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Florida's Attorney General, Charlie Crist, came out with a gem this afternoon (all at http://myfloridalegal.com/NewsBrie.nsf/OL/JPEK-6D8Q2H ) :

At the request of Davie Town Councilwoman Susan Starkey, earlier this

week I issued an Attorney General’s Opinion that contains equal

measures of the law and common sense. The opinion makes clear that

patrol cars are NOT commercial vehicles. Under Florida law, commercial

vehicles are used for a commercial purpose, which is defined as being

"for the purpose of economic gain."

Needless to say, police cars are not used for "economic gain." As I

noted in the opinion, the provision of law enforcement services

clearly does not constitute a commercial enterprise. Therefore, the

neighborhood association was in error to suggest that Officer Millan

would have to remove the patrol car from his driveway.Which is a strange notion - I thought fines and confiscations went to the local county funds? All these (doubtless apocryphal) tales of speed traps being set just within a department's jurisdiction, to trap unwary out-of-state drivers passing through - doesn't that contribute to the annual budget?

Never mind, I'm sure Charlie knows best. He's the Law, and the Law won.

Isn't the real issue here the first part?

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Wouldn’t you think you and your neighbors would sleep better at night knowing a law enforcement officer lived just down the street? And don’t you think criminals would be sure to keep their distance if they knew the officer lived there?

It would seem there aren’t many crime deterrents more effective than a marked patrol car parked in a neighbor’s driveway. But unfortunately, that’s not how a Broward County homeowners association saw it.

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I view this as another out-of-whack homeowners association running amok.

Florida is becoming the U.S.'s embarrassment state. From voting problems to crime - it's out of control.

spot wrote: Which is a strange notion - I thought fines and confiscations went to the local county funds?
you consider fines and confiscations "commerce"??

anastrophe wrote: you consider fines and confiscations "commerce"??My thinking was influenced by these sort of comments. That's a stack of testimony regarding the practical use of police cars to boost local budgets.

Old Charlie, though, knows better than I do, and I'd not dream of contradicting him.

i have too many commerical vehicles, stop making trouble. talk to Paul he is a good guy, aren't you Paul? no i don't have a mustache or red nails. yes i have bounds of commercial insurance, you want the bill---take it!

Agnes wrote: i have too many commerical vehicles, stop making trouble. talk to Paul he is a good guy, aren't you Paul?
since you ask - the answer is no, i'm not. i wish i were, and all evidence to the contrary, i really am trying to be better.

I don't really want to start a new thread, but did anyone notice that Charlie Crist has a campaign running now to be Jeb Bush's replacement as Governor, in Florida. The contest seems to be firming between him, as Attorney General, and Florida's Chief Financial Officer.

I was also humbled last week to receive the endorsement of Florida's Police Benevolent Association. Law enforcement holds a special place in my heart and to receive the endorsement of more than 30,000 law enforcement officers as the best choice to be Governor is truly gratifying.