Commerce eyeing special unit to target big trucks

Commerce is considering the creation of a special police unit to crack down on safety violations on large trucks.

Commerce eyeing special unit to target big trucks

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Friday, December 5. 2008

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Come July 1, the Commerce Police Department may target tractor-trailer rigs for safety violations.

Commerce’s government is considering the creation of a “motor carrier compliance unit” focusing on heavy trucks, particularly those that come through the downtown, but also trucks traveling on U.S. 441 and Interstate 85. The move is seen as a means of directing more traffic to the bypass and slowing truck traffic in the downtown.

City Manager Clarence Bryant briefed the council during Monday night’s work session on discussions with the police department about creating the special unit. He emphasized that it would require no additional manpower, but would cost $25,000 to $30,000 for equipment and a truck to haul it.

The unit would enforce “DOT” rules, such as weight restrictions.

No decision has been made, Bryant told the council.

“I told the group to keep getting data. Sometimes you can’t afford to buy a dress on sale,” he remarked, referencing the city’s budget challenges. He added that he would take a close look at the city’s financial picture after the first of the year.

If implemented, the unit would start in July with the new budget year. But before then, the city must get the blessings of the state government and have an officer or officers trained and certified.

Bryant pointed out that officers “don’t have to have a reason to pull a truck over” and that “there is hardly a truck you stop that you don’t write a ticket for.”

Ticket revenue is certainly part of the equation, and Bryant told the council that the “cost and revenue relationship” for such a unit is “favorable.”

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#1 Anonymous on 12/06/08 at 11:35 PM [Reply]

This is the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. Doesn't this fall under 'profiling'??? What about delivery trucks that have come through downtown Commerce to make deliveries? Will they be 'harassed' as well? That would do a lot of good. Hindering vendors' and freight carriers' schedules and making their already long work day, even longer. Maybe Bryant should try filling the shoes of a truck driver for ONE week then go back and rethink his idea. We truck drivers have enough to worry about than to have some small-town politician make up laws to make our jobs even more aggravating.

#1.1 Slingit on 12/08/08 at 08:11 PM [Reply]

Maybe all of you making these statements don't watch the news. If so you would know that The State of Georgia continues to make budget cuts everyday, to include public safety. I to travel 441 everyday and I don't see MCCD out there as you explain. If you're not doing anything wrong, you shouldn't have nothing to worry about. I think if done for the right reasons, this is an excellent idea. Big Trucks speed through downtown like it's the Interstate. They are rolling death traps when they speed through town.

#1.2 Anonymous on 12/26/08 at 12:22 AM [Reply]

They might as well put a gate up to allowing certain people in and out of the city! This is crazy! If the city needs money, Apply for more government funding. Don't target Trucking Companys! In your last statement, ITS ALL ABOUT MORE (MONEY) REVENUE!

The CITY, COUNTY Officials shoud take a pay cut for the extra revenue needed. Offer New Businesses a Incentive to move here, Tax Break, Etc.

GIVE THE TRUCKERS A BREAK! THEY HAVE BEEN BEAT ON ENOUGH BY EVERY STATE IN THE COUNTRY! NOW THE CITYS ARE AFTER THEM....LEAVE THEM ALONE! THEY HAVE A JOB TO DO JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE! YOU WOULDNT HAVE THE PAPER TO WIPE YOUR ???? WITHOUT THEM........GOOD LUCK GUYS!

#2 Tim Murphy on 12/07/08 at 06:51 PM [Reply]

I understand that slowing big truck traffic through small towns is desirable however it is a state route that has no restrictions. That leaves me to believe ticket revenue is more that merely a "part of the equation". In an industry that is already heavily laden with massive amounts of regulation, catch 22's and eager to "write a ticket" law enforcement it would seem more ideal, I think, to go to the state and try to restrict the truck traffic from going through town...that is, if that is your primary concern. But then again maybe the local police department feels that the numerous "DOT" law enforcement officers in the area who we see with a big truck pulled over, just aren't doing there job.

