One way to slow 'em down!!

**Retmilleo909** · 12-10-06, 09:30 PM

This year, speeding drivers in Florida had better watch out … for the holiday elf handing out hefty fines instead of holiday cheer.

Orange Country sheriff's deputy Richard Lockman has taken to dressing in an elaborate elf costume with twenty jolly little helpers to bag speeders along a Florida highway, Eyewitness News 9 reported.

"I'm Santa's helper today, helping to save lives so we can help these people enjoy their Christmas, so their families can enjoy their Christmas without the tragedy of traffic crashes," Deputy Lockman said on Thursday.

Lockman stood by the highway in a bright green and red costume, complete with tights and pointy shoes. He held a sign saying "Help an Elf-Slow Down" while clocking passing drivers with his radar gun. That particular stretch of highway is notorious for crashes, especially around the holidays, according to the sheriff's office.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office got at least one complaint call saying it wasn't right to use Santa to stop speeders. But Lockman was definitely not Santa, just a big elf with a radar gun and a whole lotta citations.

"It's absolutely terrible. Why would they do that? It's
not what Christmas is about in any way," said ticketed driver Tiffany Coy.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office wrote 53 tickets in 45 minutes and a total of approximately 180 in the nearly three-hour detail. Also, two people were arrested, one for marijuana and another for illegal firearms.

**Ducky** · 12-10-06, 09:54 PM

I saw this on the news the other night. Big beefy guy dressed as an elf, complete with hat and a radar gun on a tripod. Yeah, baby!

**Jenna** · 12-10-06, 09:56 PM

I wonder how they decide which lucky officer gets to be the elf. It must be a sought-after position!

**Retmilleo909** · 12-10-06, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by Jenna

I wonder how they decide which lucky officer gets to be the elf. It must be a sought-after position!

Draw a card...Flip a coin.

**Ducky** · 12-10-06, 10:29 PM

LOL, their nickname is "Deputy Elf" and one chick tried to say it was 'entrapment.' I think she needs to look up the meaning of that word... and do SOMETHING about her hairstyle. From the looks of her, she may have been the one busted with pot. Never seen a bleach blonde with her hair in 500 braids before. Viedo featuring dumb blonde http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/10483435/detail.html#
Interview with the officers http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2713092
(apparanty the officer was chosen because he was the shortest in his department

)

**10-42Adam** · 12-10-06, 10:54 PM

I think it's funny as hell but wouldn't want to participate! Screw that uniform!

**Retmilleo909** · 12-10-06, 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by Ducky

LOL, their nickname is "Deputy Elf" and one chick tried to say it was 'entrapment.' I think she needs to look up the meaning of that word... and do SOMETHING about her hairstyle. From the looks of her, she may have been the one busted with pot. Never seen a bleach blonde with her hair in 500 braids before. Viedo featuring dumb blonde http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/10483435/detail.html#
Interview with the officers http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2713092
(apparanty the officer was chosen because he was the shortest in his department

)

Thanks Ducky for providing more of the story.
Nice looking Elf.

>>One deputy told Eyewitness News he's gone from writing 12 tickets a day, to 60. The machines were paid through a state grant.<<

Pleeeeeeze, Florida, give them another grant.

**markw76** · 12-11-06, 02:22 AM

Is it the coin toss winner or loser that gets the elf getup?

**Ducky** · 12-11-06, 02:29 AM

Originally Posted by markw76

Is it the coin toss winner or loser that gets the elf getup?

According to the guys that cooked up the idea, they looked at the shortest guy in the department and said "stuff him in an elf suit!"

**Coloradocop** · 12-11-06, 03:32 AM

Originally Posted by Jenna

I wonder how they decide which lucky officer gets to be the elf. It must be a sought-after position!

Or it is "given" to the low badge on the detail... "Hey new-jack, put this thing on and go stand in traffic."

**BEB** · 12-11-06, 03:38 AM

I'd be happier if they removed the sign or made it much bigger. As is, it's a distraction.

What was the followup story on how they were able to write more tickets? Some piece of tech?

**Dinosaur32** · 12-11-06, 08:56 AM

Ducky...You are desparately in need of a holiday trip to NYC! You'll see more vthan your share of bleached blond hair in all sorts of of braids, corn rows, etc. We are, after all, the most diverse city in the country. But we don't have any traffic control elves....yet.