Is the CHP getting soft?

[joen7xxx]

With respect to flashing warning lights and strobes? While in Folsom this morning, I encountered the cycling portion of a triathalon. There was a very healthy LEO presence including the local law enforcement and CHP blocking and directing traffic. On Folsom Blvd I saw two motor units with flashing ambers and whites to the front and no markings, no red or blue lights. OK, maybe a private security firm or escort company who usually works with funerals contracted to the race. Then I saw a black crown vic with a few antennas, non exempt plates, amber and BLUE rear deck lights and every light to the rear strobing except the license plate light. There was a guy in civies leaning against it passively watching the cyclists, no HT radio or other event type vest. I thought blue lights were reserved exclusively foe LEO vehicles in CA. There was a uniformed officer in the intersection directing traffic and he had another vehicle.

Later in the day on US 50 I was passed by a F-150 with non-exempt plates and one old school glass red warning light, (Dietz or Unity) facing to the rear from the left front corner of his bed, immediately behind the cab. No amber, just a red. Looked like a class II medium intensity beam, lots of facets on the inner surface. He had a 4" weather beaten star of life decal on the rear window, but no other markings. One high band communication antenna.

Has CHP lightened up on warning lights. I know they used to be VERY intolerant of this sort of equipment. Just curious...

Joe

 

[mmckenna]

The presence of exempt plates or not is no guarantee when it comes to identifying a "real" law enforcement officer. Undercover and low profile vehicles can and do have standard issue license plates. The captain that I work with a lot has a Ford sedan with siren, radio and hidden lights, but also has a standard issue plate.
Or, could be the guy was just security and thought he'd get away with it. Whackers are all over.

As for the rotating light on the back of the truck, if it does not show forward, it technically could be legal. With the star of life, could be he/she was a volunteer. Not uncommon to see up in the mountains east of you.
Or, like above, whacktacular whacker.
The star of life symbol gets overused and probably often used improperly. If you look at the NHTSA rules about using it, I think you will find that it's not enforced, either.

The laws are pretty cut and dried, but a lot of it is left up to discretion.

 

[Switch2LTAC]

Whackers are everywhere. I see a fair amount of painted over all black Crown Vics with dual spotlights, all windows tinted and an antenna farm on the roof and decklid. Then you pass by and it's a teenager driving with his hat on backwards.

Haven't seen any go as far as having lights on the rear deck, but sometimes can't tell with the tinting.

 

[russianspd]

The presence of exempt plates or not is no guarantee when it comes to identifying a "real" law enforcement officer. Undercover and low profile vehicles can and do have standard issue license plates. The captain that I work with a lot has a Ford sedan with siren, radio and hidden lights, but also has a standard issue plate.
Or, could be the guy was just security and thought he'd get away with it. Whackers are all over.

As for the rotating light on the back of the truck, if it does not show forward, it technically could be legal. With the star of life, could be he/she was a volunteer. Not uncommon to see up in the mountains east of you.
Or, like above, whacktacular whacker.
The star of life symbol gets overused and probably often used improperly. If you look at the NHTSA rules about using it, I think you will find that it's not enforced, either.

The laws are pretty cut and dried, but a lot of it is left up to discretion.

You would think that even if the guy with the black crown vic was with a security firm and using strobe lights strictly for the Triathalon event that the other LE and CHP officers would double check to see whether or not he WAS using them just for the event or if he had the lights hardwired into the vehicle. For all we know he could of been part of CHP and just happen to be in civie clothes.