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Search Observer-Reporter
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Ask the Officer: June 2008
Ask the officer
Sgt. Robert Lemons Jr.,
Washington police
community outreach
sgtlemons@officer.com
Previous Q&A:
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
May2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
To report suspicious activity in Washington County, call 1-800-281-0070. The hotline is confidential and operates 24 hours a day.
Ask the officer
Sgt. Robert Lemons Jr.,
Washington police
community outreach
sgtlemons@officer.com
Previous Q&A:
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
May2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
To report suspicious activity in Washington County, call 1-800-281-0070. The hotline is confidential and operates 24 hours a day.
Q. Is there a law that prohibits someone having a vehicle sitting on blocks in a residential neighborhood for a long period of time? 6/23/08
A. If the vehicle is on a public road, it can be cited for Pennsylvania Section 3712 - Abandoned and Stripping of Vehicles. If the vehicle is on private property, your local municipality should have a ordinance that covers it.
Q. Is there a state or federal law that dictates what speed limits a borough or township can set for a residential area? Can the speed limit be lower than 25 mph in certain areas? 6/19/08
A. Local governments can impose speed limits on their local roads of less than 25 mph in residential neighborhoods. The speed limits can be enforced by police under Section 3362 PA vehicle Code - Maximum Speed Limits.
Q. What do you have to do to become a dispatcher? 6/18/08
A. 911 dispatchers work for the county. You would have to contact the Washington County Department of Public Safety and see what the application process is, and what training is involved.
A. If the vehicle is on a public road, it can be cited for Pennsylvania Section 3712 - Abandoned and Stripping of Vehicles. If the vehicle is on private property, your local municipality should have a ordinance that covers it.
Q. Is there a state or federal law that dictates what speed limits a borough or township can set for a residential area? Can the speed limit be lower than 25 mph in certain areas? 6/19/08
A. Local governments can impose speed limits on their local roads of less than 25 mph in residential neighborhoods. The speed limits can be enforced by police under Section 3362 PA vehicle Code - Maximum Speed Limits.
Q. What do you have to do to become a dispatcher? 6/18/08
A. 911 dispatchers work for the county. You would have to contact the Washington County Department of Public Safety and see what the application process is, and what training is involved.
Q. I know they just passed into law that you must use your headlights when your windshield wipers are in use. You must also turn on your headlights while passing through construction zones. Is it legal to use your daytime running lights instead, or must you turn on the headlights of your vehicle? 6/16/08
A. No, the statute states "headlights." You could be issued a citation for not using them.
A. No, the statute states "headlights." You could be issued a citation for not using them.
Q. What is the city code against car speakers playing so loud they can be heard two blocks away when I'm in my house with air conditioning on, TV playing and all my windows closed? 6/13/08
A. City Ordinance 1241 subsection 602 - Excessive Noise Unlawful, deals with radios, excessive volume, etc.
Q. Can the courts and/or the arresting officer reduce a driving while suspension, DUI-related, to just a plain driving while suspended? 6/12/08
A. It hardly ever gets lowered, from what I have seen. The courts usually view it that someone on his own decided to drive, so why drop it to a lesser charge. If magistrates convict at their level, most people appeal, and it is usually upheld in the court of common pleas.
A. City Ordinance 1241 subsection 602 - Excessive Noise Unlawful, deals with radios, excessive volume, etc.
Q. Can the courts and/or the arresting officer reduce a driving while suspension, DUI-related, to just a plain driving while suspended? 6/12/08
A. It hardly ever gets lowered, from what I have seen. The courts usually view it that someone on his own decided to drive, so why drop it to a lesser charge. If magistrates convict at their level, most people appeal, and it is usually upheld in the court of common pleas.
