When is a ticket NOT a ticket??

It all started rather innocently. Drop the offspring at school had to make a stop and get some gas. That was until I saw this -

Now granted I knew full well I had perpetrated a total Hollywood stop versus a complete stop. (What did I say about being honest?) So of course when the Alameda County Sherriff officer (who I will not name because he was so very kind to me) walked up to driver side window not only did I say "Why yes officer I know why you pulled me over" I knew it was gonna cost me.

Or was it?

He took my expired license (yes I said it, expired, but wait there's more) and came back (completely ignoring the fact that my back light was out) and ran my name and essentials. (All came back clean of course. Don't believe the hype! I have neva robbed a bank in my life! lol)

As he proceeded to write a ticket not only did I think "Great I'm toast, there goes a point on my DL and my insurance...." he explained he was not giving me a ticket for failing to stop at a sign. Now before you fellas get all "Oh it's because she's a female" on me keep reading.

He was giving me an Administrative Citation. Turns out that a new law went into effect 6 months ago, this allows an officer to issue an Administrative Citation versus a good old regular traffic ticket. (If you want the legal verbiage go here and scroll about 2/3 down>> http://tinyurl.com/ybwe34s) Basically what happens you get to pay $100 bucks to keep the five-o off your back. Smells like a dressed up bribe to me but I digress.

Great idea right? Sure....but wait it gets worse. This Alameda County Sheriff basically let me know the following (and quite willingly I might add) -

• There is pressure for officers to issue tickets as local, county and state agencies face major budget cuts. THEY ARE LOOKING AT TICKETS AS A SOURCE OF REVENUE!!

• He blatantly told me that he had no desire to write a costly ticket to "a soccer mom in the suburbs" and would much rather STOP AND WRITE UP A THUG IN THE HOOD!!

Does any of this sound familiar? If you are from the Bay Area, especially the East Bay it should! Recently Oakland Police Department has been under fire for doing THE EXACT SAME THING!!

Don't believe me? Where you been under a rock? It's been all over the news for the last two weeks but you can read about it here >>http://tinyurl.com/yhyoczk

Basically residents in the Oakland Hills got off with a warning for a parking violation while residents in the lower lying residential areas GOT JACKED!

So why write about it? I'm ANGRY that's why. Aren't you?! And if Oakland PD is doing it, if Alameda County Sherriff’s Dept is doing it....what makes you think YOUR local police department ISN'T doing? How about that CHP officer coastin' down the highway?

Now of course it makes NO SENSE that you will issue tickets with high fines in neighborhoods seen as THE HOOD who are not in the income brackets as the folks in the ‘burbs getting a break. Now don't get me wrong...I may live in the ‘burbs and I appreciate the break for the obvious financial reasons...I'm a single mom in a single income household. BUT I moved from the hood to give my kids a better chance so I been there. Now I understand that many cannot do what I did...hence my anger and disappointment.

Yo Oakland PD, Alameda County Sherriff Dept...you are here to protect and serve. Not pick and chose who you protect and serve. Its inexcusable the blatant discrimination that you are participating in and shame on our crooked politicians who didn't think we would find out.

So to all my friends and all of you reading this....all I can say is mind your P's & Q's when driving. Make every stop, use your blinkers ESPECIALLY if you’re driving through the hood. The police are out to get you....so they can close that budget gap! Above all, be safe! Unless of course you look like a soccer mom and live in the 'burbs.

Peace as always,

~~Angel

2010 - Are YOU ready?

So I keep hearing that "2010 is gonna be MY YEAR". I couldn't help but ask myself, Why not the culmination of all years past? Isn't that what brings us to where we are today and where we are going tomorrow?

In retrospect I can look back and take note of all the things I didn't do or experience and proclaim that in 2010 THIS will be THAT year. But I won't do that. I mean despite the ups and downs of 2009 I wouldn't change the course of things that brought me to where I am right now at this moment. This moment, this here and now is what is bringing me INTO 2010...smarter, a little more grown up :) and definitely happier.

In 2009 I was able to find another job within 6 weeks after this whole economic meltdown. I am blessed and pray for all my friends and even those I don't know who still struggle to get back to to work.

In 2009 I learned that being self reliant wasn't a bad thing just a necessary evil. But it doesn't mean that I cannot lean on those that I call family and the ones I can call true friends.

In 2009 I have had the blessed opportunity to meet some of the best people I am proud to call true friends. You all know who you are, because honestly only my true friends would read this LOL. Ok maybe some others too ;)

Now what have I truly enjoyed out of 2009? Why the simple things of course! Check it...My chucks. Gotta have 'em!

Say what you will, I am a Bay Area girl at heart! "you know that Bay Area heart kid runnin through my veins" Ooooweeee!!

My heart beats with the beats that come out of this place (along with many others ;).

I have seen my NINERS play the way they were meant to play! Talk all the smack you want haters but in comparison to 1 year ago, Mike Singletary has brought my NINERS back baby!

2009 also has brought me a new understanding of who I am, where I been and now where I am going. In the past my blogs and the things I have written about have been more on the personal side, my own outlook on things that have impacted my life. At times this has been a very painful process. But just as they say all bad things come in three, well guess what? So do all good things! The last few months I have had three good things come my way. No I'm not going to come right out and tell you...not yet. But let's just say they are all good and will definitely take my life in a new direction.

All I can say is I'm ready to ride it till the wheels fall! That and I got my seat belt on and I'm ready to drive it like I stole it!

But don't worry I am not going anywhere you won't find me. I will still ask you to tell me something good....to talk to me.... for the love of music.

Peace

~~Angel