Chambers County (Texas) Narcotics Task Force Goes Fishing

Houston Area Texans - A FreeRepublic Network Chapter ^ | February 3, 2003 | Jim Chessher

[Flyer]

Inscription Required

Maybe I was unclear. The car did have a seal on the doors. There are LEO cars in the area that do not have any external markings, just lights hidden in the grill. Some of them don't even use the 'exempt' plates most police cars do. I think it is very dangerous for police to make traffic stops in vehicles that are not clearly marked.

[Flyer]

I think this applies, doesn't it?

It may apply but since I wasn't monetarily damaged no lawyer would take a second look at it.

[Flyer]

I've heard of cops pulling over drivers because they were "suspiciously" driving under the speed limit.

I was a passenger in a car where that exact thing happened.

[Flyer]

in Tx license plates *only* need to be illuminated to be "clearly legible at a distance of 50 feet from the rear".

Yeah, I didn't even get a written warning on that one. Another fishing expedition.

[_Jim]

The car did have a seal on the doors. There are LEO cars in the area that do not have any external markings,

Reading Tx law posted above, the Law Enf agencies in a county or city must comply with 721.005 and specifically get permission from the "Governing body of a municipality" in order to be exempted from posting "in letters plainly legible at a distance of not less than 100 feet" ... " on each side of the vehicle".

IOW - Law Enf must submit a request to their city or county "Governing body of a municipality" in order to be exempted from this state requirement of posting clearly who they are:

§ 721.005. Exemption From Inscription Requirement for Certain Municipal and County-Owned Motor Vehicles

Subsection (a) as amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 66, § 1

(a) The governing body of a municipality may exempt from the requirements of Section 721.004 an automobile when used to perform an official duty by a:

(1) police department;

I know of a county in East Tx where the Sherriff got into a pissing contest with the commissioners - and the commissioners in turn 'leaned' on the Sherriff invoking various state statutes that give them governance over those Law Enf people under their control ...

[Flyer]

HA!!!

Me a "child of the 60's??"

[Flyer]

There have been cases in the Houston area, and I'm sure elsewhere, of individuals using a "Kojak" light or such to impersonate an officer and pull cars over. When the story hits the news the reporters advise anyone in that situation to drive to a well lit area where there are other people. Yeah, that's going to put a cop in a good mood when you don't pull over promptly.

[Flyer]

My brother brought up a point I hadn't considerd - there may have been a tip to look for a similar vehicle. The Task Force car was perpendicular to traffic as he sat in the median as to see the traffic.

If this was the case it would have been the polite thing to do to explain this to me.

[humblegunner]

You are a man of great patience. I can only hope that the Officers
involved were either not typical or under stress.. they behaved poorly.

FRiends, I know Flyer and he is a nice, polite, upstanding hardworking guy.
Definately not the sort of fellow you would single out as a problem.

[Flyer]

You are a man of great patience.

I think "restraint" may be a better description. I had to make conscience decisions to bite my tongue and let the events take their course.

[Eaker]

FRiends, I know Flyer and he is a nice, polite, upstanding hardworking guy. Definately not the sort of fellow you would single out as a problem.

Except he talks funny!!!

Child of the 60's!!!!!

Stay safe; stay armed.
Eaker Freeper Status

[HiTech RedNeck]

It is left to us, the reader to *assume* he wasn't all over the road ...

Nothing of the sort. The cop was harassing him by sitting in a place such that he would have to frequently take his eyes off the road ahead to see. Especially unnerving since he's had run ins with cops before. They implicitly admitted this behavior by not giving him a ticket with a fine which could end up with their little game coming to court.

[HiTech RedNeck]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but the ACLU (yeah, them) may want to hear your story. This is one of the areas where they actually do some good. If ACLU would get out of the "abortion rights" business, and show some support towards the 2nd Amendment (yeah, that's a civil right too), I might actually consider supporting them.

Also write (on paper) your local state senator, your local state representative, your Federal senators, and your Federal representative.

[Flyer]

Except he talks funny!

So does Gomer Pyle, but look at the respect he gets.

[Flyer]

Also write (on paper) your local state senator, your local state representative. . .

That's on my list, and I know it has to be on paper to be looked at seriously

Quanell the Tenth and his New Black Panthers had a tiff with Chambers County recently and I think it was regarding traffic stops. I haven't found the story yet.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Alamo-Girl do you know more about this issue???

[Eaker]

Touché!!

[Xenalyte]

Absolute BS ping!!!!

(These are the guys we need to go to the range with, btw.)

[Alamo-Girl]

Sorry, it's news to me.

[HairOfTheDog]

Wow.... That is some story..... just saw this now!