Lights, Camera, Action!

[BHPD356]

And just to throw one more thing in the mix Joe. Id like you to really sit down and think what the siren really means to some of us that are "real law enforcement" and then wonder why we think the way we do about playing with one.
To us it means, running hot to a shooting, fatal car crash, child drowning, domestic assault, man with a gun, jumper on a bridge, missing child, chasing a guy that just shot the clerk at the BP. and being across town and hearing a OFFICER DOWN on the radio. And escorting a fallen Officer to his final resting place
And one closest to my heart, chasing a guy on a bike and catching him and then he turns on you and runs you over on your bike and causing your career to be in jeopardy cause of your massive injuries.

So JOE ask your self, is playing with a siren really cool or is it disrespectful to those who earned the right to do it in public. Its not a toy, don't treat it as one.
A siren means bad things are happening to a human being to those in this field.
And I also agree with Jim. If its for a parade or cruise and its official I'm cool with it.
If I offended anyone with this post that's to bad. Leave the God Dam siren at home or don't hook it up if you cant be responsible rep of the hobby.

Thats 20 years or Law Enforcement. Comments welcome

[5pt0Joe]

Thanks to everyone for keeping the thread going and for the compliments and opinions. I just want to get some things clear here and please understand I'm not taking offense to any comment posted here.

Nowhere did I ever talk about playing with it in public. As a matter of fact, please note that pictures show the lights on. Also note that it is in my backyard! The local officers wanted to see it and hear it, so that is why I'm going to the police station to show it. Note, although a public place, IMO, it is the best and safest place to show them. Not mentioned, many people at work want to see it lit up. I have already told them that I will do it one day only and it will be in the rear of the building next to the loading dock... out of public site and mind. Noticed I said lit up, nothing about a siren. I told them I don't want to draw attention. I might even have some police there as well, as other "local officers" are in the surrounding towns. I live in the sticks of NH, so I consider "local" everything in a 30-mile radius!

One thing that I also failed to mention is that most of the shows I go to, I'm an active member in the club, hence why I stated that many of them are expecting to see the progress. Those clubs are ok with me coming in and turning on the siren for a quick moment. The only car shows I plan on not doing it even if asked to do so is at the NE Dragway shows, as people will be drag racing while the car show is going on.

To quote one of my previous posts... "You don't have to worry about me blasting the sirens and lighting up every place I go. I actually will not even use the siren in my own door yard, as I live right in the center of town." Not to offend anyone, but I think this was missed by a few. By no means do I want to be un-courteous or disrespectful to anyone, current/retired officer or civilian. That is where there appears to be a misunderstanding in the thread.

Although I feel like I'm getting hounded by certain remarks (once again, no offense taken by any), I think it is because there is a misunderstanding. I actually enjoy reading about everyone's thoughts on having and using a siren, as I think that it sparked an area that hasn't been entered in a while, especially the parts mentioned as to what it means in general and personally. I very strongly respect that. Please be assured, I mean no harm to the SSP community and please don't think that I'm going to hinder it irresponsibly by "dicking" around with a siren. I plan on being responsible about it, but it seems as though for some, no matter what one does, not everyone is going to approve of it just like everything else in life.

I really appreciate the posts regarding the "get ready to answer questions." As mentioned before, I think of car events as a social gathering! To go along with that, since redesigning my website, I now have matching business cards to hand out at shows to encourage people to keep in contact and keep up with the progress on both of my SSP's!

Once again, thanks for all the compliments on the TX DPS!

[BHPD356]

No Joe there is no misunderstanding here. You say some local officers want to see the car and you went to or are going to the police station to show it to them. Thats fine because there will be real officers there in the presence of a marked unit with a operating siren. Heck at my department we would probably appreciate your work and effort you have in the car. But I can tell you most if not all would tell you to loose the siren.

Now in ref to entering a show or fairground. That my friend is a public place and I don't care if it is rented out for a show. The public in general has no idea that these cars are show only. I mean come on they still look new enough to be in service. its not like your driving a 57 Chevy here.
And just imagine pulling into a public venue playing with your toy siren for attention purposes and a local just got mugged at the show and they run to what they perceive a real police car with working siren pulling into the event.
What cha gonna do when this shit happens cause in the real police world everything happens. Play time over then huh.
Understanding what the car represents is the part I think your missing.
Its a cool car you have and this is a great hobby but as a civi you have to realize your walking a fine line with some officers as to being a hobbyist or a wanna be.
I'll let you decide which one you want to be.

