Police are using binoculars to monitor traffic. Is that fair?
A couple of times this week I have observed Fresno Police Department motorcops doing what cops do. Look for violators. The ones I saw parked on Palm Avenue near a great little Mexican restaurant were doing their job with something extra. They have dash cams for a reason.
The motorcop was using binoculars to look down Palm-southbound, then turned northbound, also looking through his binoculars. OK, inasmuch as this was unusual, I think the probability of overturning the violation within the court is very good. Now we have motorcops using binoculars to see probably a half mile or more both north and south. Legal? Ethical? You decide.
Just think. Soon we will have drones following traffic patterns. You are seen not signaling on West Herndon Avenue at Milburn? You get pulled over by a motorcop on Maple and Belmont avenues. You're busted. Your defense?
Now we all would agree that Fresno traffic patterns are a mess, and out of control and borderline anarchy. But binoculars? Copper, please. Stick with hiding in the bushes. Leave the binoculars at the motor office please.
Mark Johnson, Fresno
This story was originally published July 23, 2017 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Police are using binoculars to monitor traffic. Is that fair?."