ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jul 31, 2009 4:59:33 PM
Until lately the cops typically didn't like the lidar units. With radar, they can set their unit to the speed that they want it to go off at, say 70 mph, and they can go to sleep until the unit goes off. Then they look around and pick the most likely car.
With lidar, they have to actively aim the unit at the front plate or a headlight, and then hold it there for a few seconds as the car moves down the road. It's aggravating to use compared to a radar unit.
However, they seem to be making some that are easier to use now. The next thing for us, of course, is jammers. It is completely legal to broadcast light of the right frequency to confuse lidar units. It doesn't need to be a laser, it just has to be the right color (infrared) and be bright enough and pulsing to prevent the laser from hearing the reflected signal. A TV remote control would work if it was a lot brighter. Fortunately, infrared diodes of high brightness are getting quite cheap...
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John747

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jul 31, 2009 4:15:27 PM
Police officer falls off bridge while working speed trap
I saw one web site that labeled this story as "Just in case you thought wishes don't come true."
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Markel

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jul 30, 2009 10:13:48 PM
On second thought, this (laser) unit is more likely what they are using.
[Edited by: Markel at 7/30/2009 11:14:08 PM EST]
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Markel

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jul 30, 2009 9:57:45 PM
I did some searching, and I think they are using one of the latest LIDAR devices.
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Markel

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jul 30, 2009 7:16:01 PM
The state police (probably the post at the Naperville Rd & I-88) are going nuts with their new speed detection device (looks like small binoculars). On my way to work today, they had a guy sitting on the dividing wall (leaning against a light pole) "clocking" westbound cars and radioing to a half-dozen pursuit vehicles ahead. On my way home, there was a guy with the device in an unmarked car in the turn-around of the dividing wall at about the same place monitoring the eastbound traffic. Either it's because it's the end of the month, or the device cost a ton and they are trying to pay it off in the first month of use.
Anybody know what kind of device this is? The thing he's using almost appears like he's looking through those old fold-open opera glasses (except it has a cord attached).
[Edited by: Markel at 7/30/2009 8:16:40 PM EST]
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jul 24, 2009 10:08:08 AM
Last night IL-53 north of I-355 was covered with multiple cops of various types. Very busy.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jul 23, 2009 12:03:24 PM
I've seen the same thing done in Milwaukee, Markel.
I saw an unmarked white SUV with someone pulled over on IL-83 in south Elmhurst this morning, and two state troopers at different locations writing tickets south of Thorndale on IL-53.
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Markel

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jul 21, 2009 5:01:15 PM
Several times recently (today was the most recent) I have seen a State Police standing on the Raymond Dr overpass over I-88 (just east of I-59) mostly hidden by a sign mounted on the overpass. He is using some sort of device (probably laser - sort of like he's looking through binoculars) to monitor west-bound traffic, then radios down to some pursuit vehicles sitting a little farther west down I-88. This is a bit of a different tactic.
I think I've seen the same guy with this device standing a the end of the (west-bound) I-88 construction zone west of I-59. He had a motorcycle next to him to pursue with. The lack of a car makes him a bit less conspicuous.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jul 20, 2009 4:54:11 PM
I saw a Bensenville cop on the IL-19 (Irving Park) overpass this morning. I've never seen one there before. They normally park at the bottom by the apartment complex.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jul 8, 2009 12:25:19 AM
The Cook County Sheriff's police continue to be all over IL-53 from I-355 to Lake-Cook. There's a cop at Dundee Road nearly every day now, and Euclid is another favorite.
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frontrowjoe33

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jul 6, 2009 10:06:58 PM
The Will County Sheriff was parked off of Bell Road tonite, north of the shopping center at about 139th St. in Homer Glen.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jul 6, 2009 4:36:57 PM
The Wooddale cops were back at Thorndale and Salt Creek again, in the construction area. I wonder if they are checking for overweight trucks on that weak bridge.
On IL-53, there were Cook County Sheriff's Police at Euclid and at Dundee. They are watching both closely these days.
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frontrowjoe33

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 2:32:24 PM
The motorcycle man was out in Orland this afternoon watching 143rd Street at about 87th Avenue. When i passed by a second time he was trying to pull over a red Chrysler and causing a mess in traffic.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jul 1, 2009 11:40:25 AM
This morning I noticed 2 Wooddale cops in the construction zone at Thorndale and Salt Creek. I wondered at first why they were there, as speeds are slow, but then I realized the extra low speed limits and high construction zone fines and it all made sense.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jun 30, 2009 2:11:15 PM
The Cook County Sheriff has been back at his old haunt at IL-53 and Dundee Roads a lot lately. It is a good place to hide, I have to admit.
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frontrowjoe33

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jun 28, 2009 11:25:17 PM
An Orland P.D. car was watching LaGrange Road southbound just south of 143rd Street in the dusky hours tonite.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jun 23, 2009 10:06:18 AM
The commonly watched IL-53 at Dundee Road underpass was empty this morning, and then I saw the Cook County Sheriff with someone pulled over. As I passed, I saw that the pulled-over car was an unmarked police car with his radar on. Sneaky!
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frontrowjoe33

