CPS: Sneaky Sneaky!

[Madman]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

CPS has had ghost Ford Excursions for a while. Saw one on Friday.

The Excursions are the Tactical team.

[Regulator75]

When law enforcement starts using imports, is when it will be harder to identify. Right now, I generally slow down when any domestic car is "parked" on the side of the road.

[Thunderball]

I just can't help but feel if they put that much thought and effort into catching real criminals, rather than those evil speeders, gang issues, property crimes and violent crimes would be reduced. I mean, how can they be expected to do a good job when the largest division is traffic/fundraising?

I always watch for cars without hubcaps and anything extra on the mirrors or dashboard... those are dead giveaways.

Oh, and Dodge Caravans... though I think that secret is out.

[BlackArcher101]

I always look for that black fleet sticker on the license plate.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by metal_geek

Nother good trick it to watch for thoes kinds of cars with no day running lights... Alot of thoes cars will be the only ones driving at you with no headlights on...

That used to work, but not now that everyone and their dog is importing US vehicles. They are supposed to be installed to pass inspection, but it seems most turn them off after or somehow get past this part of the inspection.

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

CPS has had ghost Ford Excursions for a while. Saw one on Friday.

I think those are all TAC, and you REALLY have to be driving like an ass to get pulled by them.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

I just can't help but feel if they put that much thought and effort into catching real criminals...

Yeah, I'm pretty sure they do, if not more. They need money to pay for all those guys too.

[Incinerator]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Yeah, I'm pretty sure they do, if not more. They need money to pay for all those guys too.

a gang bust that rounded up 14 small-potatoes kiddies is not what I would consider as fighting real crime...

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Yeah, I'm pretty sure they do, if not more. They need money to pay for all those guys too.

They do need money to fight real crime, I agree... but when you're blowing budget on Chargers and Colorados to fool Mrs. Soccer Mom and Johnny Leadfoot to nab $90 off them for going 61 in a 50 zone... is that cost effectiveness?

I'm just saying, they go to great lengths on what is essentially a misconduct... do you really think they are expending at least the equivalent level of thought and effort for violent and property crime? Bearing in mind, one expects more effort on crimes than traffic violations to begin with.

The answer is a resounding no for property crimes, such as auto theft and B and Es, and its very debatable if they are maximizing their resources and efforts on violent and gang crime.

I should say I feel that emergency services in this province are grossly underfunded. Fire, EMS and the cops need a lot more to do what is expected of them as well as a level of compensation worthy of them (and capable of attracting top candidates). However, in exchange, as the province, I would want the ticket revenue in exchange for a large increase in guaranteed funding. Even though I would suspect the revenue from tickets would drop sharply.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

They do need money to fight real crime, I agree... but when you're blowing budget on Chargers and Colorados to fool Mrs. Soccer Mom and Johnny Leadfoot to nab $90 off them for going 61 in a 50 zone... is that cost effectiveness?

I suppose the question here is- how many people die in car accidents per year vs. how many people are murdered?

Don't get me wrong- I speed. Often. But I understand the need for police to spend a few extra dollars on unmarked vehicles in order to curb speeding. I also see so many people doing very stupid and very illegal things while driving. Having vehicles that blend in helps catch those who might otherwise be idiots, but suddenly good drivers when there are police nearby.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I suppose the question here is- how many people die in car accidents per year vs. how many people are murdered?

Don't get me wrong- I speed. Often. But I understand the need for police to spend a few extra dollars on unmarked vehicles in order to curb speeding. I also see so many people doing very stupid and very illegal things while driving. Having vehicles that blend in helps catch those who might otherwise be idiots, but suddenly good drivers when there are police nearby.

I'd suspect more in car accidents, definitely. But that begs another question, are all (or most) accidents a result of velocity, or as a result of something else? Would resources be better spent with plain clothed cops patrolling bar parking lots (and train stations) for drunk drivers rather than shiny new vehicles parked on the side of a road or zipping down Deerfoot? Probably. Would it reduce collisions and deaths? Yep. Would it be as lucrative? nope. Do they already do it? Possibly, but definitely not like they should. Checkstops are good, but they can typically be circumvented if a buddy has a cellphone.

The second question. Are speeding tickets actual deterrents, or are they simply a financial inconvenience? I don't think so. I suspect near every person on this board has had at least one, and I'd bet they still do more than the limit at least every so often.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Cops in BC already have Subaru Impreza WRXs...

