Studies have shown one of the best ways to lower crime rates is for citizens to have a better relationship with local officers.

This appears to just be a good will gesture.

On the other hand, police terrify me and their mere presence behind has almost caused me to get into an accident since I am constantly (and illogically) casting fearful glances backward. So while I respect the intent of this measure... this is not the to increase good will towards the police department. Perhaps someone should suggest the mailing idea to them as an alternative and hope they get it?

Note: My area hosts a large number of "Men in Blue" events, where locals get free stuff and the police help run the events, and talking with officers at these events is the only reason I really have any respect or liking for the police at all - so good will gestures are definitely a good thing, if they're done well.

I don't know how it works in the UK, but my school was recently on the losing end of a situation like this over here in the states - Apparently, here, only the government has the right to impose arbitrary fines on you. Private property owners have the right to kick you out, or forcibly remove anything (including vehicles) you have on their property and charge you the amount it cost as compensation, but they can't just decide "You owe this much money because you weren't supposed to be here".

Either way, I don't know what lawful excuse their using to collect the money over there, but it seems like any case that goes to court would be weak. Interested to see how this turns out...

I thought woot was just a corruption of the common "wooh" or "woohoo". With an added t, because sometimes you just want that hard consonant sound to say "Yes! I have solidly finished my exclamation!"

Man, that 5-year killing old bear thing was more disturbing than anything I've seen here on boing-boing... just on a gut level, very off-putting. Worse than 2 girls 1 cup.

Don't know what it was about it, just seemed so... egh.

Wow, the only thing this screams to me is - internet is expensive where you people live! Depending on whether you get any of the special deals, internet around here costs 20-40 dollars a month for unlimited access... no limits, no shaping, no throttles. I guess I'm lucky to live in an area where there is still some competition. From what I've seen, most of these horror stories seem to come from near-monopoly areas.