I'M A NICE GUY...REALLY

Cape Girardeau police officer Ken Rinehart readily admits he's out looking for someone breaking the law.

He's a motorcycle cop whose primary responsibility is traffic control. That means he writes a lot of tickets. And as a result, people often aren't too happy to see him.

But beneath the helmet and behind the sunglasses is a nice guy - really.

When he's not writing tickets, Rinehart works with youngsters as a DARE officer. "My kids can't believe I would ever write anyone a ticket for anything," he said.

But Rinehart consistently writes more traffic tickets than anyone in the department. In August he wrote 67.

"I'm the guy hiding behind the billboard waiting for people to drive by," he joked.

While speeders may not be happy when Rinehart catches them, he believes in enforcing traffic laws. "Reducing your speed may save your life," Rinehart said.

Many of the traffic accidents Rinehart investigates result in traffic tickets. "There are very few no-fault accidents," he said.

He feels strongly about seat-belt and child safety-seat usage, and almost always writes tickets to violators. Again, he said, the laws were written to protect people.

"I'd rather have someone pay a $25 fine now than have to escort a funeral procession," he said.

Rinehart said he always explains why the motorist is getting a ticket and when the court date is. Politeness is his watchword, he said.

"I feel I've accomplished my task when someone I've just written a ticket to says thank you," he said. "I know I've been courteous and hopefully they have learned something, too."

But not everyone is nice. "I've had a lot of people wad up the ticket and throw it away. I just hope they don't miss their court date.

"I think I've heard every excuse in the book," he said. The most common is that the vehicle's speedometer must be broken.

"I tell them if a mechanic checks the speedometer and it really is off, they should bring that information to court," he said.

People often claim they have a medical emergency. "I offer to escort them to the hospital. A lot of times they suddenly start feeling a lot better," he said.

Rinehart can refer drivers to the department of motor vehicles to retake a driving test. Often drivers cannot pass the test and have driving privileges revoked.

"I hear an earful on that," he said. "I feel bad for these people because I know I'm taking away some of their independence. But I've dealt with people who have had seven accidents in eight months. They are going to hurt themselves or someone else.

"But I can't always make them see I'm doing them a favor and may be saving their lives."

Cape Girardeau Central High School Assistant Principal Rick McCard stands watch outside his office during each class change at Cape Girardeau Central High School, often a highlight of his day.

As assistant principal, McClard's primary duties include student discipline and attendance.

"When students are called to the assistant principal's office, they automatically think they are in trouble," he said. "Usually they are. If something is going to happen to them, like detention or suspension, I'm the one to give them the bad news."

And it's his job to be tough - most of the time.

"I try to treat them with respect," McClard said. "But it's a fine line. I don't want them to think this is a cakewalk.

"The trick is to make sure the action doesn't happen again," he said. "For some, talking is enough; for others, it takes suspension."

"I'm the last person a kid sees when he's in trouble," McClard said. "It's not just dishing out punishment; it's trying to find other ways to help them be successful in school."

The ultimate goal is to get students back on track and ensure they stay in school.

McClard said he's been accused of being unsympathetic. But the former psychology teacher said: "I think we all make a lot of excuses for a lot of things. I've heard some wonderful stories, but when you get down to the nitty gritty a student has to realize that they've done something wrong."

McClard sees an average of 50 students each day concerning a discipline or attendance problem. "I have some very good friends I see on almost a daily basis," he said.

He hopes one day his job will change from doling out punishment to intervening with students in trouble and working to prevent discipline problems. But that's down the road.

"Some kids feel nobody really cares about them. Other kids need someone to tell them the plain facts about getting along," he said. "I try not to give up on any kid."

Out in the hallway between classes McClard watches for trouble, but he also watches the students he never sees in his office or those who have reformed.

"It does my heart good to get out there," he said. "Often it's the only opportunity I have to see a lot of the students. And, you know, deep down inside most people really are good."

IRS revenue officer Steve Rickard says paying taxes is the law; everyone must pay their share. But not everyone is enthusiastic about sending money to the government. Sometimes tax collectors like Rickard must go after the money.

He works in the collection division of the IRS, collecting delinquent taxes and securing unfiled returns. Rickard and two other IRS collection officers working from the Cape Girardeau office expect to collect $2.5 to $3 million this year.

By the time a case gets to Rickard it's been through a rather lengthy collection procedure - telephone calls and letters. "We're the last-resort people," Rickard said, "the last link in the collection chain."

He first tracks them down and then works with the business owners or individuals to set up a payment plan.

He admits people aren't always happy to see him.

"I've never had any problems," Rickard said. "But our job suffers more assaults than any other job classification it the federal government."

The bulk of his business is dealing with companies and their troubles paying payroll taxes. "That's our top priority," Rickard said.

Businesses, typically small, struggling ones, will pay employees but not send Social Security or income taxes to the government. "It's always with the assumption that they will make it up next month."

Rickard said his job differs from others who collect debts; he has the power of the federal government behind him.

"Unlike someone who calls because you owe $100 on your VISA card, I don't have to get nasty," Rickard said.

In fact, through the IRS he can garnish wages, seize bank accounts and seize property.

Once delinquent taxpayers are caught, Rickard said they often seem relieved ... sort of.

"They know they haven't been following the requirements," he said. "They almost seem relieved that there is a beginning to the resolution process."

Rickard assesses the financial situation and tries to help people figure a way to pay their taxes. Rickard said he also works with them to help arrange their finances so they don't get into trouble again.

"I made a woman cut up her credit cards here in my office one time," he said.

Rickard has spent nearly 20 years analyzing finances and business problems. "Often I can make suggestions for changes that will increase cash flow or improve sales or just business in general."

"It's very expensive to owe taxes with the penalties and interest that keep adding up," Rickard said. "It's best to plan ahead and pay your taxes."