Editing Poulan, Georgia (section)

==Speed trap==
The Poulan Police Department has been featured in numerous articles by investigative journalists, most notably for its speed trap tactics since 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Worsley |first=Jamie |date=2023-12-28 |title=WALB Investigates two towns some refer to as 'speed traps' |url=https://www.walb.com/2023/12/28/walb-investigates-whats-speeding-worth-we-take-look-two-south-ga-towns/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=walb.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Some rural Georgia towns policing for profit |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/some-rural-georgia-towns-policing-for-profit/wdYjcTlZsqUo8Px07C48VJ/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pierrotti |first=Andy |date=2024-07-22 |title=Nearly 73% of this city's budget comes from traffic tickets |url=https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/07/22/nearly-73-this-citys-budget-comes-traffic-tickets/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=atlantanewsfirst.com |language=en}}</ref> The city attorney; former [[Albany, Georgia]] mayor Tommy Coleman<ref>{{Cite web |author=Staff reports |date=2021-07-22 |title=Tommy, Flin Coleman join Atlanta-based Drew Eckl & Farnham law firm |url=https://www.albanyherald.com/local/tommy-flin-coleman-join-atlanta-based-drew-eckl-farnham-law-firm/article_49822964-eb0a-11eb-be8b-d31616bc47b0.html |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=Albany Herald |language=en}}</ref> has repeatedly defended the enforcement tactics, as well as the Poulan and [[Warwick, Georgia|Warwick]] Police Departments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Romney |date=2013-07-17 |title=FOX 31 investigates: Are there speed traps in Poulan? |url=https://wfxl.com/news/local/fox-31-investigates-are-there-speed-traps-in-poulan |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=WFXL |language=en}}</ref><ref name="worsley">{{Cite web |last=Worsley |first=Jamie |date=2024-07-25 |title=Warwick city attorney says, 'People aren't going to believe this' |url=https://www.walb.com/2024/07/25/warwick-city-attorney-says-people-arent-going-believe-this/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=www.walb.com |language=en}}</ref>

Between 2008 and 2012, Poulan is estimated to have received $1,676,402.80 (a per-capita amount of $2,012.49) from their Police Department's tactics inside the Poulan city limits on [[U.S. Route 82 in Georgia|U.S. Route 82]] ([[GA State Route 520]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Database: Georgia's biggest ticket traps |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/ticket-traps-search/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=ajc |language=English}}</ref> Residents of Poulan have publicly voiced their concern over their police department's tactics multiple times with department leadership specifically denying quotas for summons and citations for traffic related offenses.<ref name=speed>{{Cite web |date=2014-08-06 |title='Speed Trap' sign stirs up Poulan area |url=https://www.walb.com/story/26204559/speed-trap-sign-stirs-up-poulan-area/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=walb.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-08-16 |title='Speed Trap' sign may return to Poulan |url=https://www.walb.com/story/26292704/speed-trap-sign-may-return-to-poulan/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=walb.com |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2014, a local resident of Poulan placed a sign that warned drivers traveling on [[U.S. Route 82 in Georgia|U.S. Route 82]] (GA State Route 520) of the speed trap tactics. A local NBC/ABC affiliate, [[WALB]], featured a story on the resident who claimed that Poulan Police Officers were given specific quotas. Poulan [[Chief of police|Police Chief]] Larry Whisenant,<ref name="police">{{Cite web |title=Poulan Police Department |url=https://www.cityofpoulan.com/police-department.html |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=City of Poulan |language=en}}</ref> explicitly refuted this claim and denied that any officers were given quotas<ref name="speed" /> for speeding citations. In February 2015 the sign was stolen from its placement along [[U.S. Route 82 in Georgia|U.S. Route 82]] (GA State Route 520).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valenzuela |first=Aaryn |date=2015-02-12 |title=Poulan man's speed trap sign stolen |url=https://www.walb.com/story/28086875/poulan-mans-speed-trap-sign-stolen/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=walb.com |language=en}}</ref>

In December 2023, local NBC/ABC affiliate [[WALB]] produced a report about the Poulan Police Department and showcased the speed trap tactics that the Police Department continues to use.<ref name="traps">{{Cite web |last=Worsley |first=Jamie |date=2023-12-28 |title=WALB Investigates two towns some refer to as 'speed traps' |url=https://www.walb.com/2023/12/28/walb-investigates-whats-speeding-worth-we-take-look-two-south-ga-towns/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=walb.com |language=en}}</ref> The report calculated that the Poulan Police Department produced more income than the cost of the agency to the city's budget.<ref name="traps" /> Poulan Police commanders were specifically asked for documents showing the amount of income received from speeding related citations. According to the article, Poulan "declined to comment".<ref name="traps" /> According to [[Law of Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia law]], a county or municipal [[Law enforcement agency powers|law enforcement agency's]] budget may not exceed 35% of its annual budget from speeding related fines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2018 Georgia Code :: Title 40 - Motor Vehicles and Traffic :: Chapter 14 - Use of Speed Detection Devices and Red Light Cameras :: Article 2 - Speed Detection Devices :: &sect; 40-14-11. Investigations by commissioner of public safety; issuance of order suspending or revoking permit; ratio of speeding fines to agency's budget |url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2018/title-40/chapter-14/article-2/section-40-14-11/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Justia Law |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2024, local NBC/ABC affiliate [[WALB]] produced another report on both the Poulan and [[Warwick, Georgia|Warwick]] Police Departments.<ref name="worsley" /> City attorney Tommy Coleman defended the City of Poulan and the Police Department in an interview, claiming that Poulan's budget percentage from speed enforcement was at 22% for the years 2023 to 2024.<ref name="worsley" /> Worth County [[Sheriff]] Don Whitaker also defended the City of Poulan in an interview he participated in for the report.<ref name="worsley" /> Disturbingly, Worth County officials (including a member of the County Commission) and City of Poulan officials, admitted that Poulan required the revenue from speed related citations because their tax base was so small.<ref name="worsley" />