CHP unveils new patrol cruisers designed to blend in with traffic

[AnneTeak]

In Sandwich, Massachusetts, they have "sandwich police". You often see tourists taking pictures of themselves with the patrol cars.

 

[hollydolly]

Saw a program on Chinese town roads & a short scene showed a young woman riding a small scooter/motorcycle? & talking on a cellphone. It struck me so funny--her using a cellphone while riding that open little thing. How cellphone crazy can you get?! Dumb? Or daring?

I thnk the same when I see people using a phone on a bike.... just ridiculous.. and it's illegal. There's no excuse not to stop to make or take a call..

 

[fuzzybuddy]

I’m not sure what you call a hatchback, but the PSP was driving gray colored Ford Explorers (some had extended bodies). Just recently, the Governor started ordering White Chevrolet Tahoes. I haven’t heard any feedback from Troopers that I know who have driven the new vehicle. They have also added Dodge Durangos and Ford Explorer Police Interceptors.

Also, the PSP has decided to no longer carry shotguns, but will be carrying 30.06 rifles for clean long distance shots. That’s good news.

New PSP Vehicles

At least the old black & whites were easy to spot. These new ones blend in, and they can sneak up on you. I think that gives them an unfair advantage.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

In Sandwich, Massachusetts, they have "sandwich police". You often see tourists taking pictures of themselves with the patrol cars.

Outside of Montreal, Canada is a town, whose name is the same as my last name. It's a weird feeling seeing a cop car with your last name plastered all over it.

 

[ChiroDoc]

Also, the PSP has decided to no longer carry shotguns, but will be carrying 30.06 rifles for clean long distance shots. That’s good news.

New PSP Vehicles

Those rifles will also be handy during deer season...

 

[David777]

Here in San Bernardino County we could use more visible/non-visible CHP vehicles, the aggressive & insane driving is off-the-charts. The CHP does respond to serious collisions, and they do watch the backs of the CalTrans workers so they don't get run over by maniacs, but actual traffic patrols are really thin around here.

Especially out where you live on highway SR138.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

When Google Maps is turned on, my phone says "police reported ahead." That happened 3 times on one recent trip and each time it was right.

 

[Nathan]

Especially out where you live on highway SR138.

Yes, people blast thru our community on the 138 between Palmdale in L.A. County to Interstate 15 like their hair is on fire. I have witnessed several very memorable fatal accidents, needless accidents caused by too much speed and not enough caution.
San Bernardino & Riverside counties have earned a "dangerous driver" rating, lot's of rural area, lots of city people traveling en route, lots of meth and other narcotics users on the road.

 

[911]

At least the old black & whites were easy to spot. These new ones blend in, and they can sneak up on you. I think that gives them an unfair advantage.

The Governor said the new vehicles will be more visible and easier for the residents to spot in case of an emergency. I’m not sure he got this one right.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

The Governor said the new vehicles will be more visible and easier for the residents to spot in case of an emergency. I’m not sure he got this one right.

Agree. They are like this bland tan color. If one was passing you, you'd never guess it was a cop car, unless you could read the decals.

 

[Jules]

The best disguised police car was one I saw with a Thule box on top. It was ski season and the last one you’d expect to be police. I only saw it when it flipped on its lights.

 

[AnnieA]

Mississippi has had unmarked law enforcement for years now--all different makes and models--some with sports team stickers, etc to further disguise them. They're fewer in number than regularly marked vehicles but make traffic stops frequently enough that you notice.

 

[911]

Agree. They are like this bland tan color. If one was passing you, you'd never guess it was a cop car, unless you could read the decals.

I haven’t spoken to any Troopers who have driven one of the new cars, but I did pass the local barracks and saw a few of the new cars sitting in the stable. I would much prefer the gray. I think they are more deceptive when patrolling, especially at night. In my 37 years with the PSP, I was only flagged down maybe 15 times by motorists that were broken down or in need of a cop for other reasons.

Near my retirement, I received a call from the 911 operator telling me a woman called while on route I-80 in Luzerne County. Meanwhile, I had just got on I-80 from I-81. She claimed her ex husband was harassing her and bumping her rear end (on her car). She gave the operator a description of her car and license plate number and her location according to the mile marker she had just past. She also gave the color and make of his car.

They were about 7 miles behind me and heading in my direction. As soon as they passed me, I pulled out and turned on my lights. He must have known his ex wife called because he pulled over immediately. She stopped about 3/4’s of a mile ahead of us. I spoke with him for a few minutes before she was able to walk back to us. He came across as a decent fellow who only wanted to see his 8 y/o daughter on her birthday, but “mommy dearest” (his words), said he couldn’t see her because it wasn’t his weekend.

After the 3 of us talked it out, (I explained to her that she was in her legal rights not to let him see her, but I would bet it would mean a lot to that little girl if daddy saw her on her birthday, gave her the gift and a kiss.) She finally agreed and along the road, she gave him 15 minutes. He also agreed to pay for the little bit of damage he did to her car. After that, we all departed friends. I couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome.

Because it was Mothers’ Day yesterday, I had to tell that story. I told my closest friend back at the barracks what happened and he thought I should have arrested him for reckless driving. I had thought about it, but everyone was very cooperative so why would I want to make everyone’s day miserable? No, I think I did the right thing.