Law Enforcement Experiences - Get It All Out!

[cdcollura]

OK, I created this thread so all storm chasers (and even non-chasers) can vent their experiences with law enforcement, good or bad.

I will start with mine, which happened May 27, 2008 in Waynoka, Oklahoma along 283 southbound and south of town en route to Altus (the target) at about 3 PM.

This trip, I rarely exceeded 5 MPH over the speed limit, respected towns (See a water tower = There's a city hall = Slow Down)!

For what it's worth, and behind a slow truck, blue and red lights flashed, my heart races ("Oh, no ... I don't wanna get a ticket on this trip!") ... But quickly calms down due to clear conscience that I was not speeding, stopped at stop sign, etc.

The officer (badge #26 in Waynoka, if anyone wants to give him a piece of mind, and their office is 580 824-2261 or write at 1759 Cecil Street, Waynoka, OK 73860). Well, I'll vent now, so be ready...

The rather polite officer, in a ford SUV, un-marked, approached and told me why he pulled me over. I was caught in the hail a day earlier, and my vehicle, a Chevy HHR had major hail dents and the front windshield was a spider web cracked mess. It was intact, and I was able to see fine, but the deputy did not think so.

I told him I was on my way to Oklahoma City, to exchange the rental car, and even showed the rental agreement and confirmation number of the claim with the car company. He did the licence check and all that. After 20 minutes, he came back and told me "I cannot let you continue driving this vehicle." I pleaded with him politely with all the "Sir" and "Thank You" and all the yoda-yoda-yoda and that A__ licking B.S and all that you HAVE TO do around mr authority.

He went back and took another 20 minutes. He comes back out, says I was lucky the car did not get impounded and towed, and gave me a $150 ticket to ruin my trip, which was going 99% perfect until then. I explained to him I was sorry, but the hail did damage, and I was on my way to fix it, and that there may be $10,000 in damage I may be responsible for. He replied in his by-the-book voice, "I understand that sir, but you should have thought about that before driving because now you have to pay $10,150."

I said, thanks sir, I'll get it fixed and slowly drove away, missing the storm, a tornadic supercell, that formed 20 minutes before I got to Altus, all because of a 40-45 minute delay ... Salt in the wound, ey?

Today (5-28) I completed the report / damage waiver and exchanged the vehicle at Oklahoma City (Will Rogers) airport for a Kia. With proof the repairs to the windshiled / new car was done, I called the number of the Waynoka police chief. I told him I got it fixed, and what I need to do.

The guy there (chief of police) was very left-handed. He told me "That's the way we work here, I cannot dismiss anything and you will have to pay the fine as it would be too much trouble to fight it, and I don't care if it's fixed or not".

Now, heres the real stab in the back ... I told him about the damage and responsibility (I did not mention the damage waiver, but that I might be responsible for thousands and thousands of dollars in damages. He replied with "I am a storm chaser too, I have been chasing storms since I was a kid, and that's the way it goes ... Sorry."

I guess cops who ARE storm chasers are now giving storms chasers a hard time too - WTF??

I was told my only option was to call the judge before 4 PM on June 17, 2008 and make a plea and talk to him / her. I guess I'll do that then. If I have to pay the $150 fine, so be it ... That town needs it more than I do.

Another (although mild) case (of many) storm chasers vs some bad cop. I know this year has been bad for that, but the part with the chief of police being a storm chaser himself is just darn cold. I feel like using my next frequent flyer points to show up there myself on June 17 in person just to tell them "F___ you".

Lesson learned: If you get into a supercells core, and get hail breaking your windshield ... The police just might do you a favor in adding more expense to what it would be to fix the damage from the hail in the form of an apathetic, cruel, and harrassing fine.

I have had damaged equipment before - Like a broken tail light - and normally you get a $30 ticket, which you get the light / part repaired, send the ticket back in, and the $30 charge is removed. I guess, like they said, these crooks in Waynoka do it a bit differently.

Any more cop stories? Be my guest......

