ONE ARRESTED FOR MARIJUANA POSSESSION
On Sunday, around 11am, Cpl David Dudenhoeffer conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of E Blue Bell Road and N. Park Street.
As he approached the vehicle, he could smell the stong odor of marjuana emitting from it.
The passenger admitted there was marijuana in the car, and it was his.
Zachary Layne Miles, age 22, of Nixon was arrested and taken to the Washington County jail, charged with possession of Marijuana.
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We always appreciate the opportunity to address our citizens’ concerns regardless of the topic. There are a few points we’d like to clarify regarding traffic stops and marijuana arrests. First, and foremost is this: officers have no discretion in terms of enforcing the laws if an offense is a Class B or above. Possession of marijuana under 2 oz is considered a Class B misdemeanor, which means the officer can’t simply write a citation. It is true that in some larger cities, such as Austin, Houston and Dallas, officers have that ability. In that case, the prosecuting agency – County attorney or district attorney – has made the decision that they are not going to prosecute for minor possessions of marijuana. Those cities have passed ordinances based on that decision, which allows officers to cite someone for possession of marijuana under 2 oz. In Washington County, that decision has not been made, and officers must arrest – they don’t have the discretion to write a citation.
Secondly, regarding officers working US 290 for traffic enforcement: The Brenham Police Department received a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation for speed enforcement along US 290. The officers who are working under that grant are paid by the State, and are working off duty. This relieves on duty officers from having to work speed enforcement and instead, focus on patrolling in our residential areas.
And thirdly, as is evident by recent traffic stops by BPD and other agencies, such as the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, traffic stops often do lead to the apprehension of wanted felons as well as narcotics busts. Anytime we put a criminal in jail – even if it’s only for a short period of time – they aren’t out there committing crimes. And that is our goal.
As I sit and read all the comments, I wonder how many of you have dealt with the the actual effects of drug use and what it does to an individual and the family. I deal with it on a daily basis! And yes, it all started with so called “innocent pot smoking”. Then it turned into “trying something to have a little fun.” Drugs are ruining a whole generation of our children and if you don’t believe that….Your a Fool!! It’s plain and simple, IT’S ILLEGAL !! Robbing a bank is illegal no matter how much money you steal…..what’s the difference? I’ve had my childs name placed in the paper for drug charges, I’ve had my child in rehab for drug abuse….I’ve also had my child in Church on Sundays and youth activities growing up. Drugs are everywhere….they don’t need to be legalized…..they need to be taken off our streets and the sorry excuse for humans that are dealing them need to be locked up!
Legal or illegal, my personal belief is that pot is bad for people. I’m no doctor but I’ve witnesses bad things happen to otherwise decent people once they began smoking. As to our popo constantly arresting people for small amounts of it in their possession, it’s ridiculous. The order has to come from the top brass at the PD. Same with the ticket writers out on 290…those cops aren’t just freelancing, they’ve been assigned (presumably by top brass) to complete a task while on their tour of duty for their shift. If the leaders over at BPD would stress to officers that they want them patrolling neighborhood streets in vehicles, on bike and on foot then there might be fewer crimes in these areas. The sheriff did this and it sure seems to be working well for WCSO and county residents.
All this being said, I know that this would cost the city a lot of money in terms of lost revenue- how much do they make on traffic citations these pot arrests…..check it out. Most of the time you read about these arrests or tickets they are on major roadways. Take these guys off that assignment and put them back in the neighborhoods even if only for a trial period! BPD does a great job overall but this whole issue of speeding tickets and minor pot arrests is, in my opinion overbaked at this point. Besides, if Texas makes pot legal, what will these guys do with all their extra time then???
Amen… crack, cocaine, meth those are drugs not marijuana!
This is why we have so many burglaries in the city because we have officers that are out patrolling looking for these misdemeanor amounts of dope instead of looking for FELONY burglary suspects!!!
Wow. So obviously when a police officer pulls someone over there not doing their jobs. I wonder how many criminals that commit burglaries they have stopped? i have read multiple articles on this site about how officers have arrested multiple people that have had FELONY warrants for their arrest. Also how they have found stolen property in vehicles. You’re right though. There has never been a drug user that has ever burglarized anything before to pay for a habitat.
Secondly, how would an officer stop burglars and find them? I would think myself that it would be during a traffic stop. That’s just my thinking though. It seems logical to me.
FD, I will say it again, start a neighborhood watch or join Citizens on Patrol and see how hard a cop’s job is. Marijuana is illegal and it is the job of law enforcement to uphold the law. There are lots of people who have felony warrants and the only way they are picked up is often by a simple traffic stop. The police don’t have the man power to pick up everyone who has a warrant for their arrest. I for one think it is not fair for those people to walk around free when they have broke the law.
Let’s think for a second. The officer is enforcing a state law. The law has been in effect for how many years? He got caught breaking the law, and he went to jail. You don’t like how Texas law is. Then move to Colorado. Nobody is keeping you in this state let alone in Washington County.
Obviously if someone has personally have multiple confrontations with the Police, they’re probably not any type of upstanding citizen in this community. Simply by having to deal with the police regularly in a negative manner.
Get rid of the criminal element in this county, and thing will be better for everyone here as a whole.
Marijuana is still illegal on Texas and until that changes people in possession are subject to arrest.
WASTE of taxpayer money. Texas needs to get with the program like other states…or one day the majority of the state will have a criminal record.
you are right steve. especially small counties like Washington and Fayette. while some cops do serve to protect the citizens there are several out there that I have personally had confrontations with and they always want to search a persons vehicle because they “catch a whiff” of something or have a “suspicion” or someone’s acting nervous. I don’t believe it would be out of question to give someone a ticket if they have under a certain amount of marijuana since it still is illegal in the state. but to send someone to jail and blast people on the internet for possession of a plant that god made is ridiculous
It is illegal and should always be! It has ruined families and people! Horrible way to live smoking that crud! God did not intend for that plant to be misused and ruin people! No way!
Way to go!!!!
Maybe we should make alcohol illegal again ruins people’s lives too!