New definition of sheriffnado!!!

[Bill Hark]

There are two sides to every story, but it sounds like Jason encountered a police officer who was already having a bad day (maybe his girlfriend dumped him) plus the added stress of a tornado and hordes of chasers. It's up to Jason to decide how to follow up this incident though I would also recommend private contact first before posting on YouTube or contacting media. Unfortunately, this won't be the last incident.

I think there are some measures that can be done to help prevent future incidents with law enforcement. Of course, chasers should behave responsibly, drive safely etc. There's plenty written on proper chaser behavior.

Be Proactive:

Even when not "pulled over", most chasers have had contact with law enforcement. Always be friendly, polite and helpful. Take a few minutes to discuss the forecast, point out radar echoes and show equipment. Ask the officer about nearby road conditions or even their favorite restaurant. Maybe the officer has some interesting stories about previous storms. This establishes the chaser as person, not just one more unnamed tourist speeding through the area. You also show that you value the officer’s opinion. I have found local police to be very helpful. The target area may be a hundred miles away but you or another chaser may encounter the officer or one of his coworkers at a later date.

While Chasing:

In addition to the usual behavior recommendations, be careful when passing law enforcement. If possible, briefly stop to ask if it is all right to pass. You may just have to say that you are aware of the tornado, will drive safely and will report any injuries or damage. If there are four lanes, move over to the center lane when passing a parked emergency vehicle. Many states have laws prohibiting passing a parked emergency vehicle on the adjacent lane.

If pulled over:


I’ve been pulled over multiple times for speeding (not while chasing) and have found that the best policy is politeness. Never argue with the officer. Find out the alleged violation. Be apologetic if you think you are guilty. Observe the situation, name and badge number of the officer or his/her license plate number and make some quick notes when the incident is over. I think running a video or audio tape is very useful. Just don’t tell the officer you are doing it or threaten, “I got you on tape.†The best intelligence is when the other side doesn’t know you have it. Of course, you can always tape over the encounter if it is not favorable.

After an incident:

If an altercation or harassment occurs, first contact the officer’s department and do it as a concerned citizen rather than threatening publicity or lawsuits. I think many incidents can be resolved with a nice discussion, listening to their concerns and appropriate apologies. If not, then bring out the “big guns†with video evidence, going to the media etc.

Bill Hark



Below is a still from the famous encounter with security near a nuclear facility outside of Amarillo. I accidentally left the camera on.

 

[Tony Cook]

Looks like half the problem is when everyone feels the need to park with everyone else in one concentrated location...along a highway instead of off it on something else. I'd venture a guess there was a lot of following going on this day.

This was also at the intersection of Highways 256 & 70. I was stopped trying to make a decision as to whether to go north or east. Of course, I eventually made the wrong decision and went north, but I think the fact that this was a junction was at least somewhat to blame for the convergence.

I did witness the last few seconds of the sheriff outburst also, though I was further back, and not filming it. Crazy.

TonyC

 

[Brian Stertz]

Of all the "encounters" with the LAW I have had while chasing, I have had no problems with State Highway Troopers (KS Troopers are a bit edgy from time to time). But I have run into a few problematic "high and mighty" local & county Fife's. I have even chased with a few troopers as an escort (once in Arkansas on a nighttime tornado and once in the SE Texas Panhandle on a mega mothership near Memphis). They said to follow them and that I did. They pulled over and I pulled over and we watched it. They appreciated the information as to what I was seeing and they kept in close contact with the dispatcher who was relaying the reports to the NWS. The chaser/trooper relationship works 98% of the time...it's just that darn 2% that is bad and memorable (and hopefully forgettable)

 

[Dan Robinson]

I don't think the presence of a lot of people and cars justifies these actions. Chaser convergences are not the only places where there are many cars and people around. Do cops go crazy after an NFL game or rock concert, pulling random people over and screaming at them?

The one thing I see that officers and chasers both need to remember that lots of storm chasers=lots of video cameras. If you do something stupid or out of line, someone's going to get it on tape. Maybe that alone would be enough to cause people to think twice.

I will say this, if that ever happens to me, there will be multiple cameras rolling in the car and I will not hesitate to feed the video to every television network, viral video site, and news magazine show producer I can after the chase is over.

Wow, lightbars and now speeding. This is becoming an all-star chase issues thread.

 

[jason kissam]

i agree with the post, you need to stand up and make the choice to make a complaint.

now on the side of being positive, i was on a storm about 2 yrs ago in el paso county colorado, an unmarked deputy pulled in behind me and lit me up. then he noticed that i was in my vehicle marked with my FD plates and lightbar. well he said to be safe and i asked for a business card and gave him pictures.

seems like the barney fife syndrome strikes when there are multiple factors of excitement involved.

respect the laws and obey the traffic laws then we all will be ok

 

[Mickey Ptak]

Looks like half the problem is when everyone feels the need to park with everyone else in one concentrated location...along a highway instead of off it on something else. I'd venture a guess there was a lot of following going on this day.

Yes for the most part you are right, but it was very hard to find a good high visual spot in that geographical location. i.e. If there was a hill, there were trees in the way. If you could climb a tree, there would be a hill in the way. Finding a good spot to set up camera was quite difficult at times. Where there was clear viewing there were 10+ chasers.

