Tails of Woe

Tales of Woe Page 5

Well let's just start out by saying New Rome Police suck fat monkey nutz. These good for nothing rent-a-cops have nothing
better to do, then to use what little authority they have to harass the good people of surrounding areas, as we all know they let the locals off for the most part. These bottom feeders pulled my mother over for an "incorrect display of front license plate". She had it in her front seat, and was on her way to my house so I could put it on.

This pig with a hard-on decides he's going to pull her over for it. She shows him the tag, and states that she was heading
to my house for me to fix it for her. (It fell off at a car wash nearly 2 months ago) and she's been ALL over the state of
Ohio without incident until she came through New Rome. This wannabe cop, pulls her over and makes her wait for something close to 15 mins. Apparently looking up his damn ordinance numbers, because they have no clue how "real" police work is done. They're losers with badges, that pull over anyone that even remotely looks wealthy and not from the area. So he then approaches the car and asks "Do you work Ma'am?" What the hell kind of question is that? Must have been making sure that the 1 cent piece of paper he was about to write on would be worth writing, and making sure she could pay the fine. Then he proceeds to ask her "Where do you work". Now had I been with my mother, the fat bastard and I would have had words. Again this was probably just "sizing" her up. To see how much MORE money she makes then his sorry ass. So he wrote the ticket, and her place of work on it. Why? I'm still unsure.

Needless to say we're fighting it. She called that little barn or whatever the hell that thing is... guess it's supposed to be the
police department and asked to have the ticket transferred to Columbus. Where REAL officers work. The girl stated that,
"You must show up here for the ticket, and it's up to (not sure the term she used here so I'll fill in) some other douche bag to
transfer the ticket. But he never transfers things from New Rome". Gee wonder why? Perhaps to add to the 400,000 dollars
they've already stolen from people.

So now, each time I drive by the fools in that little white car, I often feel an urge to spit... Not sure why. Weird. Often
it lands on their vehicle. ha! Imagine that?

And for all you New Rome wannabe piece of dirt, no good, thieves that read this, You are all losers. You amount to less then what's in my toilet. Get a real job, be a real cop somewhere like Columbus. It must be tough having what... 12 fakies patrolling that 60 house jurisdiction? Wow. You guys are winners. A real cop wouldn't waste their time on half the shit you fools do.

Jim says:

Wow. Some story! They want to know where your mom works so if she doesn't pay they will come to her work and arrest her. I suggest NO ONE tell them where you work. It's none of their business.

As for 12...they want to add TEN MORE! Oh boy! What fun that will be! We have to put a stop to their madness.

Hey guys,
This is my first and hopefully last New Rome horror story.

In October of 2001 I was driving through NR. It was about 9:00 in the evening and it was quite dark out. I am 20 years old but I look like I am about 15. I had my 18 year old boyfriend and his 17 year old friend in my brand new sports car.

So here I am doing the speed limit, using my turn signals, doing everythig as I should. I am heading toward Rome-Hilliard Rd. about ready to turn left to get to Wendy's. As of now I am in the left hand turn lane. I see the NRPD pull up in the corner of my right eye. But, he was all the way in the far right hand lane. As soon as I turn, he turns the lights and sirens on and pulls me over in Wendy's parking lot(is that even New Rome anymore?) He proceeds to be a jackass asking me where I work, I reply nationwide Insurance, and he asks me which building and the phone number there. I told him it was really none of his
business and "what does this have to do with you pulling me over for no reason?" he replies I have expired tags...which I am totally SURE he saw at 9:00 in the evening, in the dark, two lanes to the right of me. I mean I know that sticker is HUGE and all...So I get an $80.00 ticket. whooowhooo!

In all honesty, I know it was my fault for driving with expired tags...I am dumb :) But I think the reason I was pulled over was because I have a brand new car,all the pasengers were fairly young and one of us happens to be of Aferican-American orgin. That pig did not know I had expired tags until he pulled me over in Wendy's parking lot.

For any NRPD officers that read this...do soemthing that will get you a little further in life than working in NR...I hear Westland Mall is looking for security guards.

-Amee

Jim says:

They have been accused of profiling on more than one account. One reader said they admitted they pulled her over for being hispanic! They never cease to amaze me.

My story, or more my wives story seems to be similar to a lot of the stories I have read on your site. I received a call one evening and the person identified themselves as a New Rome police officer. He said he had my wife pulled over behind Wendy's and that I would need to come for my kids because she was being arrested. Before this I had heard of New Rome, but this started my personel experience. My wife had received a citation from the town of London some months before this incident and was unable to show proof of insurance to the officer. He told her to just stop by the courthouse and show her proof. Well as most of us do we get busy in our routines and she forgot. I can't remember if she got a letter or a call saying she hadn't provided proof so she went back to London and showed them the insurance card. They said that it was taken care of, but it wasn't. Unknown to her or I the BMV had suspended her license and that is why she was being arrested.

I got the usual story that if I didn't bail her out within a certain time frame she would be taken to county jail till her court date. After a lot of running around the insurance mess was cleared up with the BMV. We took the paper work to her court date and because it wasn't to magistrate Beagles liking, he told her it wasn't good enough...that with computers now anyone could print up something with the BMV letterhead...truth be known I think he was upset she had worn shorts in his courtroom...what an ass he is. He said the paperwork showed her license was restored, but not that she had insurance coverage on the date of her ticket in London. Well seems to me it wouldn't take much brain power to figure that since the BMV suspended her license for not showing proof they weren't going to unsuspend them without her doing just that. So we were back to the BMV to get the papers that would satisfy the magistrate before our next court date something stating we had shown proof of insurance..he did however tell Lt. Kerr that she could have her license back in the mean time. Being in the hurry we were to get the hell out of there we forgot to get her license on the way out. The next day she called to make sure she could pick them up on her way home. The lady behind the window in the court trailer told her she couldn't have them. Well I had just about enough of this bullshit and decided I was going there and personally pick them up. I walked in the trailer and told her I was there to pick up my wives drivers license. In her best smart ass voice she asked me "And just who is your wife?" When I told her she said.."I told your wife that she wasn't getting them back". Well I stuck my head through the window and said a few choice words, basically that I was going to get them back.

She told me to leave or she would summon the almighty NRPD..I said "that is exactly what I want you to do..and tell them I'll be waiting right outside". Well no more than 2 feet out the door I hear sirens start to wail. I was greeted within seconds by Lt. Kerr and one of his cronies. I was asked what the problem was and said I was here for my wives license. I said the magistrate told you last night that she was to get them back...and in not doing so he was in violation of a court order. Well he dismissed himself to check. In the mean time I gave his crony a piece of my mind..how I would go 100 miles out of my way to avoid New Rome. I also said that one day the people and the businesses around New Rome would run them out on a rail...he just smiled and said we have been here 40 some years and will be here 40 more. After seeing your march on the news it amused me just how prophetic that statement was. Lt. Kerr did return with her license and I was on my way.

