by Sheriff in West Virginia Asks Drivers Not to Warn Violators
A sheriff from the small town of Barrackville in West Virginia has appealed to citizens to stop warning other drivers about police radars by using high beams. Law enforcement officials acknowledged that such an action is freedom of speech but questioned its morality.
After a wave of criticism on social media, the police deleted the publication and turned off the comments. Chief Sheriff Charles Wilson stated:
While your intention may be to exercise your right to freedom of speech, it is important to consider the potential consequences of your actions.
Public Reaction
Lawyer and auto enthusiast Steve Leto expressed doubts about the police’s arguments. He noted that the likelihood that a driver being warned about a radar is under the influence of alcohol or fleeing a crime scene is minimal. Instead, a ban on warnings may be aimed at increasing revenue from fines.
According to the department’s Facebook page, only five traffic stops were made in July 2024, of which only three resulted in fines. This raised additional questions about the sheriff’s motives.
Local residents and internet users are actively discussing the situation, pointing out the discrepancy between law enforcement statements and the actual statistics. The police have not yet provided any further comments.
