Councilman gets insurance lesson

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Friday, March 18. 2011

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Winder City Councilman Bob Dixon found himself in the middle of an insurance dispute with a city policeman two weeks ago, but in the end admitted the officer was right.

The incident revolved around a woman clocked speeding and driving without car insurance who was stopped on Miles Patrick Road on March 4.

When the officer told the woman the car would have to be towed, she asked that he allow her to drive home just a couple blocks away. When the officer refused, she called councilman Dixon’s wife, who arrived at the scene. Mrs. Dixon told the officer she had insurance and would drive the vehicle home, but the officer said that her insurance didn’t apply to her friend’s car.

At that point Mrs. Dixon told the officer to call WPD chief Dennis Dorsey. When the officer refused, she called Mr. Dixon and had him speak to the officer.

Councilman Dixon at first demanded the officer call Chief Dorsey, saying he would allow the car to be driven home, according to the report. But an insurance agent who was with the councilman at the time told him the officer was right, at which point Dixon told the officer to ignore his earlier comments and to treat the woman just like he would any other citizen.

The car was later towed.

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#1 Red Ryder on 03/18/11 at 09:35 AM [Reply]

The Councilman seems to believe he has the power to order police around? Really?

#1.1 Jack Legg on 03/18/11 at 02:13 PM [Reply]

Who, exactly does this Dixon joker and his wife think he is ?. Applause to the officer for doing his job and not bowing to the pressure of these local jackasses.You Dixons need to understand that you are not above the law and you dont get to tell city employee's what to do. All and I mean ALL you get to do Bobby is vote at the council meeting.
Sheesh, grow up already.

#2 Fortitude on 03/18/11 at 02:07 PM [Reply]

You wonder why police cannot do their job, with politicians that way.
The officer should have cited MR and MRS Dixon for obstruction and Mr Dixon should be very careful, that seems to be a breach of oath of office, trying to get personal gains and then admit that they are suppose to be treated differently. Goodby Mr. Dixon, you just lost a vote

#3 Terry Kerry on 03/18/11 at 02:28 PM [Reply]

Cops in this town & country are completely out of control. Barney Fife et al. need to be reined in, thus stemming lawsuits and other potentially escalating situations. Of course the prevailing fascist mentality in this locale precludes any such civilized reaction. The citizen in the instant case should be thankful she was not subject to summary execution for such a heinous transgression.

#3.1 Fortitude on 03/18/11 at 02:40 PM [Reply]

How long did it take you to look up all those higher level education words that make you sound as if your trying to elevate your social status by utilizing higher level wording in your sentence structure ? Sorry you feel threatened by the police, however, next time you have no insurance and risk someone else having to pay damages to their vehicle, I would gladly thank the officer that tows your car.

#3.1.1 Citizen on 03/18/11 at 04:18 PM [Reply]

Fortitude I agree with you. Mr. Dixion does everything he can to get his name in the paper. This had nothing to do with him, and he had to put his 2 cents worth in. It is just like at the council meetings he runs his mouth about things he has no clue about then looks stupid after saying it. BOB KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT

#3.1.2 Terry Kerry on 03/18/11 at 05:21 PM [Reply]

I didn't have to "look up" any word that I used.
Sorry that you were compelled to borrow a dictionary in order to comprehend my remarks.

Next, you'll have enlighten me as to how a person could hope to "elevate social status" by here posting.

Next, all three of my German-built vehicles are properly insured; you can rest easy.

Finally, I hesitate to debate anyone who apparently cannot distinguish between "your" and "you're" and thinks that "however' is a coordinating conjunction.

#3.1.2.1 Anonymous on 03/18/11 at 06:56 PM [Reply]

"elevate social status by here posting"

This is a pretty awkward phrase for someone who harps on others' grammar and "doesn't have to" look up big words.

#3.1.2.2 Anonymous on 03/27/11 at 08:41 PM [Reply]

Wonderful then you will not need a dictionary when I tell you that you are being pretentious and priggish. Further grammatical errors alone do not repudiate the gentlemen's counter-argument.

