Mistaken for highway patrol

[Fourth Horseman]

Well, I think I finally had a legitimate case of misidentification on my way home from work Friday evening. I was tooling along in second to left-most lane of I-15, doing about 70 MPH. I've been backing off the throttle a bit lately to see what happens with my milage. Anyway, I see this Range Rover come cruising up doing probably about 80 MPH in the lane to my left. He pulls up just about even with me and then slows down to match my pace. I look over and see the guy looking at me. At first I thought that he was checking out the car, but he just hung there matching my pace.

I'm pretty sure he thought I was a highway patrol cruiser. My solution to that problem was to kick down to second gear and blast away from him at 100 MPH+. :) So much for my fuel economy test. I think I went from 70 to 100 faster than he could say "Holy ****!" :bounce:

[nomad]

Man that's FUN ain't it?:cool: That's one of the main reasons to own this car.Kicking it once in a while, and smiling for a long time!:banana2: Gotta love big rearwheel drive with POWER:coolman:

[LincMercLover]

I have GOT to get me those hidden police lights for the grille! :up:

[Geo]

As far as that certain someone that thought you were highway patrol, how sure are you that you gave it away that you were not highway patrol when you gunned it (you could have been responding to a call).

Linc Merc Lover: Careful, those hidden red and blue lights are illegal even when behind the grill. You might get away with it if you can prove (right away) that they are non-functional however.

[LincMercLover]

LOL, yah I know. I'd be like, "Lights? What lights? OH, those lights! Yah, don't they all get 'em? Oh, they don't? Hmm... well I'm definately going straigh to my dealer to talk about THIS, I assure you officer!" :D I was actually thinking about a relay I saw in JC Whitney that when on can alternately flash the head lights. That's legal, it's gotta be if they sell it in JCW!

[Andrew10AE]

LOL... Wig-Wags are not legal in most states... well, having them isnt, but using them is... I just ordered a flashing LED array for my front windshield, but I'm a volunteer EMT and have a permit for a blue light (in NJ)... here is what I'm getting:

http://www.alertesystems.com/shop/images/qm32.jpg

I'm acctually going to be mounting it on the windshield on the other side from my ezpass (on the left of the plastic strip containing the rearview's power wire and under the darkend area of the windshield). Then I am going to run the wire into the overhead console and install a switch... I'm not sure where the switch will go - the console doesnt have a lot of space and I would have to find a matching switch... the other option is to run the wire down to the center console and mount a nice rocker switch on the left side of the accessory guage pod...

Except in Blue/Blue (which is the law for Volunteers in NJ).

FYI - if anyone is running any wiring to the front windshield, you can carefully remove the front door moulding and use the channel in there to get the wire to the top... tuck it under the flastic A-Piller cover and then carefully under the front of the headliner. Its not hard to hide the wires perfectly!

Add to that my LE plates... hmph... and I DONT want to be mistaken for a cop :) (the licence plates are the NJ Law Enformcent Memorial plates - $50 from every year's reg and $100 when I got the plates goes to a scholarship fund for kids of cops who dies in the line of duty)

http://www.state.nj.us/mvs/images/fofficer.jpg

[Bigdogjim]

Hey LincMercLover: I was thinking of putting spotlights on the side pillars of my MM? What do think? Bet everyone gets outta the way?
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Who's gonna mess with the Big dog? :banana: :banana2:

[Mark McQuaide]

On the way to workthe other day just at sunrise, when the MM looks most sinister, this lady freaked out when I rode up behind her in the left lane. She hit the brakes, got it down to 55 exactly, and just drove right beside a truck, afraid to go 1 MPH over the limit to pass him! She finally slowed down more and moved in behind the truck. By this time I had a line of cars behind me wondering what the holdup was. Yep, that's when you just hit it and blow by 'em - they're probably p*ssed when they seem the chrome wheels and pipes go by!

[SergntMac]

y'all be careful now, some of this stuff can get embarrassing, and expensive.

[MAD-3R]

And deadly.

I friend of the family is a fire marshall in Fairfax county, and he has had guns put in his face on more then one occation.

Driving a car like ours causes enough people to think its a PI, no need to add more full to the fire.

[Andrew10AE]

The spoiler kind of, well, spoils that image of "policeman"... which is good :)

Frankly I'd rather someone notice our cars and say "oooooh" rather then have them think we are going to come over and give them a ticket... like Mad said, not everyone has the same respect for the law and its protectors as we do - but also dont we want people to think we are a little fast, and dangerous - in an almost outlaw kind of way? Thinking that we ARE the law kind of ruines that ;)

-A

[Macon Marauder]

Yeah, I don't want to be mistaken for a cop. I have 2 brothers in law enforcement.

