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Hobo cop: Police pose as bums to catch cell users

National Post -- A scruffy looking man - hoodie up, clutching a tattered sign scrawled on a scrap of cardboard - shuffled up to a car at a busy intersection in this city west of Toronto. Drivers instinctively looked away.

But this sign's wording was different from the usual begging appeal: "My name is Constable Mike Cairns. If you are reading this sign you are about to get a cell phone ticket."

Witness the latest police tactic in the crackdown on distracted drivers.

Across Canada over the past several weeks, police officers have been dressing as panhandlers and clutching cardboard signs to mimic the curbside come-ons in order to get close enough to see drivers using handheld phones while driving.

In a growing list of cities, the unusual undercover tactic is snagging motorists who are texting,

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Submitted May 03, 2012 By: Nicoalbum

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wamster Champion Author Houston Posts:4,419 Points:720,340 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 3:19:27 PM Ignore wamster Report Abuse Good! We need to get these people using cell phones, texting, and not paying attention off the road. I hope they're also including women putting on eye makeup while driving.
bwatchingu Champion Author Arkansas Posts:1,864 Points:628,900 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 3:00:29 PM Ignore bwatchingu Report Abuse creative
TustinDad Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,383 Points:915,785 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:19:28 AM Ignore TustinDad Report Abuse SycamoreISU wrote: "I don't see it as entrapment. If you're not supposed to be using your cell phone, but do it anyway, does it really matter how the police officer is dressed?" I agree, it doesn't. He is in full view and even has a poster with name and rank. Can't be more open than that. If people are stupid enough to talk/text and drive, they deserve this. Too bad the fines aren't higher than they are.
SycamoreISU Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,070 Points:276,800 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:42:22 AM Ignore SycamoreISU Report Abuse I don't see it as entrapment. If you're not supposed to be using your cell phone, but do it anyway, does it really matter how the police officer is dressed?
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,954 Points:2,082,480 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 6:56:05 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Sneaky snake.
bullet226 Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,716 Points:534,915 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 6:22:05 AM Ignore bullet226 Report Abuse Entrapment!
Rockinrobby Veteran Author Tallahassee Posts:444 Points:276,990 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 6:21:31 AM Ignore Rockinrobby Report Abuse Watch out for the hoodies!
gs7101 Champion Author San Antonio Posts:5,663 Points:396,245 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 4:29:16 AM Ignore gs7101 Report Abuse Got ya!
RitaVespa Champion Author Oregon Posts:3,109 Points:819,845 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 2:46:12 AM Ignore RitaVespa Report Abuse I like it! I have stopped using phone while driving (even hands free) and have absolutely enjoyed 1)listening to a book on tape or 2)just rocking out to music. Not having that dang phone go off is WONDERFUL!!!
JohnofGB Champion Author Flint Posts:5,566 Points:1,124,870 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 2:41:17 AM Ignore JohnofGB Report Abuse Distracted drivers need to get ticketed.
kitty1750 Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:2,199 Points:470,675 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 1:44:32 AM Ignore kitty1750 Report Abuse Looks to me like there's just as many peeps texting while driving as there were before the new law was enacted. But glad they're trying to enforce it anyway.
MN1 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,499 Points:678,890 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:07:03 AM Ignore MN1 Report Abuse Good.
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,041 Points:800,945 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:01:34 AM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse no texting
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,041 Points:800,945 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:01:18 AM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse no ticket for me
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,041 Points:800,945 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:01:05 AM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse hands free..
Bussman Champion Author Dallas Posts:5,676 Points:1,387,885 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:59:10 PM Ignore Bussman Report Abuse Your tax dollars at work.
anascom Champion Author Hamilton Posts:1,593 Points:556,690 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:50:23 PM Ignore anascom Report Abuse LOL
Nicoalbum Champion Author Ottawa Posts:6,169 Points:1,216,725 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:49:17 PM Ignore Nicoalbum Report Abuse This is some more development on the issue, it has not been so widespread just recently.
