Attorney Rob Hanlon Calls Bull Valley Police “Predators”

McHenry County Blog ran an article on the Tribune suburban speed trap article.

Attorney Robert Hanlon, known for taking on powerful interests, has pretty much declared war on the Village of Bull Valley.

The immediate motivation is three of his friends getting speeding tickets on the way to his home, which is located just outside the village limits and his having been given a speeding ticket outside the village limits.

In December of 2010, Bull Valley ticket writing police were featured on the front page of the Chicago Tribune.

My headline was,

Bull Valley Residents Can Cheer, “We’re Number 1!”

Hanlon was offering his legal services to those had tickets in the courtroom of newly-appointed Associate Judge Joel Berg early Friday morning.

And he asked for a bench trial for all of them.

I talked to one of his new clients, a Latino man, who had been ticketed for going two miles over the speed limit.

Another man, Eliso Negron, delivers pizzas in Bull Valley.

He was driving a 1996 Ford Escort, a small car, a bit out of place in the tony town.

Noisy muffler the first time around.

Next “I was pulled over, one week later to the hour. I missed my address so I went to the next stop sign. I made a left hand turn after the stop sign and I drove approximately 20-30 feet and I pulled over and, then, he made a left hand turn and turned on the lights.

“I got a ticket for having my windshield cracked.

“I think I was profiled based on my beater car.

“He told me he was very disappointed in me that I did not junk the car yet. He said he had to give me another ticket. That’s when he gave me a ticket for having a spiderweb crack on my windshield.

“I junked the car shortly after he gave me the second ticket.

“I was driving again about two weeks later, but this time I was driving my father-in-law’s minivan and he was sitting on the side of the road. I drove past him and the vehicle has a slight hole in the muffler, but it was not very loud.

“He pulled me over and asked me for my license. I told him, ‘You already took it. You gave me two tickets earlier.’

Bull Valley Officer pulls over a pickup truck driver.

“Then he remembered me.

“I handed him my state ID.

“This time he gave me a warning ticket.

“I thought I should have been given a warning the first time.

“All of that happened on a Thursday nights when I was delivering pizzas.”

Negron may think he was targeted because of his old car, but my brother-in-law, the doctor, wasn’t driving a beater when he got a ticket for failing to turn on his left turn signal prior to turning.

Hanlon puts it this way, “Bull Valley is basically ticketing everyone who goes through that town that doesn’t live in that town.

“The village government is paying the Bull Valley cops to write more tickets than any other police department.

“The Bull Valley Police are predators and I want to bring about social change…for no pecuniary gain on my part,” the successful attorney said.


Comments

Attorney Rob Hanlon Calls Bull Valley Police “Predators” — 20 Comments

  1. This is true and it’s been known for more than 2 decades.

    Sad, but government has become the average citizen’s enemy.

    The police now look at the general population as their enemy and nothing but a resource of additional revenue.

    Look at what’s happening in Wisconsin.

    The Crystal Lake Police are even worse.

    They aggressively ticket hard working citizens trying to reach their train so they can get to work on time.

    They dedicate an officer for this job alone!!

    It’s a DISGRACE.

    “Serve and Protect” used to be the motto of police.

    The Police are getting out of control and are symptomatic of a government losing touch.

    I guess they have to generate revenue to justify their enormous union pensions so they can retire at age 55.

  2. I’ve never gotten a ticket in Bull valley.

    Maybe it’s because I drive the speed limit?

    I guess that’s too much to ask you to do, though?

  3. I thanked the officer Sunday, for good enforcement.

    Country Club Rd. is not a super highway.

    Traffic needs to slow down.

    I got my Bull Valley ticket 25 years ago.

  4. Yep, everyone should be pulled over and ticketed for going 37mph in 35 zone.

    I think Alan and Joe as avid supporters of the BVP should turn themselves in the next time they touch the white line, accelerate to quickly in the rain, steer with only one hand on the wheel, drive with low tire pressure, swerve to avoid an animal in the road, have an air freshener hanging from their rear view mirror, fail to use their blinker when turning into their driveway, forget to dim their brights when on coming traffic is with in 500 feet, and every other petty violation BVP is known for writing.

