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Be careful of the image your chase vehicle presents

Warren Faidley

Warren Faidley

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Joined
May 7, 2006
Messages
2,380
Location
Mos Isley Space Port
I've always used black vehicles for storm chasing. Mostly black Nissan Xterras. I have at least three antennas, one for VHF/UHF communications, a cell phone antenna and a scanner antenna. My windows have very dark tint because I live in Arizona where the sun generates at least 1.21 gigawatts. I don't use light bars, spotlights, etc.

Twice during my last two hurricane chases I was confronted by multiple individuals who thought I was law enforcement. The first encounter occurred in Glaveston, TX when an shady-appearing guy with a few prison tats walked by and said "fuc_ing pig" while flipping me off. He circled around the back of my vehicle and stood there for a few moments before moving on.

The second event occurred in El Paso, TX on my way home from Hurricane Sally. While I was pumping gas, a truck with two occupants stopped across from me. The driver delivered a brief, politically-motivated comment regarding current events and clearly directed towards law enforcement.

I did not have any "chaser" signage on my vehicle when these events occurred. This will likely change, as the impression you project could get you killed now days.
 
If one does have a vehicle that could be mistaken for law enforcement (not me, that's for sure!) maybe it would be a good idea to avoid stopping in metropolitan areas, at least until, hopefully, the current feverish negative attitudes toward law enforcement subside. I wouldn't expect to incur such incidents in the majority of the traditional tornado-chasing alley. If you find yourself in Dallas, KC or Denver, e.g., head on out of there before stopping for gas or a meal or a motel room. 20-30 miles away from any city like that and the crime rate is going to be much lower, as well as the chance of running into scum like that.
 
Bob Schafer said:
If one does have a vehicle that could be mistaken for law enforcement (not me, that's for sure!) maybe it would be a good idea to avoid stopping in metropolitan areas, at least until, hopefully, the current feverish negative attitudes toward law enforcement subside. I wouldn't expect to incur such incidents in the majority of the traditional tornado-chasing alley. If you find yourself in Dallas, KC or Denver, e.g., head on out of there before stopping for gas or a meal or a motel room. 20-30 miles away from any city like that and the crime rate is going to be much lower, as well as the chance of running into scum like that.
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I thought the exact same thing -- especially in Texas, where I never expected an issue. The problem is once you travel along highways and interstates, you encounter a wide mix of people. I'm keeping the yellow "storm chaser" magnetic signs on when I travel. Ironically, I've not had a problem in Tucson.... yet.
 
I used to think that business about black SUVs being law enforcement or federal agents was just a stereotype - until 4 years ago when I went to a really for a presidential candidate during the primaries. Won't say which candidate so I won't start a political argument. But I was amazed before and after the rally to see more black SUVs than I had ever seen in my life, all some kind of LE. Not to this day sure what agency or more likely agencies they all were. So having seen this, I would agree with Warren's advice. And I don't think it matters much where you are - in rural areas, they might be perceived as federal agents. My SUV is silver, but I do have a couple very worn Skywarn stickers, so I am good - if I ever get another storm to chase and/or a relatively safe pandemic situation for an over-70 traveller.
 
I was actually in the drive thru the other day and was asked if I was a cop. I drive a Nissan Titan, and it does have extra antennas since most of the amateur radio stuff that I do has nothing to do with chasing. It took me by surprise though because anyone who's actually observant would know that police agencies almost exclusively order vehicles made by the "Big 3" (GM, Ford, Fiat/Chrysler). I know of a couple of areas near Nissan plants in Tennessee and Mississippi that have some Nissan trucks, and the same is probably true near Toyota plants, but that was the first time I've ever been mistaken for a cop by anyone since I started driving Nissans. Back when I first started chasing and Kentucky State Police still used 4th gen Camaros, I'd get mistaken for a trooper on occasion by the truckers, but they also make it a point to know which agencies run what cars on the lanes than they run.

I have a small RadarScope sticker on the back window, but I've otherwise tried *not* to look like a chaser in the field. I've even stopped running my SN beacon at times just to avoid being followed. With that said, I may have to reconsider that stance in light of what's going on these days, although I'd hate to have to do that just for my every day driving.
 