Would you believe that when we returned to court the next week the magistrate still didn't want to accept the proof the BMV gave us. Something about her new Motor Vehicle Report still showed her suspended. Well I think anyone who has dealt with the BMV should know it isn't going to be cleared in their system the same day...even the folks at the BMV were getting fed up with it. I was getting noticibly upset in court and Lt. Kerr saw this and asked if I had something to say. I stood up and said my peace and how we had provided everything they asked from us. Lt. Kerr agreed and recommended all charges be dropped..with hesitation the magistrate accepted his recommendation. Thanks for the site and for giving us a place to tell our stories.

Jeff

Jim says:

I am sorry you had to experience the hell hole known as New Rome. Your story is all too familiar of the tactics that New
Rome uses when dealing with the public. They disregard the real laws and think they can abuse everyone without recourse. I am hoping to be the thorn in their side that will not go away!

hi jim my name is suzi. i am from marysville. i wasnt warned about new rome. but i soon found out by personal experience. i went into land of oz tattoos to check out percing prices with a few of my friends. and when i came out there was a newrome cop parked behind my car, running my tags. i wasnt in there more than 10 minutes. when i came out and saw this i asked
what he was doing and he told me that my tags were expired. and i said,"did you not see that little blue sticker on there." he said oh. and i said dont you know that its illegal to run plates with out a cause. and he tried to give me this line about how they can run anyones plates now. they abolished that law in 98. i said yeah right. and anyway he left.

another fine moment of truth for new rome cops!!!!!! suckers!!!!!!!!!!
suzi

Jim says:

People telling these scum off just gives me goose bumps! Great job! We have to stand up for our rights! If that means questioning authority then so be it!

I got a good one for ya.It was about 5 months ago and me and my sister were driving threw new rome.When the pig pulls us over he gets my sisters license and says that her licenses has expired,when actually she had just renewed them like 3 weeks earlier.After she tells him that he says " Oh I see were i made the mistake".After that he tells my sister that he should
give her a ticket just for playing loud music.My sister says " Sir would you look at my stereo".The face of my sisters stereo wasnt even on so there was no way we could have even been listening to music.Sorry piggy no ticket today.

Jim says:

Wow. You got him at every corner, eh? That is too funny. I'm surprised that they didn't find something to ticket you for. Some dirt on your car. A rusty bolt. Something! Good job!

i went to advance auto parts to get some brakes for my car mr policeman wasent nowhere to be seen so me and the manager was talking so while o was in the store i saw mr policeman pull in the parking lot that just sat there i was in the store for about an half hour so as soon as i pulled out of the parhing lot thay pulled me over for an crack in my windsheld the crack was so small thay had to be looking real hard to see it i end up going to jail lost my car.... ive had so much problems from new rome i dont even go throught there i even change my doc to another one because mr policeman parks there o yea one day i was leaving brandons video games no one would let mr policeman in so i thought i would be nice and let him in and the no good @#$#%$#%$ pulled me over saying he heard an alarm now i have my neighbor and my 4month old daugther with me and he thought i broke in an house he towed my car took me in threatend to take my baby to childrens services if my wife dont get there in an half hour she was driving all the way from new albany.....

Jim says:

Typical abuse from New Romes best!

Hi Jim,

My name is Karen and I have a similar story. I just moved to Ohio a little over 2 years ago and purchased a home in Galloway approximately 9 months ago.

I was told about the "speed trap" and am very careful when I drive through that area.

Sunday night, the 24th, I had turned left off Rome-Hilliard road onto West Broad. I was coming up on that first stop light and stopped a ways back from the car in front of me because I had something in my eye. As I opened my eye and eased up to the car, I noticed a squad behind me. When the light changed, I started moving and he put on his lights! Thinking it must have been someone in front of me, I signaled and pulled to the right lane. Ironically, his lights and siren got more intense as I approached Norton Road.

I pulled over and stopped the car. He said I was going 42 in a 35 (imagine that) Do they have ALL their squads set at 42? If I indeed went that fast, it would have had to have been at least 3 sidewalk cracks!!!! He sure didn't tell me how long he had clocked me at that speed.

Then the amazing thing happened! I gave him my license number (my license was at home in one of my jeans back pocket) He came back and informed me my license wasn't valid! He proceeded to have me get out of my car, place my hands on the top of his car, and HANDCUFFED me right there on West Broad Street! Now, I am a 40 something working single mother and homeowner. He would NOT let me out on my own recog "in case I don't come back" I had to call my friend from work (which I barely know) to pick up my son that happened to be visiting from Illinois and bail me out!

He (officer Swain) showed me a paper that had my driving record showing a speeding ticket on my Ohio record that he had just informed me didn't exist!!!

Now, on top of all this, I don't have a month to get an attorney or get the money up for a fine like most places, I have to be in court this Thursday!!! So, I not only miss 2 hours of work because of this screw up, but I also have to miss out on my overtime!!!

Thank you for including the attorneys numbers so I can call them and see what they can do for me in this situation. I am very much like you and try to keep digging until I find the answers people seem to try to hide!!!

Jim says:

It's refreshing to see others ready to fight for right! I'm sorry you had to experience their abuse though.

I was coming home from work one night. I was at the corner of Demorest and Broad, turning south onto Demorest. I had done this move a thousand times before, as I always got over to the far right, next to the curb. The white lines that USED to be there weren't there anymore, and I naturally thought it was a turn lane. After turning, one of the New Rome stormtroopers jumped out from the Culligan store lot and ran me down. He claimed I had made an illegal
right hand turn from a no-turn lane. When I asked about the faded white lines, he stated that the lines were still visible, and it was a no-turn lane. No ticket, just an argument.
Fast forward 1 week to the hour. Same cop on duty, only there was a Franklin County Sheriff's Deputy in the BP lot. I stopped at the light, turned on my turn signal, and turned from the "right" lane. The Sheriff jumped out after me. After the initial exchanges, he asked me if I was aware that I had made an illegal right turn from a center lane. I explained what had happened the week prior. The Deputy said that the intersection of Broad and Demorest was out of New Romes' jurisdiction, and that the "white lines" were a right turn lane. When the Deputy asked me who had pulled me over from New Rome, I pointed to the cruiser in the Culligan lot. The Deputy drove over, with me behind him. The Deputy informed the stormtrooper that he had over-stepped his jurisdiction when he pulled me over. After a short while, the Deputy told me
to go on about my buisness, so I left.
Next night, and the stormtrooper pulled me over again, this time in the village limits. He basically told me that if he caught me again, he would make sure I went to jail for anything he could find (fabricate). Thinking fast, I had grabbed my cell phone, and dialed my home phone number before he got to the door of my Jeep. "Better watch what you say, officer. I dialed my attorney's home phone number before you pulled me over, and he has heard everything." With that, the officer basically told me to f*** off, and I had better never meet him outside of the village when he was off-duty. Never had any more trouble out of him, and I heard he's been fired from the department he left New Rome for, because of conduct issues.
I rode with many LEO's from many departments, and have never heard a good thing about New Rome from any of them. Stands to reason. Hitler had better control over his subordinates thatn New Rome does........

Jim says:

I would say they don't have control. That would indicate they try to control them. I think they just let them run amuck and do whatever they want. All the Officers who have mailed me didn't have nice things to say either. Surprise surprise.

