Police raid cruise night...

[Steve1968LS2]

I know it was imports, but it's a disturbing habit..

This is a disturbing trend..


http://thenewspaper.com/news/23/2302.asp




California: Police Raid Car Enthusiast Gathering, Generate Revenue
Police raid Riverside, California parking lot to issue modified car tickets at local car enthusiast gathering.

Using $503,000 in federal and state gas tax revenue to pay for overtime, nine police agencies in Riverside, California sent more than one hundred police officers to surround a gathering of automotive enthusiasts. Owners of imported sport compact cars had gathered at the Canyon Crossing shopping center on Friday night to swap stories, talk about their passion for cars and show off the latest enhancements to their rides. At around 11pm police surprised participants by blocking all exits with fifty police cruisers. Officers then began a warrantless search and interrogation operation of the 150 vehicles that were present.

"If you're not into street racing, why would you need that?" Riverside Police Traffic Sergeant Skip Showalter asked an enthusiast during a similar crackdown last year. "Why would you want more power going to your car?"

Police issued a total of forty-eight tickets for "engine modifications" with police accusing the owners of the parked vehicles of being street racers. Another fifty tickets were issued for paperwork violations, dark window tinting and lack of a front license plate. The most revenue, however, will be generated from the fees imposed on twenty vehicles that were confiscated. Despite labeling the parking lot raid as taking place at a "street racing venue," Riverside Police offered no evidence that any street racing actually took place.

Across the state, gas tax funds are regularly used to fund similar crackdowns that generate big revenue. In 2004, the California Highway Patrol issued a total of 101,553 "modified car" citations worth $10.5 million according to CHP data obtained by TheNewspaper.

Other law enforcement agencies participating in Friday night's raid included the California Highway Patrol, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, and police from Baldwin Park, Fontana, Irwindale, Moreno Valley, Ontario and Mount San Jacinto Community College.

[badmatt]

My biggest piss off about police is that they "think" just because people modify their cars there bound to street race with them....

I wish a lot of cops would drop this ****.

[chicane]

Hey... no one said they were the smartest tools to walk the earth. :D

[Streetking]

Jackasses...:rolleyes:

SW

[Spiffav8]

IF this was an organized event taking place with the permission of the property owner and there was no racing taking place....then what happened is B.S.!!

Tickets of that nature are a load of crap. Heck I used to own a Police Interceptor and it had all kinds of illegal stuff done to it buy the Highway Patrol! To bad that some one some where decided that this was a quick and easy way to make a buck for the various departments. I'd rather see them use those funds to go after the guys that are actually street racing.

[Steve1968LS2]

I remember a story of a car show in Texas where the highway patrol waited at the exit and gave out "fix it" tickets for stuff like no plate, exhaust and other nonsense.

They moved the show from that town and the area lost a lot of revenue. At least that's what I heard.

[jeff hanson]

That is nuts! I think this takes the cake. I just hope they don't try this in Michigan. I highly doubt they would because so many cops around here are into cars, but c'mon this is friggin crazy! Someone out there needs to stand up and take this on. I can't believe they would ask "If you're not into street racing, why would you need that?" This whole country is full of drag strips, road courses, auto-cross, etc. HELLO! Rediculous!:mad:

[camcojb]

unfortunately, this is more about the money than curbing street racing. Last year on a Wednesday afternoon I was at a friends shop on Sunrise Blvd. This is the main drag to the race track, and Wednesday night is open to all cars. They had 4 different agencies involved and stopped every import heading to the track that had any visible mods; exhaust, lowered car, etc. I watched six of them get pulled over and all six went on a wrecker to impound. None of the people I saw were arrested, but the impounding of their cars and related fees had them pretty pissed off to say the least.

Here's my problem. I have no sympathy for the guys racing on the street, they pretty much get what they deserve. But these guys were heading to the track to do legal racing. Isn't that the point? What a stupid message to send to them; don't race on the street, but don't go to the track either, as we'll set up an impound sting.

The thing is, they've discovered how much money in fines and fees this brings in, and since most every agency is faced with budget cuts, this is an easy way to make money. You guys who haven't seen this personally be prepared, because once they all realize how much money this generates it'll be coming to a city near you.................... :rolleyes:

Jody

[Spiffav8]

unfortunately, this is more about the money than curbing street racing. Last year on a Wednesday afternoon I was at a friends shop on Sunrise Blvd. This is the main drag to the race track, and Wednesday night is open to all cars. They had 4 different agencies involved and stopped every import heading to the track that had any visible mods; exhaust, lowered car, etc. I watched six of them get pulled over and all six went on a wrecker to impound. None of the people I saw were arrested, but the impounding of their cars and related fees had them pretty pissed off to say the least.

Here's my problem. I have no sympathy for the guys racing on the street, they pretty much get what they deserve. But these guys were heading to the track to do legal racing. Isn't that the point? What a stupid message to send to them; don't race on the street, but don't go to the track either, as we'll set up an impound sting.

The thing is, they've discovered how much money in fines and fees this brings in, and since most every agency is faced with budget cuts, this is an easy way to make money. You guys who haven't seen this personally be prepared, because once they all realize how much money this generates it'll be coming to a city near you.................... :rolleyes:

Jody

Well said!