Funny this topic would come up because I just picked up a new chase vehicle last week, a black Chevy Suburban. I can see where people might be a bit confused with a couple of extra antennas on it. Fortunately, the hail protection that will be added should clear that for everyone except for maybe the lowest IQ’d people amongst us.
 
Anyone with eyes can see that I off road the hell out of my Titan, so that was the other part of why I was so surprised that I was mistaken for a cop. I've never seen a cop car with scratches from tree branches running the length of the vehicle LOL
 
Todd Lemery said:
Funny this topic would come up because I just picked up a new chase vehicle last week, a black Chevy Suburban. I can see where people might be a bit confused with a couple of extra antennas on it. Fortunately, the hail protection that will be added should clear that for everyone except for maybe the lowest IQ’d people amongst us.
Click to expand...

This should fix your problem...

sc.jpg
 
Bob Schafer said:
If one does have a vehicle that could be mistaken for law enforcement (not me, that's for sure!) maybe it would be a good idea to avoid stopping in metropolitan areas, at least until, hopefully, the current feverish negative attitudes toward law enforcement subside. I wouldn't expect to incur such incidents in the majority of the traditional tornado-chasing alley. If you find yourself in Dallas, KC or Denver, e.g., head on out of there before stopping for gas or a meal or a motel room. 20-30 miles away from any city like that and the crime rate is going to be much lower, as well as the chance of running into scum like that.
Click to expand...

I rent an SUV so hopefully it won’t turn out to be black, or maybe I can just request one that isn't.

Whatever the vehicle, given the current climate I would feel uncomfortable in any city even out in the Alley. Which is a shame, because during down periods I used to prefer staying in a nice comfortable hotel in a city where there was more stuff to do.
 
I can vouch for Denver and Aurora as being safe if you don’t go downtown where protesters are found. Same thing in Aurora. Earlier this year they were on I-225 up by the Aurora Mall so pretty far north. I’ve always driven a low profile vehicle to avoid standing out but I agree about the SN icon. I’ve had two and three vehicles following me in years past and it’s a little disconcerting because I don‘t want anyone to get hurt following me down a gravel road or if I make a big mistake.
 
When I had my 2011 black taurus I got pulled over by Texas DPS officer at night for a tag light being out. He pulls us over and asks for our department ID. What the heck? We're like "Uhh, department ID? we're not law enforcement, we're storm chasers"

I guess the ham antenna + computer stand + stuff on the windows made them think I was LEO.
 
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I'm invisible in traffic with my soccer mom mobile (grey Kia Sorento). Only current antenna is the weboost sharkfin. I had a skywarn magnet for years but that disappeared somewhere in the plains and I've never replaced it. Otherwise, no other stickers, lights, or anything.

On the other hand, when I had my magnet, the locals/local police would usually see it and ignore me if randomly parked in a pull-off somewhere. Now I really just depend on the camera/tripod to casually inform people what I'm up to.

In the current climate, and really forever since I've been doing this, I don't go into cities when chasing unless I'm passing through.
 
My vehicle is inconspicuous, the only possible telltale sign that I’m a chaser is my vanity plate but even that is subtle and only likely understood by meteorologists and other chasers. I drive a Highlander and only have a small signal antennae for my amp so no worries about being mistaken for a LEO but sometimes I think having something that tells the world what I’m doing wouldn’t be a bad idea, especially when parked in a remote spot away from the hordes where locals might suspect I’m a stranger up to no good. I’ve heard of chasers being encountered by suspicious locals in a hostile way and that’s something I’d like to avoid but unless I’m decked to the max in storm chasing paraphernalia would a simple Skywarn decal or two even make a difference? Probably not so I’ll likely just continue with the status quo.
 
Funny you bring this up. I pulled of the highway in south Dallas on a chase sometime in 2019 in my silver Jeep (which doesn't really look like LE at all) and I got a few stares with my 2 cell antennas and ham antenna and laptop on a mount (it was night - so it was easy to see). It did occur to me that I probably did look like LE to some and I was in an area where LE probably wasn't universally liked. Keeping your head on a swivel applies to more than just the sky these days.
 
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