Our View Jericho speed trap just one of many

Jericho, this small incorporated and impoverished socalled town of less than 200 residents that sits on 0.46 acres just north of Marion on Highway 77, is notorious for being a speed trap.

Anyone who has been around these parts for any length of time knows the shenanigans that take place there and the so-called law enforcement, which is an absolute embarrassment to the profession, has the dastardly reputation of deliberately targeting unsuspecting motorists for the sole purpose of issuing “speeding” citations and collecting ridiculous fines.

Over the years these keystone cops have pulled over such notables as Crittenden County Judge Woody Wheeless, an Arkansas State trooper’s son and get this, the city’s very own fire chief, who in 2009 was shot in the hip by one of the cops while he was disputing his citation in court.

An investigation by this newspaper in 2017 revealed that between 2015 and 2017 this town’s cops issued 1,187 tickets. That averages out to less than two a day.

At the time it was highly suggested that Scott Ellington, prosecuting attorney for the 2nd Judicial District of Arkansas, which covers Crittenden County, call for an Arkansas State Police investigation and put an immediate halt to this highly questionable “highway robbery” tactic.

It now appears these “Barney Fife” so-called cops are up to their old antics again based on what all the social media complaints from victims of this ridiculous activity.

In our Thursday, Oct. 17 edition of the Times, the lead story was all about “victims” going to Facebook telling their recent experiences of being pulled over, ticketed and heavily fined.

For instance, one person said, “I usually don’t speed at all, but I didn’t get from 55 to 45 quick enough,” the Marion resident said. “$185! No Warning! No discussion. Should have that town thriving in no time! Quarter- mile jurisdiction? Really? The county should be ashamed!”

Another Facebook follower responded by saying, “Yes, a speed trap. A lot of people get tickets there. I wonder how they can be radar certified with that small of a population?”

Such despicable activity such as what is going on in this podunk town puts a black eye on REAL law enforcement officers such as those associated with the Arkansas State Police, Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office, the Marion Police Department and the county’s largest agency, the West Memphis Police Department.

Now, we are all familiar with these small towns in Arkansas known as “speed traps” such as Earle and Parkin, both known for camping out on U.S. Highway 64 for the sole purpose of handing out speeding citations to mostly transients passing through.

But, Jericho takes top spot for being known for this highly questionable behavior that should be addressed by the powers-to-be. Enough is enough and it is time Prosecuting Attorney Ellington use the power of his office to at least call for an investigation.

This is not how we want portions of Crittenden County to be known for, and while Ellington is at it, we suggest he also look into Earle’s known speed trap tactics.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: