula, traffic enforcement police officers indicate a charge of $10.00 for every 1 mile per hour over the speed limit in addition to the original speeding fine on the ticket. In a construction zone, the fines double. The government (town, city, state) advertise that fines double for speeding in advance of approaching a construction zone with big, almost tacky signs that accompany reduced speed warnings. So, it (the government) is giving both fair warning and fair notice.

Bloggers have been venting about how this policy sounds like a money grab and how police are harassing taxpayers. Is this truly harassment or a money grab? Could it be the actions of law enforcement are reasonable in an attempt to ensure the safety of road crews, drivers (including the offenders) as well as the safety of police officers who, by policy, must place themselves and town property (their cruisers) in harm’s way on to keep drivers focused and attentive?

If someone gets a citation listing a fine of up to the reported high of $1,200.00, is it corrupt policing engaged, citizen “harassment”, or is it public safety officers carrying out their duties and applying reason to help keep you and others safe? Do you believe that police departments create the laws that dictate which speeds are legal and which are not, or is that the province of highway engineers? Do you believe that police created the law doubling fines in a construction, or are these thing the work of the legislature in concert with federal highway laws?

One person in an article on WBZ 38, Boston Area News reportedly ripped up a ticket citing an estimated $300.00 in penalties in front of police officers. If the police were in the mood for “harassing” citizens, then, that would have been a good opportunity for them to slap the cuffs on for obstructing police in the performance of their duty and for littering; another big fine violation, or both.

The police officer did not opt to cuff and stuff this jerk, but chose, instead, to send him on his way. The police officer was simply doing his or her job, and if the effected drivers had been doing their jobs; there would not have been tickets issued in the first place and all of this drama would be mute.

My view is that we have too many adults in Massachusetts with an entitlement attitude who need to grow up and learn to live and act responsibly. What bothers me even more is the thought that these foolish narcissists are actually raising children, who, no doubt, will act in an even more egregious manner as they pattern their actions on those of their half-wit parents and “role models”.

I know this post will not change the behavior of persons such as those discussed in the article, but it is my hope that it will get more reasonable people to stop ignoring such behavior and to draw more people to support their local/State police by no longer tolerating people who refuse to take responsibility for their actions.