Proper Signage & Responsible SSP Usage

[28HopUp]

One thing that can potentially get the owner of a SSP in trouble, or make us all look bad, is taking pictures or videos and posting them online. There were a few examples I found where the owner was acting inappropriately, but I didn't want to give them additional publicity by posting those pictures/videos here. The types of questionable behaviors caught on film included:

• Being shown with alcohol in-hand during parking lot light shows.
• Owner (non-LEO) behind the wheel wearing a "county mounty" hat with a beer in-hand.
• Simply driving around on public streets with the emergency lights uncovered.
• Assuming the position on the fender of a police car.
• Staging a pull-over with lights/sirens and the owner(s) as actors.
• In-code pictures showing the owner/driver peeling out to respond to a call.
• Personally re-enacting an arrest with handcuffs next to a SSP.
• Justifying their bad behavior because they are a LEO.
• Displaying a badge at a show (a real LEO knowns not to flash his badge around).

All of the above situations demonstrate a lapse in judgment, albeit some things are certainly worse than others. But it reminds us that we need to be careful about what we capture on film.

Over the weekend, I spoke with a fellow SSP owner that we all enjoy having here - Andy. Most of us know Andy for his comedy, but he is VERY careful about what he does with his '85 CHP Mustang. I recently spoke with Andy about the responsibilities associated with owning/operating a SSP, and got his permission to use his good example as a reference here. Some time ago, Andy posted a couple of pictures of his CHP taken out-of-state along the side of the highway, which are shown here:




Andy was very quick to note in his original thread that he never drives on the street with the logos/lettering/lights exposed. For the pictures, he selected the location and camera angle, and then quickly removed the covers on that side to snap a few pictures. Once that was done, he covered up that side, changed angles, removed the coverings, snapped a few more pictures, and quickly got the car covered up again. Taking pictures of a fully marked car on a public roadway can turn into a bad situation too, but Andy is VERY considerate about displaying his car in the public eye and included information about the care he used to take the pictures.

As was stated previously, the laws vary by state. So it is difficult to establish a set of guidelines to cover all situations. Hopefully, we will give some thought to the circumstances we may find ourselves in, and exercise good judgment when the time comes.

[GSPI]

Laws are different all around but the result is the same. These vehicles are highly illegal and any horsing around can become an issue! People seem to not get it, I love the idea of "acting" like the next guy in the movies but only when it is in a controlled environment such as when some of my fellow car owners are brought into shooting a funny shoe commercial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWoPybzPUiY

Note the use of "Metro" police instead of Chicago Police as CPD does not condone the use of their name (except in Chicago Code). One of the young officers in the background is an actual CPD officer who actually owns one of those cars. My fellow collectors have also been called to act in Chicago Code, Barbershop 1&2, the old Hillstreet Blues, etc. That's all and no where else!

It still seems to me to be common sense but then again, common sense as of late has not been so common!

[Andy]

Laws are different in different States
but COMMON SENSE should always
be in check ALWAYS
one thing that really annoy me it that when someone tries
to apply their States Laws to your car Not in their state.
Kinda like how the news anchors in N.Y. think
that the world revolves around their life style
and the East coast.
I don't know about you guys but i have never had a problem
with ANY official in any State i have traveled to or through
and this way of marking my car in transit says to the casual observer
this is NOT A POLICE CAR
Maby in California it's not good enough
but guess what
I Aint in California

[28HopUp]

Originally Posted by Andy

Laws are different in different States
but COMMON SENSE should always
be in check ALWAYS

Andy,

It does come down to using common sense in most cases. But also, each of us as SSP enthusiasts has a different definition of what activity is acceptable and what isn't. That's one of the reasons for this thread - to publicize that we need to be thinking all the time about how our actions are perceived by others. Perception IS reality.

Let's take an example. Some may view parking lot light shows as OK. I mean, we have the lights, so we might as well use them, right? Others (like most of the LEO members) would disapprove of civilians (or off-duty LEO's) using emergency lights in public settings which are not authorized (a parade or a car show are examples of an authorized situation).

It would be impossible for everyone of us to agree 100% of the time as to what activity is condoned and what isn't, but this open discussion may be of benefit to those who hadn't given sufficient consideration to the topic.

[Andy]

[28HopUp]

Originally Posted by Andy

HAHA! Maybe you're right Andy. But at least we are getting the message out there.

[28HopUp]

Apparently the horse is not dead yet, so let me comment in no uncertain terms -

As SSP enthusiasts, EACH OF US has a responsibility to ensure that our actions are properly perceived by the public. These old police cars are not expensive toys that can be used without regard to local laws or common sense. If we see something in person or published online that is questionable, then ALL OF US should be willing to discuss the events in question. There is nothing wrong with debating topics important to our hobby, as long as the comments are respectful and are made within the parameters of the forum rules.

This isn't a matter of anyone in particular setting themself up as an enforcer of SSP etiquette. EVERYONE needs to be proactive, or situations will occur that lead States one by one to enact legislation that prohibits ANY marked/lighted former emergency vehicle from being registered. It's already happened guys, so unless you want these SSP's to become strictly trailer queens then you need to be vocal. It is the responsibility of every SSP owner to police our hobby!

Also, it goes without saying that positive examples of using our SSP's should also be recognized. Nice job at the track, Aaron! That's a very decent ET for a stock 5.0L, and I'm sure the crowd enjoyed the lights and siren.