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No minor infraction

I would like to take this time to put straight the incident referred to in the letters to the editor, "Speed trap," appearing in the PVT dated Aug. 12, written by David Alexander.

First, when anyone breaches the legally posted speed they are subject themselves to being stopped by law enforcement, either by a deputy, police officer, NHP, depending upon jurisdiction -- in this case a NCSO deputy.

Mr. Alexander was traveling southbound on Highway 160 in a legally posted 35 mph zone on a state highway. For the record, all state highway speeds are legally set, along with school zone speeds.

Dep. Curtin was on routine patrol in his sector Aug. 8, at 9:06 p.m. and his radar indicated a vehicle, driven by Mr. Alexander, was traveling 16 mph over the speed limit at 51 mph. The speeding vehicle was stopped.

Curtin was questioned by the driver, who was puzzled why his radar detector did not pick up our radar signal and why he was stopped by a NCSO deputy on a state highway, among other things.

Curtin exercised restraint and discretion. The deputy gave the driver a break. By writing him for 45 mph, only 10 mph over the speed limit, saving him $45 in bail and one demerit point on his license, should Mr. Alexander be found guilty.

Mr. Alexander is not a visitor to Pahrump but a resident and should be fully cognizant of the posted speeds especially in the main traffic corridor.

NCSO has full jurisdiction on all highways in Nye, just as NHP has jurisdiction on county roads.

For the record, I know that numerous speed limits in Pahrump are incorrect, but I drive the posted limit anyway.

Mr. Alexander, I ask you this question: Is the example you want to express to your grandniece, or anyone else for that matter, is that it is ok to break the law? What example are you trying to set for this family member or anyone else?

I will state this, while I am not prosecuting this case, I extremely doubt you put yourself in a good defensible position, admitting to your guilt in a public forum. The article you wrote is being sent to the court to be admitted for our case against you along with the citation.

Speed kills and this violation of law is a misdemeanor crime, not an infraction, and a real issue to be dealt with in court.

ANTHONY DEMEO

Sheriff, Nye County

An open response to 'speed trap'

After reading your letter, I thought about what your niece must have gotten from the evening. She must have been so disappointed. You spent quality time taking her out to dinner only to have it ruined in the final stage.

But you certainly taught her a lesson on how to treat the law.

First, you are never in the wrong by not following the rules of the road or any other law you don't want to follow.

Second, always argue that it was not your fault but the police officer's fault because he had nothing better to do than to stop you for breaking the law.

Third, teach her contempt for authority and go to court to "show them" that they can't do this to you -- you are above the law.

And of course, lastly, never take responsibility for your error in judgment but look to blame someone else.

The only person who ruined the evening looks back at you in the mirror every day. And just overlook the lack of respect for authority and the lack of willingness to follow the law that was shown by your attitude in the letter you send into the paper for everyone to read. You even clearly admitted you broke the law.

I agree that every town has its problems and some are more important than others, but even a "little" speeding on some of our roads can be dangerous, especially in the summer when children are outside playing later than normal, or adults are walking along the roadside when it is cooler than in the heat of day. It only takes a second to look away from the road and cause an accident, even without going over the speed limit.

I apologize, on your behalf, to your niece for ruining her evening and ask that she forgive your temper and a momentary lack of control. Hopefully, some day she won't take the same attitude with authority figures should she make an error in judgment.

You sound like a very smart man who just got caught up in the moment and overreacted. Hopefully, by the time you go to court, you will accept the fact that you broke the law and this time, just got caught.

JUDITH JOHNSON

More on Alexander

Mr. Alexander, just what kind of an example are you setting for your grandniece?

Why do you feel you are exempt from receiving a ticket for breaking the law, and how dare you set the example that the laws are to be broken?

It is people like you who teach our young people that the police are evil and that the laws are for others, not you. You, by your own admission, were going 6 mph over the posted speed limit, and for what reason? You just had a nice dinner and were apparently going home, why the hurry?

What if a person or animal or another vehicle darted into the road? You would not be able to stop as fast as if you were doing the legal limit.

You call this a "tiny infraction." My goodness, what is a major one to you? I admit that it is not an extremely excessive speed, but nonetheless it was speeding. (Upon further information, Mr. Alexander was going 16 mph over the limit and was on a state highway.)

And as far as the officer was concerned, he was doing his job. Budget cuts to the sheriff's office -- please, they need more funds to do the job the community needs and requests them to do.

The proper thing for you to do is pay the ticket, the heck with your "immaculate standing."

You, sir, ruined it yourself. Remember, for every action there is a reaction, and the responsibility of that reaction is your own. You created the situation by speeding, so pay the ticket and learn a lesson from it.

You, sir, ruined the "delightful evening," not the officer.

Perhaps your attitude toward the officer helped him make the decision regarding a ticket vs. a warning. Please keep this from the burdened court system; they have enough on the docket now.

But if you do challenge this, I hope the judge doubles the fine, for that is what you deserve for your arrogant attitude and ways.

No one is above the law, just pay the ticket. Consider it a lesson learned, it could have been a worse situation and the full amount of speed could have been charged.

NORMA J. NOWAKOWSKI-BELL

Can I have my change?

I read in Aug. 14 paper a letter to the editor describing Pahrump as a speed trap. I have heard some of these complaints before, but I wanted to share a different story.

One night, returning from a late night service call, I was pulled over as I drove by Honeysuckle Park, where the speed limit is 15 mph. I was on a motorcycle, it was late (about 1:30 a.m.) and I was getting into the throttle. I was pulled over after being clocked at 48 mph. (I had just wound out second gear and was "there" before I realized it.)

I was doing 30-plus miles over the speed limit; the deputy was correct. After telling me why he pulled me and checking my paperwork, he did say that with the lights in the park off and nobody around, he could understand how someone could drive over the limit.

He didn't excuse me; he was totally professional and told me if he ever caught me again, he would ticket me as much as the law would allow. He did, however, then let me off with a warning (which I have heeded to this day). I just wish I knew his name.

The point is, I've only met a handful of the Nye County deputies and every one of them was a credit to the department. I'm sure there are some bad apples in the group, as there are in any group, but to generalize the entire department is wrong.

I do have to admit though, getting a ticket for five miles over the speed limit seems a little excessive. I'd be embarrassed to say I wrote one of those. I feel for the gentleman who received it and hope the judge recognizes the absurdity. Hopefully the gentleman will take some solace from watching the deputy stand up and take "credit" for the action. I predict he (the deputy) will feel pretty stupid acknowledging the citation. (Hey, though, what do I know? He might be proud to have snagged this criminal.)

My two cents to that deputy: If you have to or want to give a ticket out before you go home, just go sit on 160 South. Ten minutes max, and you'll easily catch at least one driver traveling at 15-plus mph over, and probably find a DUI to go with it. Then you have done some good by getting a dangerous driver off the road.

May I have my change, please?

JAMES WOOLLEN