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

Funny you should start this thread, just this last Sunday I was having a REAL bad day even though I saw a couple tornadoes, first I lost my power steering (hose came off), I thought I had it fixed but only made it 15 miles and it came off again. I knew I wasn't going to get it without tools so I was simply going to try and make it to Dodge City, I was in Rush County 60 miles out. About 3 miles into my journey I get a flat tire, no big deal, I'll just put the donut on and get a new one, problem is its Sunday night and everything is closed, and the next day is memorial day. Second problem is I am in the middle of training storms with heavy rain and hail outside. Finally the second problem is solved and I get out to change the tire, then the big problem happens (just when I thought things couldn't get worse they did) I had a lug nut stripped out, the 4 way would not get it off. I sat there thinking of my options (call a tow truck and spend HUNDREDS) eventually about an hour after sitting there cursing a KDOT guy pulls up and says he'd give me a ride into town to the sheriffs office where they would try to help me out. He drops me off and I run into the sheriff, the guy was more than willing to help, he came out looked at it and decided we would go get some tools, we made the 30 minute drive to his dads place to get some tools, get back and work on it, only to realize we needed one more tool, so we ran to one of his buddies places the other direction, when all was said and done I spend nearly 1.5 hours riding around with the guy, eventually we got the tire off and I made my way to dodge city. The guy went well out of his way above and beyond what he had too, I really appreciated it, he was a great guy. We did discuss chasers and he too did express the idea the chasers are transitioning from a helping source to a major nuisance, when you stop and think about it he's right, he mentioned its only a matter of time before someone dies....

Also, while riding around with him I inquired about them spotting and their lack of training, I questioned what procedures are taken to ensure their safety. He said they have made big strides since the Greensburg tornado and death of that Sherriff. He says they now don't spot at night, they just stay at the shop, he also said the dispatcher now has radar that shows little purple triangles ( I assume he was talking about TVS) and she relays to them where those are...

 

[Jeff Snyder]

I've really had nothing but good run-ins with law enforcement. I've been pulled over a couple of times while chasing for minor speeding (5-10 mph over one interstates and major federal highways), and each time the officer was professional, polite, and quite curious as to what was going on (weather-wise) -- once in the TX panhandle and once in the OKC area. A few other times, law enforcement folk have stopped where I was stopped (watching storms, video-taping, etc), and each experience was quite pleasant (including several interactions on 5-23-08 in Ness City and Hays). It has become apparent, at least in the very small sample size that I have, that many cops have woefully ineffective spotter training. I was told twice on 5-23 that the officer wished he had better training (including a Sheriff's deputy N of Hays) since he didn't think he learned much in whatever local training they do. I tried to explain the features as best I could, so I hope I helped educate a bit.

I remember have one run-in that was negative (the cop was a jerk), but I don't remember the specifics any more (it's been a while). The cop in the middle of the road on 3-28-07 was interesting, and I know some have had some big problems with some law enforcement in NW/NC KS (I70 area), but I can't say I have.

 

[Greg Ansel]

I got caught too...

The funny thing is that this time (as opposed to the other 20 or so times I was driving 80+ to get to or away from a storm) I was actually driving close to the speed limit. It was heading down to Woodward a few days ago, in a 65 mph zone, I was going about 73. I can normally see a LEO from a mile away but I was heading south going over a hill and around a curve when he passed by going north. I looked in my rearview mirror and saw him brake and turn around. Never a good sign. I was with another chase friend in his vehicle behind me and we both pulled over as the cop had his lights on. He was very polite and as he approached my truck he "touched" various things like my taillight guard and my hail guard on one of my windows (for those who haven't seen my truck, I have metal hailguards on all of the windows and lights). He asked for my driver's license and asked what year my vehicle was, which I thought was a strange question, especially since he didn't ask for registration and proof of insurance. He came back about 5 minutes later with a citation for $102 for doing 76 in a 65. Fight it? They know I won't. BUT, if I pay an additional $50 (extortion money), they'll keep the ticket off my official record. It's a little bit of a racket, but I just added it to the 15,000 miles of gas/oil change/new tire replaced because of debris/toll road costs that is incurred each year we come out. After he gave me the ticket, he asked me where the storms were going to be. In my head I had a great answer, but that would have gotten me arrested and I would have missed the non-storm in Woodward. And to top it off I missed the tornado in Pratt, go figure.

greg
Team Remora

 

[Joey Ketcham]

I've had nothing but positive experiences with law enforcement, they've been nothing short of respectful and friendly. On May 22nd on 2 different occasions during our down time we had a police officer approach us to talk about the weather, storm chasing etc. One was while we were in Hays and talked about DOW, TIV and the Discovery Channel and how they have spent a lot of time in Hays.

I was pulled over one night on the way back from chasing in Nebraska by a Kansas State Trooper and that was even a positive experience and after the "official" duty was done we got to talking about the storms that day up in Nebraska.

 

[Shane Adams]

Again, like the "too many chasers" threads, I got nothing....I just don't have these horror story type experiences. I must be the luckiest chaser alive.

