I sent you a PM

seen him too

i would like to see all of us keep him on the hot seat.  the policeman i talked with said that they are so frustrated with him.  they have been to his house and have even called his mother to come home from work to talk with her.  obviously he is out of control and likes it that way.  he has a Hoover High School hanger in the big yellow van/truck thing for school.  and yes he was the same little smart azz that rode that motorcycle screaming through our streets.  if you go down Farley, he is the one that trenched the yard on the corner.  i love our neighborhood, i love seeing folks walking and chat with them if i'm out.  i am very concerned about all of the kids that are riding their bikes in our area just being kids.  he makes it a point to rev his engine when he comes down my street - he knows he's pushing our button.  i don't have a real solution for this, but my threshold has just about been reached.

More thoughts...
 
1. Isn't there a city ordinance against parking vehicles like the yellow truck in your front yard?  That thing never moves.  Who is supposed to enforce that kind of thing.
 
2. We need to all make a concentrated effort to call the Hoover PD everytime we witness this punk doing anything.  He taunts us everytime he revs his engine in front of our house also.  It is just a matter of time until he hits a pedestrian.  They aren't going to do anything until we complain long and loud enough.
 
3. If they were interested in catching him they would park a Hoover police officer at the stop sign at the corner of Cambo Dr. and Locke Ln.  He is constantly blowing through it.  I have already seen one accident there.  I guarantee he will be involved in the second.
 

Quote from pekaboo on 02/07/10 at 7:11am:

 
The city did away with speed bumps several years ago, and won't bring them back.  The reason that I was given is that it could do potential damage to the fire engines when they go over them.
 
I will be forwarding this thread to both Ofc. Foreman and Capt. Coker and provide their responses once I have received them.

Quote from BPDad on 02/08/10 at 8:53am:

 
You left one out:  coming up from Simmons on Chapel where the speed limit goes from 40 to 25.  I agree with everything else you say. Less BS speed traps and more stop sign runners and violent drivers.

I live on Rockland and know who you are talking about.
Here is about someone who hit our mailbox and I posted it in traffic violators section.
 
 
 
 
If we are looking to report traffic violaters and catch people speeding,  
might I suggest that a cop park themself on Rockland Drive?  
 
If you live on this street, it's a good idea NOT to park on it, and  
especially at night.  
 
One of our cars was hit IN BROAD day light, a few years ago-  
thank goodness we were at home, outside when it happened.  
 
About three weeks ago, someone hit our mailbox(at 12AM),  
 we're about 100% sure we know who did it- I saw what happened-  
and then when our neighbor found the  silver Honda CRV's side view mirror  
 in our driveway the next day- he drove around and found  
where they live- he saw the evidence -scratch marks and  
a vehicle missing it's side view  mirror.  
 
We talked to the police and they said we would have to fill out a form.  
We would if we thought it would change anything.  
 
We bought a new mailbox, since our was so old and rusty-  
but they got the worse end of it-our mailbox is cemented  
and mounted about a foot down in the ground. It ripped  
the flap off that protects your mail.  
 
I'd like to think that they didn't think that they knocked it  
over, so they never bothered to say they were sorry....  
I'm sure they are sorry, sorry they tore up their car.  
 
We are keeping our eyes out for them and we will be  
talking to the police if they so much as speed up our  
street.  
 
I'm glad that the mailbox was hit-it prevented them from  
tearing through our yard and hitting my car.  
 
 
 
Oh well, that's my .02 !  
 
Ps. Can I post in the For Sale section- for sale one silver sideview
mirror that goes to a silver Honda CRV... ha-ha.

Not to get too dramatic here but when is Mayor Petelos up for re-election?  Maybe someone should bring this to his attention.  Nothing creates action like a politician in fear of losing votes.  Anyone have his email address?  I do feel like BP is only given lip service.  I know a lot of people like harvardmba who love BP but whose days here are numbered if things don't turn around.  If the HPD thinks we are annoying, just let them see who moves in when we are gone.  Anone been down Lorna Road lately?  Seen what happened to Centerpoint?  At one time Centerpoint was a nice place to live.

I can certainly understand the frustration of people who feel like the HPD is unresponsive.
 
I mentioned this in the "reporting traffic violations" thread, and I am re-mentioning it here.
 
