Back in Ohio unmarked cars were prohibited by law from making traffic stops. The traffic laws, especially speeding, are sold to the public as being for safety. Running unmarked cars isn't promoting safety, its tax collecting.
Under Cover or Unmarked Cop Cars, Why?
- Thread starter JOERM
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ColbyBruce
Member
Our Georgia State Patrol used to have slick top Ford Mustang 5.0L sedans. Those things were near impossible to spot until it was racing up behind you at warp speed.
Does anybody remember that Alabama highway patrol used AMC Javelin's with 401 V-8's back in the 1970's?
Does anybody remember that Alabama highway patrol used AMC Javelin's with 401 V-8's back in the 1970's?
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
About 20 years ago I worked with a guy who went off the deep end. Besides working with us he had his own PI business. His son might have commited suicide but he couldnt accept it, told me it was murder. (It was ruled suicide). Then he and his wife divoriced. She went to her home back east and got a job as a police cheif in some small town. She was shot and died on the job. I didnt know her well but seen her a few times. He really went off center. Someone in our city was pulling over people with a pickup bawling them out on traffic things. There was a writeup in the paper telling people to beware etc. I told a buddy I was working with I will bet you thats so and so!
Sure enough, a few days later he pulled over a woman dispatcher on our local sheriffs dept. He played the role, chewed her out for cutting him off etc. but she knew he wasnt a detective as she knew them all. I dont know how much time he got but he still was doing time when I retired and moved.
I looked up the story on his wife. Some drunk had rode a horse into her town, he was armed and she took his gun. Took him to the station, he pulled a derringer and killed her. This was someplace in west virginnia I think. Just remembering.
Sure enough, a few days later he pulled over a woman dispatcher on our local sheriffs dept. He played the role, chewed her out for cutting him off etc. but she knew he wasnt a detective as she knew them all. I dont know how much time he got but he still was doing time when I retired and moved.
I looked up the story on his wife. Some drunk had rode a horse into her town, he was armed and she took his gun. Took him to the station, he pulled a derringer and killed her. This was someplace in west virginnia I think. Just remembering.
sipowicz
Member
I love taking unmarked cars so I don't get flagged down...
Speaking of AMC, I never did traffic in a plain wrapper; however, in my plain clothes investigative days we had unmarked units. I say "unmarked" but not unidentifiable. They were full sized Ford 4 doors and the old full sized AMC 4 door sedans (can't remember their model name) They were solid color (mostly crappy colors that regular customers would never consider), no hub caps, black sidewalls in the days when whitewalls were the thing. Yep, they were unmarked but every BG could spot one six blocks away. Government purchasing logic you know.
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
Found the article I was referring to.
Chief of Police Chloe Francis Stanton, Bradshaw Police Department, West Virginia
Chief of Police Chloe Francis Stanton, Bradshaw Police Department, West Virginia
I got caught by an airplane once. Does that count as unmarked?
Yep. Using unmarked cars, or the trendy markings that are barely visible, or hidden lights to work traffic show that it isn't about safety or deterrence, but revenue.
If it was about deterrence, they would still use the old high profile light bars and easily recognizable paint schemes.
DeathGrip
US Veteran
I got my muffler riped out getting in a parking lot on Ft Lauderdale Beach one time. When I left my car was a little loud.
I was cool and took off to go home with two friends passed out in it. I got to the 17st. bridge and had this car riding on my rear so I gassed it (extra loud) to make matters worse I gave him a hand signal that wasn't taught in drivers ed. Then I found out there were lights on top of his car.
Damn.
I pulled over and jumped out and begged forgiveness as I tried to explain my misfortunes in the parking lot and that he was so far up my non functioning tail pipe that I couldn't help but be annoyed.
He laughed and ran my plates. then he told me not to go home down 84 because the next towns cops were running a speed zone.
These days it all looks like the same town.
I was cool and took off to go home with two friends passed out in it. I got to the 17st. bridge and had this car riding on my rear so I gassed it (extra loud) to make matters worse I gave him a hand signal that wasn't taught in drivers ed. Then I found out there were lights on top of his car.
Damn.
I pulled over and jumped out and begged forgiveness as I tried to explain my misfortunes in the parking lot and that he was so far up my non functioning tail pipe that I couldn't help but be annoyed.
He laughed and ran my plates. then he told me not to go home down 84 because the next towns cops were running a speed zone.
These days it all looks like the same town.
HotRoderX
Member
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Sadly we dont really have unmarked cars around here. The ones I have seen almost always have yellow tags on them. They don't have the yellow tag they are all white with a Sheriff badge decal in the back window. They both always have illegal tint on all 4 windows.
The only truly unmarked car I have seen pull people over was a Honda Civic SI on Interstate. I have no earthly idea where it came from I hadn't seen it since. This thing was completely tricked out custom. My guess is its something they use for parades are something and decided to pick off some speeders. In case people are wondering what I am talking about here a example
I wish me and my friend would have snagged a photo of the car that day but we where to dumb founded.
