The bottom line is: The Florida Statutes clearly state that possession of scanners/radios in vehicles is a violation of law without an amateur HAM license.
Does it boil down to "a cop having a bad day?" Absolutetly not. If it's a violation of law and they feel like enforcing it, you are up ****'s creek without a paddle.
There are a multitude of reason(s): good day, bad day, DUI checkpoints, you being in the area of a crime scene with a scanner (this will amaze you, I know - but bad guys do have lookouts!), special enforcement units that TARGET this offense*, a well-informed cop, ETC... blah blah
Look - I am just as pissed as the next guy that scanner enthusiasts are getting squeezed and shut out slowly but surely, but this is the law. The FL Legislature allowed an out for us and that's to get an amateur license and whammo! There are no more worries for you.
So if you prefer to play russian roulette with sporting your scanners around LEOs, go ahead. Don't get all pissy when you get your stuff confiscated and you get charged. If you don't get popped - well... good for you - this time.
I for one, and fellas - this is no insult to anyone who has previously posted, will not rely on a couple posts about "my buddy the cop," or "a couple of people I know are cops," or my dad/brother.. blah blah.."
Those 10 or 15 people only account for a small percentage of the hard working men and women poh-poh here in the Sunshine State. Do it smart and safely - get the license. What else is there to talk about?
Just to emphasize to seriousness of this: During Hurricane Katrina Operations in Missippissi, the Orange County Sheriff's Office received a $5000 fine from the FCC for operating a mutual aid channel from their mobile command vehicle without their permission. And that's a PS organization getting spanked. Do you think as joe-bob scanner guy you will fair better?
I will finish with a: Good Luck
* The FDLE and FHP both have investigatory elements charged with prosecution of TRS security violations (not that you could monitor them anyway.. yet...)