HEY THIS LOOKS LIKE A GREAT PICTURE FOR THE FRONT OF THE NEW ROME VISITORS
TRAVEL BROCHURE....MAYBE COME AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY?...NOT MY BEST BUT I AM
STILL THINKING...LOVE THE SITE AND HAD PROBLEMS IN NEW ROME TOO.BUT SADLY I
WAS AT FAULT AND WAS STILL HANDLED POORLY....PAY OUR OUTRAGOUS FINE AND THEY
WOULD CHANGE HOW THE TICKET APPEARED ON MY RECORD.WAS DONE BY CREDIT CARD
AND DID SOME YEARS LATER RECIEVE A CHECK FOR THE STRNAGE CARD USEAGE
FEE...KEEP IT UP....THANKS,RICH

Jim says:

That's New Rome for ya. Getting caught breaking the law is one thing, but they are ALWAYS rude and abusive regardless. As for the charge, I heard about that. You know what they did to me? After my license got suspended the state sent me a letter saying that the court would charge 15 bucks to release the warrant. When I went to pay they charged me 25 and I questioned it with the letter in my hand. They said that the BMV must charge that even though it said right there that the court does and their fee was in fact 25. When I went to the BMV they conformed that they overcharged me, but I would have to take it up with them. Typical, eh?

I too was one of the unsuspecting victims of our wonderful state of New Rome. I had just came into town from North Carolina and was on my way to visit some friends that lived just past the above mentioned HELL HOLE. In the state of Ohio you must display a front license plate; however, in North Caroline, they feel rapists and murderers are a much bigger priority. I was on my way to my destination when I saw the sobering lights of a police car in my mirror. At that time I started to think of anything I may have done to provoke this stop. Proper speed? check. Headlights? check. Seatbelt? check. Turn signals? No need, no lane changes, and nowhere in that damn city I would want to stop. I couldn't figure out why he had pulled me over. He asked me for my license and insurance card but was probably in a full belly trance from all the glazed dognuts to notice my window tint was illegal. North Carolina had left me alone because my plates were from Ohio. When I explained to the so called officer I live in North Carolina and my drivers license confirmed it, he felt it was his duty to let me know if I didn't cooperate he could FIND something else to write me up for in addition to the license plate. I then knew I was not dealing with your run of the mill police dept. I kept my mouth shut and let him write the ticket. On my next visit to Ohio I made a special trip to New Rome in another vehicle, that was pre-inspected for violations. I was safe and legal. As I entered the city I happened to see one of the fine "law enforcement officers" at Burger King. (couldn't find a Jolly Pirates) I approached him and asked a simple question that any one of you would have asked if given the opportunity. " Do you think , not a threat mind you, but do you think if I were to smack you in the head, I could get away before you get that bullet out of your pocket and shoot yourself in the foot?" He didn't find humor in the question, and I felt it MY duty to let him know, my vehicle was inspected by officer Downey of the state highway patrol before I entered his backwoods town and I am in no violation of any state law. Of course I couldn't leave without telling him to have a nice day. Now I have heard New Rome is in the works of becoming Franklin County's again. It's about time.
Thanks for letting me vent and tell my story.
Matt.

Jim says:

Great story Matt! It's always good to see someone stand up to them and make them feel like the little swine they are!

my wife and i were at the coney shop in new rome about a month ago when older couple came walking out of the front door of the shop. when the lady turned to walk off the porch, her knee gave way and she fell face first on to the chairs. she was scraped up a bit, but mostly okay. the new rome "policeman" drove over from his parking spot by the road to see what was up. when the old lady saw him she starting crying and saying "i havent been drinking". her and her husband were more worried about the "policeman" than getting help for her injuries. sad isn't it. but thats how people perceive new rome "policeman". not "to protect and serve" but to be feared.

Jim says:

That is so sad. It's like a child having an accident and being more worried about being punished by their parents then their own injuries. Really sad.

Jim,
Hi my name is Heather I moved to Galloway about two years ago when I married my husband Brad. Now Brad tends to have a heavy foot, and used to drive through new rome often, so hes gotten ticket after ticket, for speeding, seatbelt, failure to display (neon liscense plate) and a lot of other stupid shit. I have also gotten pulled over in new rome, but not for any "normal" reason. Thats right a cop pulled me over to ask me for my telephone number. (Like I'd ever). Not to mention I had recently gotten married. However the point of my story is that my husband is a pizza driver and he still won't drive through new rome and I work on the other side of Broad st. I don't drive through new rome either. Brad says "It's against our religeon". Just to let you know were haters too. Let us know next time theres a march we will be there for sure.

Jim says:

New Rome certainly isn't a place to go through if you drive a little fast. For that matter it's not a place anyone should go through any time given the charges they like to bring against people. Stopped you to ask for your number?!?! Oh man! That's a new one! The next march will be Saturday August 17th at noon! Hope to see you there!

Jim:

    LOVE YOUR WEB SITE!!!! My father was a deputy sheriff in Franklin County 20 years ago. He never did have anything kind to say about New Rome & your web site proves him right!
   I, too, am a past victim of New Rome speed trapping....I was 18 at the time. My dad went to bat for me because he knew I would never speed. His argument was I was stopped because 1) I was female; 2) I was under 21 & they LOVE stopping teen drivers; & 3) I had a brand new flashy Scarlet & Gray Camero.
   The only place that equals New Rome's speed trapping is a suburb up here in Cleveland called Lindale.
   Just thought you would like to know your web site was written about in our Cleveland Plain Dealer!!

Jim says:

I have yet to find any REAL Law Enforcement agent have anything good to say about New Rome. I have heard about Linedale. It would be nice if we could get a State law limiting how much any town can take in through traffic enforcement. Something has got to give! We need to find someone who knows someone who can set the act of creating a law of this nature in motion!

This isn't my own tale, but I was a witness...

About 10 years ago I was working at Highlights for Children in Hilliard. We were having a potluck lunch. A friend of mine had her mom bring in her little boy, who was 3 or 4, to show off to everyone she worked with. All was just swell.

We sit down to eat and in come 2 New Rome officers escorted by 2 Hilliard officers. They had come to arrest my friend.

In front of her mother, her coworkers, bosses and most importantly, her little boy, they cuffed her and took her to jail. She had no idea why. The officers told us some dollar amount that would get her out of jail, not sure how much, over $100.00. So we took up a collection and someone followed them back to New Rome.

Turns out that about a year before she had been pulled over a couple days after her birthday and received a ticket for expired tags. Mind you, it was still the month of her birthday but she had let it slide for a couple of days. She renewed the tags but didn't pay the ticket. I realize that an unpaid ticket in New Rome is asking for trouble, but they went a little too far. I am not an expert on these things but I thought for a ticket like that, when there is a warrant out for your arrest, they wait to catch you for something again, or they send you letters, not hunt you down and cuff you and drag you off to jail.

We now will drive miles out of our way to avoid New Rome. It is an emarrassment to the Westside.

Jim says:

They tried to do the same to me. I had changed shifts that day and they didn't get me so the joke was on them. It is their scare tactics. They humiliate you so that next time you will know better. They are probably the only PD that goes great distance to get people for trivial things like that. The drunk driver who totaled my car and didn't show up in court and they put a warrant out for him, but you can bet that Columbus PD won't be going to his house or anything to get him. Is that wrong? Yeah, but I understand that they have more important things to do. Funny how New Rome doesn't.