Mick

 

[Dan Robinson]

Jason's right. There are far more pro-chaser LE officers than anti-chaser officers. I have many stories of friendly encounters with police while on a storm. One small town cop in Oklahoma told me that city hall was open for us and any chasers who needed internet data or a place to stop for lunch.

 

[Gerard Jebaily]

There is one question i was wanting to ask everyone. If a new thread is needed for this let me know. My question is.. If a police vehicle is in front of you, following a storm, and decides he is close enough, or slows down, but you think you could get closer safely, is it ok to pass him? I guess this could depend on if it is a 2 lane or 4 lane road. Ive heard of people passing police cars on 2 lane, and 4 lane roads to follow a storm but i wasnt sure if this is considered legal or acceptable. I have witnessed numerous times police cars blocking roadways preventing anyone from driving by. The ever popular rolling road block is one of them. However if there is one police unit blocking the right lane, can i pass him in the left lane? Or if he is going very slow in my lane of a 2 lane highway, can i pass him on the oncoming traffic lane given that it is not a solid centerline?

 

[Mickey Ptak]

There is one question i was wanting to ask everyone. If a new thread is needed for this let me know. My question is.. If a police vehicle is in front of you, following a storm, and decides he is close enough, or slows down, but you think you could get closer safely, is it ok to pass him?

Chad and I did. The officer was going 50 in a 65 so we passed is ars. Nothing illegal about passing a cop if you are not crossing a solid line or going over the speed limit. Matter of fact from the sounds of it, it could have been the same officer everyone is talking about, sounds like the truck at least. Heck for all I know, if it was him, we could have been the first to piss him off thus setting the stage for the rest of you guys for all his BS. This officer didn’t even bother us though.

Mick

 

[MatthewCarman]

If I am correct the speed limit on the interstates is usually 70-75 MPH and the speed limit on highways around here is around 70 MPH. Do you realy have to go any faster to chase a storm? If a storm is moving 40-50 MPH or even 60 MPH I would think you could still stay ahead of it but I have yet to chase one so mabey I am wrong. I understand you have things like traffic etc to slow you down. I did not mean to ruffle some feathers with that comment but I am just thinking about the safety of everyone on the raod instead of myself. I apologize if that offends anyone that is not my intention and I am not accusing anyone here.

Just how big do chaser covergances get? I am wondering if anyone has seen over a 100 chasers/people on a tornado? I would assume it will only get worse as more and more people are interestd in chasing every year. I assume OK and KS has the biggest storm chasing crowds?
Have a nice day.

 

[matt patterson]

The biggest ones you will probably ever see will be in central OK or SC KS on a saturday in mid to late may when school is not is session and people dont have to work... you might see close to 100 then.... but in response to your Q, i have never seen 100..

 

[Bob Schafer]

Nothing illegal about passing a cop if you are not crossing a solid line or going over the speed limit.

Somebody correct me if this is wrong, but, some years ago, some reputable source told me that it is legal to speed while making a pass. This would make perfect sense. You don't want to be loitering in the lane of oncoming traffic. Make the pass aggressively and get back over. Laws vary by state, too, of course.

Also, I am sure it is illegal to pass a LE vehicle on a two lane if the red-blues are flashing, but not otherwise.

I'll also throw in that I have had many, many pleasant, sociable encounters with LEO who stopped to see if I was okay, then struck up "chasing" conversations with me. One guy in NE who had stopped me for 40/35 stuck out his hand to shake mine when I explained my reason for being 800 miles from home was that I was chasing, LOL. As if I was some sort of dignitary. Let me off with a warning on the 40/35.

 

[Morgan Palmer]

It's been many years since driver's ed, but I remember being told that you can only pass so long as you do not exceed the speed limit by doing so. Perhaps someone in LE can advise.

add: this is Texas

 

[Morgan Palmer]

Something else that just popped in my mind. On occasion, I have stopped (not in critical rush to a destination mode) and said hello to a local law enforcement officer pulled over.

Just thinking, perhaps it might not be a bad idea, esp. in these small jurisdictions, that when you're not rushing to get to a storm, pull alongside the stopped officer (so long as there's no traffic) and say hello. Tell him/her that you're doing some responsible storm photography and finish up the short conversation by telling them thanks for being out here, and to be safe.

A little honey can't hurt. Who knows, they might tell colleagues they met a nice storm chaser who thought enough to stop and say hi. A thought.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

Something else that just popped in my mind. On occasion, I have stopped (not in critical rush to a destination mode) and said hello to a local law enforcement officer pulled over.

A side note to that, be careful at how you approach them - mainly when they're parked and in their vehicle. Some officers become uneasy when they look up and see someone apporaching them because you have to remember, they don't know you and they dont' know what your intentions are.

When I was working on becoming a reserve deputy, I rode with a detective and other times rode with a regular deputy and neither of them were comfortable with having people approach them when they were parked. Nothing wrong with doing it, but it just makes them uneasy.

I've had nothing but positive encounters with law enforcement officers while chasing, the only encounters I've had while chasing were officers who approached me wanting to find out what was expected, that or they're just curious about what we do.