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 The Chicago Tribune (http://trib.in/yLOCyg) analyzed state data on
traffic tickets from 2008 to 2010, the most recent years available.
The drops occurred as traffic levels remained about even over the
same time period.
Some of the biggest drops were reported by the Chicago Police
Department. The agency stopped 38,000 fewer motorists, around 19
percent less, and ticketed 46,000, or 30 percent less, according to
the newspaper.
Authorities said there isn't a single explanation for the change.
Many believe that the poor economy and fewer officers could be part
of the reason. Other experts said cameras in vehicles and
redeploying officers to crash hot spots -- which may reduce the
number of crashes -- are other possible explanations.
Chicago police spokeswoman Antoinette Ursitti declined to talk about
the reasons behind the drops but said safety remains a priority.
"Every day, officers enforce all types of traffic offenses to ensure
safe roadways for everyone," Ursitti told the Tribune.
Other police chiefs were quick to say a drop in police department
manpower resulted in fewer stops. Lombard police Chief Ray Byrne,
whose department lost five officers, reported a 21 percent drop in
the number of stops.
"I think every police department has less officers on the street
than two years ago, and that's going to have an effect," he said.
The drops surprised Ava George Stewart, who heads the traffic
section for the Illinois State Bar Association. She said more
in-vehicle cameras might deter officers from making less reasonable
stops, and more drivers are willing to fight tickets in court.
"It really defies logic because every year they put new and more
traffic offenses on the books. You would think it would cause the
numbers to go up," she said.
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The Tribune reported that one major department defied both trends.
Cook County sheriff's police stopped 41 percent more people and
ticketed 45 percent more when comparing 2008 with 2010. Sheriff's spokesman Frank Bilecki said the agency has maintained its
manpower and expanded its patrols into other municipalities.
"Part of this might be holding some people accountable to their job
descriptions and making sure we are doing what we are supposed to be
doing -- securing the streets of Cook County," Bilecki said.
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Information from: Chicago Tribune,
http://www.chicagotribune.com/
[Associated Press]
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
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