Dear Michael:

Thanks to the efforts of Los Angeles Times reporter David Lamb, the sad and really unbelievable story of New Rome has reached the shores of the Pacific Ocean, here in Santa Monica, California.

I enjoyed every morsel of the site.........my ONLY complaint about it is the white print on black background..........very, very hard on the eyes. Really, you ought to review this, as there's a lot to read and fatigue quickly sets in. Talk to your web site designer.

This all strikes a raw nerve with me. What you are describing is only the tip of the iceberg in 2002 America. Here in relatively affluent California, there are a lot of cops and metermaids with little legitimate business to keep them busy, so abuse of power is rampant. I've witnessed it for years in places like Marin County near San Francisco, and now, in Orange and Los Angeles counties.

In July of 2001, I was virtually mugged by a police officer in Newport Beach at 8PM on a summer night. I had gone to the beach to cool off, see some sea birds and relax, after a long day hitting antique shops. I committed the sin of crossing a virtually empty street against the light. In the corner of my eye I spotted John Law, NBPD Nazi jack boot patrol, smirking at me. He LITERALLY put on his red and blue flashing lights, executed a perfect U turn, and jumped out to confront me. And confront he did, asking what I was doing there, etc. The nerdy officer, crew cut, biceps etc. was snarling and hostile, clearly enjoying his control and power. I said a few things to him I shouldn't have said and luckily escaped with just a $77 ticket. In November, I went to superior court not to contest the ticket so much as to have my say regarding the officer's demeanor and mission. It was satisfying. The officer showed up in a fine looking Italian suit, obviously on his own time, apparently receiving overtime (possibly time and a half?), chatting with his buddy officer outside the courtroom and occasionally smirking at me. Let it be noted that this is the priority of the Newport Beach law enforcement system.......terrorizing the citizens to obtain money which basically goes into the pocket of the loose cannon cop, while THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO SECURITY AT THE COURTHOUSE.......ANYONE COULD HAVE GOTTEN IN THERE WITH A .44 MAGNUM GUN........THE ONE SECURITY PERSON I SAW WAS LITERALLY LYING DOWN RESTING ON A BENCH!!!! I am currently bringing this unpleasant incident to the attention of the editor of the Orange County alternative newspaper, the Orange County Weekly.

The priorities of many law enforcement agencies are seriously misguided. I have experienced similar terrorism in Sausalito/Tiburon/Mill Valley, CA, and in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The metermaids in that town are some of the scariest in America. Meters run in front of the local Walgreens 24 hours a day. If you want to get a tube of toothpaste at 12 midnight, you must put money into the meter. Some antique shop owners there beat up a parking enforcement officer there about 5 years ago. He was destroying their business. Here in Santa Monica, meter maid terrorism is the stuff of legend......I have seen amazing gall and cruelty from these men and women. Just this week, they picked my pocket again, and I am very careful...........a repairman was parked in front of my condo on a side street at 2:15 on a Wednesday afternoon, in order to evaluate a damaged garage gate and give a repair estimate. The block is posted no parking 2 to 4 PM Wednesday. The repairman and I were chatting about the gate, no more than 15 feet from where the meter maid snuck up on us (our conversation would be clearly audible to any reasonable person).....instead of giving us a friendly warning to move the truck, she slapped a $38 ticket on the window and snuck off in her Cushman. I have also witnessed jaywalking tickets Christmas week in a shopping district; my father received a ticket for letting off my handicapped mother in a red zone; I witnessed a double ticket for stopping in a red zone, to a fellow who was waiting in his car for girlfriend to get a Starbucks. It was a hot afternoon, the windows were down, engine off, radio on, on kind of a side street........metermaid comes by, instead of saying, "Sir, please move, this IS a red zone....."......instead of that, she shoves a ticket at him, then, to twist the knife, goes to the front of the car, sees he has no front license plate, and gives him another ticket for that............

Thisdoesn't even count the ubiquitous new INTERSECTION CAMERAS that are springing up all over California. The tickets are $271, soon to go to $304, not to mention the damage to the insurance.......this has recently been successfully challenged in San Diego........seems that the manufacturer of the cameras gets a cut of each ticket...........yes, all of this is out of control. PEOPLE ARE SO TERRIFIED OF CITY HALL AND AUTHORITY THAT THEY ARE AFRAID TO MAKE A RUCKUS, SO THE NAZI COPS AND METERMAIDS CONTINUE TO TERRORIZE, UNCHALLENGED. This is a serious problem in America, and the stakes are rising all the time. The fines get higher, the damage to a driver's insurance is "take no prisoners"----one moving violation in three years and a driver's rates skyrocket..........violence against officers is bound to be a byproduct of this cycle.

Your town's nightmare is a wake up call to America.......an extreme and absurd example. But let there be no doubt that intimidation and downright terrorism is on the rise all over the nation. It is the duty of the press to raise the level of consciousness and to nurture resistance to this dangerous trend.

Good for you!!! Keep up the good work!!!!! Come visit us in Santa Monica.........but make sure that you don't park more than 18 inches from the curb, and, god forbid, don't let your handicapped mother disembark in a red zone!!

Jon
Santa Monica, California

Jim says:

Thanks for your mail Jon. I agree that there needs to be a system put in place to stop the various levels of police abuse.
People only see the physical abuse when in fact there is a lot of emotional abuse that is never reported on and people see financial abuse as your punishment when it really doesn't do anything but create money for the government. It doesn't stop any crime. I have heard that OH is the biggest Traffic Trap state. Maybe we need to get the government to research this since they like spending our money on useless things.

I received my first ticket from a new rome{sucks} part time cop back in 1976. I was driving a beat up pickup truck on Broad St. going west toward West Jefferson. It was a nice sunny day and I was looking forward to visiting my friends in W.Jeff. I was stopped at the light at Norton and noticed the cop eyeing me from his cruiser. I knew he was going to pull me over but I was not in a turn lane so when the light changed I had to continue on through new rome. Sure enough I passed the cruiser and he pulled in behind me with his lights flashing. The cop was insulting, demeaning and was baiting me into arguing with him. Then he found out that I had just received my permit a few days before and made a derisive comment about getting to be the first to ticket me. When I had the gall to inquire just what had I done wrong to get a ticket he told me to shut up and I would be lucky to JUST get off with a fine. By now he knew the truck belonged to my father{no registration or insurance papers in the truck} so he handcuffed me and put me in the cruiser while he searched the truck. He found a pill bottle with 1 pill in it which had my dads name clearly printed on it. This didn't seem to make any difference to the part time cop. He questioned me about it and when I bluntly told him that it was my dads truck, it was his pill, maybe he should call my dad to ask him about it.

The new rome cop shook that pill bottle in my face and said he was going to have it analyzed. Needless to say I was taken in, the truck was impounded and I got a ticket for speeding. My dad had 3 lines on his phone but the nrpd could not reach him. I spent about 6 hours in a holding cell when my dad finally showed up to get me.

