Solutions
last update 10-30-06
Eyes and Ears Watch Program Concept:

Eyes and Ears" programs have a proven track record of success.

"Montclair Sees You — Stop the Speeding"
Get the License plate!
Provide your intelligence to OPD, who in turn contacts the suspect and interviews/educates them.
The OPD's role is economical, effective, well received, and has positive PR benefits ____________________________________________________________________________________

PROGRAM DRAFT CONCEPT: (rev 10-30)

1) Citizen obtains ID of suspect blatantly engaged in high-speed driving / racing

OBTAIN: Vehicle Model, description of driver, and most important: full plate if possible*

2) Provide information to a convenient / central source, established by this group: e.g.website or by email to OPD

4) OPD uses the intell for an outreach program involving direct contact with suspects
OPD reviews allegations with suspects via phone or in person.

PROCESS: a) Advise the suspect of the complaint, b) ask them if it was true/possible, c) insist that they please slow down and be more respectful in their driving, d) keep record of incident in case there are future charges involving the party. Make them aware that citizens are deeply concern, fatalities have occurred recently (Weiss) and, that their actions have consequences for everyone in the community.

SUPPORT: Hand-outs/education, website(s), signage notificaiton of watch program, PR-outreach

NOTE:
>Avoid direct intervention - this has led to threats and violence
>It is NOT possible to charge anyone (to my knowledge) absent the citizen arrest process
>DO NOT photograph them - too risky - especially if the suspect can ID you at your home - this can lead to violence
>Participates agree to certain guidelines for ID process to enable information to be more effective for OPD deployment
Engineering - Traffic Planning
Traffic Circle
Enforcement
Education

Legislation to tighten and restrict the sale and use of high-speed motorcycles

Problem: bike shops will sell to "anyone" without accountability should the rider be inexperienced, or "at risk" of the misuse of the technology found in modern bikes. Some bikes have hp/weight ratios that make them inherently dangerous. Restricting their use and ownership to responsibly parties could help mitigate this problem, and provide an enforcement options in the he case violations. Parties that were involved in injury accidents in violation of this law, could have fines/fail time as applicable doubled or other loading placed on the sentences.

Legislative law change: Motorcycle licensing: change to European Standards, wherein, a certain level of 'incident' free riding experience is required prior to receiving license for the purchase of certain to be specified "high-horsepower" motorcycles>

Example: 5 years of accident/ticket free riding to purchase and ride specified bikes
Problem: some bikes manufactured today should be consider illegal for street use, not unlike certain rules that apply to racing vehicles. These are sometimes knowns as "liter bikes"