#3.2 Karen on 03/22/11 at 07:06 PM [Reply]

mighty big words you are using there!

#4 Anonymous on 03/18/11 at 06:10 PM [Reply]

Let's just analyze this story:
"Dixon found himself in the middle of an insurance dispute"--He should never have been in a dispute; this wasn't his fight.

"...Dixon’s wife, who arrived at the scene. Mrs. Dixon told the officer she had insurance and would drive the vehicle home."--The next time, the officer should charge her with obstruction of justice.

"Dixon at first demanded the officer call Chief Dorsey, saying he would allow the car to be driven home"--Does he realize that he just involved the police chief in illegal activity? And this man gets a vote in ANYTHING???

Thanks WPD officer! Job well done. Your actions are clearly encouraging; treating everyone equal under the law.

Finally, thanks for documenting everything said and done. If not, this interaction would have gone untold.

#4.1 Citizen on 03/18/11 at 08:20 PM [Reply]

I try to attend council meetings when I can. Everyone should go and hear what Mr. Dixon has to say. He scares me at times. I'm not sure he has a clue about what he is voting on. He rambles on and on all the while off topic. Then tells everyone else they are wrong. I know I made a mistake voting for him but not again.

#5 Tommy G. on 03/18/11 at 08:14 PM [Reply]

I agree with most of the people here. A politician telling an officer to break the law? Where does this guy think he gets that power? I am glad the officer didnt call the Chief and make him tell the councilman he doesnt know what he is talking about. Mr. Dixon please let people who know what they are doing do their job. You are not payed to play police. Go back and make weird remarks at your meetings. It makes for funny listening.

#5.1 Citizen on 03/20/11 at 01:37 PM [Reply]

What do you mean "break the law"? Show me in the O.C.G.A. where it REQUIRES that deppity dawg have a vehicle towed that does not meet the state's insurance requirement. I won't wait for you to cite chapter & verse from the state code. Why? Because I already know the answer: It isn't required. Copper could have given the lady a ticket and continued upon his vital patrol. But, no. he decided to play 21st century gestapo.

#5.1.1 Citizen on 03/20/11 at 02:58 PM [Reply]

Hey Citizen-40-6-20. Look it up buddy boy. You cannot drive the vehicle from the scene with no insurance. The Officer CANNOT allow it to happen or he is allowing someone to violate 40-6-20 which is a violation of the law on his behalf. Go back and learn something and then try to comment.LOLOLOLOL

#5.1.1.1 Cameron on 03/22/11 at 04:07 PM [Reply]

Actually it is 40-6-10. But WPD did the correct thing. Give her a ticket and make her find another way home.

#5.1.1.1.1 longtime in Winder on 03/23/11 at 12:03 AM [Reply]

GCIC should have came back with "Valid Insurance" (Yes/No) when the Winder Officer ran her tags, so I suspect with or without the actual card, it seems she may not have had current valid insurance, the card is really a back-up for that system now, since running the tag will confirm the insurance, --Unless GCIC were to be down at that moment for some reason....

#6 Charlie on 03/19/11 at 03:56 AM [Reply]

I realize that this will be a surprise to many but the computers that supply insurance information can be and ARE frequently wrong!!! The law does not require that the vehicle be towed a citation can be written. I caution that YOU not be to hasty to blame the original female victim. There is a possibility that this is ANOTHER one of those cases! We, Barrow Journal, should follow to see how this plays out...recall that PD's every are acting as revenue officers to boost funds!

Charlie

#6.1 Joe on 03/19/11 at 10:58 AM [Reply]

That's why you are still REQUIRED to carry a current insurance card with you.

If in fact this lady HAD insurance - then all she had to do was:

Call her friend Mrs. Dixon -- "Hey GF, do me a favor and run over to my house and grab my insurance card, I think I left it ...."

OR

Call her insurance company and have them verify she has (had) insurance. They can and will fax proof to the PD. (been there - done that) Took all of ten minutes to clear it up.

