The sheriff's new unmarked SUV

I understand the risks of having alot of random vehicles out there but they also run the risk of not doing something about a danger to others if they are witness to it and just cruise on by or let another driver continue on if they can do something to stop them. I am sure that it isnt SOP to use a private vehicle but what if that deputy/detective/investigator had just got off work and happened to be in his/her own vehicle that was equipped with lights and let a drunk driver going at a high rate of speed continue on down the road directly toward the vehicle loaded with kids coming home from soccer? I am sure they would rather just call it for a marked vehicle and continue on home but I am pretty sure somewhere in that oath they take it says they have to stop or attempt to stop that activity.

And in that situation, too, I agree that they should do something to stop the hazardous driver. But to intentionally put unmarked and/or private vehicles out on the roads for routine traffic enforcement is where you may run into more frequent risks, chases, complaints, etc. And I'll go ahead and admit that I don't think using unmarked and/or private vehicles going 5 to 8 mph over a 55 to 70 mph speed limit is a good use of such strategy, but when the LEO driving such a vehicle sees a drive going 15 mph over the speed limit, driving aggressively or erratically, etc., then by all means, they should pursue the offending vehicle.

More than likely that is what is happening. Keep in mind that last week was probably one of the busiest weeks of spring break and possibly the season for South Walton. It's kind of an all hands on deck situation. They may very well have had to use unmarked vehicles to patrol 98, even if they hadn't I'm sure the number of times it was spotted could have very well been one of the "out of the norm" situations described.

There have been numerous cases of "unmarked" cars pulling women over in this area and I am sure other places. Not law enforcement, but impostors. The reports say the thing to do is keep driving until you get to a well lit, well populated area (preferably a police or fire station) and call 911.

That's why the Sheriff said call dispatch - because they can immediately tell you if the car pulling you over is legitimate and send a REAL cop if they aren't.

Well maybe the vehicle will pay for itself.

My motto is to drive no faster that you can afford to drive. And with gas and tickets what they are, I have slowed down quite a bit.

sheriff needs to be voted out!

on this easter sunday, i saw one of walton county's sheriff storm troopers writing a ticket to an elderly couple dressed for church south of paxton on u.s.331. i guess something so disgusting makes us all feel a lot safer in our homes'.
oh wait, writing lots' of tickets allows the fat, rolly polly fella to drive a fancy new unmarked suv.
god bless america. in a time when gov. scott is asking for government to go on a diet, this career political animal has bellied up to the taxpayer breast. it's time to say no in '2012 and send sheriff mikkie packing out of office.

So because someone is elderly or dressed for church they should be immune from getting a ticket if they are breaking the law?! Whatever.:roll:

Somebody has voted early.

For only a 2nd post, this more or less takes the cake, particularly since he/she doesn't evidently know what we had previously for a sheriff and even less about the overall operation of the sheriff's office now compared to then. Go Sheriff Mike Atkinson and Deputies!!!!

I have recently been traveling up to South Georgia on a job and noticed that an unusual number of marked and unmarked police cars have been parked beside the roads. I asked a friend and he said they were parking and watching traffic because of the price of fuel. I don't know if this is the case here, but it makes sense.

I think 2 years ago the State of Florida did something similar to this. As I understood it they were advised they did not want a lot of running up and down the road and still wanted them to be visible.

on this easter sunday, i saw one of walton county's sheriff storm troopers writing a ticket to an elderly couple dressed for church south of paxton on u.s.331. i guess something so disgusting makes us all feel a lot safer in our homes'.
oh wait, writing lots' of tickets allows the fat, rolly polly fella to drive a fancy new unmarked suv.
god bless america. in a time when gov. scott is asking for government to go on a diet, this career political animal has bellied up to the taxpayer breast. it's time to say no in '2012 and send sheriff mikkie packing out of office.

Could you advise more detail what the current sheriff has done wrong? I'd be shocked if he got less than 80% of the vote in the next election.

P.S. Yes, seeing law enforcement doing their job DOES make us feel better.

Don't know what you find so disgusting about the ticket .............. unless it was you getting it.