Mike Hollingshead
It is scary. I heard there was even a clown there with sparklers...and an elephant. I heard one car about slid off the road from all the dung. I never imagined chasing would come to this.
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After witnessing the continued decrease of involvement in the SpotterNetwork staff in serving SN members with troubleshooting issues recently, I have unilaterally decided to terminate the relationship between SpotterNetwork's support and Stormtrack. I have witnessed multiple users unable to receive support weeks after initiating help threads on the forum. I find this lack of response from SpotterNetwork officials disappointing and a failure to hold up their end of the agreement that was made years ago, before I took over management of this site. In my opinion, having Stormtrack users sit and wait for so long to receive help on SpotterNetwork issues on the Stormtrack forums reflects poorly not only on SpotterNetwork, but on Stormtrack and (by association) me as well. Since the issue has not been satisfactorily addressed, I no longer wish for the Stormtrack forum to be associated with SpotterNetwork.
I apologize to those who continue to have issues with the service and continue to see their issues left unaddressed. Please understand that the connection between ST and SN was put in place long before I had any say over it. But now that I am the "captain of this ship," it is within my right (nay, duty) to make adjustments as I see necessary. Ending this relationship is such an adjustment.
For those who continue to need help, I recommend navigating a web browswer to SpotterNetwork's About page, and seeking the individuals listed on that page for all further inquiries about SpotterNetwork.
From this moment forward, the SpotterNetwork sub-forum has been hidden/deleted and there will be no assurance that any SpotterNetwork issues brought up in any of Stormtrack's other sub-forums will be addressed. Do not rely on Stormtrack for help with SpotterNetwork issues.
Sincerely, Jeff D.
Dick McGowan
EF5
I heard the cop was dressed up like a chicken and was shooting bb's at the chasers who were car surfing. But the cop let them go because they had lightbars and knew it was only March.
Kenny Drake
EF3
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2006
- Messages
- 227
I think this situation needs to be handled very delicately. As it is, LE/storm chaser relations are quite fragile. Those involved need to get in contact with the LE agency in West Texas whom this officer works for and try to work out some sort of compromise before going public (this is the internet, so it somewhat is public already). I say this because more than likely this officer became agitated after certain events unfolded involving bad driving and other practices which those in the area at the time witnessed other chasers do. This officer took things too far when he called up a chasers boss with false claims. Basically I think the approach that needs to be taken is this: (1) We as storm chasers need to acknowledge that there are a very few (but there are) chasers who act carelessly while chasing. However, most of us follow the law and chase in a very safe manner. (2) The officer who took things too far needs to be punished adequately.
The reason for this compromise approach is that storm chasers, spotters, news media, and law enforcement will generally be the only ones in the area of storms. Whether its justified or not, LE will tend place the blame on the first two because they want to keep things from going public (news media would definitely.) Its better for those chasing storms for whatever reason and LE to have a good relationship. I think the May 28th incident was an officer who was either informed or witnessed some unlawful behavior on part of a few storm chasers, combined with the fact that a storm was about to rip his town apart and freaked out. Whether its fair or not, if LE really dislikes storm chasers they could catch us for the most minor offenses (failing to use turn signal, etc) and punish you with the harshest possible penalty for that offense. I've noticed stormtrack has storm spotters, storm chasers, and some news media. The one thing that lacks is law enforcement. Maybe if we were to communicate with law enforcement more often we could work out these issues. The May 28th incident is proof that there is major miscommunication and misunderstandings in the LE community, and general public as to our (storm chasers and spotters) purpose.
The reason for this compromise approach is that storm chasers, spotters, news media, and law enforcement will generally be the only ones in the area of storms. Whether its justified or not, LE will tend place the blame on the first two because they want to keep things from going public (news media would definitely.) Its better for those chasing storms for whatever reason and LE to have a good relationship. I think the May 28th incident was an officer who was either informed or witnessed some unlawful behavior on part of a few storm chasers, combined with the fact that a storm was about to rip his town apart and freaked out. Whether its fair or not, if LE really dislikes storm chasers they could catch us for the most minor offenses (failing to use turn signal, etc) and punish you with the harshest possible penalty for that offense. I've noticed stormtrack has storm spotters, storm chasers, and some news media. The one thing that lacks is law enforcement. Maybe if we were to communicate with law enforcement more often we could work out these issues. The May 28th incident is proof that there is major miscommunication and misunderstandings in the LE community, and general public as to our (storm chasers and spotters) purpose.
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Jeff Miller
EF5
Alright, I believe this was a reply to my "scary" comment. The intent of my post was not to overdramatize the situation. I was simply commenting on what I *perceived* was ths situation - I wasn't there, so I only went on the comments that I was observing. Regardless of what happened on this day, the point was to attempt - and I repeat, to attempt - to try to just put another point of view on this particular "problem".