#3 kevin on 12/08/08 at 06:27 AM [Reply]

the trucking industry is regulated by the d.o.t and in order to have a unit in the commerce police dept they would also have to be d.o.t. certified. and this can be a good thing if it is implemented .how ever where will the trucks be pulled over ? there is no shoulder on elm st just where will the police stop the trucks to do the inspections ?? these inspection can take as long as 45 min if done correctly this will include checking for worn tires ( with a tread depth gauge ) and worn brake linings (with a ruler) brake shoe movement (during appication) and leaking wheel seals ( for brake shoe contamination) lug nuts need to be looked at as well as wheels for cracks and tandem slide pins then you got lights and icc bumpers log book checks and so forth... not to mention if the truck is involved in a accident not long after the commerce police d.o.t. stop and something was missed this will open a legal wound that the city may not be able to stitch up! this idea may have good intentions but it should be thought through to avoid problems if the commerce police do make a stop on a truck that is suspect now they could just call the Ga Motor Carrier Compliance Division of the state police and they will do a complete check on the truck to make sure it is in compliance !

#4 CDL Driver on 12/08/08 at 12:42 PM [Reply]

This is absurd!! I'm a CDL driver and I'm on the 441 bypass
twice a day. From what I see, the MCCD has it covered.
On any given day there are 2-4 MCCD officers on the bypass.
Why on earth does the City of Commerce feel the need to
become "MCCD officers" other than for revenue? As you can
see in the responses above there is a great deal that goes
with inspecting a truck/bus. And do they realize that school
buses fall into this category also? Are they truly looking
at the big picture or are they just looking at a money maker?
I personally think it would be wise to just let the MCCD
do there job and the Commerce Police Dept do there job.
And if you feel you need help with trucks, etc. do like
"Kevin" said and pick up the phone and call the MCCD and
I'm sure they will be glad to help.

#5 JMT on 12/08/08 at 05:19 PM [Reply]

If one of your main concerns is “slowing truck traffic in the downtown” then trying a little strategy such as speed limit enforcement. As far as directing trucks to the bypass maybe talking with Toyota ,Huber and other local companies that generate a great deal of your downtown truck traffic and ask them to pass the word to go around town not downtown. How about this be honest and say we believe we have found a cash cow that needs milking we have no other reason to go after commercial vehicles than for the money.

#6 Truck driver on 12/08/08 at 07:09 PM [Reply]

I believe that these small towns in this area are becoming overrun with cops, which leaves us with an abundant need for police officers. What is the difference between the two you ask? A Police Officer's duty is to Serve and Protect. A Cop (A spicies abundant in Arcade, Pendergrass, and the black Tahoe's on I-85 in Jefferson) Has no other duty than to Harass and Convict. I can only truly hope that Commerce is not headed in the same direction.
They admitted that they would need no reason to stop a commercial vehicle...harassment in my opinion. If the driver of a commercial vehicle is driving in a manner that could cause harm to other motorists, then by all means, perform a traffic stop and saftey inspection. If not, let the commercial drivers continue to carry out their job. They don't go out of their way to interfere with the work of a police officer "for no reason", so why go after them?

#7 Myra on 12/10/08 at 10:07 AM [Reply]

I live downtown and watch trucks barrelling through the downtown area day and night. It's not unusual at all for trucks to speed through this area and I would be very glad to see some of them stopped. Some go by so fast it's absolutely scary.

#7.1 itsscary on 12/10/08 at 12:20 PM [Reply]

yep i live downtown too and it would be nice to see them stopped ! but we don't need a d.o.t. unit to do this we just need a lower speed limit and some enforcement of it then they will either stop comming tru downtown or slow down when they do !!

