City officials scold THP actions

City of Hohenwald officials, at the conclusion of a short regular March meeting, claimed members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) were preying on the citizens of Hohenwald to increase revenue for the State of Tennessee.

City Councilman Mike Hinson who serves as Lewis County’s Circuit Court Clerk, explained to the Hohenwald City Council how members of the THP responded to his inquiry about being in the City of Hohenwald, where City Police monitor traffic and other situations.  “Where are the drugs?” Hinson said the THP official asked.

But within a short time, Councilman Hinson noted, Hohenwald citizens began appearing in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk to pay fines for violations of the seat belt law: tickets written by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

“This is the Governor’s way of harassing our citizens,” the councilman said.  Mayor Don Jones added, “Its about revenue.”

Former chief of police, Sam Livingston, reminded the Council he  spoke with THP a few months ago about why the State agency was issuing tickets within the City limits, an area already served by City of Hohenwald Police officers.  THP has the authority to conduct saturations, road blocks or write tickets on Tennessee roadways.

“It was a target saturation,” Councilman Hinson continued.  “This was a cheap, easy way to make their numbers look good at the expense of the citizens of Hohenwald.  Pretty low,” he said.

Councilman Bill Lawson remarked City taxpayers fund local law enforcement.  “I can understand in a community without [law enforcement] officers,” Lawson said.  “This reflects on us as a City,” he concluded.

Councilman Hinson continued by saying most of the tickets were for seat belt violations, a $20 fine.  And some residents had requested a payment plan for the $20 ticket, he said.  When they only have $200 per week and have a family to feed, $20 is a significant amount of money, he added.

High unemployment rates in Lewis County, the mayor said, further accentuates the gravity of the situation.

“THP Troopers enforce Tennessee’s primary seat belt law whenever they find violators in an effort to save lives.  A safety restraint is a motorist’s best defense in a violent crash and without being restrained in a seat belt the chances of being ejected and killed in a crash are much higher than when restrained” Department of Safety Director of Public Affairs Mike Browning said Wednesday morning in an emailed response to the allegations.

From January 1 - February 28, 2010, THP issued 28 seat belt law violations in Lewis County.  Comparatively, 83 were issued in Hickman County and 86 in Wayne County.  A full report will be published next week.  “THP conducts routine saturation patrols as part of enforcement activity which it is a regular aspect of our mission to safe lives on Tennessee roadways,”  Browning continued.

Three councilmen were present with Councilman Don Barber absent.

Reports were accepted from the City of Hohenwald Police Department, Fire Chief Steve Vineyard and Building Inspector Billy Jackson.  Mayor Jones announced the promotion of Bobby McCann from Street Supervisor to director of the Utilities Department.  Vice-Mayor Dr. Dustin Flowers commended McCann’s work ethic and dedication to the city.

In resolutions, re-appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals were Larry McCutcheon and Barbara Hinson.  Re-appointed to the Planning Commission was Janet Turner.  Re-appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission were Michael Lee, architect and Scarlette Woodall.

Councilman Hinson commended officers with the Hohenwald Police Department when telling of a compliment he received  for members of the department, especially for Brent Bridges.  City officers have been courteous and helpful, Hinson said.