Fortunately, no one around here has black patrol cars. Most are white, as a matter of fact. Still, some people do seem to react as if they aren't quite sure. Maybe it's unmarked? Or an undercover car?

It would be OK if they just got out of the way. A pain when they just turn into a rolling roadblock...

[RF Overlord]

It must be just me...no one EVER notices the Black Falcon. I dunno, maybe that's a GOOD thing...

Of course, I only get to pry it away from my wife to go to the dump, or the feed & grain once in a while...we have the perfect relationship; she gets to drive it and I get to wash it, vacuum it, change the oil, do the mods...

[Fourth Horseman]

Well, I certainly wasn't trying to make this guy think I was a cop. Nor would I ever put lights or spot lights or any of that **** on my car. I just thought it was funny that he jumped to that conclusion all on his own. In 7 months of owning the car it's the only time that's happaned (that I know of).

[Bigdogjim]

SergntMac: Thanks for the word of caution. You know were kidding? Right? Anyway driving the MM is blast. I agree with Andrew10AE when they see the wheels and pipes they know your not the law!

Big Dog :banana: :banana2:

[White Knuckles]

I noticed more of the mistaken identity problem at night before I added the Bob White Ruby-Red Reflective bumper inserts. Now I'm identified from 100yards back.
I did have my first pull-over about a month ago. It was a foggy drizzly morning and I was in a bit of a hurry and running with headlights and driving lights on. A lady in a black Mercedes did a right on red w/o even slowing down-----right in front of me. I had to stand on the brakes to avoid rear-ending her. She sheepishly glanced in her rear view mirror to check my response. I flashed my brights at her which causes an up-down wig-wag between brights and driving lights. :D SHE PULLED OVER!! and probably had her license and registration out by the time I blew by.

[O's Fan Rich]

:D I got that alot more in my '99 Vic.
I even had marked cars wave to me. Not to mention the left lane would always clear out for me as I approached at higher speeds.
Might also have helped that I like to wear my hair short and fill the drivers seat very well.
The MM does not have the same effect. But, who cares!!!

[SergntMac]

Sorry, guys, I didn't mean to sound critical of anyone. I've had the same experiences myself, some funny, some not, and I just wanted y'all to remember that not everyone out there sees us the same. Sometimes I drive to work in uniform, and NO ONE passes me, not even other patrol cars. Just to make things worst, I've got Illinois LE plates, and it says "police" on it. I didn't get this at first, must be some real dodos on patrol these days, then I remembered...

The first day I took my Girl to the office (police HQ, lots of heavy security) the guard at the gate saw me comming and raised the barricade without checking me out. I drove through and parked, and while I was crossing the tarmac, two more guards approach and check my ID. The guard at the gate thought I was the Superintendent. Who's fault was this?

Drive on, my friends, and have fun.

[SergntMac]

BTW, I ain't no "sheriff" kind of guy here, so, if i ever start talking like that, someone please shoot me.

[Andrew10AE]

LOL... can you see it? Big city cop... decides to "borrow" one of the department's horses, normally faithful partners in the persuit of safety in parks, etc.

Perform's "Mods" - Install Spurrs. Install Cowboy Hat. Install flask of whisky. 9MM Delete. Add: Silver plated ivory handled Colt 0.45. Add: Bad western movie accent.

Next: attempt to perform traffic stop. Walk with a gape towards the car and say "Do you know how fast you were going, paaartner?"

OK... back to work

-A

[tetsu]

I don't get confused with a PI cuz I'm usually going so fast they dont even see me...they just feel the shockwave!!

Man alive does my car love 10 F air!!!!! I guarantee that my stock car would run 14.5 in 10 F air. It's scary. I think I need a Gtech.....

