Traffic Patrol

William Carey (letter, May 10) asserts that a City Council committee proposal to double the number of LAPD motorcycle officers is simply a ruse to increase the number of police officers collecting revenue for the city by issuing tickets.

The volume of traffic citations correlates to the volume of traffic collisions, many of which are tragic. And the volume of traffic collisions correlates to auto insurance rates. The traffic collision picture in the San Fernando Valley is dismal. From 1997 to 1999, the number of collisions attributed by investigation to speeding doubled.

Whether the proposed doubling of motor officer deployment comes to pass remains to be seen. If it does, a large portion of the fines collected will pay for the extra expenses inherent in the deployment of motor officers. Carey might consider the fines to be user fees for people who choose to violate the law and put the rest of us in danger. Every five days or so, I sign a letter that expresses our condolences to the survivors of the latest man, woman or child who died in a collision on one of our surface streets. And that’s just in the Valley.

CAPT. GREG MEYER

Commanding Officer

LAPD Valley Traffic Division