#8 Anonomyous on 12/10/08 at 04:13 PM [Reply]

Clarence Bryant is well on his way to making Commerce another Braselton or maybe Pendergrass. How embarassing! Search Braselton Police on the internet and read about them. I am embarrassed everytime I see a Commerce Police Officer searching vehicles on I-85 after a traffic stop. They are only looking for cash in these searches! I am waiting for the one huge law-suit that will stop this practice of profiling on I-85. How does this make Commerce residents safer? It doesn't, it only brings in cash. It should be unlawful for small towns like Arcade, Braselton, Commerce, Hoschton, and Jefferson to make their police departments into profit centers. This practice leads to abuses. Enforce speed limits in downtown Commerce, leave DOT truck enforcement to DOT.

#9 Another Voice on 12/10/08 at 07:36 PM [Reply]

This is becoming a common thing for local police departments due to the state budget cuts. In order for local departments to do this, the officer must attend the same training as the state officers do. I also live in this area and travel through town and on the bypass very frequently. It is very rare that you see a State DOT officer with anyone stopped on the bypass. I beleive that several of the avenues suggested above have been explored with little to no results, however without knowledge of such, I do not believe anyone should comment on this without further information. I do not understand why everytime a city or county tries to do something for public safety or quality of life it is always accused of being harassment or revenue gouging. Give the city leaders a chance and a little faith that they know what they are doing. Have you ever noticed the sidewalk and curbing in the city where trucks run over them making turns. They stay damaged and constantly require expensive repairs. These repairs come at the expense of the taxpayers. There are not enough businesses in the downtown area that would justify the amount of commercial traffic that comes through.

#10 Person of TRUTH on 12/11/08 at 06:14 AM [Reply]

All the people that have nothing but negitive things to say about the law enforcement of Jackson County, it is clear that you have recieved a ticket and are still mad about it. You fell that your above the law and you should have been given a break. You wanted the other guy that was next to you in traffic to have gotten that ticket. Be honest. You dont want your family killed by a drunk driver, but you dont want to let the COPS do their job to get them off the streets either. How many truck drivers use meth to drive the long hours that they do? A lot of them. Yea, lets not enforce laws that are already on the books that you voted in years ago.

#10.1 bulldawg on 12/11/08 at 10:59 PM [Reply]

truck drivers are subject to drug test ,its the law ,no drivers are using "meth" to do their job. someone has been watching smokey and the bandit reruns.

#11 Another Voice on 12/12/08 at 08:26 AM [Reply]

Not all truck drivers are subject to randon drug screening. Did you ever consider that a large portion of drivers are owner operators. Do you think they will fire theirself if they use meth. Not all things are a conspiracy or money making scheme. I agree with what the city is trying to do and beleive that it will ease congestion and allow for smoother commutes through town. Just this morning I watched two flatbed big trucks with Montana Tags block the entire intersection in front of Hardee's while they tried to turn off of Homer road onto Elm. What business would two flatbeds from Montana have in the middle of Commerce?

#11.1 Kim on 12/28/08 at 08:49 PM [Reply]

Hmmm... hauling freight? That does occur on a daily basis, and it doesn't have a thing to do with "meth" or any other type of drug usage. My husband has been an over the road truck driver for twenty plus years, with over three million accident free miles, DRUG FREE and has hauled all over the United States; with I might add Georgia tags. Now, what would he be doing in Detroit or Chicago, which is his weekly route schedule? Delivering freight!

#12 Dave on 12/12/08 at 01:46 PM [Reply]

Ummm, it appears Commerce lost in the retail tax war
with Banks County when they learned they could not
annex Banks Crossing. It also appears that now the
city has a desire to suppliment that lost tax
revenue with fines. There is a simple solution, DO NOT
DRIVE THRU COMMERCE. This would also mean do not shop,
spend money, or use business's located in Commerce.

Um, a boycott sounds really nice, however I've been
doing this for years. Besides, a railroad looks extremely hedious running straight thru the town.

Commerce, along with corrupt Jackson County should be
disbanded as a government.

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Commerce eyeing special unit to target big trucks

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