I live near the intersection of Chapel Rd and Shades Crest Rd.  I moved here in early fall, and since then I've noticed someone who, at around 5am, stops at the stop sign at this intersection, and then honks their horn as they drive past our home.  And I'm not talking a short beep.  It's "HO-two-three-four-NK."  It's not everyday, but it's once or twice a week.  In December, after it had gone on for two months or so, I started keeping a log.
 
It's the same car every time- A silver Jeep Grand Cherokee- License plate # 1B21D62
 
I know this because I finally got up at 4:45 one morning and followed them as they sped all the way down Shades Crest to Alford Ave.
 
I emailed Officer Foreman- no response.  I posted it in the reporting traffic violations thread and an administrator said I should be hearing from someone (and thank you for listening!  I'm not being sarcastic here) but I've not heard from anyone.  Yesterday morning when it happened again I called the HPD and they basically blew me off.  The dispatcher asked me if "I wanted them to keep an eye out?"  
 
No, I want you to find the person and ask them to quit, because apparently they're obsessed enough to keep doing it from October to February.  You have a big 'ole database with everyone's registration in it.  I guess I could pay the 80$ fee to have it looked up online, or I could get up at 4:45 am again and follow this person to their work and ask them there, but frankly, anyone who's willing to harass random strangers for four months is not someone I want to contact personally.
 
I am frustrated, and I don't feel like the HPD gives two craps about it.  If it continues, I guess I'll pay 80$, find out their address, and start riding by their home at midnight, honking all the way.  But I won't do that, because I have some standard of decency.
 
I'm sorry to rant here.  Thanks, again, for listening.  From now on I guess instead of keeping a log I'll call the HPD every single morning it happens.

Quote from fl350 on 02/09/10 at 9:12am:

 
You are correct and this is my fault.
 
I did hear back from Capt. Coker who advised me that he was looking into it and would get back to me soon.  That was yesterday.  I should have posted that on the forum and I did not.  I apologize for that.
 
I will post as soon as I have an update from Capt. Coker.

I would be very interested to find out what statistics are available on Police coverage per area/ population. I'm going to step out and say that Bluff Park probably has less than any other beat. If anyone knows the rate, please let us know. We deserve as good as any other section of Hoover and we should keep some form of pressure on city hall to respond to our concerns. Anything less should be considered as unacceptable.

Quote from harvardmba on 02/09/10 at 1:49pm:

 
I think that I have an answer to your question.
 
First, some history.  This site was created back in August of 2006 based on the fact that we residents of Bluff Park felt that we did not have adequate police presence in our part of Hoover.  We came together as a (large) group and requested from city leaders that something be done about it.  You may follow the entire history of this by reading all of the Neighborhood Updates section beginning in August 2006 (bottom of page) and the About and Contact section of the BluffParkAl.org site.
 
After two (large) meetings that involved all but one of the city council members (Mr. Natter was unable to attend either meeting), many members of the Hoover PD, including all of the administrators, and many city officials, a sub-station was opened on December 7, 2006.  This made it possible for an officer to stay closer to Bluff Park when he or she needs to write a report, etc.
 
Although this satisfied one of the things we were asking for, another was the actual police zone that Bluff Park sits in.  We are in "30 Beat", which spans from Hwy. 31 starting at Tyler Road to Patton Chapel Road to Shades Crest Road, down to Sulphur Springs Road in one direction and  back to Tyler Road in the other, and everything in between.  Pretty big area for one officer.  There is a backup officer who floats between two zones, plus the traffic officers.  In the middle of the day it can take quite some time to get an officer from one side of the zone to the other.
 
We had suggested that the zone be cut in half, with the dividing line being around Simmons Middle School.  To do that would entail hiring five additional officers (3 regular and 2 to cover off days), plus the vehicles, etc.  Two years ago that price tag was around $550,000.00 per year.  I don't know what it is today, but the economy doesn't support it at this time.
 
Our main concern is more police presence and less "speed trap" presence.  Not one person that we've talked to supports the traffic enforcement on Park Avenue, Shades Crest Road and Chapel Road.  Most people, including some who have posted here, support enforcing stop sign violations throughout Bluff Park, not just at certain intersections.  The problem is that when 1 person complains about speeders, the speed traps are set up, since the motorcycle units are not part of the Bluff Park zone.
 
Yes, we have more presence than we did in 2006, but we're not where we would like to be.  Yet.  Once the economy improves, I don't believe it would be out of line for the city to re-examine the zone split.
 
