Society Hill SC Police Department Officer Michael Crowley Speed Trap Society Hill, South Carolina

   The usual deal is for an officer to watch people turn onto highway 52 North, where it appears the town ends and the open road begins, and the road is downhill from the left turn across heavy traffic. Drivers cannot see a speed limit sign. The officer then follows the out-of-town driver out of town headed to Cheraw SC and blue lights the driver about 4-5 miles out of town and claims he has a radar reading of over 50 mph in a 35 mph zone.

 

   Sometimes the officer claims the driver hit in excess of 50 mph within a few feet of the left turn, which is absurd. Officers claim that the radar does not print out the reading and do not allow drivers to see the radar reading supposedly obtained.

   Once the ticket is issued, the officer invites the driver not to come back to court but to pay the $180+ fine by mail. If the driver does that, they usually get insurance points and their insurance doubles. If the driver wishes to contest the truthfulness of the officer, the town and police department get their backs up. The town also offers that if you pay $350, you can get a fine without any insurance points.

   This town is notorious as one of the most corrupt in the United States.