Johnny

[cyled]

Please Please Please don't start talking cop impersonation and the Maurader on the same board! (oops just did it there). Let's save it for the boys over at www.crownvic.net

:lol:

Please don't let this topic leave this thread!!!!! :D This site is too good for that. :D I hope I don't see anybody ask how to install a "pushy" bar on a Maurader. :puke:

[WolfeBros]

Just this afternoon I had to pick someone up at the airport. I am just doing 75 cruisin on a 3 lane highway. I come up on three abreast blocking all lanes. A Z06 corvette, A flatbed, and a pickup.
The Z06 is in front of me.....he slows down so dang fast I thought I was gonna run over him. I look in the mirror when I reach my exit and he is about a mile behind me still in the same lane......lol
I would rather them pull into the next lane then slam on the brakes ......:D

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by cyled
I hope I don't see anybody ask how to install a "pushy" bar on a Maurader. :puke:

Damn, cyled...I was just gonna ask if anyone had the part number for the "Police Interceptor" badge... ;)

[Fourth Horseman]

Originally posted by cyled
Please Please Please don't start talking cop impersonation and the Maurader on the same board! (oops just did it there). Let's save it for the boys over at www.crownvic.net

:lol:

Please don't let this topic leave this thread!!!!! :D This site is too good for that. :D I hope I don't see anybody ask how to install a "pushy" bar on a Maurader. :puke:

Well, I'm sorry I related my story. :rolleyes:

[BigMerc]

I remember cruising high speed on the freeway and having cars pull over to the right because they thought I was in a Police cruiser......oooh wait a minute I WAS in a Police Cruiser....eerr nevermind

[O's Fan Rich]

"Please Please Please don't start talking cop impersonation and the Maurader on the same board! (oops just did it there). Let's save it for the boys over at www.crownvic.net"

Well, I don't think that will happen here. Even over there there is a "seperation" between the guys withe their head firmly planted in reality and those who... shalll we say, use their imagination.
Besides most of them would rather have a MM anyway!!

:banana: :banana: :banana:

[LincMercLover]

Nah... I'm kidding about all this, except the JCW thing I mentioned. I wouldn't do that on the streets, just when pulling into car shows. Little more visual "Look at me!" thing. No chance in hell I'd put a spot light, pushy bar (although, around here we need 'em!), red and blues, siren, or PI badging...

[Andrew10AE]

Well, the wont the "Police Interceptor" badge make the car go faster? Afterall, a Type-R badge does that!

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by Andrew10AE
Afterall, a Type-R badge does that!

And just how do you know about
Type-R badges? You a closet ricer? :eek:

[WolfeBros]

Hmmmmm.......I was just thinking.......maybe they aren't pulling over........once they see the MM behind them they are just giving up ??

No pushy bars here. :D

[LincMercLover]

http://members.aol.com/kprrpk/images/got%20rice.gif

[Andrew10AE]

LOL... fortunately I did not get that gene mutation

[chapel1]

Our old green Crown Vic kinda looks like a plain wrapper,and as soon as other cars would realize it's not a police car they would pass as as fast as they could.Kind of a "no respect kinda of thing".Now with the Marauder,they don't or can't.Is it fear ,respect or inablity to keep the pace?Or am I just having fun.:coolman:

[Marauderman]

chapel1--
Your exactly right--had the same occurrences till I got the MM...now get the results--telling them--take this ..boob! Am I'm gone........Oh how we have our fun!!! :banana2:

[Marauderman]

Someone had been using my keyboard--sticky keys!!!

Should have read" ....take this...boom! I'm gone!!...---

Previouse key mistakes had me laughing ---know everyone thought the same---had a little to much tonight already MM man....... Sorry--keys have now been cleaned.......gotta find out whose been on these keys..hummmmm..

[gja]

When I bought the Caprice it was on the dealers lot but was leftover from stock that was supposed to be for local detectives cars. They were so angry the county stiffed them on the contract they were in the biggest hurry to sell it. They left the enforcement lights package in place by accident, and the skidplate, too. I nearly fudged my pants when I went to install the ham radio gear in the car and found all of it!:eek: :eek:
I have it hooked up to the alarm, needless to say when it goes of nobody wants to be seen anywhere near it as they think it is an 'on-the-job' unit.:lol:

As far as the MM goes, my wife feels I should paint aviation numbers on it and file flight plans the way I drive. :burnout:

I admit I am a career speeder as my friend, a NYS trooper, puts it.
I have a terminal case of pes ploumbus (that's latin for lead-foot)

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by RF Overlord
Damn, cyled...I was just gonna ask if anyone had the part number for the "Police Interceptor" badge... ;)

XW7Z-5442528-AA

[cyled]

Originally posted by RCSignals
XW7Z-5442528-AA


:lol:

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by RCSignals
XW7Z-5442528-AA

Jolly Joker...