#6.2 Terry Malloy on 03/20/11 at 10:00 AM [Reply]

Towing was definitely uncalled for. However, among the lynch-mentality which permeates this board, towing was certainly the right & proper thing to do. Nothing like a badge-heavy cop to please a fascist mob. (And, none of the above is meant to excuse the reprehensible action by Mr. & Mrs. City Councilman.)

#6.2.1 ????????? on 03/20/11 at 01:52 PM [Reply]

Why was it uncalled for? I guess you have never been hit by a driver that had no insurance (I have). This story was about a blowhard who thought he could make the police do what he wanted. It was just a point that the lady had no insurance.

#6.2.1.1 Citizen on 03/20/11 at 02:58 PM [Reply]

TOWING was uncalled for -- not the citation. Cop wanted to flaunt his authority. Wave that big shiny badge and pull that big black gun to prove how much testosterone he packs. To reiterate: He did NOT have to have the lady's car towed. He could have issued her her one of those pretty tickets instead. Some years a DeKalb cop stopped me on 285 for improper lane change. On the way to the airport, in pitch-black, all i could find in the glove compartment was an expired card. He took my license, issued a citation -- and let me go. I sorted it out weeks later in a courtroom: showed the judge the current card, and he fined me a few bucks for court costs. He also said: Be glad this wasn't in Barrow county; they would have fined you the whole amount. So, to repeat this once again for the dense louts that have trouble with reading: The lousy copper did not have to have the woman's car towed. He overreacted, as badge-heavy nazis often do.

#6.2.1.1.1 Citizen on 03/20/11 at 03:32 PM [Reply]

So if the policy the cop has says he is to tow the vehicle, how is that "falunting his authority"? Just because you and Dixon dont like it, does not mean it is wrong. The cop did what he was supposed to do even if that meant the lady had to lose her car. He couldnt leave it on the side of the road could he? What was to stop her from driving away in it later? He did his job but you cant stand it because you dont like it. Well tough. Good job Winder PD

#6.2.1.2 Citizen on 03/20/11 at 03:03 PM [Reply]

You are dead wrong. I have been hit by a car whose driver had no insurance. He had a buddy drive up on the scene and slip the cop his insurance card. Of course, it all came out, and my insurance had to pay for my vehicle's repair. So, your assumption was incorrect, especially if it implied that I side with deadbeats that don't insure their cars. I merely said that towing wasn't warranted in this case. Don't bother to apologize. I can just feel how sorry you are for being so wrong.

#6.2.1.2.1 Robert S on 03/20/11 at 03:26 PM [Reply]

What was he supposed to do with the car? Leave it in the road? Let her drive off with no isurance? I dont understand your logic Citizen. Sorry....Towing seems like the correct response. Would the deputy be liable if she drove off and hit someone? Would Dixon be liable? I look at it as a good thing it was towed.

#6.2.1.2.1.1 Jailhouse Lawyer on 03/20/11 at 04:53 PM [Reply]

How can you be so obtuse? Yes, officer issues citation and woman drives off in her car. Officer retains her drivers license, and she is informed of a court date. Penalty for failure to have insurance is quite severe; this can be enforced in court. This is the way it has been handled for YEARS.

Policy is not tantamount to law, found in the code books (collection of statutes); if this so-called policy is found in the O.C.G.A., I'd like the citation.

I know that abiding by the written law does not satisfy a lynch mob of slack-jawed troglodytes, but I just thought I'd ask.

#7 Mike Mingus on 03/19/11 at 08:48 AM [Reply]

Hilarious.......

