The newer ones have hatchbacks and you can load quite a bit of stuff back there.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Cop Stop....Yet Again....
- Thread starter bryan gibson
- Start date
The newer ones have hatchbacks and you can load quite a bit of stuff back there.
Yes, I have.
Someone had stolen the registration sticker from my truck's plate. The cop lit me up, I pulled over .... and we sat there, no one moving, for a couple minutes. He was waiting for back-up. When the cop radioed my plate number, dispatch told him I was licensed to carry. There had been a recent "officer-involved", so they were being extra cautious. He asked if I was armed. I said I was, and told him with what and where. He thanked me and the rest went routinely.
Cost me $5 for a replacement sticker.
Well technically this wasn't after a gig but after a rehearsal. Still it was late at night. I made a left hand turn and immediately got into the right lane, didn't notice that the only car waiting at the red light was a cop. He pulls me over and looks in the car and notices all my equipment and thinks I just stole all this stuff. Well after explaining that it is in fact mine he goes back to write the ticket.
In CO you don't have to notify you are carrying, so I didn't, but he found out when he ran my info. He came back to give me the ticket and THEN asked if I had weapons in the car. I told him yes, pointed to where it was when he asked, and thankfully was let go after that.
Late at night, cops like to pull people over for stupid stuff like tail lights out, license plate lights outs, etc. so they can talk to you, smell for alcohol, and try to bust you. It happens in small towns a lot here in Ohio.
I was driving from a rehearsal to my buddy's house at 1 am. I had to drive right past the main drag on Ohio State's campus where all the bars and clubs are at. As soon as I got past OSU's campus and into a wealthy suburb (Worthington) and I stop at a red light. I'm heading north and there's a cop heading south at the same light. The light turns green and I see the cop do a u turn in the street and pull me over. I ask him what's up and he said I was doing 35 in a 25. But how did he know if we were both at the light? He saw my amp and cases in the back seat of my 2 door Civic and then asked me if I was playing down on campus. I told him about my rehearsal and how I was driving to my friend's house. That's when he SWORE he smelled alcohol on my breath, (I hadn't had anything to drink in several years at that time in my life) and told me to do a sobriety test. I passed the test and he gave me a warning but I felt kind of singled out simply because I was a musician and it seems that cops think that all musicians are alcoholics or dug addicts.
I was driving from a rehearsal to my buddy's house at 1 am. I had to drive right past the main drag on Ohio State's campus where all the bars and clubs are at. As soon as I got past OSU's campus and into a wealthy suburb (Worthington) and I stop at a red light. I'm heading north and there's a cop heading south at the same light. The light turns green and I see the cop do a u turn in the street and pull me over. I ask him what's up and he said I was doing 35 in a 25. But how did he know if we were both at the light? He saw my amp and cases in the back seat of my 2 door Civic and then asked me if I was playing down on campus. I told him about my rehearsal and how I was driving to my friend's house. That's when he SWORE he smelled alcohol on my breath, (I hadn't had anything to drink in several years at that time in my life) and told me to do a sobriety test. I passed the test and he gave me a warning but I felt kind of singled out simply because I was a musician and it seems that cops think that all musicians are alcoholics or dug addicts.
I've read this whole thread and thought I'd chime in. I'll preface my post with the info that I haven't engaged in any of the behavior I'm about to admit to in over 18 years. I thought a look at the other side of the coin might shed a little light on the behavior of the officers you guys encounter.
I was who they are looking for. I got 4 DUI's in 4 years, 2 leaving the same bar, 2 as a random stop. I drove impaired from the day I got my license, rarely had valid registration or insurance or liscense. In fact the first time it got taken away was less than 2 weeks after it was first issued.
I never hurt anyone thank god, but I did get in 2 accidents with other cars while drunk and stoned. I also hit guard rails, fences, and other objects. Again fortunately I never hurt anyone , but I easily could have.
