re: The speed traps with an officer flagging people down

It's a big money grab. If they were not allowed to keep the fines for themselves, they would have no incentive to pull these stunts.

They would be out doing real police work instead. It's hard to support a police department that does this sort of thing.

St John parish is one of the worst offenders. Here is a picture of one their deputies hiding at the base of a bridge.