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jun 22, 2009 8:38:10 PM
I like that term ldheinz! It is very accurate.
I saw the motorcycle man again this morning, this time with someone pulled over on 151st Street by 94th Ave.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jun 22, 2009 11:21:40 AM
I tend to refer to them by their traditional term "highwaymen", or people who hang out along the roads, stopping you, and demanding money to continue.
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frontrowjoe33

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jun 21, 2009 8:14:20 PM
A motorcycle cop was robbing a driver this afternoon in Orland on 143rd Street just south of 108th Ave. I could not tell what jurisdiction the cycle belonged to.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jun 21, 2009 12:31:24 AM
On Irving Park Road in Wooddale just west of IL-83 there is usually a city cop somewhere in the first few blocks. It's amazingly consistent.
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MisterJohnny

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jun 20, 2009 9:03:06 PM
saw a nice one today in La Grange on La Grange Road, south of Cossitt. The have a speed limit sign (25) mph, with an electronic readout with you speed on it. The Police were on the next street over
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jun 5, 2009 10:03:52 AM
The Cook County Sheriff has been watching on IL-83 at Euclid Ave. I've seen people pulled over there all week. The state police are watching south of I-90.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jun 2, 2009 10:26:40 AM
The Cook County Sheriff was back at his old haunt at IL-53 and Dundee Road this morning.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Jun 1, 2009 10:52:31 AM
On IL-53 this morning I had a Cook County Sheriff try to pace me. He was in the local lanes and I was in the bypass lanes, with a merge coming up. I saw him and slowed down, but watch for that.
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reb4

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 30, 2009 3:23:28 PM
End of month activity??? Saw a Villa Park car just after viaduct (south of St. Charles Rd.) on rt 83 with radar. Was wide open and most everyone saw him south bound, but I think he was shooting the north bound traffic.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 30, 2009 2:08:22 PM
IL-53/I-290 north of I-355 has been buzzing lately, with both the state police and Cook County Sheriff's Police. They've been on the on-ramps rather than their typical hiding places.
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MoonUnit

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 30, 2009 7:59:04 AM
Orland is really hurting for sales tax money. We are right on the border of Will County so between the higher Cook County tax and the economy, it is really bad.
Our mayor needs all the revenue he can get because they are buying up a small shopping center that is doing great financially is is fully leased for his "downtown triangle" under eminent domain.
I agaree with frj that they are just out to write $90 tickets.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 29, 2009 6:10:27 PM
The weak economy is the reason for all those red light cameras. They are just another source of income for towns.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 28, 2009 11:34:32 PM
It's the end of the month, and they haven't met their quota, which has probably been increased because of lowered tax income. Does Orland get a lot of money from sales tax revenue? Elmhurst is really hurting because people stopped buying cars from all their car dealers, and those are BIG sales tax numbers.
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frontrowjoe33

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 28, 2009 8:24:26 PM
Today i went from my house to a job seminar on 159th Street & 88th Ave., and then to the grocery store and back home. During this brief stint of driving I counted 9 Orland Police cars driving by on the roads. Yes, NINE marked police cruisers. What on earth are they all doing?? There can't be that many "cases" that are being "investigated" or "patrolled" around here. To me it looks like they're motoring around, getting paid to waste gasoline. That's my rant for the day.
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frontrowjoe33

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 22, 2009 12:50:25 AM
You are very insightful, FlogNut. :) I was the recipient of one of their tickets last year, as the "leader" of a pack of speeding vehicles. Since i was the first car in line, even though we were all going the same speed, i got the penalty. (I'm not saying i wasn't speeding, but with another car right on my tail, it wouldn't have been easy or safe to slow down.) I wouldn't doubt there was a little instantaneous prejudice there by the officer as well; something like, young driver, he probably won't bring it to court, there's $90.
I'm sure they would be happy to talk to me too. That's something i may do this summer. But they probably won't raise the speed limit on my street back to what it used to be (45, now 35) and they probably won't stop issuing them darn speedin' tickets. So until then, i'll just keep on avoiding speeding in their presence as best i can. :)
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FlogNut

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 21, 2009 5:19:25 PM
I'll take an educated guess and say that the Orland P.D. has a Traffic division and one of their main functions is to patrol the streets and ensure that the traffic laws are obeyed. It almost sounds like you're one of those folks who got a $90 ticket and aren't too happy about it. :-) Have you showed up at city council meetings and brought your concerns to city officials. Many times the Chief of Police is in attendance. I'm sure the Chief would be happy to talk with you. When I lived in Naperville I did just that. At least there you can air your grievance to someone who can actually do something about it. Or they can explain why they're doing what they're doing.
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frontrowjoe33

