12 in a month would be a lot, Boner said. That doesn't include all the verbal warnings that officers dole out when they're on patrol, he said. One of the concerns from council members as the ordinance was being drafted was the ability to enforce the 75-foot distance. That has been one of the biggest hurdles in implementing the ordinance, Boner said. Officers had to be trained in how to quantitatively measure the distance so it can be articulated in court if necessary, Boner said.
Some officers get the distance when they are clocking drivers for a speed reading.
The laser detector that officers use also gauges distance, Boner said. Although the police department still receives complaints from residents, who, like Rosenberg, have booming car stereos jar their neighborhoods, Boner said the department tries to take a proactive approach with the ordinance.