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Scammed in Emporia, VA

January 15, 2004

Travelers BEWARE of Emporia, VA and Route 58 through Greensville County, VA. The “bully” cops are setup there to take your money for the slightest traffic infraction. If you are traveling west to Interstate 85 or 95, avoid Route 58, if at all possible in the vicinity of Emporia, VA. Bypass Emporia by using Interstate 64 on the north to Petersburg,VA or Route 13 south through North Carolina to Raleigh/ Durham and  connections north, south and west.

On Monday January 12, 2004, my wife and I were in route to Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC for an appointment with my cardiologist. The weather conditions were fair, dry and clear. There was very little traffic. The road is a four lane divided highway with medium strip. I was driving straight down the highway in the left hand lane. I was not driving recklessly. We were approximately 10 miles west of Emporia, VA on route 58 in Greensville County, when we popped up over the hill and encountered one of the local sheriff’s infamous speed traps.

Nestled out of sight and in-between two bermes in the medium strip, with his radar blasting, sat Sheriff Deputy, Corporal Rose. His instructions for the day and every day are to catch anyone and everyone traveling above the posted speed limit on route 58 through and in the vicinity of Emporia in Greensville County, VA. Entrapment is the Sheriff’s game and you, if you pass his way, are the victim, no matter the circumstances or conditions. The county’s well oiled system is setup to provide a continuous flow of traveler’s cash going into the coffers of Greensville County. Safety and citizen well being, the primary purpose and only reason for Corporal Rose’s existence are secondary to the local government’s reason for Corporal Rose being on the job. “Money” is the root of this evil. An unscrupulous scam setup for the benefit only of the local Greensville County government.

 What’s so sad about this situation is the State of Virginia knows about and is condoning and allowing this “good ole’ boy” local government sponsored scam to operate. The State is deducting points from the driving records of all those pleading guilty and convicted – resulting in higher insurance rates and possible lost of driving licsene.  I’ve checked with many prominent and well informed citizens. Most everyone has heard of and is aware of this infamous setup. In-fact the AAA warns everyone asking directions or being routed down route 58 and through Emporia to stay well below the posted speed limit and to take special driving precautions while in or near Emporia or to AVOID that route all together.

I have read about other small towns and jurisdictions having such operations, but they didn’t last long. In-fact the little town of Whaleville, VA on route 13, just south of Suffolk, operated the same type of judicial scam until their locally hired policeman stopped and the town’s justice of the peace tried and convicted a certain FBI agent’s wife. After an extensive investigation into fraud and corruption of the local law enforcement officials there in Whaleville, all traffic ticketing activity ceased. Only, the posted speed limit signs remain today. The town is dead and no hope of growth in sight. Obviously, local government corruption, fraud, and public scam will not last. The people of this country will not tolerate unscrupulous officials and politicians for very long.

I am hoping to get someone in the State of Virginia or someone in the Federal Government to take notice of this unscrupulous setup in Greensville County, VA. Perhaps, even a newspaper might get an interesting story and uncover what’s really happening behind the scene. You can bet, where money is passing at the rate that the telephone line setup to inform the ticketed victims where to send their fines and court cost is so busy it’s unreachable, and the county website takes credit cards, there is fire in the furnace.

I am guilty as charged for speeding.  I have paid my fine and court cost, but I am aggravated with the way, reason, and method I was apprehended. I’m not trying to justify or advocate or condone my breaking the speed limit laws of Virginia or any other state or jurisdiction. I try with all my heart and soul to be a good American citizen and abide by the law to the best of my ability, awareness and knowledge.

Let’s stamp-out unscrupulous government officials, their scams, fraud, misuse of office and the abuse of good American citizens. Municipalities can start by prohibiting “bully cop” situations like that in Emporia, VA. and instructing their police to do the job the taxpayer’s intended – Service and Safety to the public.

Reginald S. Early

748 Pine Tree Drive

Virginia Beach, VA 123452-2626

757-498-4162

E-mail-  rsearly@cox.net