    Maybe if these strict enforcement supporters were getting hit with every little ticket like other people they would change their tune.

  5. I am an avid supporters of ALL police, Jose.

    I am also an avid supporter of enforcing the law.

    If the speed limit “should” be 37, make it 37. If it’s 35, drive 35.

    It’s not rocket science.

    on’t be mad at police enforcing the laws.

  6. Joe, you live in “la-la land”. You’re either an ambitious cop or you’re delusional.

    Cops do what they want to whom they want.

    If you’re in good with them, which apparently you are, you get the pass.

    If you’re not, well then, good luck.

    The police are now out for themselves.

    Not all; some officers are honest and interested in the common good.

    The leadership is usually in the tank….and mostly for themselves, their own carrers, and certainly their own unions.

    Sheriff Nygren is a perfect example.

    Just ask some of the cops on the beat about their own leaders.

    They’ll agree with me!

    Jose….your comment was perfect. Hit the nail on the head … and funny too.

  7. I can assure all of you that no judge in McHenry County would tolerate any ticket brought to court written for 2 mph over.

    The officer who did write such a ticket would never be a believable witness before a judge again.

    Stop with the ridiculous stories.

  8. Joe –
    Your comments are embarrassing.

    Getting a ticket for going two miles over the speed limit is a total abuse of power and a sure sign that the police have little to enforce in the first place.

    I live in Bull Valley and find this behavior by the BVP to be infuriating.

    There are plenty of scenarios that require the police to go all out – drunk driving, reckless driving, etc. and I support enforcing those laws to the fullest.

    But tickets for these types are “offenses” are bush league.

  9. While in one of the classes for tickets our instructed asked if anyone had received their ticket in Bull Valley.

    He then asked how far over the speed limit they were ticketed for.

    A couple said 4 MPH, one said 11mph, one man was ticketed for ONE MILE AN HOUR OVER!!!

    Ridiculous!

    That leaves no margin for error in part of the radar gun or the speed odometer of the car.

    What a waste of time and money for everyone involved!!!!

  10. There are two issues here:

    1) The police — The village board need so tell them to tone it down. and

    2) the Prosecutor.

    He/She are the ones that prosecute the cases.

    They are the ones make the money — each case nets them a nice fee.

    Think of it as a commission check on every ticked written.

    Flood the village manager and board with e-mail and they might change things.

    Otherwise expect to pay the BV ‘Tax’.

  11. I was driving home at 2:15 am when pulled over and given a violation for a burned out tail light.

    I never knew it was out.

    A couple weeks ago I had my car in for service and had them replace a brake light bulb.

    Well after receiving a $75 ticket I went the next day and found out the dealer put a single filament bulb in and not a double — which made the tail light out.

    Kinda like the sticker on your back that says kick me.

    Ya never know its there unless someone tells you.

    After being out of work for 6mos and back to work for a month – 75 bucks is a lot for me.

    I called the chief and he sounded like a loser.

    Uh gee, do you think the county sheriff would retract a violation?

    Uh yeah, if it was for a tail light – that is what most other communities do once you prove it has been fixed.

    And, NEWS FLASH – just because someone is driving home at 2:15am, it doesn’t mean they are driving home from the bar.

    He was likely pissed because he couldn’t write a DUI.

    too bad for you!!

    So, miss work to go to their Hooterville court?

    In the middle of the day?

    I think not – because I am paid by the hour and have to actually BE at work, not take a 1/2 day off to play their stupid games.

    So, I’M PAYING YOUR FRICKING TICKET —– UNDER MAJOR PROTEST!!

    TOTAL ABUSE OF AUTHORITY!

    A$$HATS!!

  12. Little help and charity goes along way.

    I gave money to those in need all the time when I had it.

