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Man Avenges Speeding Ticket by Buying Expired Police Department URL
When Brian McCrary got ticketed for speeding in Bluff City, Tennessee, he got mad -- but he also got even. Upset because he was caught by a police speed camera placed on U.S. Highway 11E, McCrary decided to go to the Bluff City Police Department's Web site to ask a question about his $90 fine. While there, he noticed that the site's domain name was about to expire. Opportunist that he apparently is, McCrary decided to buy it up for himself, officially securing his place in the pantheon of online vengeance. Now, as the owner of http://www.bluffcitypd.com, McCrary uses the forum to post links and complaints about speed cameras. And, it appears that he's found a pretty substantial fan base, as the site has already accrued over 1,200 unique hits since he took the reins on May 22nd. "It's kind of surprising that they'd just let it lapse like that," the new domain owner told TriCities.com. "I figured they would be aware [it was about to expire] and renew it on their own."
Ultimately, the police department has only itself to blame for allowing the domain to slip from its hands. GoDaddy.com, the company that administered rights to the name, sent a series of warning e-mails to the office to warn them that the domain was about to expire, and then several more even after it had already expired. Bluff City Police Chief David Nelson, however, says, "It just slipped my mind. If you open up a Web site and let it go down, somebody can buy it – I did not know that."
McCrary's bold payback, however, didn't come for free. He had to pay an extra $80 for the rights, in addition, of course, to his speeding fine. But the feedback he's received thus far has been so overwhelming, he's confident that "this camera thing will come to an end." [From: TriCities.com and TGDaily]
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Comments
27
Subscribe to commentsAdamJun 9th 2010 10:49AM
Unbelievable. This guy breaks the law and then like any other individual that refused to take accountability buys the police department's website (which I'm sure served as an informative resource for many in that area) to lash out. It's childish. What's the end objective here? To have the local government remove the cameras so he can due 95 in 25mph zone and kill or severely injure somebody. Real hero.
GilesJun 9th 2010 12:05PM
How can you talk responsibility when the cops installing cameras at intersections or wherever to catch speeders? I see police are being responsible by letting cameras do their work.
And safety? Please. Everyone knows these aren't about keeping drivers and pedestrians safe. It's just another way for municipalities to rake in the dough. I know these are tough times economically, but don't confuse public safety with revenue.
Oh and please keep the holier-than-thou to a minimum, unless you've NEVER SPED IN YOUR LIFE.
dixondude2012Jun 11th 2010 6:40AM
umm.... we was on a highway. Have you never sped on a highway? And when was the last time you went onto the police department's website? probably never. I wasn't even aware they existed until just now. He's just being silly.
adamarrasAug 16th 2010 10:23AM
Those calling it childish need to think outside the box a little more... When Brian slipped up, he got a speeding ticket. When the PD slipped up, they got their domain jacked. Just as the speeder is responsible for obeying traffic laws to keep his license, the PD must follow the rules provided by GoDaddy.com (ie pay the people and keep your crap) to keep their domain. Police take opportunity to punish Brian for speeding and hopefully teach him a lesson... Brian takes opportunity to punish Police for negligence of their property and hopefully will teach them a lesson as well. All you have is two groups of people that made a mistake and must pay for it.
Gil LopezJun 9th 2010 11:50AM
This guy is my hero. I would love the opportunity to do this. Jealous
JustinJun 9th 2010 12:27PM
Adam, I believe he did take responsibility, when he paid his ticket. Who says he wanted to do 95 in a 25 mph zone. Have you have never broken the speed limit?
mcanicalJun 9th 2010 1:52PM
If you notice, the ticket was on the highway, not some residence. Camera on highways are just another "Big Brother" situation that should not be allowed. Next to a school or something like that I could understand, but to me this is just revenue generation and not protection.
IanJun 9th 2010 1:56PM
Sorry.
It's call driver responsibility.
