Investigate Turner County Sheriff’s Department for Unethical Speeding Ticket Practices

Liberty Justice
1

Policy Objective:

To initiate a comprehensive investigation into the Turner County Sheriff’s Department’s traffic enforcement practices, particularly their reliance on speeding tickets as a primary revenue source, and to propose the dissolution or restructuring of the department if unethical practices are confirmed. This policy seeks to restore trust in local law enforcement, ensure equitable treatment of residents and travelers, and redirect county resources toward sustainable economic development rather than punitive revenue generation.

Background:

Turner County, Georgia, has earned a notorious reputation as a significant speed trap, ranking 11th in the state for traffic ticket revenue relative to its population. Reports indicate the county generates over $2 million annually from traffic fines, primarily along Interstate 75, despite a population of just over 9,000. This practice has led to allegations of over-policing, targeting out-of-state drivers, and prioritizing revenue over public safety. Community feedback highlights distrust and resentment toward law enforcement, with drivers and residents perceiving the Sheriff’s Department as exploiting travelers rather than serving the public good. Despite this revenue, Turner County remains economically disadvantaged, suggesting that ticket funds are not effectively addressing poverty or infrastructure needs.

Policy Rationale:

  1. Unethical Revenue Generation: The heavy reliance on speeding tickets, including enforcement of Georgia’s Super Speeder law, appears to prioritize financial gain over traffic safety, raising ethical concerns about policing motives.

  2. Community Impact: Aggressive ticketing fosters distrust between residents and law enforcement, undermines community cohesion, and may deter economic activity by discouraging travelers from stopping in the area.

  3. Economic Inefficiency: High ticket revenue fails to alleviate Turner County’s poverty, indicating a misallocation of resources that could be better used for job creation, education, or infrastructure.

  4. Legal and Public Scrutiny: National and state-level attention to speed traps, coupled with legal challenges in similar jurisdictions, underscores the need for accountability and reform.

Proposed Actions:

Phase 1: Investigation

  1. Independent Audit:

  • Commission an independent third-party audit of the Turner County Sheriff’s Department’s traffic enforcement practices, focusing on:

    • Number of tickets issued annually (reportedly 10,000–13,000).

    • Proportion of tickets issued to out-of-county/state drivers versus residents.

    • Revenue allocation from fines and its impact on county services.

    • Correlation between ticketing practices and traffic safety outcomes (e.g., accident rates on I-75).

  1. Public Hearings:

  • Host public forums in Turner County and online via PoliciesforPeople.com to gather testimony from residents, drivers, and law enforcement personnel about experiences with speeding ticket enforcement.

  • Ensure participation from diverse stakeholders, including local business owners and advocacy groups.

  1. Data Collection:

  • Analyze Sheriff’s Department records, court data, and Georgia State Patrol reports to assess enforcement patterns, ticket quotas (formal or informal), and compliance with state laws.

  • Leverage Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to obtain detailed financial and operational records.

Phase 2: Evaluation and Recommendation

  1. Findings Report:

  • Compile a comprehensive report within six months of the investigation’s start, detailing:

    • Evidence of unethical practices (e.g., targeting for revenue, lack of safety justification).

    • Community and economic impacts of current enforcement strategies.

    • Recommendations for reform or dissolution.

  1. Policy Options:

  • Option A: Dissolution and Replacement

    • If findings confirm widespread unethical practices, propose dissolving the Turner County Sheriff’s Department and transferring its duties to the Georgia State Patrol or a reformed county agency under stricter oversight.

  • Option B: Restructuring

    • If issues are systemic but reparable, recommend restructuring the department with mandated reforms, including:

      • Caps on traffic fine revenue as a percentage of the county budget (e.g., 10%).

      • Mandatory body and dash cam use for transparency.

      • Community oversight board to review enforcement policies.

Phase 3: Implementation

  1. Legislative Action:

  • Present findings and recommendations to the Georgia General Assembly for legislative approval, potentially amending state laws to limit municipal reliance on traffic fines.

  • Advocate for a state-level “Fair Roads Act” to regulate speed trap practices statewide.

  1. Community Transition Plan:

  • Allocate a portion of existing ticket revenue reserves to fund economic development initiatives (e.g., job training, small business grants) during the transition.

  • Establish a temporary task force to oversee the dissolution or restructuring process, ensuring continuity of public safety services.

  1. Public Accountability:
  • Publish all findings and actions on PoliciesforPeople.com, with regular updates to maintain transparency and public trust.

Expected Outcomes:

  • Restored Trust: Reduce community resentment by aligning law enforcement priorities with public safety rather than revenue.

  • Economic Improvement: Redirect resources to sustainable development, addressing Turner County’s poverty more effectively.

  • Statewide Precedent: Set a model for reforming speed trap practices across Georgia, enhancing fairness for all drivers.

Funding:

  • Initial funding for the investigation (audit, hearings, data analysis) to be sought through crowdfunding on PoliciesforPeople.com, supplemented by grants from advocacy groups focused on police accountability and rural development.

  • Estimated cost: $150,000–$200,000 for Phase 1.

Call to Action:

We urge the Georgia state legislators and the public to support this policy. Sign the petition to demand an immediate investigation into the Turner County Sheriff’s Department. Together, we can end unethical speeding ticket practices and build a fairer, more prosperous community.