Your initial question was the stats on police coverage per area.  I can tell you that just based on personal observations, there must be at least 3-4 police cars in the Galleria/Lorna Road area at any given time.  They are very aggressive in pulling people over and they seem to always work in multiple groups.  Chief Derzis has spoken about this in the past, stating that Hoover PD will be very aggressive about making sure the wrong element (my words, not his) doesn't come into Hoover without being looked at.  In his defense, our crime stats are almost non-existent compared to Birmingham, which borders us in several places.  I don't know if his plan is working, but you can't say it isn't.
 
We'll keep pushing, but our stance has always been a non-adversarial role.  We can (and have) get more accomplished by working with the city leaders than working against them.

Thanks for keeping us informed.  Hopefully we can put an end to some of this stuff.

I think our maroon jeep friend or his parents are reading this board.  The last five days he has kept a very low profile.  This morning the jeep showed back up in the front yard after having been gone for the previous three days.  This time however it had a license plate which it has not had in several months.  The tag though was covered in mud, presumably to keep people from being able to report it.  In any case, he has been keeping a low profile which is fine with me.
 
I hope the HPD is paying as close attention to this board as jeep boy appears to be.

Isn't it illegal to have a plate you can't read?

one option you have for the horn honker is to get a picture of the driver, as well as the vehicle and tag number.  when you have this, you can call the PD to do an offense report.  There are two state codes that apply.  I will list them here and describe the difference.  
 
Section 32-5-213
Horns and warning devices.
 
(a) Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order capable of emitting a sound audible under normal conditions for a distance of not less than 200 feet.
 
 
It shall be unlawful for any vehicle to be equipped with or for any person to use upon a vehicle any siren or for any person at any time to use a horn otherwise than as a reasonable warning or to make any unnecessary or unreasonably loud or harsh sound by means of a horn or other warning device.
 
(b) Every police and fire department and fire patrol vehicle and every ambulance used for emergency calls shall be equipped with a siren, bell, ululating multi-toned horns or other electronic siren type device approved by the Director of Public Safety.
 
(c) Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Acts 1927, No. 347, p. 348; Code 1940, T. 36, §36; Acts 1966, Ex. Sess., No. 432, p. 578.)
 
title 32 is the state traffic code for Alabama, these are usually done on a UTC, a traffic ticket. when you sign the ticket you are not admitting guilt, but promising to either appear in court or pay the fine before the court date listed.  
 
Section 13A-11-7
Disorderly conduct.
 
(a) A person commits the crime of disorderly conduct if, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he:
 
(1) Engages in fighting or in violent tumultuous or threatening behavior; or
 
(2) Makes unreasonable noise; or
 
(3) In a public place uses abusive or obscene language or makes an obscene gesture; or
 
(4) Without lawful authority, disturbs any lawful assembly or meeting of persons; or
 
(5) Obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or a transportation facility; or
 
(6) Congregates with other person in a public place and refuses to comply with a lawful order of the police to disperse.
 
(b) Disorderly conduct is a Class C misdemeanor.
(Acts 1977, No. 607, p. 812, §5525.)
 
title 13A is the state criminal code. if an officer charges you under this you have to go to jail and bond out.  
 
the key is positive identification of the offender and vehicle(time and place is important as well).  the Magistrate will not give you a warrant unless you can prove a certain individual has committed the crime in question.  you may have to get up early with a video camera with good lighting and audio, but if it bothers you that much....  
1.get the act on tape  
2. get the info previously mentioned
3. have an officer come to your house non-emergency to do an offense report
4. when the report is ready go pick up a copy  
5. take that copy and your evidence to the magistrate(normally you would need a second eye witness but the tape is better- warrants are a serious issue and will not be issued arbitrarily) and swear out a warrant.
 
eventually the person will be arrested for the warrant and have to bond out, then they will get a court date and you will both get subpoenas to show up for court. bring your evidence, the rest is up to the judge.  
 
since you are signing a warrant, the title 32 offense would cause the person to be arrested, they would not be able to bond out.  
 
this would be the appropriate modern way to handle the situation. though im sure the baseball bat to their car would be much more viscerally satisfying  
 
 
interested in our states traffic laws and criminal laws? go to: http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/coatoc.htm
 
and click on title 32 for traffic and 13A for criminal codes.  
if you look long enough, you may be surprised to find a few laws that you have been breaking for years unknowingly!