I drove impaired constantly, at all hours of the day and night. Never thinking I was really doing anything wrong. My scofflaw attitude caused your insurance rates to go up because I damaged things I couldn't afford to repair.
I was who these officers are looking for, and I exist on every road in every county of every state at every hour of every day. I am a danger to you and your loved ones and at a minimum case innocent people to be treated like they are doing something wrong when they aren't.
I have no excuse for my behavior other than selfishness. While I was arrested 4 times for DUI, that number could easily be 10, 100, 1000 times more.
My life is completely different now. I did a lot of jail time, paid 10's of thousands of dollars in fines and lots and lots of counseling. I've been sober for almost 2 decades, I pay my taxes, own a home, and try my best to follow the laws society hands down. I'm lucky, I got the message eventually.
But I promise you, I'm not the only one. There are untold amounts of who I used to be on the road right now. Cell phones and texting have made the issue even worse and I urge you, all of you, to deal with these officers with patience and respect. They guy they are looking for will do a lot more damage than take some of your time. He'll take the life of you or a loved one.
I was who they are looking for. I got 4 DUI's in 4 years, 2 leaving the same bar, 2 as a random stop. I drove impaired from the day I got my license, rarely had valid registration or insurance or liscense. In fact the first time it got taken away was less than 2 weeks after it was first issued.
I never hurt anyone thank god, but I did get in 2 accidents with other cars while drunk and stoned. I also hit guard rails, fences, and other objects. Again fortunately I never hurt anyone , but I easily could have.
I drove impaired constantly, at all hours of the day and night. Never thinking I was really doing anything wrong. My scofflaw attitude caused your insurance rates to go up because I damaged things I couldn't afford to repair.
I was who these officers are looking for, and I exist on every road in every county of every state at every hour of every day. I am a danger to you and your loved ones and at a minimum case innocent people to be treated like they are doing something wrong when they aren't.
I have no excuse for my behavior other than selfishness. While I was arrested 4 times for DUI, that number could easily be 10, 100, 1000 times more.
My life is completely different now. I did a lot of jail time, paid 10's of thousands of dollars in fines and lots and lots of counseling. I've been sober for almost 2 decades, I pay my taxes, own a home, and try my best to follow the laws society hands down. I'm lucky, I got the message eventually.
But I promise you, I'm not the only one. There are untold amounts of who I used to be on the road right now. Cell phones and texting have made the issue even worse and I urge you, all of you, to deal with these officers with patience and respect. They guy they are looking for will do a lot more damage than take some of your time. He'll take the life of you or a loved one.
Nobody said it is OK for people to drive impaired.
Nobody said we should endanger public safety.
Under discussion is what is an appropriate way to insure public safety. If jkramer5 could drive for years under the influence pretty much all the time with only 4 tickets, the system is not working.
Setting up a traffic stop to check everyone is at least "fair." Stopping people who are driving properly because the police want to catch someone at random is not.
Don't get me started on the city or provincial government using the police as a source of income to the city.
Nobody said we should endanger public safety.
Under discussion is what is an appropriate way to insure public safety. If jkramer5 could drive for years under the influence pretty much all the time with only 4 tickets, the system is not working.
Setting up a traffic stop to check everyone is at least "fair." Stopping people who are driving properly because the police want to catch someone at random is not.
Don't get me started on the city or provincial government using the police as a source of income to the city.
Not working?
He stated that he went through alcohol counseling because of the DUIs and has been sober for a couple of decades since then.
How is that "not working"?
I got a good one,
driving my gear back from a troubador gig from Hollywood to OC
My chicks car is loaded with my bass cabs which were screened Red and covered with black vortex.
The cop pulls me over and looks at my gear and says...Oh, I thought they (my cabs) were large craftsman tool cases. He thought I may have just hit a mechanic or machine shop and stolen their tools.