[Moparzz]

My MM has Whelen strobes on all four corners (built into parking lights and tailights) and a red wedge strobe over the rear-view mirror. I also have a siren to install. Why? I've been a carreer firefighter EMT for over 25 years and my department recalls us on a daily basis to supplement staffing and to respond to emergency calls. You have to hold a red-light permit in Mass. to be able to display lights while responding to emergency calls, but as previously mentioned, it could make for a grand entrance into the local cruise-ins too! :D

[SergntMac]

Oh Lord...It's happening...

What you DO with your MM is your business, but this kind of talk on a board has caused other very similar boards some serious problems. Fist fights, and real time stalkings, as I read it. As it's been asked here already, please do not post anymore of this stuff here...please?

My daddy taught me to tell the truth and I do. He also taught me to know when to tell it, and I get that distinction today. Let's just keep things here related to the fun of ownership, the prospect of mods, and the warning of factory fouls, okay? Let the rest of it...rest?

[LincMercLover]

I see no problem Sarge... All in the light of humor. I think we're all mature enoph that we don't go running around playing cops n' robbers with our $35K cars....

To each his own, and if he need to post his doing's on here, let it be. There's nothing that says he can't... Everyone has their tastes, and there will be those who just shake their heads at what some do to their MM's. So what?

[tetsu]

Sarge, don't worry. The impersonators use CVs not Mercs.

Soon, they will be using Wimpalas.

Johnny

[SergntMac]

Okay, I hear you, and you've heard me, thanks. I've had my say on this.

[Cooper]

Originally posted by SergntMac
Oh Lord...It's happening...

What you DO with your MM is your business, but this kind of talk on a board has caused other very similar boards some serious problems. Fist fights, and real time stalkings, as I read it. As it's been asked here already, please do not post anymore of this stuff here...please?...

Wise advice indeed. I'm a member of one such board where any topics regarding "police impersonation" have been :banned: by the administration... and with good reason. MMs, GMs, and civilian CVs like mine are NOT police cars. Adding strobes, wig-wag hedlights, blue lights, push bars (OMG... please, NOT on a Marauder!), etc. will only cause you problems with the REAL police.

Enjoy your Marauders for the beautiful, exciting cars that they ARE! :up:

[WolfeBros]

I agree. Good advice Sarge !

[Fourth Horseman]

I hope nobody here thought I was trying to play cop when I related that story. I have absolutely no interest in impersonating a cop. The entire concept never even entered my mind when I posted the d@mn thing. Jeeezus. :bs:

[RCSignals]

Fourth Horseman

I'm sure no one thinks that of you. It was taken as nothing more than an interesting story

[WolfeBros]

Forth Horseman I am sure no one took anything you said the wrong way. Apparently there are others on the CV site that go too far with the cop thing. We were just having fun here swapping tales. I know I don't want anyone to think I am a cop......they can fear the car for what it is. Big Bad Black MM. :) Your cool with me Brother Marauder !

[Fourth Horseman]

Thank you. I hope not.

Logan, perhaps it's time to lock this thread down before it gets any worse.

[Bigdogjim]

On the edge but fun? Agree it's time to move on. I am suprised there were no donut jokes? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Love the car :rock:

Big Dog

[RF Overlord]

Someone asked about donuts? ...and no, this is NOT my town...
Guess which one is Sarge's car....

[BeaSStMaster]

Sadly, many people couldn't tell a police cruiser from a mail truck. I often see people slowing down when they come up on me on the highway. (which, in itself is embarrassing since I should be going faster than everyone else) I take it with a grain of salt and a smile, having been stopped a few times by unmarked cars.

Maybe it's because the St. Louis PD has an 95 Impala SS in their "DARE" stable or maybe it's because the Illinois HP has a reputation of putting their cops in unmarked Camaros, Mustangs, Vettes, etc... :cool:

[LincMercLover]

Another STL memeber! What's up?

[tetsu]

Hey. You guys realize that at least one civilian owned MM has had spots installed on both A-pillars and an unnecessary antenna farm on the trunk lid also. All on a car that was planned from day one to be traded within 6 months. :(

Oh yeah....and the front flying-M was swapped for a Beemer badge. :s

Johnny

[SergntMac]

Johnny...This isn't the time or place for confession.

RF, I of course, would prefer the Explorer on duty, seems I did a lot of off-roading while in patrol, but that's another thread donchakno...

[mtnh]

yeah, whatever happened to old wjsolomon? read only??

[LincMercLover]

LOL, I doubt that was a confession... That is sad though. If I were the dealer, I'd DEFINATELY have to give him a cut in resale value, cause he just dueshed half the chances of someone picking that car back up off the used lot.