The town has long been thought of as a glorified speed-trap, as 12,698 tickets have been issued just between 2011 and 2012, and the town only has a population of 500. These tickets would have garnered hundreds of thousands of dollars, but they money can't be found. City officials say that paper trail has been “lost in the swamp.” Well, if that isn't the Southern version of “my dog ate my homework,” I don't know what is.
According to a CNN article:
Hampton cops were a fixture out on U.S. 301. They sat on lawn chairs, pointing radar guns at unsuspecting motorists. They hid behind recycling bins. As more and more money came in, they idled in slick SUVs, trolled the median strips in riot gear and toted state-of-the-art firepower. Locals gave one the nickname “Rambo” because he slung an AR-15 rifle across his chest.
According to a New York Times article, if the town doesn't come up with a plan to clean up its act in the next month, it'll be absorbed into Bradford County.
So what do you think Florida Man would have to say about his home state?
What surprises me is that I am not surprised.
@Terrie, I know. It’s sad, but really, not surprising. In other news: the town’s former mayor is doing time for dealing oxycodone…while he was mayor. He says he had no idea about the extent of the corruption, but that he did start some of speed traps that took over the town. Just to paint you an even more vivid picture….