#7.1 T. Thomas on 03/20/11 at 06:04 AM [Reply]

I wonder if mingus thought it was hilarious when dixon beat him grandly

#8 Brent Dixon on 03/19/11 at 08:06 PM [Reply]

Is this journalism or a segment from some daytime soap opera? Create fiction where only non-fiction exists, sensationalize it, and sell it as integrity-based journalism. Unfortunately it’s not my first rodeo with someone making a mountain out of a mouse turd. After three tours in the Middle East and two in Iraq since 2003 you expect the unexpected. The lady stopped for speeding is my mother-in-law. Like many in Barrow County, she has no job therefore, no money. She picked gas and groceries over insurance. (I’m not defending her actions or her poor judgment.) But she called the only people she knows in Barrow County and ones she can count on, my dad and mom. This wasn’t a case of un-do influence. The lady was charged and the car towed. Now for the attacks on my dad, you’re all a bunch of cowards. At least have the common decency to put your first name instead of “citizen”. His integrity and loyalty to this community are beyond reproach. “Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way”.

#8.1 Fortitude on 03/20/11 at 09:18 AM [Reply]

Brent,
Thank you for telling everyone:
1) The lady had NO INSURANCE..thus the cop was right regarding towing an uninsured vehicle.
2) Thinking she can get out of it, she calls your Father, who then tries to Intimidate the officer by using his seat on the council
3) If you cant take the heat in politics, get out.

Thank you for serving your country, I mean that and I hate your mother in law has to endure hardship, however,what your father did was uncalled for and you wonder why citizens have a distrust for people in positions of power.

#8.2 Chuck Tatum on 03/20/11 at 09:24 AM [Reply]

Oh, how hilarious this post is. It screams: Don't you criticize my daddy -- or big ol' soldier boy will whupp yo butt. Grow up, junior. Your daddy is a blowhard in a podunk town. He got caught trying to use his "power" in bullying a traffic cop. Only to find his juice was inadequate, leaving him writhing in public as an impotent joke.

#8.2.1 Anonymous on 03/23/11 at 12:20 AM [Reply]

Hey, Chuck, I started following your point, UNTIL you got to the "Podunk town" park, Why are you even here?, If you don't like Winder or Barrow Co, there are roads leaving in every direction (Please choose the one of your choice, and drive with insurance). Seems that the only thing "Podunk" is named Chuck Tatum. Your need to diminish our community must make you feel more important than Councilman Dixon

#8.3 Sefton on 03/20/11 at 09:52 AM [Reply]

You just don't get it, do you, Brent? The main thrust to the story is not about how a woman chose to disobey the law and drive without insurance. It is about how your mommy and daddy tried to pull a classic "DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?" That is what stinks to high heaven. And, it is 100% proper for the newspaper to expose such an action by your father, who is a public official. The voters should remember this when he stands for re-election.

#8.4 GG on 03/20/11 at 11:59 AM [Reply]

Brent..Who said anything about his integrity or loyalty to the community? I dont see that...What I read is that people are tired of politicians thinking they can do whatever they want. Does he have the power to order the police not to follow their policy? Can he change policy all by himself on the spot? If he can then most of us are wrong. If he cant but he just wanted to then he (and you) are wrong.

#9 Hugo Klenyen on 03/20/11 at 03:25 PM [Reply]

That Dixon woman should have been arrested when she came to the scene and interrupted.

#10 longtime in Winder on 03/20/11 at 04:41 PM [Reply]

How about kudos to the Winder PD Officer who seems to keep his/her composure well throughout this "event", I read nowhere where the officer reacted poorly or allowed this to become more than it needed to be. This officer could have really "Over-Reacted" and it appears did not.

I guess that Dixon thought he was helping a citizen, but the law is the law, at least his heart was in the right place, maybe needs to re-think his actions though, elected officals need to remember their role, policy makers and leave the law enforcement to the police.

#11 Fortitude on 03/20/11 at 05:41 PM [Reply]

Ok,this has gotten way out there. So, Ill sum it up.
1) Per law (OCGA 40-6-10), you must have insurance and failure to provide proof is a citable offense (hence, she had NO INSURANCE). Therefore, towing the vehicle for being on the roadway with no insurance is the correct thing to do. All she has to do is get liablility and get her vehicle out.
2) Dixon tried to use his position to get the officer to do a "favor", then he didnt like being told no, so he wanted to speak to the Chief, who is not there on scene and should not be a micro-manager.
3) Dixon and family are very aware of the citizens disgust and he will hopefully use this as a learning tool to better himself and stay out of other's business.