Once he realized they were bass cabs he didn't care if i was drunk or stoned.....which I wasnt but I thought it was kinda weird...but i guess in hindsight it must have seemed like a good bust!
driving my gear back from a troubador gig from Hollywood to OC
My chicks car is loaded with my bass cabs which were screened Red and covered with black vortex.
The cop pulls me over and looks at my gear and says...Oh, I thought they (my cabs) were large craftsman tool cases. He thought I may have just hit a mechanic or machine shop and stolen their tools.
Once he realized they were bass cabs he didn't care if i was drunk or stoned.....which I wasnt but I thought it was kinda weird...but i guess in hindsight it must have seemed like a good bust!
I got pulled over last Thursday night very randomly, on my way from Brooklyn to the Hudson Valley where we also have a place (and I had a gig).
I knew I wasn't speeding so I wasn't too worried. The cop came up to my window and asked if I'd had any alcohol. As it happens, I hadn't had any at all - that drive takes you through the hills of Putnam County on the Taconic, and any of you who have done that drive know what I mean. I don't drink before I drive that route. (Not that I drive impaired at other times, but I'll at least have a glass of wine - not for this drive, though.)
He acknowledged I was not speeding but said he thought I was going back and forth in the lane a little. I don't think I was. It seemed like just a random stop.
He was courteous in any event and just let me go on my way.
I knew I wasn't speeding so I wasn't too worried. The cop came up to my window and asked if I'd had any alcohol. As it happens, I hadn't had any at all - that drive takes you through the hills of Putnam County on the Taconic, and any of you who have done that drive know what I mean. I don't drink before I drive that route. (Not that I drive impaired at other times, but I'll at least have a glass of wine - not for this drive, though.)
He acknowledged I was not speeding but said he thought I was going back and forth in the lane a little. I don't think I was. It seemed like just a random stop.
He was courteous in any event and just let me go on my way.
If he was impaired every day (and I believe he admitted he was), I would think he would have been pulled over at least once every couple weeks = 20 times a year. Therefore, the public (in his area) was at risk for a much longer time than they should have been.Not working?
He stated that he went through alcohol counseling because of the DUIs and has been sober for a couple of decades since then.
How is that "not working"?
Stated another way, randomly stopping cars or targeting people who eat fast food late at night is not an efficient or effective way to locate people who drive impaired.
Yes, he obviously is OK now and he has been fine for 18 years.
i was profiled meh ... ghetto car, longer hair etc...
anyways ... get pulled over on way home from rehersal ... not even out of the residential area yet ...
pulled over for going 40 in a residental ...(sure as heck was not) I didn't argue when he said I was going 40 I simply stated "if you say I was going 40 then im not going to argue" "I don't make a habit of speeding and getting pulled over sir" he asked for my insurance and license. I already had my insurance out when he got to the window and was searching for my wallet that i absolutely knew i had but couldn't find. (he was thinking yeah right) He ask where im coming from.. band rehersal i said... why is your back seat out of your car.. bass amp won't fit with it i said... where is your amp... left it at the rehersal space. (im still looking for my wallet) .. i even grabbed my bag and asked that he shine his flashlight into it ... still cant find it. At this point i start to freak out and think about my wife is gonna be pissed, i can't afford a ticket, where is my wallet did i leave it at the corner store etc... im reeling at this point and it's hard to think and talk... hard to think straight... so flustered at this point i can't remember my friggin address completely drawing a blank i do explain exactly where my house is in relation to the elementary school that literally is behind my house.
he takes two steps and comes back and ask me to step out of the car (dangit) and rightly so i was acting sketchy ... states that when he looked in my bag that i opened for him that he saw "marijuana residue" in my backpack used those exact words i actually laughed out loud. Asked when was the last time i smoked ... answered my son is 10 i gave it up when my wife was pregnant with im been 11 years... he asked to search my car... i just said "do what you think needs to be done i've got nothing to hide" .... he searches finds nothing... tells me to slow it down and get home to my wife ...
