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Are City Police really allowing Bay Street to turn into another Kinross or Laird International Raceway?

From what some of you were saying this week in SooToday.com's News Response forum, they're all just hanging at Timmy's, watching the souped-up Honda Civics speed past.

"Can anyone tell me?" asked 'What a Joke!!' "Does our City Police actually do anything? Every night you have these stupid fast and furious Honda Civics racing down Pim Street and then down Queen and Bay without ever being stopped for speeding, racing or noise pollution."

"I have heard, through the grapevine," responded 'Sam C,' "that there will be a crackdown on the souped-up mini-cars starting October 1st. Watch for it."

Crackdown started more than a month ago

No question, some drivers are trying to use downtown as a drag strip.

But in reality, the crackdown actually started a month and a half ago, SooToday.com has learned.

You might not have noticed because police have been using stealth techniques, including unmarked cars and off-duty officers on paid overtime, to nab the speedsters.

Over that time, more than 25 traffic tickets have been issued on Bay Street, including racing of vehicles, squealing of tires (unnecessary noise), careless driving, traffic light infractions and 12-hour suspensions.

Other tickets have been issued in adjacent areas of the core.

Police Beat reports will soon include traffic charges

In fact, traffic enforcement and aggressive driving have been priorities in the local constabulary's business plan for all of this year.

So far in 2003, 4,051 traffic charges have been laid, including more than 1,000 for excessive speed.

That compares to 5,028 traffic for all of last year.

With three and a half months remaining in 2003, the total number of traffic charges this year is expected to be up considerably.

So why haven't you been reading any of this in the daily City Police Beat reports?

That's because the cops don't routinely track traffic-ticket trends in preparing those reports.

But SooToday.com has learned that's about to change.

Our police sources indicate they're tweaking their computers and soon you'll be reading about downtown speed freaks along with the usual morning lineup of ne'er-do-wells.