It cost me $75.00 to get the truck back. My dad was friends with several people at Franklin county and when we went to mayors court, of course I was found guilty and was to pay a fine. The mayor instructed us to pay the clerk. The clerk was a total ass. My dad told the clerk that we were appealing. The clerk said that was fine but you have to pay the fine now and get the papers for an appeal and return with them. My dad slapped the appeal papers on the desk and said there they are. Can we go now? When we got to Franklin county it was thrown out and the prosecutor followed the cop into the hallway and dressed him down for bringing this B-shit into the courts. Bittersweet victory!

Does anyone have statistics on the number of tickets given to new rome residents? I bet it isn't many! What happened with the nrpd charging a fee to pay tickets by credit card?

Time is up for new rome! Stop preying on people who don't live in your district! If you need more money
do what I did and get a Damn job! Nice site, keep it up.

Jim says:

You got a cell? Now a days they cuff you to their bench. I heard they got in trouble for charging for paying with the credit card. That's illegal. Not that they care about the law. As for tickets given to residents probably not many sense there are so few residents. Not to mention they are all related to someone who knows someone who can get them out of the ticket.

I'M A HISPANIC WOMAN WORKING FOR THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. I WAS STOPPED SOME 3 YEARS AGO FOR NO CAUSE. AT THE TIME I WAS DRVING A 98 CHEVY CAMARO. WHEN I WAS STOPPED THE OFFICER DID NOT ASK ME FOR MY DRIVER'S LICENSE OR INSURANCE. THE FIRST THING THAT CAME OUT OF HIS MOUTH WAS, "DO YOU HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER?" WHAT! I TOLD HIM THAT HE SHOULD NOT BE ASKING ME THAT QUESTION, IT WAS AGAINST THE LAW. HE STATED I HAD TO PROVE TO HIM THAT I WAS A US CITIZEN. "SHOW ME YOUR PAPERS", HE STATED. I TOLD HIM I'LL SHOW YOU MY PAPERS IF YOU SHOW ME YOURS. "SEE THIS, HE STATES, POINTING TO HIS SKIN. IM AN AMERICAN. I FILLED UP WITH ANGER. I SHOWED HIM MY ODPS BADGE AND STATED HE WAS RACIALLY PROFILING ME. HE STUTTERED AND SAID HE WOULD GIVE ME A WARNING FOR SPEEDING. THE POINT IS THAT NEW ROME SUCKS. THEY RACIALLY PROFILE!!!!!!! MOST OF THE MONEY THEY MAKE IS OFF UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN STOPPED FOR NO REASON. THEY SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN!!
JAZMIN

Jim says:

Did you talk to a lawyer about this? That is just so wrong! They had several Hispanic people there when I was in court and most of them were illegal and I would almost bet they profiled them to get them. Did they do anything to fix that problem? No, they charged them huge fines and let them go. Why not? They get lots of money and what's the people who are getting the fines going to do? Take them to court for profiling? Your case would be perfect to bust them on.

Wow after reading some of these stories you have reinforced my fear of God and the kangaroo court system!!

Ironically 2 out of the 3 times that I have been pulled over in my life, I was in Kanga-country (New Rome and it's sister municipality Valleyview)...but after reading these I know now I shoulda been playing the lottery, for I got pulled over there and did not get a ticket.

It was Jan-Feb 1995...I lived off Beacon Hill Rd. and had taken the back way (pre the opening of the Sullivant Ave. extension) to Hilliard Rome Rd. to go to "Wendy's" for my then husband, now my kids and I were having Donatos, and I had a horrible headache so rather than go all the way back up Beacon Hill to the hospital parking lot, I thought "just this once" I'll go thru there...just this once!!. I had my then 5 year old daughter with me who, on her own, after hearing the grown ups talk about it referred to New Rome as "the bad place" (to this day she hates it).

I caught their traffic light and stopped...no problem...The man was on the curb of the road, but trust me my daughter and I were barely breathing out loud much less doing anything noteworthy, the light changes and I go about my business and lo and behold here come the lights...my daughter starts crying immediately cuz she warned me not to go thru the bad place duh!!!!.

I pull over in the pharmacy parking lot on Norton and to avoid having this convo in front of my daughter..like a dumb@#$ I jump out of the car. I knew I hadnt done anything wrong this time (as if that ever had anything to do with being pulled over in New Rome). I realize now I'm lucky he didn't shoot me. I never got his name but he was an old heavy set guy and he informed me that my sticker was missing, my response was "Well it must have been stolen, because my plates are valid and I have the registration to prove it", he being the omniscent officer that he is tells me "He knows because he already called my plates in " (dang they get their BMV checks done faster than anyplace I've ever seen, because anyone ever pulled over by the CPD knows you're stuck sweating it out a good 10 mintues at least), anyway..he pulled me over as a courtesy stop. now he could ticket me for failure to display but he won't , so essentially he let me go with a "have a nice day"...OMG!!!!....I guess I shoulda played the lottery that day because I found out in 1999, that I had an outstanding warrant for a "Dog Confinement" ticket from 1990...I personally have not driven thru NR since that very day, and wanted to throw a bash when they opened Sullivant Ave. thru to Galloway Rd.

Just wanted to let yall know that sometimes the good guy wins!! and I have become infamous for being the only legitimate ticket (well legitimate by very crooked standards) they could have given but didn't!!

Lisa M.
Lincoln Village

Jim says:

Nice story. I'm glad you didn't get a ticket! There must have been some reason they didn't give you one. I don't believe they make courtesy stops. Perhaps you scared him when you jumped out of your car. They seem to back down when the people the pull over aren't afraid of them.

Jim,

Here's my story. This was about 5 maybe 6 years ago. I was driving my sister's car which had a hole in the tail light about the size of the tip of a ball point pen. Real small. They pulled me over saying that I am blinding drivers with it. No white light was even shining out of it. I proved it to him when I put my hand over the hole about 4 inches away and there was no sign of the hole. My hand just glowed red. Anyhow, after I proved them wrong he ran my license and said they were no good and that he
would have to take me into custody and fine me $125 or something ridiculous. When I asked why? He said because of an unpaid seat belt ticket. I explained that I paid that ticket a long time ago. He said that I didn't. So, after my sister, girlfriend and cousin from out of town, sat and watched me get arrested, then bail me out. I was pissed!!! The next day I went down to the clerk of courts to get proof I paid the ticket. I asked the clerk of courts about the procedure when running licenses. He said that the proper procedure is to first run it through the BMV, and if it is no good there, they are supposed to run it through the clerk of courts in case there was any delay in the paper work or if it got lost or anything. He said they should have never have arrested me before they did that, let alone fine me. So with my paper work I went to my court date and fought it, I got my bail back and didn't have to pay the fine, but I still had to pay court costs!! What a bunch of crap!! Anything for a dollar huh? New
Rome!!

They also gave me a $75 ticket before cause I had my wallet in my other pants. $75!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Said I couldn't show proper ID. CROOKS!!!!!

Mike
5 Hand Gang
http://www.geocities.com/fivehandgang2001

PS- That March was awesome!! Thanks JIM!!

