
2007 THP Dragon Crackdown: |
Hard to believe? Watch the latest videos: |
On December 13 Blount County Judge Brewer ruled Not Guilty and in favor of Tail of the Dragon for charges of having a “television related” device (a video camera) within sight of the driver of a motor vehicle. Trooper Bryan Martin cited me on August 25 on this ridiculous charge which was what many considered blatant harassment in retaliation for our publishing photos of THP troopers crossing the double yellow on the web. In court Trooper Martin sniveled that “Tail of the Dragon put the video of the traffic stop on YouTube”. We can only guess he hoped his whining would influence the judge to render a guilty verdict. Trooper Martin alone was responsible for the YouTube video as a result of his actions in citing me for such a silly offense. Why would he want to make Tail of the Dragon look like the bad guy in court? Haven’t seen the video? Some 23,000 others have. See link above. We would think that the THP would have higher priorities. Why waste their time and the resources of the local judicial system writing tickets that won’t hold water. When I walked into court I got odd stares from the group of troopers. Guess these guys will be targeting me every time I hit the state line. Be warned ….. I carry numerous cameras that are running all the time and I will not hesitate to publish on YouTube again. At least the legal system worked this time. We hear that the judges usually rule in favor of the troopers. This time the interpretation of the law fell in my favor. It also helped that I had a complete video recording of the entire incident verifying my testimony. We highly recommend that everyone carry video cameras to record such incidents not only on the Dragon but everywhere they drive. |
| AUGUST 15, 2008: Well, the Tennessee Highway Patrol finally got something right. In a reply to a complaint Lt. Col. Tracy Trott states “Take time to experience it (The Dragon) yourself instead of relying on a biased website for your information.” Trott is right on ….. Tail of the Dragon is biased - biased against the tactics of the Tennessee Highway Patrol that put the public at risk. We offer proof in photos and videos to substantiate our claims while THP offers such statements as “…the goal of the THP is to make this tourist attraction safe for everyone to enjoy.” And “… you cannot believe everything that is written and that officers use certain tactics to enforce the law". Certain tactics that include tailgating, selective enforcement, allowing trucks to run vehicles off the road and driving in the wrong lane in blind corners? And then Col. Trott states, “in 2007 crashes were reduced 54%.” What he doesn’t say is that vehicular traffic was reduced significantly on US 129 in that time frame by the presence of as many as fourteen THP units in eleven miles at one time. Tennessee virtually shut-down their motorcycle and sports car tourism. And the state is still feeling the impact with many more sites and forums being “biased” like the Tail of the Dragon. Word is spreading and Tennessee suffers. We just don’t understand why Tennessee doesn’t get it. We begged law enforcement agencies for years to have a unit or two on the Dragon to keep things in hand. Then, after seven years, THP sends from five to fourteen units at a time on any given day, sets-up the paddy wagon, and begins an unprecedented harassment campaign against law abiding tourists from around the world. There was some real good planning here by state officials. Why not just put up some billboards that say “YOU ALL DON’T COME BACK NOW.” Now, when five THP units and a couple of BCSO units are on the Dragon at once the state continues to present a negative image to tourists. This is evidenced by numerous complaints that we have received. Many promise never to return after encountering radar every two miles and being followed in an intimidating manner. And these are not your wild motorcycle riders, but families on vacation heading to Dollywood and Gatlinburg. Many local drivers have stopped shopping in Tennessee. With tourism dollars disappearing one would think Tennessee would reevaluate their tactics. Instead we get statements from Trott, “Motorists who use caution and obey the traffic laws will have no problems.” Yeah, 30 mph school zone speed limit with radar traps in places where it is easy to coast downhill and get a ticket from one of the THP units stationed every two miles. Perhaps Tennessee is looking to allow only golf carts and electric cars here. Then all will be well. |
NEW TENNESSEE MOTTO ... YOU'ALL DON'T COME BACK NOW. TENNESSEE GOVERNOR SAYS RIDE NORTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL HAS VIRTUALLY SHUT DOWN ELEVEN MILES OF A FEDERAL HIGHWAY WITH 14 OR MORE TROOPERS HARASSING ALL TRAVELERS. WHERE ARE THE FEDS WHEN YOU NEED THEM? |
| It all began on Sunday, July 1, 2007. State of Tennessee Saturation Program on the Dragon begins CLICK HERE FOR NEWS ARTICLE - Governor Bredesen allocates funds for overtime patrols by Blount County Sheriff and Tennessee Highway Patrol. BCSO begins by sending additional units to the Tail of the Dragon.
Well, the Late Great State of Tennessee has answered OUR OPEN LETTER. Not in words but in actions. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday August 3-6, there were some 14 Tennessee Highway Patrol vehicles and a couple of Blount County Sheriffs cars blatantly harassing both motorcycles and cars on the 11 miles of the Dragon. They promise to be here for the next month. Talk about showing your ignorance. These actions prove Tennessee does not welcome visitors to this area. One Trooper pulled me over for no reason. I was on my motorcycle following three cars at the posted 30 mph speed limit and the Trooper signaled me to pull over onto the gravel. He gave my bike a once over and then signaled me to pull back out. Why did he let the cars pass and then stop me? |
While these 14 Troopers were here:
MEANWHILE: Tennessee ranks 44 out of 50 states in teenage driving deaths. Perhaps some money should go to improve this area of traffic safety. CLICK FOR DETAILS Is THPs answer to chase young riders at high speeds until they crash? CLICK HERE FOR STORY |
LEO Count & Brief Summary of Activity:
|
| APPROXIMATE MAN HOURS 2007: THP 1376 man hours, BCSO 526 man hours |