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 21, 2009 4:29:10 PM
What i am doing is complaining that the Orland police have nothing better to do than line their pockets by issuing $90 tickets to motorists who are doing absolutely nothing unsafe - except for not following a law set in place for those who CANNOT control their vehicles at a higher rate of speed than what is suggested.
If there was a reason for the police to be out in such great numbers around here (i.e. protecting us from burglars, molesters, thugs on the street), i would respect that. But at this point, all they are doing is making up for lost revenue.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 21, 2009 11:34:05 AM
Yes, FordTruckin, that area is a big one for the highwaymen. It extends north along IL-53 as long as it remains interstate-like, but coverage is heavier where I-290 and IL-53 are joined.
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FlogNut

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 21, 2009 10:59:10 AM
frontrowjoe, are you accusing the Orland P.D. of giving speeding tickets to people who weren't really speeding? Is it you opinion that they should stop enforcing all traffic laws? Or just to speeding laws? Do know if they're currently issuing speeding tickets if someone exceeds the limit by 1 or 2 MPH? Or are they giving people a little lee-way and wait until someone is going 10MPH or greater? If I happen to be speeding and get caught by the police - I tend to blame myself! It was my decision to exceed the speed limit (regardless of how ridiculously low it is set) and I'm willing to take responsibility for my actions.
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FordTruckin

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Illinois
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Message Posted: May 20, 2009 5:40:54 PM
The state troopers were hunting again on I-290/IL-53 between Biesterfield & Higgins Roads at 3:30 this afternoon. Keep your eyes open as you travel through Cha-Ching Alley!
Also... the Mount Prospect PD was running a seat belt dragnet along Rand Rd (US-12) earlier today.
[Edited by: FordTruckin at 5/20/2009 6:48:11 PM EST]
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frontrowjoe33

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 20, 2009 12:34:19 PM
The weather has been beautiful for the last 2 days. That's the perfect time for the Orland P.D. to come out and rob innocent motorists of their hard-earned money. They had one car pulled over on 151st St. east of 94th Avenue, a radar trap in the cemetery driveway at about 152nd & West Ave., and another police car set way back on a side street watching 108th Avenue at about 14700 South.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 15, 2009 11:04:19 AM
The I-290/IL-53 N-S corridor is being watched very heavily by both the state police and the Cook county sheriffs. They aren't using the normal hiding locations, either.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 14, 2009 9:47:27 AM
This morning I saw a Cook County Sheriff parked halfway up the southbound onramp on IL-53 at Rand Rd. (US-12)
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frontrowjoe33

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 13, 2009 8:54:55 PM
An Orland P.D. cruiser was radaring this morning just after 8 AM on the open stretch of 143rd St. between Harlem and 82nd Ave. He was parked on the median and likely targeting the eastbound cars that pass by right after that small dip in the road.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 13, 2009 10:27:55 AM
Yesterday I saw an unmarked state police car stopped halfway up a ramp on IL-53.
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willyneu

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 12, 2009 2:14:31 PM
Heard a man call in on WGN Radio this morning to say that three members of his family have received tickets from red light cameras. One town has taken in about $60,000. & the courts did not share in any of this money
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 11, 2009 9:13:37 AM
I've recently seen state police on IL-83 near Thorndale writing up trucks. I've never seen them there before, and I feel sorry for professional drivers who are being picked on.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: May 7, 2009 10:32:37 AM
On Thorndale in Itasca east of Arlington Heights road there was a policeman on a bicycle with a radar gun and a radio. That's getting a bit extreme...
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Apr 24, 2009 10:13:55 AM
It must be spring. The state police have their motorcycles out. I saw one writing up a guy on IL-53 NB at Higgins. There was a car with a guy pulled over at Thorndale, too.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Apr 18, 2009 3:24:03 PM
The state police continue to watch IL-53 north of I-355 very heavily, and at different times of day. I saw 3 cars pulled over in 5 miles on Friday night.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Apr 14, 2009 10:37:14 AM
The state police are currently watching IL-53 north of I-355 quite heavily.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Apr 12, 2009 3:28:40 PM
On Saturday morning IL-83 was very busy. I saw a DuPage Sheriff, a Wooddale cop, and an Elmhurst cop writing tickets.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Apr 9, 2009 10:44:48 AM
This morning on IL-53 there was a Cook County Sheriff with a guy pulled over NB just south of NW Highway. I think he was probably hidden at Euclid. There was also a state trooper at Dundee Road. This was at 9:30 AM.
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ldheinz

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Apr 8, 2009 11:37:06 AM
It's called a "wolf pack", z28z24, in homage to the Nazi submarines of WW2. They get a speed on a pack of cars, and then pull them ALL over. It's effectively domestic terrorism, but it's legal. It's nice to know, though. Thanks.
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z28z24

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Chicago
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Message Posted: Apr 8, 2009 8:04:03 AM
This morning on the westbound/outbound NW Tollway I 90, at the Arlington Heights entance ramp there was one state trooper with a radar gun and abour 3-4 state police cars ready and waiting to nab the next speeder. This seems to be the current approach of the State Police setting up speed traps in the vicinity of toll plazas, as noted by my post yesterday.
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