These Police Officers Had an Issue With What One Man’s Sign Said Ahead of a Checkpoint — and They Ticketed Him for It

Remember. When seconds count, the cops are minutes away...

This is so wrong, on so many levels.


He ( the sign holder) was being a good Samaritan. He was simply warning folks about the trap laid up ahead by some highway robbers.

What happened to his free speech, or right to protest?


The Constitution is a burning document, Americans sleep.




HOW CAN THIS MAN RECIEVE ANY CITATION?



Police state, Police state, Police state......

Really strange. In this state they have to post when and where they will be set up prior to the checkpoint. These are posted a few days before. So why would worry about the sign?

On a happy note here in my state of Missouri.

A federal judge in Missouri ruled this week held that drivers have a First Amendment right to flash their headlights to warn other motorists of nearby police and speed traps.

The order by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey in St. Louis on Monday stems from a lawsuit filed by Ellisville resident Michael Elli. In 2012, Elli flashed his headlights to warn oncoming vehicles of a radar set up by police in the town of Ellisville.

A flash of headlights is a common way motorists communicate to oncoming drivers of either a dangerous situation or the presence of police — in essence, a warning to slow down.

An officer saw the flash and pulled over Elli, who could have faced a fine of up to $1,000 if convicted. Elli, was accused of "[f]lashing lights on certain vehicles . . . warning of RADAR ahead," according to court papers obtained by The Wall Street Journal.

He faced a fine up to $1,000 in addition to points on his license, according to the report.

The city later dropped the charge, but the American Civil Liberties Union sued on Elli's behalf anyway, claiming the arrest violated his First Amendment right to free speech.

Ellisville City Attorney George Restovich said the city changed the policy after the case went to court and no longer pulls over people for flashing headlights.

"The reality is that the injunction doesn't change the way the city has been operating for the past 12 months," Restovich said.

At a hearing on the lawsuit last year, Ellisville officials made the case that flashing headlights could interfere with a police investigation. But Autrey said in his ruling that the flashing of headlights "sends a message to bring one's driving in conformity with the law — whether it be by slowing down, turning on one's own headlamps at dusk or in the rain, or proceeding with caution."

“The chilling effect of Ellisville’s policy and custom of having its police officers pull over, detain, and cite individuals who are perceived as having communicated to oncoming traffic by flashing their headlamps and then prosecuting and imposing fines upon those individuals remains, regardless” of the city’s decision to change its policy, the judge wrote, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Tony Rothert, legal director of the ACLU’s Missouri chapter told the Journal's Law Blog that the judge's ruling is a civil rights victory for motorists.

"When someone is communicating in a public street, [he is] expressing [himself] in a way that’s protected by the First Amendment,” Rothert said. "Unless there is a strong reason why the government should be allowed to censor that speech, the police shouldn’t be stopping or prosecuting people because of the content of their speech."

[link to www.foxnews.com]

I think the guy is right - EVERYONE WITH BRAIN KNOWS THE GUY IS RIGHT. But still, give unto Caesar that which he asks for, it makes life so much easier. This is Satan's dominion, just play nice til we leave the mental-asylum-nightmare-disguised-as-a-playground. Soon we'll wake up!

im pretty sure its not against the law to warn someone cops are ahead. I read a story once about a guy who was ticketed for flashing his lights to oncoming cares

the guy won the case there is no law that says you cant do that the cop made it up

[link to www.dailymail.co.uk]

Mr Campbell, of Land O'Lakes, was driving the Veterans Expressway in Tampa two years ago when he noticed two black Florida Highway Patrol cruisers in the median, with their lights off.

He did what he always does and flashed his lights to oncoming motorists to warn them of the impending speed trap.

The officers did not take kindly though, and within 60 seconds they had pulled him over and were in the process of issuing him a ticket for $115 for improper flashing of high beams



Mr Campbell says the FHP trooper told him what he had done was illegal.

'You could tell in his voice he was upset,' Mr Campbell told WSTP.com. 'He was professional, he wasn't rude, but you could tell he was irritated.'

Mr Campbell later learned that flashing lights is not an offence, though, and had his ticket dismissed by Hillsborough County Judge Raul Palomino.

Even though the guy got out of a ticket he still had to take time off work to go fight it.