Jim says:

Anyone that argues that New Rome isn't just out to make money must be getting a cut or something. Again let me point out how they don't user their judgment and common sense when doing anything. Thanks for your support Mike!

I'm a police officer with a local jurisdiction, and had an experience with New Rome PD. I was working 3rd shift several years ago and an officer from New Rome wanted to come to our station to use our breathlyzer for a suspected drunk driver. This is common practice among law enforcement, allowing another agency to use your breathlyzer, if theirs is unavailable. The officer brought his prisoner in and was sitting in the lobby waiting for one of our officers to assist him. This particular night was extremely busy we had made several arrest ourselves for alcohol related violations, fights, and warrants. I was in the back dealing with a subject I had arrested, and we had several other officers on station as well. A dispatcher in a panic called over our radio to hurry up to the lobby quickly an officer needed assistance. As I arrived up front in a room adjacent to the lobby on officer was thrown against the wall and being punched repeatedly. I intervened along with several other officers and got the offender under control and he was subsequently arrested for assault on a police officer.
As I looked out in the lobby I noticed the New Rome officer sitting in the corner with a petrified look on his face. This officer observed another officer being assaulted and failed to assist in any way and was obviously shaken by the incident. I proceeded to ask this officer to leave our building, and informed him of my dissatisfaction of his cowardness. This is my New Rome horror story enjoy.

Jim says:

Wow. That's some story! First of it's kind I have heard. Thanks for sharing!

Hi Jim,

My New Rome experience was upsetting enough, but after reading some other people's experiences,I thank God I wasn't abused as bad as they were. I had heard of Hazzard County (aka New Rome) before, but I didn't even know I was in Boss Hog's turf at the time. I had to take a detour through NR because a train was blocking my normal route. I didn't think I was speeding, but Barney said otherwise. I was allegedly going 5 miles an hour over the limit, but you would think I had just killed someone, by the way I was treated. The cop was extremely hostile,rude, intimidating and very angry. Right off the bat, he said "You can try and dispute this if you want. but I've got the radar to prove otherwise." His mannerism was so hostile, I was
genuinely afraid for my safety. And I'm normally a really brave person. I'm a scuba diver, and I once saw a shark while I was over 100 feet underwater, and I can honestly saw that my New Rome experience was much scarier than that. Even sharks are much less bloodthirsty than the cops in New Rome.

After writing me a $100 ticket for going 5 mph over, the cop asked me for proof of insurance. I explained that I did have insurance, but I had just renewed my policy, and I had not yet received my new card. (I had moved recently, so it was in the process of being forwarded to me. ) I showed him the old card, which had just expired days before. He quoted some statute
saying you had to provide current proof, and proceeded to add an additional $100 fine. I told him that I had used the same insurance company for 15 years. I offered to call them on my cell phone, so that they could confirm my coverage. The cop just scoffed and said in a very rude tone "We don't call" Someone told me recently that you are supposed to have 3 days to
prove insurance before getting a citation, but if that's true, Barney sure didn't tell me that. They also tacked on an extra $10 "computer fee" which they said was to cover the cost of them putting the information into the computer. What a crock of sh- - !!

He also asked me where I worked, and I said "OSU" and he made me give him the specific department and address. It wouldn't surprize me if he was planning on coming to my job to harrass me. Either that or he wanted to extort football tickets from me too! ;-)

I decided to try going to court, but I wanted to know how much court costs were. I called three different times, and the lady that that answered the phone was a total bitch and refused to give me any info. I honestly believe she was being as rude and difficult as possible so that I would just give up. I decided to go to Kangaroo court anyway,so I had to take personal time
off my job during a very busy time of year, which was a drag. When I saw the trailer I just about died! They make $400,000 a year and they hold court in a f * * * ing trailer! It was like 98 degrees that day, but there was a sign that said if you wore shorts you would not be allowed in the courtroom. Of course, they don't tell you that ahead of time. I was wearing a suit and panty hose, and there was no A/C in this stupid trailer. so I was sweating like a pig (pun INTENDED). Anyway, this one cop started out being a prick, but finally he did let me show him my policy and he waived the insurance charge. The bitch clerk was exceptionally rude as usual, and when I asked for a receipt, she wouldn't give me one. I demanded that they give me something signed from them proving that I had paid this, because I knew they had a history of repeated imbezzlement. She
gave me a really hard time about it, but I just persisted until she finally gave me a signed copy of the ticket that said paid. it was like pulling teeth to get her to give me a receipt. I also noticed her outfit looked very expensive, (tacky, but expensive) which is interesting. I didn't know clerks in a rural town made that much money. She also had on more gold jewlery than
"Mr. T" (Fashion hint, my dear, a little goes a long way.)

During out protest march, one of the Franklin County cops drove by, saw my sign, smiled and gave me a "thumbs up" sign. I think this pretty much says it all. New Rome cops make the good, honest, hardworking cops out there look bad. When the funeral procession went by, even a few of them waved their support. I think they would have even ticketed them if there had not been a Franklin County police escort to protect them.

A friend of mine just moved here from out of state; he has been in law enforcement for over 10 years. He told me that New Rome is infamous with police deparments all over the country, even as far away as Alaska.

So how much longer do we have to tolerate this bullsh- -? We need to dissolve New Rome NOW!!!! NEW ROME SUCKS!!!!

Yours truly,
One pissed off chick

Jim says:

I wish we had the power to dissolve New Rome. I can't believe that the people of the state have no say over such a thing. What about or rights? Wait. I almost forgot. We're the good guys. We have no rights.

Actually this is my uncles. What is there to say about the cops in New Rome? I know if they stop you once and take you in their on your ass evrytime you go through there. My uncle got stopped for speeding a year ago but he couldn't help it his speedometer was broken. When they pulled him over they searched his truck and found macchedies (he uses them when he fishes) they didn't listen to why he had themso he also got charged with carrying a weapon. He went to jail sorry "police trailer" and my mom went and got him. They didn't give his weapons back to him and they even stole other things. Everytime he goes through New Rome now they stop him to make sure he has no weapons and is being a "model citizen"
Jenn

Jim says:

Weapons? Give me a break. So did your uncle talk to a lawyer about their conduct? I think he could have got them good in a real court.

My name is Mike and I own George's Coney Island & Grill at 3479 West Broad St.. This is my story about my little adventure in the Hole called New Rome.