 

[Susan Strom]

Mostly good experiences, one a little funky. One was very polite and discussed data with me in Ulysses KS, one was watching for my safety when I stumbled into a crime scene in the Central Deserts of Arizona, one helped me with back country road conditions near Kitt Peak, Arizona. The funky one was a late night officer with kind of a creepy vibe in Kansas, he made me feel uneasy, it was late and I was alone minding my own business shooting lightning, but I did leave promptly anyway even though he didn't ask me to. Another in Childress stopped to give me a warning for not much mph over and chatted about radios. So I'd say mostly all good encounters, with the exception of the late night one in Kansas. None wrote me any citations.

 

[Bill Tabor]

My bad experiences are mainly just about speeding tickets, and are often right as I am getting on a storm. These aren't always on purpose...sometimes I just don't see the speed zone sign changes as I enter towns from highways while busy multitasking. I don't recommend chasing with unpaid tickets either especially if you are going through Swisher county .

Other than that my experiences are good. They are polite at road blocks. I've seen Sheriffs that have their own video and camera equipment / tripods set up on storms. Also the other day chatting with one in a nearby town that saw my whole set up and dascam / computer, etc and didn't give me grief about it but was just shooting the breeze.

 

[Jesse Risley]

The only real "problem" that I've had this year was last weekend near the LaCrosse/Bison, KS supercell. A KHP officer was "advising" chasers to move along, and it got to the point that he blocked a highway for a short time and was forcing people to turn around, even though the "dangerous" part of the storm was 2-3 miles to the NW and moving off to the ENE.

The guy didn't act unprofessional, nor did he throw anyone in a headlock, but I find it unnecessary to try and move people who mostly know what they are doing and choose to purposely position themselves near a dangerous thunderstorm...somehow I feel as if I am preaching to the choir though. On an additional note, I never saw any chasers near where he was focused on clearing people out that were even remotely breaking any laws or illegally parked.

My experiences here in the IL/IA/MO region have been nothing but positive. I've said this before, but I do think some LEOs just dislike storm chasers, for a small variety of reasons. Fortunately these LEOs are in the minority, but if you cross their path then don't expect a pat on the back.

 

[Adam Lucio]

The only real "problem" that I've had this year was last weekend near the LaCrosse/Bison, KS supercell. A KHP officer was "advising" chasers to move along, and it got to the point that he blocked a highway for a short time and was forcing people to turn around, even though the "dangerous" part of the storm was 2-3 miles to the NW and moving off to the ENE.

I saw him too along highway 4 i believe it was. I wasnt too fond of him advising us to move, but at leaste he kept it at that...in my opinion thats all they should be allowed to do is ADVISE. In the end it should be left up to me. Im responsible for my own well being and I have noone to blame but myself should something go wrong.

I have yet to have a bad experience while chasing, I got a written warning once for not having a front plate [illegal here in IL] but that was it. A few officers have pulled up when they see us observing the storms, may ask a few questions and then off they go.

I guess thats the only advantage to living in the crapvection capitol of the US....the image of chasers isnt going down hill due to the large convoys.

 

[Verne Carlson]

I was pulled over a couple weeks ago in Seymore, TX - had no idea what it could possibly be for as I was going the speed limit and had just turned onto the road doing 10mph. I was ticketed for no seat belt. $130 friggin dollars. I'm sorry but if I want to go through the windshield it should be my choice. I hate these 'nanny' type laws.

 

[J West]

No issues to report here, but then again Ive had zero "unscheduled" law enforcement contact outside of WI, even while chasing. I must find the right back roads or just be lucky, but I have not spoken a word to another officer while chasing in MN, IA, IL or MO. I have seen plenty, gotten some waves etc but thats it. When I have been spotting locally, the cops usually swing past and once they find out what I/we are doing there they either pull over and offer to stay there with their lights on or at least shoot the breeze and get the overview before taking off. Either way, it's always been nothing but polite contact.

I have been stopped twice locally while spotting/chasing for rolling a stop sign (the "California stop") and speeding (after-hours) in a construction zone with no posted lower speed limit, both resulted in verbal warnings and in the case of the speed limit, the officer agreed with me about the signage missing and advised their DPW to fix it the next day.

I can see why the plains cops are getting p*ssed off though, with all these 30 car chaser clusters, but I think they resort to anger because they are mentally overwhelmed by all these people in their podunk county. I'm not saying it's right but I think that is what is happening.

 

[Jason Foster]

Chris:

Having chased with you in the past, we share some stories of run-in with the law. Guymon, OK seems to be the sore spot for the Weathervine crew.