If he had been going the speed limit, he wouldn't have gotten a ticket. He's a whiner, and a loser.
fidgetJun 9th 2010 4:11PM
Ian you're a huge chump if you drive the limit all the time.
superdaddioJun 9th 2010 5:38PM
Maybe if the PD paid attention to things other than traffic tickets, they would still have their website
DanJun 9th 2010 5:43PM
I don't understand the argument that these cameras are for public safety. If that's the case, the camera should've PREVENTED him from speeding in the first place in the same way that a physical police officer would pull him over and issue him a citation. I bet after you get a speeding ticket you watch your speed like a hawk on your way to where ever you are. Instead, he was allowed to continue speeding for miles and miles and received a citation in the mail days later. I don't understand how this is a tool for public safety. The only logical argument you could use is that they are a deterrent, which they obviously were not in this case.
I do agree ,though, that he's being a little childish about the whole deal. He broke the law; he should pay his due and move on.
Big SteveJun 9th 2010 5:43PM
Ian, GET OUT OF THE FAST LANE!
darlene1watersJun 9th 2010 5:50PM
Police departments *should* be disrupted. Often. The police should be policed more than civilians.
CowboyRushforthJun 9th 2010 6:10PM
Just popping in here with some actual real numbers:
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_15073972?nclick_check=1
Traffic cameras are not cheap. They are expensive, and this also leads to the city trying to recoup their investment costs on the cameras via ticket revenue.
mcfogellJun 9th 2010 7:00PM
I always get a kick from all the whiners when it comes to speeding tickets. What are you complaining about. You take the chance, get caught, you pay. Where is the injustice. I get tickets too. At least there are no demerits. And I have to laugh at all these concerns over the safety and statistics around cameras. No concerns regarding safety when you're speeding through intersections? Just more examples of people looking to blame someone or something else for their actions. It couldn't possibly be their fault.
DanielJun 9th 2010 8:22PM
The system of cameras has a good purpose and idealism, but ultimately its flawed.
Because the honest taxing paying, law abiding, and safe drivers are targeted. The highway cameras (red light cameras are a better example) target people who aren't purposefully breaking the law. While people who know the loop holes, avoid the cameras intentionally. And its easy to do, anyone can research it.
But most importantly, I'd like to know exactly how fast he was driving and what the lane/limit of the highway was. I don't know they drive over there, but here in NorCal I drive 80mph on the left lane.
So props to you, Brian McCrary!!!
bobJun 9th 2010 8:39PM
What a bloody arsehole. the website like Adam stated most likely provided important information like where the hell the actual building is located so you can drive to it and report stuff (if one doesn't feel like making a phone call). He is being childish for taking revenge for a speeding ticket (I have a learner's permit). My absolute favorite thing (I work for an Auxiliary Police force doing foot patrols) is people who hate us and insult us trying to impress their friends only because we are in uniform until they need our help. Let me tell you if you throw insults at me everytime you see me I am not going to be very thrilled to help you when you do need it.
nathanJun 9th 2010 8:38PM
Just wondering-
i had domains at Godaddy and they mail the ever loving crap out of you. US mail, email etc etc. The guy paid his ticket but how many notices (I know that it had to be a minimum of 5) did they get that the domain was going to expire. The poor po po screwed up. He now owns the domain. Just like he did wrong had had to pay a fine, they did wrong and were not accountable for their actions. They at least do not seem to be demanding he release the domain according to this story. I think he bested them.
but I also bet he pissed them off.
awesomerobotJun 9th 2010 9:05PM
You think Brian wants to trade me for this? ;)
http://www.brianmccrary.com
AlexJun 10th 2010 1:59AM
Wow, that was terrible. Dark letters on a dark, grainy background, and not a single explanation as to what he did, just the words "speed limit? DERP". If I looked at that with no previous knowledge of what he did, I would just assume that Brian was speeding, and you were calling him an idiot for doing so. If you're going to be childish, at least try.