[28HopUp]

Originally Posted by BHPD356

The public in general has no idea that these cars are show only. I mean come on they still look new enough to be in service.

Not only do these SSP's look new enough to still be in-service, some of them still are! I saw a news feed a few months ago about a guy near Joplin, MO who shot his TV. Local PD/SWAT responded, and one of the police vehicles shown in the video looked to be an aero SSP from the front. The video was too short for me to identify the car, but I'm nearly positive it was an SSP.

I must say - It's nice to read a forum discussion on this topic, and see it handled by the members and staff without name calling and hurt feelings.

In my situation, my CHP car will be all-black with the CHP spots and antennae. I decided to not paint my CHP black with a white roof because I was afraid of:

1. Being mistaken for a cop by the public.
2. Being stopped by the cops thinking I was trying to impersonate one.

I will also have the rear deck lights on the car, but they will be covered at all times, except at a show or track event. NONE of my emergency lights will be operational while driving, and I will not be installing a siren or other radio equipment. But I will be collecting the correct parts for an in-service restoration, should that ever be of interest to me or a subsequent owner (I'm not a flipper, but I can't live forever!).

But I do recognize that "perception" by the public and LEO's is a unique part of being an SSP enthusiast. Just like the owners of other vintage emergency vehicles, we need to be careful in how we are perceived by those who are not knowledgeable about SSP Mustangs. That will impact upon how my car is outfitted, as well as how I drive it on the street.

[86NeSSP]

The car looks great, glad all the equipment came in handy.

[ImEvil1]

Joe,

Let's quote a few more lines from one of your posts:

Originally Posted by 5pt0Joe

So for the first few, I'll be chirping the siren a few times on entry, but after that, probably won't go on unless it is my first time at that car show location or I have a new co-pilot (I usually bring one of four or five different people to shows), making it exciting for them. I don't mean for it to be annoying, just different! (That's me wearing the sunglasses...lol!)

That sounds pretty clear to me. Jim already covered it, but I didn't feel like editing my whole post.

The problem of inappropriate use of the e-equipment/markings, as Jim also mentioned in his post, is limited to only a few of the many enthusiasts who participate in this hobby. It wasn't directed at you, but you certainly fell into that category when you posted about how cool David P.'s entrance into that particular car show was.

I wasn't there, I didn't see it, and he is denying doing it in his post over on ORG. I've seen the pictures of the "parking lot light shows" posted up over there, as well as the mock "crime scene" dead-body outline from the last big show before the 45th. These were done in public (or semi-public) places, and are clearly examples of what we are talking about here. Not only is it disrespectful on many levels, but could be illegal (depending on the cirumstances) and is just plain wrong. What if one of these guys caused a traffic accident because someone looked over to see what was going on? Or, like BHPD mentioned, you find yourself in the middle of a situation that you are neither trained or prepared to deal with in any way, shape or form?

You didn't answer my question the first time, so I'll ask it again. What gives you the right to play with your lights and siren?

Bottom line, you don't have to be a cop or in LE to have fun in this hobby. It is super-important for us all, though, to represent the hobby in the best possible light at all times. "Chirping" the siren, "light shows", and the like are not getting the job done.

[5pt0Joe]

BHPD356, thanks for the kind words!

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

What gives you the right to play with your lights and siren?

Answer: The fact that I own them. It's just how I use them that makes the difference.

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by 5pt0Joe

BHPD356, thanks for the kind words!


Answer: The fact that I own them. It's just how I use them that makes the difference.

Wow....you handled the majority of the discussion like an adult, so that one surprises me a little.

What you do in the privacy of your own home is your business. What you do in public, and post about on this forum, is ours.

I hope you listen and understand (read: comprehend) what we're talking about here, and take it to heart.

[5pt0Joe]

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

Wow....you handled the majority of the discussion like an adult, so that one surprises me a little.

It shows a lot of respect making that comment and also some other comments mentioned above. Please know that the respect is both ways. Although I'm 23-years old, I'm sure when anyone here meets me in person for the first time, you'll probably think otherwise. I don't even look my age!

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by 5pt0Joe

It shows a lot of respect making that comment and also some other comments mentioned above. Please know that the respect is both ways. Although I'm 23-years old, I'm sure when anyone here meets me in person for the first time, you'll probably think otherwise. I don't even look my age!

I'm not sure I understand what you mean, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, since you seemed to be discussing the issue fine up until that point.

You made some comments, got called out, and backtracked a little. It's no big deal.