[jst8a5.0]

Makes you wonder just WHEN it's gonna hit closer to home.:_paranoid

[Tom.A]

They were supposed to be building Drag City which is real close to me but I just read it ain't gonna happen http://www.dragcity.net/
Hopefully somebody will come through and give people a safe place to have fun. I went to some of the Riverside street races in the late '80's in high school(pre-ricers :D ) and there would be hundreds of people. Way unsafe and likely worse now.

[AM.MSCL]

I remember a story of a car show in Texas where the highway patrol waited at the exit and gave out "fix it" tickets for stuff like no plate, exhaust and other nonsense.

They moved the show from that town and the area lost a lot of revenue. At least that's what I heard.

They story you may have heard about was the Texas Heat Wave some years back. The sponser of the heat wave moved it from the original Travis county expo to the Dell Diamond of the Round Rock Express. Well the last day of the event the Round Rock police, Williamson Country Sheriffe and DPS got together and decide to block all the entrance exits off and started giving out tickets. They even gave tickets to some vehicles that were strickly show and ever even get driven on the street. It was a big upsetting to the main sponsor that he moved back to where it used to me. Lot of things happened that year to get everyone upset; things that had nothing to do with the police showing up, like trash cans and portopotties never getting emptied during the 3 days in August heat.

[Musclerodz]

You would think that eventually someone will start a class action suit against the cities for this reckless misuse of the law. At least then the city would not profit anymore from these actions. It would be spent to fight all the lawsuits.

[Tony@AirRideTech]

unfortunately, nothing that happens in California surprises me any more. With the rampant extreme liberalism happening out there anything goes. A good friend of mine that lives in San Diego put it well.... " California has become Canada where the unpopular 5% has a louder voice than the remaining 95%".

[cheezer]

unfortunately, nothing that happens in California surprises me any more. With the rampant extreme liberalism happening out there anything goes. A good friend of mine that lives in San Diego put it well.... " California has become Canada where the unpopular 5% has a louder voice than the remaining 95%".

Just a quick observation here. Whenever someone puts in a comment mildly criticizing the policies of the US government, he is quickly put on notice of being banned or "on thin ice", but people can slam my country all day long.

If you really want to politicize this issue, may I suggest that:

1- Canadians consistently have a much greater voter turn out (except Alberta, the most American-like province) than ANYWHERE in the USA. So if any country has a minority speaking for the majority, it certainly is the US, where less than 25% of the population actually votes for the leader.

2- The police crack down at issue here, if anything is a RIGHT wing reaction, not LEFT or liberal. The measures enacted in Ontario, where by the police can actyually crush your car, were brought in by the Conservative government. Here in Quebec, which by US standards is mid way between Cuba and the Former Soviet Union, we have police crackdowns on Sport Compacts, but nowhere near the draconian laws of our more right wing and conservative neighbours in Ontario.

I don't want to offend anyone, just showing that people from other countries can be just as patriotic and proud of their heritage too.

cheezer

[BRIAN]

I totally agree with cracking down on the street racers. I think the problem at least in my area is with the Import cars is the racing and weaving in and out of traffic on highways and public streets no so much as actual drag racing.

The idea of wasting 1/2 million dollars to write $5000 in tickets is just crazy. Think of how that money could have been spent to better enforce the laws they are trying to actually enforce.

I guess just because you have a K&N filter it is an alteration that means you have the intent to speed? So when that brain surgeon's wife checks off the box for the 250hp v6 VS. the 125hp 4cyl for her mini van that means she also has the intent to break the law? It is capable of exceeding the State speed limit? What else would she buy it for???

Do not blame the officers they are just doing their job. Blame the Politicians who are simply trying to get your attention away from all the stealing they are doing with your tax money.

Problem with our sport is NOBODY voices their opinion. Out of all the members on this board how many have ever written a letter??? Shame, but do not blame others for you being lazy. That Church group who hates the buzz of an Import car just wrote 200 letter complaining to their local Police department. So it gets enforced.

Sad but I do agree it will be spreading to a city near you!!

[byndbad914]

You would think that eventually someone will start a class action suit against the cities for this reckless misuse of the law. At least then the city would not profit anymore from these actions. It would be spent to fight all the lawsuits.
I agree. Having lived in SoCal up until last January when I got the hell out of there, I too would cruise out to the street races in Corona (from OC) back in the late 80s and early 90s, as well as Compton, and yeah, I was young and dumb and street racing is dangerous.

But to assume that everyone is out to street race is BS. They use street racing as a blanket excuse, but exactly when did law enforcement get a crystal ball?? They can tell who is going to race just by looking at them... hmmm... very interesting.

If they want to roll out to known racing spots, catch racers and bystanders in the act and sight for racing and aiding/abetting (or whatever you get as a spectator), then I am okay with that.

The law is the law, so citing people for all sorts of illegal modifications is in fact legal, but bringing cops in on overtime (wow, that is tax dollars at work for you) and specifically targeting a peaceful assembly in a vacant parking lot seems a bit silly. I mean, there is that little crime in Riverside these days??? Really???