Perhaps from now on I shall refrain from comment on these situations unless I myself am there to avoid this sort of sarcasm.
Amos Magliocco
EF5
I agree with Kenny that some kind of private contact is better than a organized, Stormtrack-based public relations assault on the sheriff's department. It sounds like this guy was out of line, but I saw one or two instances of reckless driving that *might* have either started or escalated the department's response. The worst was a media chaser from Oklahoma City in a black pickup truck, whose driving was more than deserving of an arrest. Again, I don't know if that had anything to do with it.
David's hypothesis makes sense, that this cop was freaked out at the combo of tornadoes and a bazillion chasers.
Either way, I can't see how a public attack on the police in Briscoe County can help. They're not going to fire the deputy because stormchasers on an internet bulletin board don't like him, but if we go to the papers or television, then the next time we're out there, the deputy himself might like us even less than he did on Wednesday.
As a Texas chaser who will chase Briscoe County in the future, I'd hope Jason and other wronged parties can deal with the matter directly.
David's hypothesis makes sense, that this cop was freaked out at the combo of tornadoes and a bazillion chasers.
Either way, I can't see how a public attack on the police in Briscoe County can help. They're not going to fire the deputy because stormchasers on an internet bulletin board don't like him, but if we go to the papers or television, then the next time we're out there, the deputy himself might like us even less than he did on Wednesday.
As a Texas chaser who will chase Briscoe County in the future, I'd hope Jason and other wronged parties can deal with the matter directly.
B Doss
EF2
Jay McCoy
EF5
I think most people are missing the main point here.
We all know it was a zoo along 256 north of Silverton. Chasers were all over the place and some were acting very stupidly. The deputy had every right to try and clamp down on that and even yell at some people. Hell I wanted to yell at a few and it will only get worse as we get into May. If thats where the story ended I would say drop it.
The part that is not ok and is being missed by people is well after the event he called Jason's employer and made up a story about being run off the road into a ditch. He fabricated the whole thing in an attempt to get Jason in trouble or fired. I dont care what state of mind he was in during the tornado near Silverton or whether he was worreid about anybodys safety. He made a consious decision to call a tv station and lie hours later. There isnt anybody here that can honestly defend that in any way. He is a dishonest law enforcement officer and if not called out on this will do it again to somebody else. But next time it may not be an employer but a judge he tells his lies to.
We can make a whole new thread about chaser activities and lack of safety but this has NOTHING to do with what he did after the event.
We all know it was a zoo along 256 north of Silverton. Chasers were all over the place and some were acting very stupidly. The deputy had every right to try and clamp down on that and even yell at some people. Hell I wanted to yell at a few and it will only get worse as we get into May. If thats where the story ended I would say drop it.
The part that is not ok and is being missed by people is well after the event he called Jason's employer and made up a story about being run off the road into a ditch. He fabricated the whole thing in an attempt to get Jason in trouble or fired. I dont care what state of mind he was in during the tornado near Silverton or whether he was worreid about anybodys safety. He made a consious decision to call a tv station and lie hours later. There isnt anybody here that can honestly defend that in any way. He is a dishonest law enforcement officer and if not called out on this will do it again to somebody else. But next time it may not be an employer but a judge he tells his lies to.
We can make a whole new thread about chaser activities and lack of safety but this has NOTHING to do with what he did after the event.
Amos Magliocco
EF5
It's nice to see ST (on the front page) take a stand to encourage chasers to consider how they drive. In the last few years, this forum has become increasingly intolerant of safety discussion or any related topic (lightbars, etc), to the point where I think people avoid it entirely.
This creates the impression that Stormtrack as an entity advocates no particular position on the matter, as if hit counts matter more than the chance of offending chasers who, for whatever reason, entrench themselves against these conversations and always attempt to sabatoge them.
Of all the places chasers should feel comfortable discussing safety, ST should be at the top of list. It's good to see an editorial position that sounds more like what the magazine stood for under David Hoadley and Tim Marshall.
This creates the impression that Stormtrack as an entity advocates no particular position on the matter, as if hit counts matter more than the chance of offending chasers who, for whatever reason, entrench themselves against these conversations and always attempt to sabatoge them.
Of all the places chasers should feel comfortable discussing safety, ST should be at the top of list. It's good to see an editorial position that sounds more like what the magazine stood for under David Hoadley and Tim Marshall.
Jason A.C. Brock
Who knows why he pulled you over. I do know one thing tho. They were all over the radio on my scanner telling dispatch about the "media circus". I also heard one officer tell another..."You got a chaser crossing into your county doing 87 towards you." He also noted to let dispatch make a note he pulled over a media chaser from Amarillo and he only stopped them to ask for info on the storm.....If this was you I am guessing he also lied to his dispatch on the reason he pulled you over. 
