Police Jurisdiction

[brianreynolds]

I spent the day today zigging and zagging through Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee.  Much of the afternoon was in NW Alabama listening to the Auburn-Alabama game (mostly the Auburn-centric version), until I drove out of radio range.  Yes, that means I missed the exciting finale.  I am pleased with the outcome, not because I am an Auburn fan, nor do I any animus toward Alabama.  I cheer for the underdog.

Question.  Many times along the way I saw signs announcing "POLICE JURISDICTION".

I can guess what that means, but that doesn't mean I understand the implication in that context.

Anyone care to share?

[FLRoads]

Question.  Many times along the way I saw signs announcing "POLICE JURISDICTION".

I can guess what that means, but that doesn't mean I understand the implication in that context.

Anyone care to share?

Those signs are typically found one to two miles outside of towns and communities (in Alabama anyway) and let motorists know they are entering patrolling areas of local police.

If that was your thought then you were correct.

[brianreynolds]

Those signs are typically found one to two miles outside of towns and communities (in Alabama anyway) and let motorists know they are entering patrolling areas of local police.

If that was your thought then you were correct.

Yes, the signs were in Alabama.  I should have been more specific.  Thanks for the reply.  More on police matters in a separate post.

[richllewis]

It is getting to be a common practice for small towns on the Interstate in Mississippi to extend their Corporate Limits at least 2 miles from town so the Police can stop and give tickets or render aid and in the case of the Fire Department they have enough room to respond to vehicle fires or to render Aid on the Interstate. I can think of Pelahatchie, MS that did this several years ago, and I know that in the case of Forest, MS where I live it has come up in discussions on the City council.

[brianreynolds]

... in the case of Forest, MS where I live it has come up in discussions on the City council.

I passed through your town Saturday morning, from south to north.  Nice place.

[US71]

When the 71 Expressway (now I-540) was first opened north of Fayetteville, AR, Johnson annexed part of the highway and started setting up Speed Traps. The State Police quickly shut that down and told them to stay off the expressway...that only the state had jurisdiction.

Oddly enough, I see West Fork, Greenland, and Fayetteville patrolling parts of I-540 south of Fayetteville.

[msubulldog]

I see those signs all the time going through Reform and Gordo enroute to Tuscaloosa and points east.

[Alex]

The police jurisdiction signs also relate to which departments handle an area outside of a municipality. For instance before the city of Semmes was established in Mobile County, portions of the area were within the Mobile Police Jurisdiction. Within this zone Mobile police would handle calls in place of the County Sheriff's Office. This arrangement exists in many other areas, where the municipal police will aid in an unincorporated areas' policing. This does not include speed and other traffic enforcement though (at least it did not for Mobile).

[Avalanchez71]

There is a two mile rule in AL.  This rule allows the city PD to enforce the law and render aid within two miles of the corporate limits of the city.  TN has a one mile rule.

[Arkansastravelguy]

When the 71 Expressway (now I-540) was first opened north of Fayetteville, AR, Johnson annexed part of the highway and started setting up Speed Traps. The State Police quickly shut that down and told them to stay off the expressway...that only the state had jurisdiction.

Oddly enough, I see West Fork, Greenland, and Fayetteville patrolling parts of I-540 south of Fayetteville.

West Fork has met the same fate as Johnson (Greenland too I believe). I got pulled over doing 71 in a 70, the day after putting an application in at West Fork PD. This was several years ago. Fayetteville PD can patrol using it's K9, and both ASP and WCSO have patrolling rights of 49


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