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

I'd suspect more in car accidents, definitely. But that begs another question, are all (or most) accidents a result of velocity, or as a result of something else? Would resources be better spent with plain clothed cops patrolling bar parking lots (and train stations) for drunk drivers rather than shiny new vehicles parked on the side of a road or zipping down Deerfoot? Probably. Would it reduce collisions and deaths? Yep. Would it be as lucrative? nope. Do they already do it? Possibly, but definitely not like they should. Checkstops are good, but they can typically be circumvented if a buddy has a cellphone.

The second question. Are speeding tickets actual deterrents, or are they simply a financial inconvenience? I don't think so. I suspect near every person on this board has had at least one, and I'd bet they still do more than the limit at least every so often.

Some good points Thunderball. But I guess the theory is that if word gets out that the police have all sorts of different ghost vehicles, then maybe people will stop doing things that cause accidents. Things like not signalling, following too close, cutting off traffic, not yielding, etc. The fact that they collect fines for speeding, well that may only be a smaller percentage of the cause of crashes. But for one thing speeding is easier to prove. Independant measuring equipment measured your speed, and isn't up to a "he said-he said" in court about signalling.

Global ran a thing on the ghost cars a few months ago; so it's not like the police don't want us to know about it.

As for the fines not being a deterrent, I guess I'm starting to think it might be. A few months ago I got a speeding ticket; my second in a couple of years. I've eased back on the throttle a little bit; now I usually keep it 5-10 over instead of 20. Now that tickets are $120 instead of $53, it does make a slightly bigger dent than it used to.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

When law enforcement starts using imports, is when it will be harder to identify. Right now, I generally slow down when any domestic car is "parked" on the side of the road.

Apparently the Wiltshire Constabulary in the UK have been testing the Lexus GS 450H.

[Incinerator]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

I'd suspect more in car accidents, definitely. But that begs another question, are all (or most) accidents a result of velocity, or as a result of something else? Would resources be better spent with plain clothed cops patrolling bar parking lots (and train stations) for drunk drivers rather than shiny new vehicles parked on the side of a road or zipping down Deerfoot? Probably. Would it reduce collisions and deaths? Yep. Would it be as lucrative? nope. Do they already do it? Possibly, but definitely not like they should. Checkstops are good, but they can typically be circumvented if a buddy has a cellphone.

The second question. Are speeding tickets actual deterrents, or are they simply a financial inconvenience? I don't think so. I suspect near every person on this board has had at least one, and I'd bet they still do more than the limit at least every so often.

What he said.

Speed don't kill, Idiots behind the wheel do.

And speeding tickets are definitely not a deterrent, I would classify it as a user fee of the roads along with insurance and licensing fees. In fact, I budget for at least 3 every calendar year. I'm sure I'm not the only one here.

[Incinerator]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Apparently the Wiltshire Constabulary in the UK have been testing the Lexus GS 450H.

I'd hate to imagine what they're paying in terms of property taxes in Wiltshire...

[arsenal]

I find picking out multinova vehicles pretty easy. I have driven past them at least once a week for over a year.
The ones i see are either a gold or red dodge minivan. But even then, they are pretty easy to pick out.

Usually with these vehicles, the tint on the rear view mirror is way darker than you would normally see on any civilian vehicle. This is so you can't see the guy sitting in the car, or the camera. Plus if it is a cold morning, or snowed the night before, you will be able to see exhaust, since it is running. The vehicle will be free of snow and ice. Put all those variables together, and you have yourself a multinova vehicle sitting on the side of the road, waiting to pick you off.

[Madman]

What if it's a multanova vehicle?

j/k - pet peeve of mine.

The gold Durango is probably the hardest to pick out for me and the new 07 and 08 Explorers are also very tough to spot. They are getting harder as well with the new LED lights being used - no big coloured lens to give them away.

The best way to find out all the ghost cars is to visit the scene of a major car accident. All the traffic guys drive unmarked cars and flock to the major accidents for reconstruction.

[MRCboicgy]

I remember traveling as a kid with the folks and running into cops driving Saabs in Colorado.

[Cawz]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Anyone notice the new vehicles the cops have? White one ton Fords that are so incognito that you think they're just a contractor? Headache rack and all...

Do they have gun racks as well to store their pieces?

[Cawz]

Originally Posted by Incinerator

What he said.

Speed don't kill, Idiots behind the wheel do.

And speeding tickets are definitely not a deterrent, I would classify it as a user fee of the roads along with insurance and licensing fees. In fact, I budget for at least 3 every calendar year. I'm sure I'm not the only one here.

Yeah, thats a good way to look at it. I consider it a speeding tax.