Technology. It's supposed to be our friend. But friends don't conspire with a Deerfield Beach company to help police officers write more speeding tickets. In its methodical march toward world domination of the ticket-writing technology market, Advanced Public Safety on Fairway Drive just landed a contract with the police department in Bowie, Maryland.
You're welcome, Bowie drivers! Now, after cops give you a ticket, they don't have to haul their paperwork into the station. The APS device allows them to send it there electronically, Less hassle, less time. Leaving cops with more time to write more tickets.
Oh, don't fret, South Floridians. The nefarious technology is already in place here -- Broward Sheriff's Office has it; ditto Fort Lauderdale P.D., Hollywood P.D., and West Palm P.D., among some 750 law enforcement agencies in the APS empire.
Rather, if you want something to worry about, take a moment to consider the implications of this technology: Is there any question that cops will be soon be equipped with radar guns that can ascertain both a car's speed and the identity of its driver? Cops could then email the citation to the address you gave to the DMV, meaning you could no longer cry or flirt or beg your way out of a ticket.
Better to take your supplications straight to the source of this terrifying technology, which is why I called APS President Jeffrey Rubinstein this morning. He wasn't around, but if you check his bio, there's little doubt where his allegiances lie -- with police, judging by Rubinstein's former employ with Delray Beach's department.
If Rubinstein calls back, I'll update.
