Getting pulled over and scanning

[xpawel15x]

Does anyone have an experience where you got pulled over and had your scanners visible? If it's legal in your state, what does the cop say? Is he friendly or a hard ass that asks you all types of questions like what you need it for, etc. ?

 

[SCANdal]

Does anyone have an experience where you got pulled over and had your scanners visible?

I don't. I do not have my scanner visible during any of my stops.

If it's legal in your state, what does the cop say?

Question not applicable. Illegal in New York State.

Is he friendly or a hard ass that asks you all types of questions like what you need it for, etc. ?

Friendly. Questions aren't asked due to scanner not being in plain sight and turned off.

SCANdal

 

[SCPD]

Does anyone have an experience where you got pulled over and had your scanners visible?

Yes when I was 17.

If it's legal in your state, what does the cop say?
Is he friendly or a hard ass that asks you all types of questions like what you need it for, etc. ?

He just asked why I had it. I told him it was my mom's and she was an EMT. The cop also asked if it was secure in case I got into an accident it would not "fly" around and I told him it was. He was ok nice and let me go without any hassle. It is not illegal in Wisconsin.

 

[7586]

Q: Does anyone have an experience where you got pulled over and had your scanners visible?

A:No
-----------
Q:If it's legal in your state, what does the cop say?

A: NYS it is illegal. ???????
-----------
O:Is he friendly or a hard ass that asks you all types of questions like what you need it for, etc. ?

A: I am a FF/EMT and before I had a UHF portable I hade a scanner. Our local pd lets all ff/ems/police workers have what ever we wont If you have your agency ID and BADGE your set. *BUT* if its the state or county pd they dont care who we are *the laws the law*

If your not public saftey you will get a ticket and get your scanner took away from you

 

[n4voxgill]

what ever you do, don't try to hide it while being stopped. they look for carefully moves like that, figuring your either hiding drugs or a weapon. good way to be end up being handcuffed while they figure out what you were hiding.

 

[Stick0413]

Yes I have been pulled over with a scanner (on) in my car (on the visor). Actually got to hear my plates being ran and everything. lol. Which was the second time I've heard that, first being when my car matched the general description of a car they were looking for. The cop knew me and when he heard the info come back he said "10-4 this will not be the car."

What did the cop say? He didn't say much about it really.

And no its not illegal in VA unless its used in the furtherance of a felony.

 

[SAR923]

This seems to come up on a regular basis. The rules are simple:
1. If it's illegal to have a mobile scanner in your state, don't have one
2. If it's legal, turn it off before the officer approaches the car.
3. If you are questioned about the scanner, be friendly and courteous. Let the officer know you have it so you can keep track of what's happeing in town, you like listening to aircraft, you like listening to railroads...whatever. As long as you don't have a chip on your shoulder, the average officer really could care less.

 

[scanfan03]

I got pulled over with a BC246T, Pro-95, Standard GX5800T and an Icom IC 207 with no problems, left them all on. Of course, I am in Houston, Texas where it is legal to have one (or four).

 

[bobmich52]

Legal In The State Of Ct Unless Used To further /Impede A Criminal situation.

Depends On Your & The Leo's Attitude.

If at all, They Will Say Please Turn If Off , For My Safety Until I Run You For warrants Etc.

No Problem With That.

 

[SCANdal]

Here we go again...

A: NYS it is illegal. ???????

That's correct. See New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law section 397, titled "Equipping motor vehicles with radio receiving sets capable of receiving signals on the frequencies allocated for police use."

SCANdal

 

[dimab]

I turn down the volume.
smile and wait.
no issues.

 

[DonS]

Does anyone have an experience where you got pulled over and had your scanners visible?

Yes. 07 August 2007 1930 PDT, I-80 eastbound 5 miles east of CA state line. Scanner was sitting on center console, turned off.

If it's legal in your state, what does the cop say?

Legal in NV, I believe. Officer (NHP) played his flashlight around the inside of the truck from the passenger side window and saw the radio. He asked if it was a "scanner". I replied "yes". That was the end of the scanner discussion.

Is he friendly or a hard ass that asks you all types of questions like what you need it for, etc. ?

He didn't say any more about it. He was quite friendly, citing me for "5 over" (70 MPH) instead of what I was really doing (substantially more than 70 MPH).

 

[w0fg]

I've never had a hint of a problem in the very few times I've been pulled over, but...
1. I have amateur radio plates on my vehicles.
2. I have or have had a professional relationship with the majority of the LEAs in my area.
3. I'm an AARP-aged adult and don't fit the profile of a street racer or juvenile miscreant.
4. I'm always off the streets before midnite.

 

[Astro25]

I had a run in a couple years ago while I was stopped. I had a few XTS5000's on the seat and a couple Astro mobile radios in my console and was asked what they were for and who I was listening to - I said "yeah, you guys". Officer said there was no problem with it so long that it couldn't interfere and it wasn't used in conection with any crimes.

 

[AZScanner]

I use mine to get away from the coppers. Isn't that what they're for??

KIDDING!

I have been pulled over a few times with scanners on and visible, especially when I used to use them to chase news stories. Once, I was pulled over for speeding and the officer asked "Where's the fire?" I responded with "Well sir, if you'll follow me..." I then explained what I was doing and what the scanners were for. He chuckled at the joke I made and let me go with a warning.

-AZ

 

[7586]

in NYS you can get a written permit from the Police Chief and or the CIty Mayor. They will give you a written statement and they will put a stick on your scanner with the number and you must have both the statement and the stick present when pulled over and they will excuse you

TO GET THIS YOU MUST HAVE A GOOD REASON WHY YOU WNAT A SCANNER IN YOUR CAR. YOU WILL ALSO BE ON FILE

 

[brothers]

I carry a "get out of jail free" card in my wallet - my ham license. Virtually every jurisdiction that prohibits mobile scanners exempts federally-licensed radio amateurs from those regulations.

- Dennis, N1DB

 

[wannabescannist]

Why would a ham need a scanner...the privilege in being a federally licensed ham is the ability to transmit...So, if I was an LEO and the ONLY device I saw was a scanner, I'd be suspicious if the subject's excuse for having the scanner was, "I'm a ham".

I've never been pulled over and asked about my tiny DJ-X7 that I keep on my belt, under my shirt. I bet if I told a LEO that I was into amateur radio, he'd probably go, "You? A Ham??? Hahahaa! We have those in Chicago??"

 

[ibagli]

good way to be end up being handcuffed while they figure out what you were hiding.

Only if you consent to search (which there is usually no reason not to do) would they have any chance of finding out what you were hiding, though, unless you happen to have some drugs that a dog finds. Don't most people do some kind of movement in order to get their papers in order anyways?

 

[RolnCode3]

Only if you consent to search (which there is usually no reason not to do) would they have any chance of finding out what you were hiding, though, unless you happen to have some drugs that a dog finds. Don't most people do some kind of movement in order to get their papers in order anyways?

Please don't go down this road. You'll give out bum advice (your post is already only about 50% right).

As Jim stated (and seems to be the prevailing opinion), if asked, answer truthfully. Turn it down/off. Don't act like an idiot, and you shouldn't have any problem (so long as it's legal to possess).

Most of my coworkers and other officers that I've met know extremely little about scanners/radios. They sometimes hear the buzz word "trunking" and will throw it around like it's going out of style.

Anyways, act like a normal, responsible adult, and you should have absolutely no problem.