Fort Lauderdale Police Department

Traffic Tuesday Ep. 40 – I Wasn’t Doing Anything Crazy

According to the rider, he was just taking a friend for a ride on a motorcycle that belonged to someone else. The ride caught the officer’s attention after the rider was seen all over the road and blowing through two stop signs. Once stopped, the problems started piling up. The motorcycle had no tag, no registration, and no insurance. The rider insisted he didn’t know the tag was missing and explained that the bike belonged to a friend who had dropped it off to him and it must have fallen off. Then there was the rear tire. It was so worn that the metal belts were showing through the tread. The rider didn’t even have a motorcycle endorsement, meaning he wasn’t legally licensed to operate a motorcycle. Under Florida law, operating a motorcycle without the proper endorsement is a criminal traffic offense and motorcycles operated on public roadways are required to be properly registered. Despite repeatedly insisting he wasn’t doing anything crazy, the rider was given a break. Rather than being arrested for the criminal violation, he was issued a criminal citation and released. The motorcycle, however, wasn’t going anywhere. With no tag, no registration, no insurance, a dangerously worn tire and no legal operator, it was towed.

Traffic Tuesday Ep. 39 - No, They Are Normal
The driver came through the tunnel doing 71 in a 35, with an exhaust loud enough to announce his arrival long before the car came into view. When the officer pointed out the modified exhaust, the driver disagreed.

“No, they are normal.” They weren’t...

The exhaust had been cut off and straight piped. Florida law requires every vehicle to be equipped with a muffler in good working order and prohibits modifications that amplify or increase noise beyond what was originally installed by the manufacturer.

The driver was also not wearing a seat belt, which led to a conversation about why that simple click still matters every time you get behind the wheel.

The driver received citations for the modified exhaust and seat belt violations and was sent on his way.

The speed got a warning. The “normal” exhaust did not.

Congratulations to the newest graduates of Police Explorers Post 1160.

We celebrated our newest Explorer Academy graduates, recognized several Explorers who earned promotions to higher leadership positions within the post, and presented the first-ever Fairburn Excellence Award.

This inaugural award was presented to Officer Fairburn in recognition of his dedication to the Explorer program, his commitment to its members, and his leadership in revitalizing and growing the program into what it is today. Beginning next year, the Fairburn Excellence Award will be presented annually to an Explorer who demonstrates outstanding leadership, character, and dedication.

Congratulations to all of our graduates, newly promoted leaders, and Officer Fairburn on this well-deserved honor.

Teen takeovers are not harmless gatherings. They create dangerous situations, disrupt our community, and put residents, visitors, and first responders at risk.

If you’re planning to come to Fort Lauderdale to cause problems, think again.

Our officers will be out in force, and we will enforce the law. Those who choose to break the law will be held accountable.

Fort Lauderdale will not tolerate this behavior.

BTS Ep. 16 – Police Explorers

Tomorrow they graduate.

But before the ceremony comes the work. From defensive tactics, learning the law and putting it into practice during scenarios. Our Explorers have spent months training, learning and pushing themselves to be better.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the next generation in action.

Traffic Tuesday Ep. 38 – I Wasn’t Speeding

After being stopped and told he had been clocked on radar, the driver’s response was immediate:

“I wasn’t speeding.”

A few minutes later, the conversation shifted.

“Please have mercy on me.”

The officer explained that with a holiday weekend, prom night, and more people on the roads, speeding isn’t something to take lightly.

After checking his driving history and seeing a clean record, the officer decided a warning would do the job.

No citation. Just a reminder to slow down and drive safe.

Sometimes a clean record earns you a little mercy.