jeep boy does have a new tag.  it's a vanity tag and i tried to get it written down,  but he moved too quickly to get it.  he had another young man in the vehicle with him and they tried to intimidate me with threatening looks and his friend was also involved.  he rolled his window down as if he wanted a verbal confrontation, but i didn't take the bait.  i just gave him a couple of smiles and winks and he spun out very frustrate.l  at least we know he has a tag now, and can be identified with it.  also, there always seems to be a huge party going on at the home every night.  i suspect that some parents might be interested in what their kids are doing at this residence.  since we know that he now has a legal tag it helps all of us to keep our eyes open and get that tag if you can.  i agree that he has been keepimg a low profile, but he'll eventually run into the wrong situation and have a high price to pay.  there's always a kid like this in the neighborhood.  let's shut this one down.

Quote from Dmliddy on 02/09/10 at 9:12am:

 
Ginny MacDonald at the Birmingham News does a section called Driver's Side.  A man from Hoover wrote about his wife getting a ticket for honking her horn to let the car in front of her know it was okay to go.  The Hoover police officer, according to this man, was very upset that she used her horn.  Hoover police responded that the officer was enforcing a state law.  It is against state law to use a horn other than as a reasonable warning, or to make unnecessary loud or harsh sounds by means of a horn.
 
I did not know this and will not tap my horn if the person in the car in front of me is texting, putting on make-up, eating or just not paying attention.  I will just sit through a traffic light and let the cars behind me honk.

DMliddy calls the HPD and gives them the time, location, description, and tag number of someone that has been honking their horn 3 days a week for atleast three months and HPD does nothing. Then you read where a woman gets a ticket for honking her horn once to tell someone it is clear to go. I'll say it again, if HPD really wanted to do something about the traffic situations in BP they would. Instead they set up revenue generating - quota filling speed traps that do nothing for us.

I dont understand. So your annoyed because there is a police officer patrolling shades mountian plaza? And what does the sergeant living on bedford have to do with anything? The police cant be everywhere and I feel safer knowing that they are close to all the foot traffic at shades mountian plaza, rather then babysitting stop signs or running radar. The police in our city do an outstanding job and you should honor them for that. This week the Chamber of Commerce honored a few of our local heros we should all thank them and be thankful for the job they do.  
 
http://www.hooverpd.com/ftpupload/upload/2009OfficeroftheYear.pdf

I just dont think its right to single out one officer over and over again on this forum. Im sure he isnt the only officer living in Bluff Park and parking his patrol car in his driveway shouldnt cause him to constantly be called out on this forum. Yes he is a police officer, but he doesnt work 24 hours a day and like everyone else when his shift is over he goes home to his family. I think yall should cut him some slack he puts his life on the line daily to make sure we are safe. No i havent seen the kid driving the jeep but every neighborhood in the world has traffic problems its just an unfortunate part of life. Does that make it right, absolutely not. I just find it unfortunate that rather then creating a good working relationship with the officers living in our community we constantly project negativity toward them and the rest of the department.

I don't know if something has been said or not but Jeep boy has been laying low and the car's are no longer parked in the front lawn/mud.  I am enjoying the break from the kid.

Just curious Newfie Mom but how did you even bring up this other kid, that the guy at the checkout knew what you were talking about...that just seems kinda weird sounding...

lol

has anyone seen a primer gray trans am with a black hood driver ridiculously fast through our streets?

thanks newfie ill make sure to get on that mam anything for my number 1 fan!

It's obvious you don't have a high school diploma, all we have to do is look at your atrocious spelling.

i do have a diploma and to be honest i dont care what my spelling looks like because this is some stupid forum. i was just making a point! if u have time to sit and correct my comment u have no life!

newfie_mom are u away?

Hi Bluff Park.  I have just joined the forum and noticed the large number of posts on a maroon jeep that many people see as a threat and menace to the neighborhood.  I have also seen the reckless and unsafe driving of the individual in the maroon jeep.  I have recently called the police about this threat to out neighborhood safety.  I believe that we will see some action from the Hoover police in the very near future.  I have a couple of friends in the department that Iserved with in Iran......good guys......these cops will watch out for us.

hey kmaallday, do I need to pay you a midnight visit to help you get a better grasp of how people feel about your juvenile actions? I'll be happy to do that for you at no charge to you.

yea actually i do need a visit plz come talk 2 me!

hahaha alright