Storm chaser arrested in Texas

[Randy Denzer]

Open mind

I have to add that I have always had good experiences with law enforcement while in West Texas and west NM. My hats off to Texas DPS. This seams to be an isolated situation and I would like to know what the officer's side of the story. I am not advocating either side. It's a bummer it happened.
I would hate to see one incident get blown up enough for this to effect all of storm chasing. This is a very real possibility. I can see this story becoming a big national news story. If it does, be prepparred to defend pictures like the guy hanging out of the van at high speed while filming (good shot Steve!) or any of the stories of chase convergrence blocking roadways and preventing passage of emergency vehicles. We can debate all we want about this unfortunate incident, but there is a very real and ugly side to civilians blocking roadways during emergencies, as chasers we are civilians. I have seen this from both sides of the fence and can tell you how frustrating it is from both sides.

And then there is the lightbar thing....

OK, Karen, Hows my spelling?

 

[Darin Brunin]

and on that matter, if there was already one tornado in the county, why was the officer out to handle traffic, shouldn't he have been in the area the tornado hit to see if there was any damage done?

Because the cop was apparently having a bad day and just wanted to single someone out. Unfortunately, Brian was that target. If a storm chaser being parked in a parking lot is grounds for arrest? What's next? Any law enforcement official could pull that law out of their ass any time of any day on any storm chaser. I would have done the same thing as Brian without question.

And yes Adam...the whole DOW/TIV crew is consistently among the people out there I have seen who are blocking or obstructing traffic the most. You may say...they are doing scientific research etc. etc. etc. but they still have to follow traffic laws. Something that they probably should realize they need to get better at.

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

If only he had some chaser certification sticker on his vehicle, this all could have been avoided.

Sorry, we got lightbars in here, and I didn't see any mention of chaser certification....

 

[Mikel Shively]

If only he had some chaser certification sticker on his vehicle, this all could have been avoided.

Sorry, we got lightbars in here, and I didn't see any mention of chaser certification....

oooh thanks, I forgot about that one! I *think* that now means everything has been mentioned.

 

[Darin Brunin]

oooh thanks, I forgot about that one! I *think* that now means everything has been mentioned.

What about certain 'people' let's say...trying to get legislation passed in Oklahoma that would ban chasing unless you had an 'official' reason to be out?

 

[Andrew Stoller]

It all depends on the officer. Two weeks ago in eastern CO, while observing a tornado warned cell, a sheriff pulled up behind me as I was parked on the side of a county road. He came up and asked if I was out storm spotting and I indicated I was actually an amateur storm chaser, but that I do call in storm reports to the various NWS offices. He asked if the storm we were watching was warned or dangerous, and I pointed out the updraft base and clear slot wrapping in and that was the area where a tornado would form. He thanked me for taking the time to storm spot and call in storm reports and said he was gonna go to the next town up (Kirk, CO) and notify the residents.

So I do think it's essential, that if a cop stops to talk to you, indicate that you do relay reports to the NWS, even though most of us are just chasers.

Also, make sure your lightbar is turned on at all times.

 

[Andrew Stoller]

What about certain 'people' let's say...trying to get legislation passed in Oklahoma that would ban chasing unless you had an 'official' reason to be out?

That wouldn't stand the test in any court of law. You'd have to make a) driving in, through, or around a thunderstorm illegal, and b) parking on the side of a road illegal.

 

[Jody Radzik]

Just to reiterate what's already been said by some, if the LEO asks you to move, you better move, regardless of how you may feel about that.

 

[Chris Lott]

Look at this youtube clip. Do you think that this is too many lights? And to the person this vehicle belongs to, sorry, not trying to single you out.

http://www.chase-1.com/index2.htm

 

[Darin Brunin]

Just to reiterate what's already been said by some, if the LEO asks you to move, you better move, regardless of how you may feel about that.

Why? We as citizens still have rights if we aren't breaking the law. If we are then that's another story but to assume a police officer is right 100% of the time is wrong. Stand up for yourself but be respectful at the same time.

That wouldn't stand the test in any court of law. You'd have to make a) driving in, through, or around a thunderstorm illegal, and b) parking on the side of a road illegal.

Did I just light a fire?

 

[rdale]

I don't think Andrew knows the "history" of that comment

 

[Darin Brunin]

I don't think Andrew knows the "history" of that comment

Well, I guess the fish took the bait

 

[Andrew Stoller]

I don't think Andrew knows the "history" of that comment

Indeed I don't. What's the history?

 

[Joe Grunow]

Hey David, we're almost to 10 pages!

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

Look at this youtube clip. Do you think that this is too many lights?

*uncomfortable silence* That's no moon.