45 License Suspensions... But No Driver's License?

[mkrishnan]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090826/NEWS01/90826028/1318/Suspect-had-45-license-suspensions

With 45 “administrative suspensions” of her driver's license on file — but no record of ever having had a driver’s license — a 33-year-old Detroit woman was arrested today in Ferndale while driving a car that had been reported stolen, police said.

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Renee Lashon Beavers had an open 24-ounce container of cold beer on her lap when a Ferndale police officer spotted the stolen car eastbound on 8 Mile near Livernois just after midnight, Lt. William Wilson said today.

She told investigators she bought the green 1999 Dodge Stratus from another woman at a shelter in Adrian for $1,000. And she took it anyway after the woman demanded another $400, she told police, Wilson said.

Investigators found an unsigned title to the car in the glove box, he said.

Beavers has been cited at least 45 times over the last 10 years in Highland Park, Southfield and Detroit for a wide range of traffic violations — from violating child-restraint law to running red lights and drunken driving — but was never was arrested until this week, according to a Michigan Secretary of State spokesman.

She apparently skipped out on every previous court date, Wilson said.

Police expect to ask prosecutors to charge the woman with driving with a suspended license as well as having an open container of alcohol in a car, he said.

Investigators are seeking more evidence before prosecutors can decide whether to charge Beavers with car theft, he added.

Now say what you want about the ex-engineer thinking pokeyoke is the answer to everything, but you'd think that they'd notice that there was no license to suspend?

 

[Abstract]

Yeah, they didn't catch it until the 45th suspension?


The 1st time I can understand. Slight oversight.
The 2nd time......sure. Just another oversight....something they missed. Happens all the time.

The 5th time.....well....they should have noticed by the 5th time. Perhaps they were short-staffed, or swamped with court cases around that time.

By the 10th time, if I were the boss, I'd start to ask questions.
By the 20th time, I'd REALLY start to get pissy.
By the 40th time, I'd probably yell at someone, perhaps threaten someone with a warning. You can't really fire someone in the public sector, so yelling will do.

I would draw the line at the 50th offence. After that, no more mister nice guy.

 

[Sonicjay]

Good grief..

 

[ravenvii]

With 45 “administrative suspensions” of her driver's license on file — but no record of ever having had a driver’s license — a 33-year-old Detroit woman was arrested today in Ferndale while driving a car that had been reported stolen, police said.

...

Emphasis mine.

 

[mkrishnan]

Yeah. In some slight consideration for the D, their police are critically understaffed because of their budgetary problems, even in terms of handling violent crime. Although, erm, they did somehow manage to write this woman up 45 times. Not that this is the PRSI, but it creates a dilemma. There's no room in jail for her -- MI is already letting non-violent criminals go... so what does one do with her?

 

[mkrishnan]

UPDATE: Yeah, it looks like that was exactly the reason, and she attracted the attention because she got pulled over in an suburb affluent enough to have adequate jail space.

http://www.freep.com/article/200908...-space-kept-woman-with-40-tickets-on-the-road

Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans said the practice of letting traffic scofflaws drive off with just a ticket, even when there are outstanding traffic warrants, is commonplace in Detroit -- and said he plans to change that.

"For far too long, we've had an unwritten policy here that we're not taking these people into custody," Evans said.

Highland Park police said Wednesday there was no available who could comment.

Ferndale police arrested Beavers after a routine check indicated the 1999 Dodge Stratus she was driving was reported stolen. She had an open 24-ounce bottle of beer between her legs, Lt. William Wilson said.

"We've got the luxury of having a well-staffed department and our own lockup. She's not getting out of here" until Oakland County prosecutors decide on charges, most likely today, he said.