Re: the letter Saanich goes overboard with animal control.

Two days ago I was driving through the deserted Maynard Park playground zone in Cadboro Bay. I let my old Corolla speed at 50 in the 30km/h zone. As I accelerated through the crosswalk, a Saanich police officer pulled me over.

I was astonished at his appearance; he looked like a prison guard dressed all in black with what appeared to be a holster in front of him and he immediately patted his body and threatened me with me a fine of $400 for speeding. There were no children in the street or park and no other people that I could see.

I realize that I was breaking the law. I appreciated receiving a warning and not a fine. However, I am opposed to your playground zone speed laws on the pretext that you are protecting children that by this time in the year I understand are not using the playground.

The fact that as a taxpayer I am obliged to pay for enforcement officers in black menacing uniforms is highly offensive. Who made the decision to police the streets unnecessarily in this way? As there are no children, what is the purpose other than to satisfy a small number of parkside residents?

If you wish to alienate further the people who love using our streets and are responsible in their actions, you have succeeded.

This scenario I have described is as ridiculous as the dog owner who complains that an animal control officer approached them for breaking the law. Are we now choosing which laws to obey and which to ignore?

Lindsay Mitch

Saanich