I think you should jut drop the issue unless it happens again....if you dont drop it.....it may very well happen again....the more we keep trying to promote our freedom as chasers.....the quicker they will take it away from us. I can tell you one thing....the emergency management and local spotters etc. look down on stormchasers...even if we do know more about storms than they do. The feel like their toes are getting stepped on maybe? They think we dont know as much about storms as they do? Who knows....I do know one thing....that area is famous for giving tickets....Memphis and Esteline are the definition of "speed trap".
I think you should jut drop the issue unless it happens again....if you dont drop it.....it may very well happen again....the more we keep trying to promote our freedom as chasers.....the quicker they will take it away from us. I can tell you one thing....the emergency management and local spotters etc. look down on stormchasers...even if we do know more about storms than they do. The feel like their toes are getting stepped on maybe? They think we dont know as much about storms as they do? Who knows....I do know one thing....that area is famous for giving tickets....Memphis and Esteline are the definition of "speed trap".
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Danny Neal
EF5
Was this guy in uniform and wearing a badge? or at least present you with one? This guy sounds unreal. For all we know it could have been some yahoo with lights in a pickup. I am sure this was not the case. I have never heard of a sheriff or deputy in a dark gray pickup before. This guy was insane.
I agree with Jay and others about the conduct of this "officer." Was he a younger guy or older one? I keep picturing this guy as a volunteer fire fighter or a storm spotter, completely peaved that his normal "territory" was being invaded. I have had a run in with that before. My dad is a fire fighter was spotting in the SW CWA some yahoo came up to us inpersonated a police officer, told us we weren't welcome to spot in this area and we had to leave, my dad asked to see his badge, said he left it in the car, next thing we know he turns his little red light off and speeds away.
Bad chaser conduct should be reprimanded by proper law enforcement officials. A tornado passing dangerously close to a populated area, or a chaser hanging out his window filming it....hmmmmm. While his county is getting ripped apart, lets puff out our chest and try to intimidate people who are doing a better job of warning his county than he is.
I agree with Jay and others about the conduct of this "officer." Was he a younger guy or older one? I keep picturing this guy as a volunteer fire fighter or a storm spotter, completely peaved that his normal "territory" was being invaded. I have had a run in with that before. My dad is a fire fighter was spotting in the SW CWA some yahoo came up to us inpersonated a police officer, told us we weren't welcome to spot in this area and we had to leave, my dad asked to see his badge, said he left it in the car, next thing we know he turns his little red light off and speeds away.
Bad chaser conduct should be reprimanded by proper law enforcement officials. A tornado passing dangerously close to a populated area, or a chaser hanging out his window filming it....hmmmmm. While his county is getting ripped apart, lets puff out our chest and try to intimidate people who are doing a better job of warning his county than he is.
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Gerard Jebaily
EF2
I have some video of something similar from that day that i will soon upload and post a link to ITT. I witnessed a police officer of some sort wearing a black cap yelling at everyone to slow down at T junction. There were ALOT of chasers around and most were driving at safe speeds near that intersection. I saw this cop yell at a car to pull over and the cop opened the door of this guys car (looked to me like an inexperienced chaser with a car full of people) and BIT...HIS...HEAD...OFF
! There is nothing that this guy could have done to warrant that kind of verbal abuse. Im not sure if we need to submit this kind of stuff to any higher athority or not. But i do wish i had the cops badge number or liscense plate number but i was almost to afraid to record the incident. Video coming soon.
! There is nothing that this guy could have done to warrant that kind of verbal abuse. Im not sure if we need to submit this kind of stuff to any higher athority or not. But i do wish i had the cops badge number or liscense plate number but i was almost to afraid to record the incident. Video coming soon.
David Drummond
Member
Welcome to Texas! Especially in west Texas, nearly every county has some, if not all their vehicles as pickups, many of them brown or gray colors. My county has dark grey pickups exclusively. The pickup that day was WELL marked. In the more rural counties they don't often wear a uniform either. Mostly jeans, shirt and a cowboy hat with a badge on the pocket. Make no mistake though, they are as official as that clean black and white that Texas Trooper with the well pressed uniform is wearing though.
Danny Neal
EF5
Wow....as others have said, I would at the very least send the video to the Broscoe or Hall county sheriffs office and ask for a written apology or at least some sort of reaction towards it. Even if he was deputy, if the sheriff does nothing about the conduct on his officer, I can so see the media ads come election time........assuming its the same there that it is in IL where we elect sheriffs.
