Houston is a ravenous city. As it has grown, it has swallowed up countless other small cities through annexation. There are a few towns that resisted this carnivorous activity and still maintain their independence. They are like little islands in the huge ocean that is Houston. They maintain their own local governments and their own law enforcement agencies. It is a well known truth that in Houston one can drive 20 miles over the speed limit and no one will look at you twice (except for the people who get run off the road by the speeders). And it is a well known fact that unless you want to get a ticket, you do not speed through Bellaire, South Side, The Villages, Jersey Village, or Spring Valley. Mostly I think this is true because the Houston Police Department is so under staffed, over worked, and under funded that the few officers who are on the streets barely have time to respond to the "Shots Fired" calls, much less stop the speeders.
This morning around 10:30am I was traveling south on Bingle. Just before I crossed the creek into Spring Valley, a medium size red car came speeding up behind me. As is often the case with people who think speed limits and red lights are optional suggestions, this person seemed to be offended by my 30 mph behavior. The car zoomed around me and blew through the intersection at Westview. I thought "Oh man, where is a cop when you need one?". Not five seconds later, a Spring Valley officer who was traveling north on Bingle hit his lights, made a sharp u-turn, and pulled over Mr. I'm In A Hurry.
I can't tell you how it made my day! As a person who two years ago ended up on a Life Flight helicopter because of a driver who was speeding and who ran a red light, I was thrilled to see this one speeder get some special attention. I actually laughed out loud and whooped with glee as I continued along in my Miata at 30 mph down to I-10. It is such a rare thing to see in Houston, where I always feel as if I'm putting my life in danger by NOT speeding. Score one for the good guys! I just sent an email to the Spring Valley Police Department and asked them to let the officer who did his duty this morning know what a big smile he put on my face. Labels: law, personal urban drama |
He let me go with a warning.