(06-18-2023, 10:49 AM)homebiscuit Wrote:

(06-18-2023, 10:23 AM)NYC4jags Wrote: The waldo PD actually lost a big lawsuit over that and was investigated by the state - many years ago

 https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/florida...ice-force/

Which explains the signage when approaching the city limits, but it is still common to see a cop sitting there.

Edit: Sorry, I got Lawtey and Waldo confused.

Does anyone remember the story of Hampton, which sits about a mile off 301? 

Speed trap is dirtiest little town in America | CNN

...Somebody got the idea to snap up an easement along both sides of County Road 18 and a 1,260-foot stretch of U.S. 301. Because of the annexation, the bird’s eye view of Hampton resembles a lollipop on a stick. Or, depending on your point of view, a fist with a raised middle finger. Most outsiders take the second view.

Hampton set up its speed trap, just like its neighbors, Waldo and Lawtey. Since Hampton has no schools, homes or businesses along 301, traffic safety really wasn’t the issue. The focus always was on revenue – and state and county officials say that’s where the city went wrong. It’s the crack that allowed corruption to creep in and take hold.

The key players in this chapter of the saga are the county sheriff and Hampton’s chief of police....

...Hampton cops were a fixture out on U.S. 301. They sat on lawn chairs, pointing radar guns at unsuspecting motorists. They hid behind recycling bins. As more and more money came in, they idled in slick SUVs, trolled the median strips in riot gear and toted state-of-the-art firepower. Locals gave one the nickname “Rambo” because he slung an AR-15 rifle across his chest.

All to write tickets...

Most of my family lives south of Ocala so I have been traveling 301 fairly often for a few decades.

I believe the state passed a law limiting state funding for towns that earn over a certain amount of their revenue from tickets. I think that legislation passed because of what Hampton did. I don't recall ever seeing anyone pulled over in Hampton, at least not in a very long time. I think that legislation threw a wrench in their plans.

Waldo used to be bad, but they have built a few of those supersized gas stations over the last decade or so and I think they don't want to dissuade people from stopping there. I think they now prefer to make their revenue on sales tax than tickets because I haven't seen anyone pulled over there in years and rarely ever see a police car.

Lawtey is still a trap. I still see people pulled over there regularly. Rarely have I gone through there and not at least see their cop car in position to catch someone.

---