MY WALLET WAS IN THE DRIVERS SEAT WHEN I GOT TO THE CAR!!!! guess he found it..
not ticket ... no warning...
ghetto car, long hair, musician... must have pot right... WRONG!!!
moral is... if you got nothing to hide ... just let them do their thing and move on with life.
anyways ... get pulled over on way home from rehersal ... not even out of the residential area yet ...
pulled over for going 40 in a residental ...(sure as heck was not) I didn't argue when he said I was going 40 I simply stated "if you say I was going 40 then im not going to argue" "I don't make a habit of speeding and getting pulled over sir" he asked for my insurance and license. I already had my insurance out when he got to the window and was searching for my wallet that i absolutely knew i had but couldn't find. (he was thinking yeah right) He ask where im coming from.. band rehersal i said... why is your back seat out of your car.. bass amp won't fit with it i said... where is your amp... left it at the rehersal space. (im still looking for my wallet) .. i even grabbed my bag and asked that he shine his flashlight into it ... still cant find it. At this point i start to freak out and think about my wife is gonna be pissed, i can't afford a ticket, where is my wallet did i leave it at the corner store etc... im reeling at this point and it's hard to think and talk... hard to think straight... so flustered at this point i can't remember my friggin address completely drawing a blank i do explain exactly where my house is in relation to the elementary school that literally is behind my house.
he takes two steps and comes back and ask me to step out of the car (dangit) and rightly so i was acting sketchy ... states that when he looked in my bag that i opened for him that he saw "marijuana residue" in my backpack used those exact words i actually laughed out loud. Asked when was the last time i smoked ... answered my son is 10 i gave it up when my wife was pregnant with im been 11 years... he asked to search my car... i just said "do what you think needs to be done i've got nothing to hide" .... he searches finds nothing... tells me to slow it down and get home to my wife ...
MY WALLET WAS IN THE DRIVERS SEAT WHEN I GOT TO THE CAR!!!! guess he found it..
not ticket ... no warning...
ghetto car, long hair, musician... must have pot right... WRONG!!!
moral is... if you got nothing to hide ... just let them do their thing and move on with life.
A cop once claimed to have found a "joint roach" in my drummer's car when there was no such thing in the vehicle. The drummer is big and black and wasn't sweating when the cop was trying to sweat him, so I think the cop just got mad and decided to get a little "creative". Guy had to pay a ticket and do some kind of pre-trial intervention (for a thousand bucks) to keep it off his record.
So, I'm not OK with letting the cops just do their thing even if I have nothing to hide. IMO, the real problem that led to my buddy's legal charge was that he gave the cop permission to search the vehicle (and permission to invent/plant/whatever some evidence). I've denied a search every single time I've been pulled over and I've always been let go shortly thereafter. Cops can invent just about any reason to pull you over, but "inventing" probable cause for a search that will hold up in court - that's a lot more difficult.
It's a valid reason to pull you over. I did it a lot of times when I was a cop. It's basically "fishing" for bigger things.
Touched the centerline? That's also a valid reason to pull you over, not staying within your lane.
Well, if you didn't get a ticket and you got pulled over for a valid traffic violation, then you have nothing to complain about. For driver's with a bad attitude, I wrote them a ticket when I was originally was planning on letting them go on a warning.
Not to derail the topic but why would a bad attitude have anything to do with it? The law doesn't say anything about attitude.
LOL.
I guess if the officer is looking for general willingness to comply with the law then he has done his job. But to say 'if he has a bad attitude then he's getting a ticket' is not the right way to put it.
I used to get stopped all the time in and around Monmouth County NJ, always by state troopers. The local cops were all cool (they even helped me push my van to a garage once when it broke down a couple of blocks away) but the state troopers wouldn't leave me alone.
I've never driven after drinking alcohol, but I've done a thousand roadside sobriety tests.
I've never driven after drinking alcohol, but I've done a thousand roadside sobriety tests.
