Covering Up Police Markings

EXNODRAMANOTCH · #1 10-23-2011, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

I think we've done a pretty good job of "over-informing" on the responsibilities (and dangers) of driving a restored, retired police car on the public roadways. The "collector plates" aren't revelant to a majority of the members here, since most states couldn't care less about what plates are on your car (and neither do criminals).

Bill posted up a great link on page 1 that goes into all of this at length.

It is all about "image" and perception as it relates to this hobby. Door decals, meant as a "cover up", but with a badge on them, sends the wrong message. If you disagree with that opinion, you are certainly free to do so.

Just what is the wrong message being sent? My SSP, that is now a collector show car was at one time a police vehicle (nothing to be ashamed of in my book). So how does a sign with a small, slanted, generic badge image (with no words or numbers on the badge) send a wrong message? I'm just trying to follow your logic. Nothing personal intended (nor taken).

ImEvil1 · #2 10-23-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EXNODRAMANOTCH

Just what is the wrong message being sent? My SSP, that is now a collector show car was at one time a police vehicle (nothing to be ashamed of in my book). So how does a sign with a small, slanted, generic badge image (with no words or numbers on the badge) send a wrong message? I'm just trying to follow your logic. Nothing personal intended (nor taken).

You are covering up police indicia (door seal) with something displaying police indicia (a badge). It kinda defeats the entire purpose, and it can also give the wrong impression.

Andy · #3 10-23-2011, 04:40 PM

Yesterday getting ready to go home after the local
cars n coffee someone commented as I was putting the
magnetic white (say nothing) strips on the door to MASK the
CHP markings.......
Is that so you don't get in trouble?and i said not really
But it is the common sense thing to do!

Not In Service Implies
COULD BE in service
Not In Service (with a Badge)???
...not the best idea

28HopUp · #4 10-23-2011, 05:25 PM

OUT OF SERVICE

NOT IN SERVICE

The sad truth is that the general public would not know the difference. Both of those could be interpreted as a real police vehicle that has been sidelined temporarily for a variety of reasons. Here is a CHP Vic pulling a trailer for a motor, and the car is marked "out of service".

Personally, I kinda like this variation:

NO LONGER IN SERVICE

...which I think is closer to accurate with very little chance of being misunderstood. If I had a marked car, I would probably create a magnetic sign that read:

SHOW CAR
NO LONGER IN SERVICE

EXNODRAMANOTCH · #5 10-24-2011, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy

Yesterday getting ready to go home after the local
cars n coffee someone commented as I was putting the
magnetic white (say nothing) strips on the door to MASK the
CHP markings.......
Is that so you don't get in trouble?and i said not really
But it is the common sense thing to do!

Not In Service Implies
COULD BE in service
Not In Service (with a Badge)???
...not the best idea

So a sign that says "OUT OF SERVICE" "Collector Show Car" "In Transit" (with an obvious non-official badge graphic), that completely covers the actual door emblem is not as good of a solution as your solution depicted in the photo below?

Unmrkd · #6 10-24-2011, 09:22 AM

Are 20 + replys not enough discussion on the subject?

28HopUp · #7 10-24-2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unmrkd

Are 20 + replys not enough discussion on the subject?

Was there a full moon this weekend?

Allow me to summarize this:

It's always a good idea to do what we can as SSP enthusiasts to cast a positive light on our hobby. Covering/masking the police signage on marked cars is a smart thing to do, whether they are driven or hauled on an open trailer. There are several ways we can go in terms of accomplishing that, and some methods are better than others.

ImEvil1 · #8 10-24-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EXNODRAMANOTCH

(with an obvious non-official badge graphic)

There is no such thing. A badge, by its' very definition, implies authority of some sort. That's why police officers display them.

28HopUp · #9 10-25-2011, 10:01 AM

In the interest of maintaining our philosophy here about encouraging healthy discussion about topics which are important to our hobby, I put on my Moderator hat and picked through the posts to edit out the hostilities and re-open the thread. This all boils down to a discussion about being repsonsible and doing what we can to cast our hobby in a positive light to the general public. We each have our own beliefs as to what goes far enough in terms of covering police lettering/logos, but that's OK to have a difference of opinion. At least we're talking about it.

EXNODRAMANOTCH · #10 10-28-2011, 06:16 PM

FYI, if you are looking for blank white magnet sheets, check Staples. Today I found a package of four (8.5" x 11") sheets for under $10 (including tax). You can leave them blank or you can print on them using an Ink Jet printer (not laser compatible).