Police set up speed trap on Elmhurst

To the editor: I am a resident of Mount Prospect and have always been a strong supporter of our police department and its officers. Mount Prospect in the past has been accused of racial profiling in the way it handled traffic violations. I never would have believed that the police could be biased in their enforcement of laws until it happened to me.

I am your typical overweight, middle-aged white Republican. About four weeks ago my kids and I were traveling down Elmhurst Road (in my 10-year-old truck), at about 35 mph. I did not know Mount Prospect recently lowered the limit to 30 mph in order to catch people on Elmhurst Road, since the section I just left in Des Plaines (less than two blocks away) was 35 mph.

My car was passed by some very nice luxury automobiles and a Lincoln Navigator. Much to my surprise I was pulled over for a speeding ticket. As the officers approached, they loosened the guns in their holsters and pulled out their flashlights to examine my car through the windows. I tried to explain (in very unprofessional language since I was angry about the guns) that they must have pulled over the wrong car.

The young trainee and the senior officer seemed surprised at seeing myself and my kids. I went to the police station to continue the debate and was met with an increased level of skepticism and entitlement.

The officers could not explain why the cars that passed me were not pulled over first since they clearly were traveling at a speed greater than I.

It is a shame that the Mount Prospect Police Department has now placed a tinge of doubt in my mind that our officers can in fact be unbiased and "true" to the motto Protect and Serve. I will no longer assume that people who complain about police are simply "guilty." They may have some truth in their statements.

It seems that whatever settlement was offered to past individuals should not only include racial minorities but also middle age, overweight white Republicans.

Bill Loebbaka

Mount Prospect