#11.1 Citizen on 03/21/11 at 02:09 PM [Reply]

O.C.G.A. 40-6-10 is indeed the applicable statute. However, NOWHERE in that law does it state: The officer shall have the vehicle towed. For the umpteenth time, I challenge any of you upstanding residents of this glorious city of Winder or county of Barrow to cite where it was mandatory that the copper had the poor woman's vehicle towed. You cannot do it. The code clearly states that the officer shall [meaning must] confiscate the drivers' license and issue a citation. Anything more is an abuse of his massive authority.
Here endeth the lesson.

#11.1.1 Fortitude on 03/21/11 at 03:13 PM [Reply]

It is not in the law, however, it is policy and even common sense ! You must have insurance to drive on the roadway's, if the car was not insured, it was illegal to be on the road and could have caused someone a huge headace if she hit them. If your tag is expired, it can be towed per 40-2-8. Now, would you rather have an un-insured vehicle behind you or one with an expired tag ? He must confiscate the license and attach it to the ticket for No Proof. Once she comes to court and proves she either had insurance (which Brent Dixon said she did not) or not, the fine and license will be returned.
Im sorry, but if I must do what I can to keep my insurance up, so should everyone else and for anyone to drive without insurance is just running the risk of financialy hurting someone else.

#11.1.1.1 Citizen on 03/21/11 at 05:22 PM [Reply]

I know you are obtuse; the exchange proves it. Policy is not tantamount to law. The cop did not have to tow the lady's car; he chose to do so. This what makes him a badge-heavy villain. I got stopped for a lane-change violation years ago, could not find a current card in the glove-box clutter, so the DeKalb county cop confiscated my license, issued a citation and permitted me to go my my way. He acted 100% properly under the LAW. The Winder cop chose to be a blue-bellied creep, enjoying his intimidating behavior no end -- no doubt. Of course, those with fascist predilections applaud this abuse of authority. So, if this is indeed Winder cop-policy, then the policy does not conform to state Law and is, in fact, an abuse of the authority conferred upon them by the people. If you cannot distinguish between codified law and so-called policy & rules, then you are a hopeless case. But, no surprise that the lynch-mob concurs with you.

#12 anonie mouse on 03/21/11 at 08:34 AM [Reply]

The point here is not whether or not the car should have been towed. The point is, Mr. and Mrs. Dixon had no business getting involved. I applaud the officer for standing his ground. The people who hold public office in this county/city seem to think it affords them far more power than it actually does, and apparently their spouses think this "power" includes them, as well.

#13 Anonymous on 03/21/11 at 08:34 PM [Reply]

THAT MUST BE ONE OF THEM PERKS HE TALKES ABOUT YOU HAVE WHEN YOU ARE A CITY COUNCILMAN.

#14 Sunny on 03/22/11 at 05:57 AM [Reply]

There is no doubt the Dixon's over reacted in trying to help a friend and probably learned a valuable lesson as a result. The officer was within his rights to have the vehicle towed as stated in the following law in question:

(d) Because uninsured vehicles pose a threat to the public safety and health, any law enforcement officer is authorized to remove or cause to be removed to the nearest garage or other place of safety the vehicle of a person who is charged under subsection (a) or (b) of Code Section 40-6-10 if such person admits to the law enforcement officer that there is no insurance in effect on the vehicle or if the law enforcement officer verifies that the proof of insurance provided by such person is fraudulent.

This community is very fortunate to have representatives and law enforcement who have our best interest at heart. Certainly there are those in any community who over step their boundaries but that is the exception not the rule. Being constructive in our input is helpful but constant condemnation can be as harmful as the actions of those we condemn.

