Living In Piketon, Ohio: Targeted

"Adam" is someone who is just trying to make their way in this world the best way they can. Just like the rest of us. "Adam" is not out to break the law, make trouble or cause harm. So why does "Adam" have a story to tell about the corruption and abuse of the badge in Piketon, Ohio?

In his words:

I jumped into my car one day to go to the post office but as I came to a stop sign, there was an obstruction in the intersection. I basically had no alternative but to stop at the stop sign, even if I wanted to run it, I couldn't without hitting another vehicle.

When the congestion cleared, I made my left hand turn. Moments later, I saw the flashing lights in my rear view mirror. It was officer Blair, a local Piketon police officer.

He approached me and asked for the usual, license, registration, proof of insurance. When I asked what I did, he snapped a little and said. "I'll ask the questions." So I became quiet and that's when he asked me if I was in a hurry or something. I told him, "No." He then went on to ask me why I ran that stop sign. I informed him that I did not run that stop sign. He then asked me if I was calling him a liar. I said no and that maybe he didn't see the obstruction but he said he saw "everything" and I ran the stop sign. He ended up giving me a ticket and I went to court and explained my case, but to no avail.

At that time, as is the current case now, I was on social security. I don't get much. I can barely make ends meet as they are. I make sure I obey all traffic signs, lights and speed because I can't afford a ticket at any time, really. It hurts me financially more than you can imagine.

I know I did not run that stop sign.

I decided to make do as best I could and let it go. I marked it down as just one of those things. However, about three or four months later, it happened again, at a different stop sign, and the same officer. As soon as he told me why he pulled me over, I remember saying, "Come on, man. You know I didn't run that sign."

It was all I could do to keep it together.

He then told me of a way I could avoid the ticket, but I didn't even have enough money in my pocket to pay his asking amount. So, I got the ticket.

I reached out this time to Mayor Billy Spencer, and got no results. I made my case again to the court / judge, and I ended up paying for yet another ticket I did not incur.

This is when I began to wonder if maybe I was being targeted. Two tickets in about six months. It wasn't looking good and now every time I got in my car to go somewhere, I was all paranoid and looking all around me for that cop.

Just as I was able to settle myself down, another three or four months passed when he got me again. Back at the original stop sign. I was at my wits end as he approached yet again. After he wrote that fake ticket up, he said, "If you keep contesting them, I will continue to write them."

I took the hint.

I made no further complaint, nor did I contest it. I simply paid it and went on my way. Fortunately, he hasn't targeted me again since. Nor has any other officer.

Carroll: Why do you think he targeted you originally?

Adam: I don't know. At this point, I don't care. I'm just glad he stopped.

Carroll: Why do you think he stopped?

Adam: I have to take what he said, because I didn't challenge it anymore. I think these Piketon cops, like the Pike County sheriff's office, don't like it when citizens challenge them, or stand up to them.


Carroll's Final Thoughts:

"Adam" is just one person. What he went through might not have been "The Piketon Family Murders", but he still did not deserve to go through what officer Blair put him through. And this was under the watch of Mayor Billy Spencer, who was contacted, and did nothing. This would become a pattern in my research, and he also failed to properly handle my situation as well, as you all will come to see in future postings.

So, shrug it off all you like. What was done to "Adam" was still very wrong in every sense of the word. But as he said, fortunately, it did finally end. Hopefully, it doesn't happen to anyone else in the future.