When I was a Richland County SC Deputy Sheriff, a local “community leader” went to the Sheriff, and demanded that a speed trap be set up on the street leading to his neighborhood. The street was intersected by an SC Highway, and many people making turns onto the street from the highway didn't slow down to the speed limit fast enough for the “community leader.” The Sheriff agreed, and said that he would see that a speed trap was set up as soon as it was feasible .

So one slow Sunday afternoon a speed trap was set up. I was driving the chase car, while a Radar Certified Deputy ran the radar. We had barely got set up, when a car made the turn, and barely slowed down. The Radar Operator radioed me, and told me that the car was doing 53 mph in a 35 mph zone. I chased the car down, and stopped it.

I approached the car, and Lo and Behold the driver was the “community leader.” He asked if I knew who he was, and I replied that he was a speeder. He griped the entire time that I was writing his citation. He stated he would call and register a complaint with the Sheriff saying that I was harassing him, which he did, and which the Sheriff ignored.

He got the very first and oddly enough the only ticket I issued that day. Apparently word got out about the speed trap, and all the other drivers entering the neighborhood did the speed limit or less.