    I could not sleep at nite if I did this to people

  13. Okay, I’ve lived in the area all my life, everyone knows the BVP will ticket you if you do something illegal.

    Yep, that’s right – ticket you if you do something illegal. Kind of a no brainer here…

    Their not the only local PD like this, have you driven “through” Holiday Hills or McCullom Lake?

    Same thing.

    I have to attribute it to their police having the time to address the “small things” that people don’t seem to have time for anymore.

    I don’t enjoy driving through BV any more than anyone else – and yes, I’ve gotten a ticket there before but the fact here is that they are enforcing the laws that are in place.

    For that, I have to commend them.

    If the speed limit is 35, the law says you’re not supposed to exceed 35. Not 37 or 40 – 35.

    If you’re making a turn, you’re supposed to use your turn signal. Period.

    If you’re windshield is cracked, sorry but according to the law that’s a safety violation as it potentially impairs your vision.
    Lights out?

    It is your responsibility as a driver to regularly inspect your vehicle for these and get them fixed.

    I only wish more police ticketed for many of these things – especially the “common courtesy” laws.

    People today drive very unsafely – they don’t use turn signals, they pull out into traffic where there isn’t room (so everyone behind them has to slow down), they have so much crap hanging and stuck in the front window that their vision is impaired, they pass on the shoulder when people are turning, they cross double yellow lines into chevron marked areas to go around people to get to turn lanes and the list goes on and on.

    People today have no consideration for others on the road and maybe if ALL police would ticket for these “minor” infractions, our driving habits would improve and there would be less accidents.

    Be accountable – follow the rules of the road, be courteous or suffer the consequences of the choices YOU make. And beware, because some day your inconsideration for others might introduce you to someone willing to take advantage of you not following the rules.

    Someone willing to hit or be hit by you so they can sue the crap out of you.

    (It’s a good thing for many of you that I still love my car…)

  14. Oh – I also agree with John above – no court is going to put up with tickets for less than 5 mph over the speed limit – these are just stories!

    (Kind of like the other BV stories…

    The BV monster, the nudist colony, the devil worshiping cult. If you’re from around here, you know what I’m talking about.)

    I totally deserved my speeding ticket – stupid kid!

    Since my ticket (23 years ago) I’ve followed the posted speed limits, used my signals, not driven with lights out and amazingly enough, have not gotten another ticket there!

  15. My daughter got a ticket at 5am for driving 2 miles over the limit on her way to work at the hospital.

    She now avoids BV and adds another 15 mins to her commute.

    A co worker of hers got a similar ticket for 2 over.

    She started driving 2 UNDER and got a ticket for too slow! I see the BV cops sitting on private property all the time, in driveways, with their radar guns.

    I drive a large windowless van for personal use, but haven’t been stopped, yet!!

    BV should hire real cops instead of employing the worst of the worst.

    LE is serious work and shouldn’t be left to punk b!tches like these guys.

    The village mocks legitimate law enforcement.

  16. There is a supreme Court rule that allows up to three mile an hour over the posted speed limit.

    The justification is due to the inaccuracies of a calibrated speed detection devise and wear on the speed ometer of a vechecal.

  17. Driving east bound on bull valley road I passed Draper knowing I’m no longer are in their jurisdiction, the speed limit goes to 45mhp .

    Its 8:30 pm and there is another vehicle coming at me from Curran rd, check my speed and dummy me I was speeding.

    Its bvp they turn around, pull me over and get a ticket for 56mhp in a 45mph.

    Afterwards it dawns on me he was clearly out of his coporate jurisdiction and even wrote the ticket for the 45mhp speed zone, which is outside their jurisdiction (BV is 40mph until Draper rd).

    Before my bench trail the prosecutor tells me that if i push the out of jurisdiction argument (I had pics and maps), that he will withdrawal and turn the case over to the state for them to prosecute or he’ll reduce the charge to expired registration.

    So ake notice that bvp is ticketing now outside their jurisdiction to increase their revenue.

  18. bull vally sucks pull over me twicce for dui did not get it ass holes plus sits in midle of hiway turn nane lights off what a ass

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