The only truly unmarked car I have seen pull people over was a Honda Civic SI on Interstate. I have no earthly idea where it came from I hadn't seen it since. This thing was completely tricked out custom. My guess is its something they use for parades are something and decided to pick off some speeders. In case people are wondering what I am talking about here a example
I wish me and my friend would have snagged a photo of the car that day but we where to dumb founded.
Malpasowildlifer
Member
I'd have more fun if I was in an unmarked truck
WSP uses un-marked units for a variety of purposes: commercial guys, supervisors and speed enforcement
WSP uses un-marked units for a variety of purposes: commercial guys, supervisors and speed enforcement
I drove a city bus professionally for 27 years, I think riding motorcycles made me a better driver. The one thing I learned that I feel is the best to pass on to any new driver is (1) You have to pay attention. If you pay attention to what you are doing and follow the general rules you should not have any problems with the law. The unmarked cars are there to catch people in the act of being careless, not paying attention. Had there been a cop parked at the four way stop everyone would come to a complete stop and follow the rules of right of way. If the car is unmarked people will not be paying attention to the job at hand and get sloppy, either doing the California Stop thing or pulling out in front of someone that had the right of way. It all boils down to Rule No. 1
Of course everyone gets upset when they get snookered by the unmarked sneaky *******, but I'll bet they'll be paying attention the next time. Point made thank you officer...
In this town there are people upset with the Photo Red cameras, Hell...the camera don't lie...theres a damn good reason they want you to come to a complete stop before making your free right hand turn, how many of you have the seen the guy gun the motor and run a busy intersection just as it was flashing from orange to red...thats the son of a gun that nails you when your making your free right hand turn, he'll be coming from your off side at a high rate of speed and guess what...He thinks he's doing the right thing. I saw that stuff so much I still have trouble making a free right hand turn in a busy intersection, go ahead and honk your horn behind me, I've been there...I'm the guy hoping the unmarked car is parked to catch a red light violator, I like the cameras too. I ain't saying I'm perfect, I've got a little hot rod '51 Ford and I like to make a little noise from time to time but when it comes to paying attention to what your doing, I'm all about that.
Of course everyone gets upset when they get snookered by the unmarked sneaky *******, but I'll bet they'll be paying attention the next time. Point made thank you officer...
In this town there are people upset with the Photo Red cameras, Hell...the camera don't lie...theres a damn good reason they want you to come to a complete stop before making your free right hand turn, how many of you have the seen the guy gun the motor and run a busy intersection just as it was flashing from orange to red...thats the son of a gun that nails you when your making your free right hand turn, he'll be coming from your off side at a high rate of speed and guess what...He thinks he's doing the right thing. I saw that stuff so much I still have trouble making a free right hand turn in a busy intersection, go ahead and honk your horn behind me, I've been there...I'm the guy hoping the unmarked car is parked to catch a red light violator, I like the cameras too. I ain't saying I'm perfect, I've got a little hot rod '51 Ford and I like to make a little noise from time to time but when it comes to paying attention to what your doing, I'm all about that.
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s1mp13m4n
Member
I believe the police need better cars. A skateboard will out run the Crown Vic. The new Ford Intercepter is still way to heavy to handle a corner. The unmarked cars are still easy to spot because of the wheels, hub caps, antena, and lights. The police need cars that blend in like a Toyota Camery or a mini van. I find it interesting that day after day the local police are there in our school zone in plain site, lights flashing, and people still speed in the school zone. I do not get it.
trapper704
Member
Back in the ealy 60's I had a 57 chev 327 souped, 4 on the floor and glass packs. My brother was a part time city cop, and once I had to borrow his pickup. He went through town about 40 mph in 2ed gear while i was gone. returned his pickup and headed home. needless to say I was immeadealty apprehended for all kinds of vilations, took a lot of talking before big brother saved my ***. He thought it was funny till the day he died.
COL Jagdog
Member
The local small city where I am a reserve police officer has 2 unmarked police trucks (they do have a small oval "Police" emblem on the doors)
equipped with all of the necessary blue lights -- it is much easier to creep up on illegal activity or maintain surveillance without being immediately identified as a police unit.
It is devastingly effective on the interstate (the city fronts 6 miles of I-10) -- no one seems to notice or care about a pickup truck parked on the shoulder of the interstate -- we don't bother to pull anyone over unless they are going 82 mph or over (speed limit is 70) -- any evening or weekend, in a 4 hour stretch, for example, we will easily stop 16-20
folks going in the high 80's or low 90's -- they just zip up to and past us and we get a radar lock, activate our lights and make the stop -- most are very surprised to be stopped by a police truck. We often put a dog crate in the truck bed (lots of folks in this area have hunting dogs and lots of folks have dog crates in their truck beds -- I always have one in the back of my personal truck) -- it completes the "it's just a normal pickup truck in south Louisiana" look and adds to folks just ignoring us as they speed by. Funny thing, when we stop folks who have illicit drugs on board, we have figured out that they automatically
assume we have a drug dog in the back of the truck (we don't) so they often "come clean" immediately when we ask if they have any illegal drugs in their vehicle.
equipped with all of the necessary blue lights -- it is much easier to creep up on illegal activity or maintain surveillance without being immediately identified as a police unit.
