HOPEWELL, Va (WTVR) - The situation on Interstate 295 in Hopewell has received national attention because of the staggering number of speeding tickets issued by deputies there. AAA even dubbed that stretch of highway, “the Million Dollar Mile” and criticized the sheriff’s office.
Last week, Sheriff Greg Anderson defended his deputies to CBS 6.
“We don't write a ticket under 81 miles per hour,” said Anderson. “Our records show tickets from 81 miles per hour all the way up to 126 miles an hour.”
But a CBS 6 review of Hopewell court records shows dozens of people have been charged with going 80 miles per hour, and we reported that Monday night. [WATCH: Mark Holmberg's report on Hopewell’s “Million Dollar Mile” for speeding tickets]
Wednesday, Sheriff Anderson sent us an email, saying that we were correct, and that one of his deputies was writing tickets at 80 instead of 81, despite the Sheriff’s directive. He said the issue has been resolved.
Now even lawmakers in the Virginia General Assembly took note about what has been happening in Hopewell.
A provision in the newly passed state budget said when local fines and fee collections exceed 40 percent of a city or county’s total revenue collections, the Commonwealth of Virginia will step in and take half of the money above that level, and put it into Virginia’s Literary Fund. That fund helps pay for school construction and teacher retirement.
AAA said the measure should discourage law enforcement projects which they believe have more to do with making money than public safety.
