This was posted on Myspace and also onto Deals Gap form.

Looks like Smokey is getting serious.

posted by a State Trooper:

"Hey, just to give you a heads up for next season----we have a new captain in the knoxville district which covers blount county------ he has already told us that we will put a stop to the "race track driving" up on the dragon

this year------so far what they have said is that the speed limit is 30mph and "ANYONE" caught going 50mph and up will be charged with reckless driving and will be jailed and their bike/car will be impounded--- --I am telling you this because i am trying to put the word out to everyone i know----or to people who know people that go up there-----I don't want to have to take people to jail for this---however I have bills to pay and I kind of like having a job---so never the less I have to do what i am told to do-----so the way i see it is that if killboy.com knows and you know and dealsgap.com knows and whoever else can find out can pass this along---it will benefit everybody--- -----feel free to copy and past this and let everyone know-------if you get caught up there it is only your fault because i am trying to pass the word along for everybody's sake-----we are not just going to come up from the bottom like in years past---they are gonna have us go
through cherohala skwy in north carolina and come from the top down to the bottom----so no more free rides on your way back to the state line----they are gonna bring unmarked cars with radio's and have unmarked bikes up there----this will be a joint effort with blount county and the THP-----The entire THP motor unit will be brought in 2 people at a time(for a week long assignment) to be paired up with the local car----they plan on busting tail at least 3-4 times right off the bat---then they will sit back and see what takes place-----these orders came from Nashville Headquarters- --we have a complete brand new higher ranking structure from the very tip top spot down----they have said we will work until the problem is solved----just wanted to give you and your friends a heads up.......... SIGNED... ........Trp Cagle with THP assigned to Blount County Division---- (don't come crying to me if you get busted----cause I'm telling you now)"


Reality is simple folks. If your not being an idiot, you wont have any issues. It wont be harassment, it will be enforcement... something that has been tough to do around here for many years. At the end of the day, I wish the THP all the best in their hunt for the great white whale. It seems that someone new is in charge, and they are interested(if you believe the report) in taking it out on a group of people that spend money in their state and local counties. Another fantastic showing by our local police agencies.

You catch more flies with honey than you do with salt, but you cant tell these good ol' boys around here that. What we really need around here is a police group that interact with the visitors, and make a better impact by said interaction, than by any strong arm tactics they can use. NC LEO"S can make note of this too...

A little positive interaction goes a long way, and thats why we respect the local troopers and Sheriff's deputies that spend time up here. Caygle, Marrion, Little and McDonald from THP are all great guys, and we always enjoy talking to them. The same goes for all the BCSO guys that come out. NCHP have a fantastic group of cops as well that we see from time to time, and they always interact well with the groups too. Its too bad that we are going to have to deal with yet another butthead-in-charge that thinks this is the last stand for freedom... but if I can have my own opinion, so can they.

Moral of all this babble ?? If your not being an idiot in the area, then you have no issue......

 

Severly crippled tourism dollars spent in the area?

 

The last clamp down on bikers a few years ago seemed to work really well.

 

From the May 4, 2006 press release


Captain Raymond Fletcher, Knoxville (District 1) - Captain Raymond Fletcher is a 29 year veteran of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. He most recently served as the Troop Lieutenant for Knox and Union Counties in the Knoxville District.

Captain Fletcher began his career with the Tennessee Highway Patrol in 1977 as a Trooper in the Knoxville District. Captain Fletcher also served twice as Criminal Interdiction Sergeant and as Sergeant of Campbell and Scott Counties before his promotion to Lieutenant in 1999. During his first term as Criminal Interdiction Sergeant, he oversaw 239 felony arrests and 514 drug arrests in a 23-month period and initiated quarterly prison searches on visitor's day with local state prisons. During his second stint with Criminal Interdiction, he managed a coordinated effort with multiple agencies that netted 511 felony arrests in an 18-month period. He also worked at a deterring motorcycle racing sting in Blount County that resulted in several sting operations and 58 drag racing charges.

Captain Fletcher holds an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Broward Community College in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He was graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1991. He is also an instructor at Walters State Community College.

 

Aparantly Econ101 is not a required class to graduate from Broward Community College.

 

I don't think it will be a problem. You can drive hard and safely and have fun all at the same time. The cops are always up there to get the idiots and always will be. I've never been up there when I didn't see multiple cops. They are more focused on the sport bikes and the idiot drivers.

We can all have a good time and still be safe.

 

No Worries, It will be my first time...

 

This is concerning. I sure the hell don't want reckless driving on the record....well it wouldn't be so bad......but the car being impounded wouldn't work out too well......especially when it was time to go home.

 

I really hope they would use this "enhanced" patrolling to weed out the asshats who can't maintain lane control, douchebags trying to drift, and other morons attempting dangerous behaviors. This could actually be a good thing for those of us who drive safely.

On the flipside, if they sit there with a radar gun and a line of tow trucks, it will be the end of the Dragon.

 

Ah, you can still have fun on those "no brakes" runs