Ft. Myers beach harrassment by cops

Has anyone else been harassed by the sheriffs at ft.myers beach district? I am 47 years old and very rarely ride my gxsr 1000(5500mls. '03). but 95% of all my tickets in my lifetime are from them. I have zero points on my license because of an attorney and because most of the tickets are questionable to say the least. The other night was absolute worst. I went out for 15mins. to check on my friends sons (drinking in bar late at night) and noticed an officer following me came to a red light stopped for about 5 seconds and signaled, w/o putting my foot down. Well I got pulled over(stopped before he turned his lights on) and thought this was a speeding ticket for maybe 10 over or something stupid. The quotes were" if u have a bad record,I will write u a ticket". I kept being respectful. I asked why etc. " want all u reckless motorcycles off the roads" after the stop he followed me and I went thru 3 stop signs(stopping completely) w/o touching the ground. My QUESTION: Is not putting you foot down at a stop singal/sign ILLEGAL? this is getting VERY expensive and I don't want to sell my bike to keep my license. Is it only me? he was even the Lt. I don't understand why they hate bikes and boats so much?

I don't know about there, but in California when I went to traffic school for speeding the teacher was a retired officer and he said "The law only states you must stop for a stop sign, not how long you have to stop for." So stopping for .000001 of a second is legally stopping. Dave

Thanks Dave for that bit of info. I even asked the officer that Question and he told me what I did was legal. I think this was a dui stop that didn't pan out for him.(gave stuff like that up years ago). I am amazed at what happened and very worried too. My frustration got the best of me at the end of our conversation(after the ticket and his business was concluded) and asked what about the drunks, and the soaring murder rate and all of the illegals that enter the beaches around here daily. I also asked if the money generated from stops such as this were worth the disrespect that develops from these situations.He didn't seem to care at all. This was the 1st time I had ever spoken back to an officer, but enough was enough. I guess I have vented enough and just got to go to court again. It does matter how you ride, if they want you your done.

I don't know about there, but in California when I went to traffic school for speeding the teacher was a retired officer and he said "The law only states you must stop for a stop sign, not how long you have to stop for." So stopping for .000001 of a second is legally stopping. Dave you fail. That's what we call a "california" roll. As in rolling through a stop sign. Yes you can get a ticket for not stopping long enough at a stop sign. Make it a habit of stopping. Look left, right left. Then proceed when safe. Find the handbook, I believe there's something in there about stopping for 3 seconds or something. Always cover your ass. my advice, fight the ticket yourself. What did he site you for? And I have a feeling he's the type of cop who won't show up. Feel free to PM me if you want help fighting it yourself without a traffic attorney. You really don't need one unless its for something really serious. Oh, and definately file a complaint against that officer.

you fail. That's what we call a "california" roll. As in rolling through a stop sign. Yes you can get a ticket for not stopping long enough at a stop sign. Make it a habit of stopping. Look left, right left. Then proceed when safe. Find the handbook, I believe there's something in there about stopping for 3 seconds or something. Always cover your ass. my advice, fight the ticket yourself. What did he site you for? And I have a feeling he's the type of cop who won't show up. Feel free to PM me if you want help fighting it yourself without a traffic attorney. You really don't need one unless its for something really serious. Oh, and definately file a complaint against that officer. I’m certified Instructor for the Defensive Drivers Course in state of Florida. You know course you have to take to get points from your license. And you have to make a complete stop meaning you have be standing long enough to be able to check to your left then right and then left again before you can move. Which would be 3-4 seconds.

I make a point of counting to 5 at stop signs to avoid these problems. I can balance w/o touching the ground for quite awhile and guess I will have to stop it at signals. I have been to traffic school and must admit it is a real waste to time for some people. The online school is so easy to speed thru that no one takes it seriously. (but the instructor was cool and took no crap) This is for the benefit of Insurance co.'s. Everyday I see unlicensed drivers, no tags, Drunks that drive crazy. If I see them so do the officers. There is no money for the state in pulling over a car with a driver who is broke, makes bail and does it again. I guess I am just saying what is obvious to most most people. Cops hate jap bikes.

I'm very curious what does the citation actually say it is for? Not stopping, not signaling, speeding? What exactly does it say on the ticket. Out of all the sdvice you will get in this thread the one to listen to is Ballhawk. He is the master of destroying tickets in court!

No offense but there are a ton of reckless motorcycle dudes down there at night. Everytime I'm down there at night someone is driving too fast or trying to impress the ladies on the streets. I'll only take my bike down there during the day.