#14.1 the rest of the law on 03/22/11 at 09:05 AM [Reply]

Thanks for posting the rest of the law that "citizen" left out.To citizen whenever I hear or see people like you it makes me wish that I had gone to cop school because you are the kind of pot stirrer that I would love to slap the cuffs on and then just taze you for the hell of it.
Anybody knows that if you dont have insurance then your car can be towed in Georgia, If you are going to play lawyer then read the entire law next time ,now you go sit in the corner for being a malfeasant.

#14.1.1 Tax Payer on 03/22/11 at 10:46 AM [Reply]

Anyone who wants to "go to cop school" just to "slap handcuffs" and "taze for the hell of it" would have been right at home working for Himmler's Gestapo, which is German for "state police." Bet you long for the days when folks could be sent to the gas chambers for a having a difference of political opinion? Well, don't let your panties get in too much of a wad; you are among friends in Barrow county.

#15 Cameron on WIMO on 03/22/11 at 04:33 PM [Reply]

OK... Here we go. I want to argue points against towing the lady's auto Wednesday morning... Here are the ground rules... You WILL give a real name not "citizen" and I have the right to mute you at any time.

Now here are my points to the story... The WPD officer did the correct thing. If he/she was a badge heavy cop like some had said, they should have given her a ticket and puled her over again after moving one inch for no insurance.
Bob Dixon is NOT a big deal... I know most every Mayor and City Councilman/Woman Commissioners or Sheriff or Police Chiefs in the county and don't care at all about there position in government. He was wrong to try and get the officer to call Dennis.

So call me and give me points so I can tell you where you are wrong 678-963-5428 between 7-9am.

Or are you Chicken??? (Yes, Winder's Chicken Debate will be talked about too)

#15.1 Citizen on 03/26/11 at 10:36 PM [Reply]

I don't listen to your podunk radio station, so I wouldn't indulge your infantile fantasy to "mute" my opinions. The lout-cop was not obligated under the law to have the lady's car towed. But, the actions of a badge-heavy copper play well in a locus infested with crypto-fascists. An old axiom states that that is what you find when you scratch a conservative deep enough.

#15.1.1 Anonymous on 03/27/11 at 09:23 AM [Reply]

What the____ does that mean?

#16 Patricia on 03/26/11 at 08:46 PM [Reply]

After reading this my thoughts are: "He without sin, cast the first stone". My son was a policeman for over 5 years and I know in my heart he would have let the lady move her car 30 ft to get it off the road. To those of you who have taken the time to give us your thoughts on this matter, I say mercy will be given to you as you have given to others. That is not my quote...go look it up!!!!

#17 Christy on 03/27/11 at 08:01 AM [Reply]

Mrs. Dixon is one of the dearest, giving, and selfless people I have ever known. For all those whov've posted their obvious unimformed opinions, if you knew anything about Mrs. Dixon at all, you would know that she has run to the rescue of others, numerous times for countless people,long before she was "Mrs. Councilman". It is her nature to completely abandon self and put others needs above her own, without considering the selfish ambitions of people like you, who have so callously insulted her. Unfortunately, by trying to cast a poor shadow on her character, you have called your own character into question, instead. Not to worry though, if you ever encounter Mrs. Dixon in your hour of need, you will not find your callous insults repaid. Instead, you will find the same Good Samaritan with eyes full of compassion, staring you in the face.

#17.1 Ok its alright then on 03/27/11 at 08:43 AM [Reply]

Christy..I am so glad you told this. We are all wrong that the Dixons tried to use the power he THOUGHT he had to make the police do something. Wait, he DID try to do it but didnt have the power. They may be sweet people but now they are getting laughed at.

#18 Christy on 03/27/11 at 04:28 PM [Reply]

"Careful", I'd say. For he who laughs the loudest may not have the last laugh.....

#19 Hugo Klenyen on 03/27/11 at 09:20 PM [Reply]

You know...with all the hostility directed at police officers, is anyone surprised they don't give people breaks?

#20 Metro on 03/28/11 at 08:37 AM [Reply]

So some people think the law doesnt apply to the councilwoman?

Not the kind of county i want to live in.

Good job Officer, thank you for your service.

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