"Do you want to re-elect sheriff "so and so" when the conduct of his officers are going around harrassing "public servants" in a regional emergency?"
or
"When your town is at risk from severe weather, do you want this guy (show picture/video) chasing away your best hope for up to the second weather reports?"
haha although I wouldn't go this far now. I would certainly be majorly pissed if I got a complete blowoff from the sheriffs office after I sent video evidence of a cop abusing his authority and come election time I would have his head on a platter.
"Do you want to re-elect sheriff "so and so" when the conduct of his officers are going around harrassing "public servants" in a regional emergency?"
or
"When your town is at risk from severe weather, do you want this guy (show picture/video) chasing away your best hope for up to the second weather reports?"
haha although I wouldn't go this far now. I would certainly be majorly pissed if I got a complete blowoff from the sheriffs office after I sent video evidence of a cop abusing his authority and come election time I would have his head on a platter.
Earl Faubion
EF3
Jay, I don't think anyone missed the part about the deputy's call to the station's assignment editor. That conversation, unless it was recorded (and I hope it was) will likely turn into a he-said she-said type of deal. As with everything else we've read so far, it's only one side of the story. Why are some so anxious to condemn before the full story is known?
We've already learned there was more to the overall picture than was mentioned in the beginning, and who is to say there isn't still more that we don't yet know about? Right or wrong, the accused deserves a chance to respond. And unless a complaint is filed, it's not likely we'll ever know. It seems to me we've reached the "put up or shut up" phase.
For all we know this deputy is already on thin ice with his department and his command is waiting for one more complaint to bust him out. Or maybe he really did have a bad day and it was a one time thing. The point is we don't know and until we do, ANY rush to judgment is unwise.
Likewise with the OKC media chaser in the black pickup and the other traffic scofflaws. I hope those who witnessed those events will at least let those people know what they saw and impress on them that kind of behavior will not be tolerated. The tailgating thing especially, I'd be complaining loudly to his employer as I view tailgaters as a direct threat to my life and property. Rude behavior is one thing, dangerous illegal driving is another. I'm especially interested in learning who the media guy is because I might know him. Wouldn't it be a hoot if it turned out that is who the deputy thought he was stopping when he flagged Jason?
We've already learned there was more to the overall picture than was mentioned in the beginning, and who is to say there isn't still more that we don't yet know about? Right or wrong, the accused deserves a chance to respond. And unless a complaint is filed, it's not likely we'll ever know. It seems to me we've reached the "put up or shut up" phase.
For all we know this deputy is already on thin ice with his department and his command is waiting for one more complaint to bust him out. Or maybe he really did have a bad day and it was a one time thing. The point is we don't know and until we do, ANY rush to judgment is unwise.
Likewise with the OKC media chaser in the black pickup and the other traffic scofflaws. I hope those who witnessed those events will at least let those people know what they saw and impress on them that kind of behavior will not be tolerated. The tailgating thing especially, I'd be complaining loudly to his employer as I view tailgaters as a direct threat to my life and property. Rude behavior is one thing, dangerous illegal driving is another. I'm especially interested in learning who the media guy is because I might know him. Wouldn't it be a hoot if it turned out that is who the deputy thought he was stopping when he flagged Jason?
Jay McCoy
EF5
We know the full story Earl.. We can forget all about everything that happened on that road. I can see where he went nuts out there with that circus. I actually went east towards Memphis just to get away from it.
But he called and talked to a couple of people at the station. It doesnt matter if its a "he said she said". It is the fact he called the station at all when Jason did nothing to provoke it. That is well over the line period!!!
That is the only thing that really needs to be dealt with. Not him stopping chasers and trying to control mayhem that is a chaser convergence. We have all seen them and cant blame him for freaking out.
As for the media guy.. It wasnt Jason. He drives a bright yellow truck and this guy from OKC drives a well know black one. He blew by me a few times doing well over 80. Also there were like at least 10 media units on this beast. Most with flashing lights and all kinds of decals. Jason has a little magnetic sign on the door and no lights.
I just wish he would have stopped me..I would have been on the radio to his dispatch in seconds asking for a supervisor.
But he called and talked to a couple of people at the station. It doesnt matter if its a "he said she said". It is the fact he called the station at all when Jason did nothing to provoke it. That is well over the line period!!!
That is the only thing that really needs to be dealt with. Not him stopping chasers and trying to control mayhem that is a chaser convergence. We have all seen them and cant blame him for freaking out.
As for the media guy.. It wasnt Jason. He drives a bright yellow truck and this guy from OKC drives a well know black one. He blew by me a few times doing well over 80. Also there were like at least 10 media units on this beast. Most with flashing lights and all kinds of decals. Jason has a little magnetic sign on the door and no lights.
I just wish he would have stopped me..I would have been on the radio to his dispatch in seconds asking for a supervisor.
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