On a sunny afternoon, sometime in the late 80's I was driving back into Columbus and to my restaurant from West Jefferson. As I entered the village called New Rome I was greeted by the flashing lights in my rear view mirror. I put my flashers on and pulled over. I knew that I had not been speeding, I knew better than to do that. The officer, if you wish to classify him as that
approached my car and asked me where I was going. I did not respond to that question because it was none of his business. I simply offered him my drivers license. He asked me again where I was heading to. I responded "Well, obviously I am heading East, on West Broad Street, in Franklin County"
......... Given the fact that I had just proved him to be an ass, he reached for my drivers licenses. I then asked him why he pulled me over. He said, give me your licenses, I repeated my question as I pulled my licenses back in my window. He then reared his skinny fame back and proceeded to inform me that I was not displaying a front license plate and he also proceeded to inform me of the State code. I said thank you and handed him my drivers license. After letting me sit there for 20 minutes he then approached my car again. I was expecting to receive my ticket and be left to go on my merry way. This was not the case. When he approached my car, he did not have a ticket in his hand and he did not have my drivers license with him. He walked
up to my door and ordered me out of my vehicle. I rolled my window almost completely up, I locked my door and I asked him why? He stated in as firm of a voice as his skinny frame could muster, sir, I just ordered you out of your vehicle. I asked again, why? He then stated "if you do not get out of your vehicle then I will be forced to place you under arrest". I then told him
that he had no reason to ask me to get out of my car, just to give me a ticket. I told him that he was asking for me to surrender myself to him, with no just cause. As his face got red and before he could respond, I then told him that I would be happy to surrender myself to a Franklin County Sheriff or a State Trooper, but, that I would not do so to him. As I rolled up my window the rest of the way I told him that he could bust the window out and take me from my car or he could get a Sheriff out there to explain to me why I had to exit my car just for a simple ticket. This "officer" then returned to his cruiser. I figured that I would end up going to jail for something, but, he had me upset and I didn't really care. He let me sit there for another 45 minutes then he returned to my car with my ticket and my drivers license. He said nothing about me exiting my car, he gave me the citation and I went on about my merry way. Well, that is my little experience in New Rome. I am glad to see that Jamie Muller is going to either clean that hole up or do it in for good. As the owner of a 54 year old West Broad St. Business, I will be very happy to see this scar on my part of the cities face go away. The Hilltop and the Westland areas of Columbus and Franklin County are full of decent, hard working wonderful people, they should not have to put up with crap like New Rome. The New Rome Police Department is nothing but a pimple on Ohio's backside and it is time to pop it, once and for all. BRAVO to you for
this web site. If I had not had a Catering Job in Hilliard and then needed to get to Dayton for a Basketball game, I would have been marching with you.
YEAH, NEW ROME SUCKS, however, lets not let the disgusting police department of New Rome reflect on all those who actually live and work there, because there are many good people in that village. I certainly do not blame them, not all of them that is!

Jim says:

Great story Mike! Any story where someone doesn't take New Rome's crap is a great story. Some people fail to see that just because you get a ticket doesn't mean they can make their own rules on how to handle the situation. Like the guy trying to make you get out of the car and giving you a hard time. He was abusing his authority. You didn't stand for it. Most people would just have got out of the car and did what he said because that is what we think we have to do when in fact we have a lot more rights then most people realize.

Boy, I have a good one for you, My wife and I were in the mood for a little Ice cream one evening and pulled into the Dairy Queen at 3 minutes past 9pm and didnt realize the drive thru was closed. No big deal. They told us "sorry we are closed" and we were about to head on our merry way, when officer jack ass who looked like he was 12 years old decides to come up behind us and toss on the lights. Oh boy! were getting pulled over in DQ for WHAT??? This charector who looks like he isnt even old enough to shave let alone have a badge comes up demanding my wifes license, registration & Proof of Insurance. She politely asks him what the problem is and he demands it again, this time telling her that her Registration is Expired. Ok Nice try, its a leased vehicle which does'nt expire until 06/02... without even thinking I jumped out of the car (which happens to be far from a hoopty- its a 2001 Honda Accord 2dr. driven by 2 adults old enough to be this kids dad) Look at the plate and was like "Hey you need to take another look at this were not expired until June." The retard cop, who looked like he was about to drop a load in his pants when hopped out(had his hand on his gun! trembling like Barney Fife used to LOL) said to me "I said her drivers license was expired" Instead of getting in a shouting match with this idiot and going to prison for the next 15 years for assaulting an "officer" I leaned back on the car and rode it out. (BTW, i am FAR from intimidating looking!) So this dingleberry tells her that her license is now expired. Now how did he know this from walking up to the car? He didnt! She hands him her Florida license(which expires in 05) and then he procedes to ask her how long she has been in Ohio, etc.. she told him its none of his damn business how long she was there but if he really wanted to know that she spends 50% of her time here and 50% there and had been back for 2 weeks. Yes some folks actually have real jobs that require real travel! This know nothing didnt even have anything to say but "well you can be arrested if youre here more than 30 days" to which we both replied "Yeah that'll be the day!" and then this ended our asshole session. My question is the following: We need these yahoo's for WHAT reason? anytime I go down W. Broad it never fails I see at a minimum of 2 Franklin County Deputies around McDonalds or the Hospital, any time I leave our home, off of ###########, and head towards the north theres always a City of Columbus Cop in that area. Believe you me, I feel a lot safer with Columbus or Franklin County around than I do the Super Troopers of New Rome.

New Rome Sucks Forever!

Sam

Jim says:

That's a great story Sam. I'm glad you both stood up to him. So many people are afraid to question the police. They take what the police give them and figure they just need to go on with their life. If more people questioned the system then the system would start working for us better.

Several years ago, while a member of the Ohio Army National Guard, I was driving from Springfield for a night staff meeting at the armory on Sullivant avenue. I got a speeding ticket in New Rome but I was absolutely not speeding. A Columbus police officer and member of the Guard was at the meeting and I told him my TOW. Somehow he was not surprised. He advised me to appear in the New Rome court and ask for a "record court" which I did. I received a notice of a court hearing in Municipal court several weeks later. I very truthfully presented my case and my firm position that I was not speeding. Without saying so, I sensed that the judge was well aware of the travesty that is New Rome. He found me guilty but suspended a fine and court costs. The only cost to me was a speeding conviction. Again, this has been more than 15 years ago, but asking for a record court might be one approach. At least you avoid the kangaroo system that New Rome obviously thrives on.

Jim says:

I wish I had known to get my case transferred to a court of record. I'm glad the judge saw through the bull in your case. I'm sure I would have been found not guilty in a real court.

I just got married and moved from the east side of columbus to the west side right off rome-hilliard rd. Decided to go and get some ice cream since it was a nice evening out with my new husband he decides to go to the krogers right there on the corner. when we drove into new rome the cop had someone pulled over.. I made the comment please do not drive through here again cause of all the rumors I had heard about this town and the cops. Being that my father was a officer for Reynoldsburg. Sure enough the cop was sitting in the parking lot of krogers as we came out. cruising the lot/// We turned out onto Norton and realizied was in the turn lane light changed time for us to go. sure enough we get pulled over right as we turned.. Why you ask... FOR A BURNED OUT BULB ON MY BACK LICENSE PLATE>> that I found is outrageous.. Sure enough during my new marriage and move I forgot to renew my tags to my car.. not even 15days late. Cop write me a ticket for 80.00.. I know that is nothing compared to some of these stories. But most cops if they even pull you over for something to that nature would at least let you go with a warning.. I went the next and got my tags renewed needless to say. When he BMV lady was asking why I was late they understood and stated New Rome would kill their own mothers.

