Posted on 01/07/2008 8:12:27 PM PST by RDTF
It's dangerous to extrapolate a broad rule from the practices of limited jurisdictions. Some states are blue only for cops, red for fire and ambulances.
Why not? If it's a real cop, she can say hi. If not, she can say hi, then bust him.
On a visit to Alabama this summer, I noticed they used blue lights exclusively. I don't know if this is a new trend.
Yep, he can claim he's got "experience".....Just Like Hillary Does!
I dunno about that... do you think it would be better if he could tell us what unmarked vehicles should be used for, if'n they're not used for interdiction?
I was responding to this exact phrase from your post:
"all police vehicles have to have some red in them. if it ain’t red, don’t stop".
My point was that they clearly do NOT have to have red.
Here in Florida, blue lights are for law enforcement, and in general, lifesaving units (fire, ambulance, rescue, etc.) use red.
>>And I think many if not most states already have stopped using unmarked cars to make stops.
FWIW, I’ve seen several with people pulled over while transiting TN. And guys in a car forum I’m on report the same sort of thing in several other states.
It’s all about revenue from speeding enforcement. Who cares about nasty side effects?
isn’t the point hat they were ‘blue and white’ ?
Not a good idea, IMO.
He got the idea from Romney, or works for the Romney campaign.
Violent rapists are benefitting from the misuse of unmarked police cars by law enforcement.
Every time an unmarked police car is used for interdiction (i.e. to make an actual stop), the public is taught to pull over for civilian vehicles with lights.
So the rapist buys a Harley or a Crown Vic, mounts some lights, and pulls over women and little boys of his choice...who have to stop because the public has been conditioned to stop (please, no internet bravado about not stopping) for unmarked vehicles.
There is a use for unmarked police cars...for surveillance, but not for making actual stops. It's that direct interdiction that spawns the abuse of unmarked cars that facilitates violent crimes on our highways...often against people who fear to report the crime becuase they falsely believe that they've been robbed and raped by a real cop.
So it's a very real problem with enormous consequences. It should be stopped.
Every state should pass laws that forbid the use of unmarked cars for interdiction. Sure, allow them for surveillence, but that's all.
In this manner the public would grow to learn to not stop for rapists and robbers who masquerade as cops.
Thanks for that account! A good belly laugh is a great way to start the day.
Many years ago (say at least 20) there was a real police officer that would pull over young women in a rather secluded area of the freeway. He directed them through an off ramp into an undeveloped area. The young women were never heard from again. They finally caught him after he'd killed several women.
This was in San Diego and they did an American Justice show about it.
There it is.
It’s not just dumb, it’s dangerous for a wide variety of reasons for a plainclothed officer to make a traffic stop using an unmarked police car.
Might as well do away with all uniforms and all marked police cars...same result, anyway.
The bad guys benefit by being able to more easily impersonate real police.
From her rearview, all she prolly saw was blue strobes. After the goofball approached, her flashing creds to escape the ticket prolly made him visably nervous and she then challenged him.
Obviously pure speculation, I also wonder why she didnt make the arrest herself. Untelling whether or not this pervs game was played again after this incident, which couldve been avoided.
states already have stopped using unmarked cars to make stops.
around here, its usually unmarked cars manning the speedtraps/highways. on the horizen it doesnt matter what kinda car or 4x4 suv is 'broke down' on the shoulder, it may be a cop.
Rural areas where the sidewalks still roll up at night are gonna become hunting grounds for impersonators in our nannystates...best to stay armed and keep a phone handy...
why? when 80+ % of traffic is rolling down the highway at 70-80 mph in a 65 zone its like the inverted cop lottery...
wrong on all counts. in this state, All red = fire, easy to get red strobe, which could then cross the boarder to your blue state and vice versa. Generic uniforms and badges are also available on the net.
the real problem is having so many cops and laws that are designed to generate revenue.
A cop can flash anyone anytime, and we know that resistance is gonna make it worse, so we have been conditioned to pull over and become targets for predators.
With the highbeams in my eyes and the strobes rolling [Im prolly borderline epileptic in the way they make my head hurt] I have no idea who is walking up to me until it too late to defend myself. If its a real cop, and my hand is on my pistol, hows that gonna go over ???
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