In the cops mind: Win, win.

God Bless people that stick their necks out for others in these tough times. I know if I got a ticket or any kind of fine at this moment in time I would be financially fucked, even more financially fucked than I am now.

About ten years ago I was living outside of Pittsburgh in a small town of 10,000 people. I remember one summer when they had the checkpoints EVERYWHERE for about a month. I only smoked weed at the time, but still when you get charges on your record that shit sticks with you forever. One day I was heading to my girlfriend's house when I noticed a checkpoint up ahead, there were even cops standing in the middle of the road flagging cars down. I saw officers swarming all over these people, searching the cars and even inside the trunks.

I quickly decided FUCK THAT SHIT, and made a quick right up a lane that looped around where the pigs had set up. They had helicopters and about 8 cop cars, but nobody bothered to chase me because the cops were all busy harassing other people at the time so I slipped through.

About two days later me and my girl were heading out the same road when a bunch of kids were jumping right off the side with a sign...it said PoLiCe CheKPoInT AhEaD, in a hilarious quickly scribbled kid font. Sure enough those kids gave me the heads up, I turned around and took another route. I'm pretty sure I had weed on me at the time of both incidents, so I really do appreciate it when people "tell" on the cops because usually its the other way around when they cops try to make you tell on others. Fuckem.

And as stated above with the guy flashing his lights to warn oncoming motorists of speed traps or lurking cops, I DO IT ALL THE FUCKIN TIME. I always appreciate it when people flash me to let me know, so I return the favor any time possible.

All those checkpoints are financed by the Fed. Those cops are getting overtime to do them and the money comes straight from the Fed.

Just a ticket?

He should consider himself lucky.

Surprised hes not in the hospital.

why not?.. they print as much as they want, no?

up here, we flash the lights for moose/deer/bear etc as well as cops.

I thought they only Enforced the 666 Sunday Law AFTER the Third Temple Is Built? What pagan sun year do they Claim it is again? Um, just because Obama eats American Aborted fetuses© @ Bohemian Grove (#1 per hour in America, Go Planned parenthood!!) does not mean Obama is a bad person does it? Ha Ha Ha gave yall 2000 years to make a choice since literal TRUTH Walked his Earth...His Glorious Return is Eminent, Who's Ready for a Wedding :) ... "Those that have ears to hear, hear"...this age/Realm is wrapping up Quickly...

SIFT THEM LIKE WHEAT = End Game :(

Truth = Jesus king of the jews in the flesh 2000 years ago sitting at right hand of YHWH as you read this.. ..

AS it is Written God Is Holy So Be Holy.

"For I am the YHWH your Elohim: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

Ya this makes little sense, because now there are Apps that actively warn you about cops ahead. I suppose it wouldn't necessarily say that there is a checkpoint ahead, but it gives you ample warning that cops/sidelined vehicles/etc. are up ahead, so if you see a block of cop cars on your GPS that would be a sign of a road block. The App is called Waze, which I'm sure collects info on unsuspecting users, but it and many other Apps are available to warn drivers of upcoming police and other hazards.

I've heard of similar incidents where people were attempted to be charged or fined for these kinds of acts and they usually get off free. If he took it to court I am sure he would get it dismissed. You can do that with citations, right?

Supreme court already ruled this was protected speech. Piggies gonna get sued.

I'm sure he would be if he got violent like most idiots do...

Police state USA! Fight the good fight my fellow citizens. Here's my whole thing with this... mJ was made of the earth! By the creators! Why is man's problem with the creators and an herb that can link you to your soul? And why the hell are cigarettes legal??? They are the number one killer!! And don't even get me started on alcohol. I think so many drink because deep down the people know they need the medicine because this world is sick but b:c the real medicine is illegal they drink or take manufactured prescribed b.s. The main stream thought is totally backwards and people don't want to recognize this! I am almost to the point of jumping off a cliff because I am so sick of the stupidity that continues.

Yeah but, you take piggy piggy off the street during your trial, at least you are keeping them from raping other motorists, win for freedom.

It IS actually illegal in Aus to flash lights.

You get a bigger fine for doing that than you do for a class 1 speeding ticket.

You merkans want a nazi police state?

Come to Aus.

Its heil shitler over here.

Its even illegal to breathe.