It is devastingly effective on the interstate (the city fronts 6 miles of I-10) -- no one seems to notice or care about a pickup truck parked on the shoulder of the interstate -- we don't bother to pull anyone over unless they are going 82 mph or over (speed limit is 70) -- any evening or weekend, in a 4 hour stretch, for example, we will easily stop 16-20
folks going in the high 80's or low 90's -- they just zip up to and past us and we get a radar lock, activate our lights and make the stop -- most are very surprised to be stopped by a police truck. We often put a dog crate in the truck bed (lots of folks in this area have hunting dogs and lots of folks have dog crates in their truck beds -- I always have one in the back of my personal truck) -- it completes the "it's just a normal pickup truck in south Louisiana" look and adds to folks just ignoring us as they speed by. Funny thing, when we stop folks who have illicit drugs on board, we have figured out that they automatically
assume we have a drug dog in the back of the truck (we don't) so they often "come clean" immediately when we ask if they have any illegal drugs in their vehicle.
MaximumLawman
Member
And when the police car is directly behind you with the overheads and spot lights activated and shining in your rearview mirror (especially at night), you're supposed to be able to tell it's a "marked" car as opposed to unmarked, how, exactly?
Straightshooter2
US Veteran
Best unmarked car I've ever seen was an old, faded gold Pontiac Tempest station wagon that the Florida SP used on I-295. I only ever saw it on the westside of Jacksonville but you wouldn't ever forget it when you saw them stop somebody. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office had a little trick they used with a Ford SUV that I would see on the way to work. They would park it in the emergency lane with the hood up just past an overpass so it looked like a broken down vehicle. Sitting right in front of the SUV would be a marked car and by the time you saw him, you were toast.
Steve mentioned passing a police car while others were slowing down for him. I had a one of a kind paint job on a 1973 RoadRunner with a VERY high performance 440 in it. Every Trooper and JSO in Jacksonville knew that car. Since I had work done on the transmission and changed tire size, I took it to the same place that certified the FSP's speedometers and had mine certified. Going out I-10 one day where the speed limit was 50, a line of cars were backed up behind a FSP doing 45 and no one would pass him thinking he was doing the speed limit I guess. I just cruised right on past him at 50 mph knowing that I was dead on the speed limit. He looked over at me as I went by and just grinned.
CW
Steve mentioned passing a police car while others were slowing down for him. I had a one of a kind paint job on a 1973 RoadRunner with a VERY high performance 440 in it. Every Trooper and JSO in Jacksonville knew that car. Since I had work done on the transmission and changed tire size, I took it to the same place that certified the FSP's speedometers and had mine certified. Going out I-10 one day where the speed limit was 50, a line of cars were backed up behind a FSP doing 45 and no one would pass him thinking he was doing the speed limit I guess. I just cruised right on past him at 50 mph knowing that I was dead on the speed limit. He looked over at me as I went by and just grinned.
CW
MaximumLawman
Member
I never understood why traffic cops needed to use "tricks" on an expressway. Seemed to me I could always get more tickets than I needed or wanted by just driving around doing my best to not pay attention.
No, what amazes me is when cops use tricks like waiting at the top or bottom of a hill to catch speeders.
They know that some of us with a little sense try to gain some momentum going uphill and try not to stay on the brakes too long going down hill!
They know that some of us with a little sense try to gain some momentum going uphill and try not to stay on the brakes too long going down hill!
tork'd
Member
Ms. tork'd had a problem with being "on Time" to social events when we first married.
one evening i complained and complained about being late to the point of getting her all worked up and just about to kick me. she is hustling along as i tell her the speed limit, further adding to the situation.
she is about to move over to pass an unmarked as i am telling her to slow down for the police car. ofcourse she tells me i know nothing. as she passes the officer, i shug may shoulders and he shakes his head.
pulls her over and asks her "didn't he warn you i was there?"
she just handed him her paper work and sat there giving me the stink eye.
she got a warning, i got the couch.
one evening i complained and complained about being late to the point of getting her all worked up and just about to kick me. she is hustling along as i tell her the speed limit, further adding to the situation.
she is about to move over to pass an unmarked as i am telling her to slow down for the police car. ofcourse she tells me i know nothing. as she passes the officer, i shug may shoulders and he shakes his head.
pulls her over and asks her "didn't he warn you i was there?"
she just handed him her paper work and sat there giving me the stink eye.
she got a warning, i got the couch.
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