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:10,004 Points:1,641,675 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:44:44 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse All's fair in the war on dimwits behind the wheel.
roadrunnin Champion Author Richmond Posts:1,801 Points:582,030 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:23:49 PM Ignore roadrunnin Report Abuse Too funny
TruthMatters Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,586 Points:559,305 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:19:07 PM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse Old news ... But still funny!
danindenver Champion Author Denver Posts:5,596 Points:1,266,015 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:18:20 PM Ignore danindenver Report Abuse This sort of enforcement demeans the status of police officers. It is no wonder that so many citizens have lost respect for law enforcement. Governments, especially socialist ones, have turned into major nanny states. Read Atlas Shrugged: "There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws." - Ayn Rand
el_fr Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,482 Points:773,375 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:16:06 PM Ignore el_fr Report Abuse Not nice.
mpg611 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,484 Points:597,770 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:14:15 PM Ignore mpg611 Report Abuse They should use the bums from the Wshington DC political arena.
sedonaJ All-Star Author Arizona Posts:646 Points:206,435 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 10:54:21 PM Ignore sedonaJ Report Abuse These things go on all across america every day 365 24 7! ON many levels for what else but $$$! Not just for minor infractions or tickets either....
DandyDapple All-Star Author North Dakota Posts:715 Points:330,920 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 10:47:33 PM Ignore DandyDapple Report Abuse Generating revenue for their goobermintz ... ;-)
doeslayersr Champion Author Illinois Posts:9,308 Points:899,930 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 10:25:38 PM Ignore doeslayersr Report Abuse Only in a socialist state, which Canada is quickly becoming, in a panicked attempt to raise revenue for the nanny government. [Edited by: doeslayersr at 5/3/2012 11:26:26 PM EST]
djgunrunner Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:10,257 Points:2,377,280 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 10:08:05 PM Ignore djgunrunner Report Abuse Fantastic. Hope more departments get on the band wagon with this.
Dphillips720 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,417 Points:551,350 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 9:50:44 PM Ignore Dphillips720 Report Abuse ok
leemun Champion Author Utah Posts:5,683 Points:1,067,765 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 9:26:59 PM Ignore leemun Report Abuse nazis
Tacodan Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,462 Points:681,305 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 8:59:19 PM Ignore Tacodan Report Abuse I'd invite them to my city !
TomT2Lee Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:5,473 Points:1,624,775 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 8:48:52 PM Ignore TomT2Lee Report Abuse Seems like there are lots of more important crimes that need attending too.
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,240 Points:825,075 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 8:47:55 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse People should not be using a phone while driving but I also think there are better uses for the Officers time.
davenles Champion Author Texas Posts:3,341 Points:746,585 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 8:40:25 PM Ignore davenles Report Abuse Revenue generation.
Lugi1967 Champion Author Ohio Posts:4,921 Points:1,029,960 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 8:37:35 PM Ignore Lugi1967 Report Abuse ok
aquarinut Champion Author British Columbia Posts:1,631 Points:445,490 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 8:35:48 PM Ignore aquarinut Report Abuse LOL!! Great idea! I had to honk several times to prevent being side swiped or rear ended, and also for doing 40KMh behind a texter in a 90KMh zone and the worst was for following a texter doing 90KMh and drifting into oncoming traffic!!
listerone Champion Author Boston Posts:3,493 Points:904,700 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 8:18:15 PM Ignore listerone Report Abuse Ticket quotas.And I thought they only existed here in the US.
Hoporrene Veteran Author Mississippi Posts:312 Points:206,970 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 8:15:28 PM Ignore Hoporrene Report Abuse ...
rbrk02 Champion Author Rhode Island Posts:5,922 Points:845,905 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 7:53:45 PM Ignore rbrk02 Report Abuse Amazing that this is how tax dollars are being used.
RRBC Champion Author Victoria Posts:2,845 Points:556,765 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 7:13:20 PM Ignore RRBC Report Abuse hmm, not going to stop those people.
playtimeCLE Champion Author Cleveland Posts:8,704 Points:1,572,075 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 7:12:30 PM Ignore playtimeCLE Report Abuse I just don't see how this stops the guy doing 70 down the highway in all 3 lanes texting...
northerntruckgu Veteran Author Ontario Posts:495 Points:130,910 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 7:09:06 PM Ignore northerntruckgu Report Abuse does the word intrapment mean anything any more