Susan
Hilliard

Jim says:

It's pretty typical. Thank goodness they didn't impound your car. They seem to like to do that. A lot of people like to argue "You broke the law so you have to pay" and I agree to an extent. Police can use judgment when writing tickets. The problem is New Rome doesn't do this. They ticket you for everything they can find because it's all about profit to them. I was pulled over several years ago for a headlight out. It so happened my license was expired too. I was given a ticket and had to appear in court. I was ready to pay the piper, but they dismissed the invalid ops ticket and made me pay a five dollar fine for the broken headlight and court costs. So it was a total of 55 bucks. They could have took me to the cleaners and I am sure New Rome would have if they had been the ones to get me. I guess the point is that they didn't take advantage of the situation like they could have.

HEY GUYS I GOT ONE FOR YA. I WAS IN NEW ROME GETTING A TATTOO WHEN I COME OUT OF THE TATTOO SHOP I CAN SEE THE COP SITTING ACROSS THE STREET WATCHING ME. I'M NOT WORRIED I GOT DRIVERS LICENSE, GOT INSURANCE, TAGS LEGAL WHAT CAN THEY GET ME FOR RIGHT. WELL LETS SEE AS SOON AS I PULLED OUT HE PULLED OUT BEHIND ME, HE LET ME MAKE IT PASS THE BIG BEAR WHEN HE HITS HE'S LIGHTS SAID HE STOPPED ME BECAUSE MY VANITY PLATE IS BLOCKING A PORTION OF MY STICKER THE VANITY PLATE I BOUGHT AT THE BMV WHEN I GOT THE STICKERHAHA . SO HE ASK FOR MY INFORMATION TAKES IT BACK TO THE CAR WHERE HE SITS FOR THIRTY MINUTES DOING GOD KNOWS WHAT HE FINALLY COMES BACK TO THE CAR TELLS ME I'LL BE HAPPY TO KNOW THAT THIS DOESN'T AFFECT MY LICENSE AT ALL. HE THREW IN A NICE SEAT BELT TICKET ADDED MY GRAND TOTAL TO $143.00,
FOR MY AFTERNOON IN NEW ROME AND YES THE SEATBELT THING IS MY FAULT I KNOW I ONLY DIDN'T HAVE IT ON BUT ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS RUBBING THE TATTOO AND HE WOULD HAVE NOT KNOWN IT WASN'T ALL THE WAY ON IF IT WASN'T FOR HIS BOGUS STOP. I HOPE THEY GO DOWN AND I WISH ALL THE BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR CASES .BUT FOR ME I JUST STAY AWAY FROM NEW ROME.
BETH

Jim says:

This is the kind of stuff that really irks me. No good reason to bother you but he had nothing better to do. These are the kinds of charges that I bet Franklin County court would throw out.

Jim,
Great website!! I loved the archive news section!! And the picture of Barney Fife was wonderful! I have said so many times that New Rome reminds me of Mayberry! I am a fellow ticketed driver, for 42 m.p.h. in a 35. Also I didn't have proof of insurance, another $100.00 fine. I had to take proof to court and have that fine removed. I was there for nearly four hours!! The place was packed!!
Keep up the good work! And thanks for the T-shirts. I just placed an order!
Judy

Jim says:

Someone actually sent a story where she was told they NEVER ticket for 42. Has to be at least 46. What a crock. I'm waiting for someone who got one for a 36 in the 35.

New Rome is surely a laughing stock. I now offer my tale of woe. I work Nights as a Truck Driver for a place on Renner Rd., well one night after starting my car, i noticed that one of my headlights was out, and since it was very early in the morning knew there was no place to get it repaired. So,,,,,,,not being familiar (at the time) with new rome's brand of justice, i decided to sneak home to my apartment by hall & norton , through New Rome, rather than take the freeway and get busted by the highway patrol or Columbus PD. Well to make a long story short, i passed the intersection of hilliard-rome rd and broad (heading south) past westland high school and saw one of their cruisers coming up behind me at a high rate of speed, lights flashing and siren wailing. So i uttered a few curse words and proceded to pull over. Well as fortune would have it, just as he pulled in behind me, a car load of kids went flying down sullivant blowing past the stop sign at a high rate of speed..Well i'm sure this cop had an orgasm, cause he forgot about me and sped off after them (bigger fish to fry)So i thanked my lucky stars and drove off. not knowing how close i came to being barney fifes next victim----- chuck

Jim says:

Wow! You are lucky! Too bad for the kids. They all probably got taken to jail and cuffed to the bench. I sure would rather take my chances with Columbus PD or the Highway patrol over New Rome. They usually let you go with a warning. New Rome usually doesn't.

It was 1993, I was driving a 71' Cordoba , not the nicest looking car but it got me to point A , to point B ! So I never washed it ! (Why waste my time right?! ! ! ). Well, it was about 11pm and I proceed to go through New Rome, like a dumbass , and wouldnt you know it A F***King new Rome PIGpulls me over! Reason; Failure to display Liscense plates from over 100 feet! He explained that i need to replace my bulb that shines on my back plate! I get out to look at it , get my finger wet and rub it on my protection lens (over the plate) WALAH ! ! ! ! ! Nice and clean and shiney as a button! Now as I'm driving away and your ticket book still full get a close up of MY MIDDLE FINGER , YOU NEW ROME PIGGLETS !

J. J. J.

Jim says:

A fine example of them having nothing better to do than harass people. I can't believe some people think they actually provide any kind of protection or service.

My first run in with New Rome was because I did not have a license plate on the front of my vehicle. I was 18 years old and when I got in my car to go to work on the West Side I didn't always check to make sure my front license plate was still on my vehicle. I assumed that because I had two and that if one would happen to fall off they could still read the other one. That mistake cost me 45.00 dollars plus court cost.But I did not go to court.(why the cost?)

My second run in with New Rome I should have fought in Court but at the time I did not know that I could transfer the case to Franlin County Court. I figured why bother this is New Rome "JUST PAYT THE FINE IT'S CHEAPER IF YOU HAVE TO DRIVE THROUGH EVERYDAY." I ran a yellow light and paid another 45.00 fine plus court cost.(still have'nt been to court) The officer said my light had to be red because his side of the light was green. I told him even if that was true there was no way I could have safely stopped in the time between the light turning form yellow to red. After putting my "Red" light ticket in my pocket. I looked up at the officer and asked him if he could really say I ran a red light with a straight face he said "yes" I replied I was comming back after work to get this light on video tape and that when someone gets killed here because of this light being yellow on one side and green on the other at the same time for a split second I would be the first one to testify in court. Less than two months later the center traffic light in New Rome was gone.

In the twenty two years I've been driving through New Rome I do have one positive experince with them. It was very late at night. I had just came back from driving a U-Haul Trailer to Kentucky and they had shorted out my taililghts and brakelights when hooking up the wiring harness for the trailer. The officer (I'm sure he does not work there anymore, or he felt bad about the license plate ticket) pulled me over and asked me if I knew that I had no tailights or brake lights I expalined about hauling the trailer.Believe it or not he held his flashlight through the door while I checked the fuse box. After we found that all the fuses were ok he suggested that I drive home with my emergency flashers on and did not issue a ticket.

Jim says:

Court costs. Indeed! I don't know why you would have to pay if you didn't go! The magistrate sure told me with a look of surprise "You don't have to appear in court. You could just pay the ticket"

Wow. Whenever someone gets let off we should make it a day to celebrate. Or check and make sure hell didn't freeze over.

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