Most of the time my interactions with officers in the plains have been positive. We tend to get the curious type, and usually either when we're waiting for initiation, or toward the end of a chase when we aren't moving much. Have had some great conversations and learned a lot from these fact sharing officers. Many of them have really great storm stories too.

Now, when I return home to the east coast, then it's a totally different story. Worst scenario was when I lived in South Beach, Florida. There an officer basically told me to pay him, or he'd have my car towed. I didn't pay, the car got towed a few days later (and 100% legally parked and permitted). Saw a officer likely picking up a prostitute too. Which I thought I got on tape, but later check, and didn't get it.

I've had lots of speeding tickets in Maryland and Florida. Florida is just horrible. High cost fines, never clear the record, and add additional fees like crazy. Reinstatement fees, Driving school fees. A simply $150 speeding ticket ends up costing $300. Chris, I'm sure you're familiar with Florida's tactics.

In Maryland, I've become quite familiar with the tactics of officers and the law itself. I also attend court everytime and about 50% of the time the case is dismissed (40% of the time the cop never shows). Most of my early tickets were PBJ (probation before judgement). One of the tickets I got I videotaped, and when I advised the officer, and his superior that I had such a tape record of the incident (and this was a particular bad situation), the officer left the force (and went where else....Florida).

In the last five years I've only received one speeding ticket in Kansas in 2006.

 

[Eric Treece]

Never had really an unpleasant experience while chasing with LEO's. Only ticket I ever recieved on a chase was back in like 02' in Wyoming. I was driving 10 over on cruise control on the way home and I saw him coming and slow down so I knew he got me.......I just pulled over before he ever turned around. Asked me what I was doing with all my equipment and started telling me storm story after storm story and I thought "this guy is pretty cool!".......until he gave me my citation for 5 over. But I have been pulled over numerous times coming HOME from chases.....and almost always they will ask where the weather was, what I saw, what all my equipment is about. I used to carry this stuffed animal and one officer let me put it in his squad car like it had been arrested and take its picture. Then he posed with it and I took their picture. Another guy in OK pulled me over for speeding, again on the way home on cruise control, and he asked me if I knew why I was being pulled over. I said "Yes, but I am curious as to how fast you clocked me at because this stupid truck opened the throttle laboring up the hill and I know when you came over I was accelerating big time" and he said "oh, I was wondering what that was about........how fast did you have the cruise set at?" I was honest and said 5 over. He said, ok "I have a Jeep that does the same thing....accelerates when going up hill" so he let me off with a warning. All in all I have to say I have nothing but good experiences when I get pulled over with LEO's.

 

[Steven Maupin]

Well as per Oklahoma statutes, I think you might as well save your time and pay the fine, because the officer did nothing than what he was supposed to do. The problem with your story is

1. That you didn’t get your windshield replaced, instead opting to chase with a winshield that is “ A spider web cracked mess.”
2. You said yourself that the damage happened the day before, so you had a whole day to have it fixed.

I wouldn’t expect sympathy when what happened was your own fault by driving with a damaged windshield you not only put your self but others at risk. What makes me mad is that you get upset at the officer doing his job, which is protecting not only others but also you from yourself. Now I’m not trying to start things here but I am just letting you know what he did was exactly what he was supposed to do, it might have been a little harsh but then again he didn’t have your vehicle impounded, he did let you go. Things all chasers should remember is that you should NEVER put anything above yours or anyone else’s safety, it’s only weather and there will be lots more of it to see in the future… unless you’re dead. The funny thing is either way you look at it you were going to lose the chase day and $150 bucks (ticket=150; new windshield=150).


Section 12-404 - Windshields Must Be Unobstructed And Equipped With Wipers
A. As used in this section:
1. "Critical area" means the area cleaned by the normal sweep of the windshield wiper blade on the driver's side. The area covered by the wiper blade cannot be reduced from manufacturer's original specifications;
2. "Noncritical areas" means all other areas;
3. "Outright breakage" means glass which is severely cracked or shattered to the extent that air passes through it or, if by running a fingertip over the cracked area, the glass moves or sharp edges can be felt;
4. "Star break or shot damage" means a vented break with cracks radiating from the point of impact; and
5. "Stress or hairline crack" means a crack which has no visible point of impact.
B. No person shall operate any motor vehicle which:
1. Is not equipped with a windshield;
2. Has any outright breakage in the windshield or in the window on either side of the driver;
3. Has any star break or shot damage, three (3) inches or more in diameter, located in the critical area; or
4. Has two or more stress or hairline cracks, twelve (12) inches or more in combined length, located in the critical area.