Call me biased, but there is a bit of a difference between breaking vehicle code and "real" crime (in quotes as breaking VC is crime). If they are racing down the freeway playing fast and furious, then cite them for every single thing you can find because that is reckless endangerment. Otherwise, a peaceful assembly of hot rodders (even ricers are rodders, just diff'ernt) is just that, a peaceful assembly.

[rwhite692]

....Out of all the members on this board how many have ever written a letter??? Shame, but do not blame others for you being lazy.....


I for one am pretty active, when it comes to letter-writing, and in particular with regard to any legislation pertaining to the car hobby. I believe that there are many other folks on this board who are, also.

If you join SEMA (Anyone can, and every auto enthusiast most definately should!) they will keep you up to date on pending legislation at the state and federal levels, through the SEMA Action Network (SAN). -Rob

[slyck68]

I've learned over the years that there are always at least two sides to every story. My gut response was "here's another money-maker for the cops", but then I thought about this story a little more. Why would the cops do an all out sting for a few fix-it tickets and modification fines? I found this thread on pro-touring.com and someone posted the actual article. As you will see, there is a significant information difference between the two articles. Here is the link:

http://www.pe.com/localnews/riversid...1.4234d9b.html

[slyck68]

If that link didn't work, this one should:

http://www.pe.com/localnews/riverside/stories/PE_News_Local_R_streetrace01.4234d9b.html

-Josh

[surreyboy]

the irony is you need to go to the middle east these days if you want freedom.Seems like we have adopted their ideology in trade for our old ways.

[byndbad914]

If that link didn't work, this one should:

http://www.pe.com/localnews/riverside/stories/PE_News_Local_R_streetrace01.4234d9b.html

-Josh
Thanks for the link Josh. As I suspected, there was certainly reason for heading out there. Holding everyone accountable for a few tho' is what I think is pushing it. I used to go out to these events to check out the other cars and watch some of the races from a good safe distance near the start line (why everyone lines up along the street, like a road rally, is just beyond me).

And my car at the time would have certainly got fix-it tickets, but I meant no harm and never raced when a crowd was there. The couple times I street raced (and I mean 2 or 3 times over a period of a few years as a spectator) was after circling around when the cops would break it up and there would be nobody around except me and the other guy. I never wanted to race with a crowd for fear of something going wrong then going to jail for vehicular manslaughter.

It is one of those greater good things and I understand that as a tax-paying adult ;) but I just don't like the lump-everyone-together-as-bad mentality that they are taking. If they rolled in when someone did a burnout or rolled thru the parking lot speeding (which I agree is stupid), scared everyone off and towed the problem car, then that is one thing.

[GEN_X]

The event in Texas that you are thinking about is the Texas Heatwave event. It was more of truck show, but yea i got a few that day, not a happy camper.

[sniper]

Wow, some of the responses in this thread are scary.

If it is OK for a cop to ticket a car that is just sitting in a parking lot, what is to stop them from coming to your home and ticketing it there?

If you think it is OK for them to target a group of "modified" cars to ticket as a revenue generator, substitute Honda for chevy, and imports for muscle cars. Do you still feel the same way?
They were preemptively ticketed people, for what they thought was going to happen. Man, if that doesn't concern you, I don't knwo what to say.

This mentality that law enforcment has taken, sadly since 9-11, is pathetic. It's a feel good strategy that doesn't accomplish anything but infringe on the rights of ordinary citizens.

[XcYZ]

It seems like class warfare. If you have the money, you can go buy a car that can run 11's right off the show room floor... But if you have an 15 second econo-box and install a K&N and CAI, you are now the enemy and you're being targeted because, as the one police officer put it "Why would you want more power going to your car?" Say what? 200hp is illegal in a **** box Honda but 505hp in a ZO6 is fine? WTF

It's obvious that the police are profiling... if you have a 15 second Honda with a 50 shot and a K&N air filter, so it's obvious your only intent is to break the law. That's as stupid as going after gun owners because the intend on shooting someone.

[Stang's Bane]

Bad deal there. If they busted it up because the business owners that owened the parking lot were complaining that is one thing, but just because they were modified is quite another.:soapbox:

[surreyboy]

It seems like class warfare. If you have the money, you can go buy a car that can run 11's right off the show room floor... But if you have an 15 second econo-box and install a K&N and CAI, you are now the enemy and you're being targeted because, as the one police officer put it "Why would you want more power going to your car?" Say what? 200hp is illegal in a **** box Honda but 505hp in a ZO6 is fine? WTF

It's obvious that the police are profiling... if you have a 15 second Honda with a 50 shot and a K&N air filter, so it's obvious your only intent is to break the law. That's as stupid as going after gun owners because the intend on shooting someone.

very good point.

[R67Chevelle]

I agree with a few things. Most of the youth in the import crowd are probably the most inconsiderate, and most irresponsible crowd I have ever seen. We all have the stories. They are not alone. It is a worldwide problem. The lack of moral character, and care not for others property and safety. The message of, “do unto other as you would have them do unto you” has become “do unto others before they do it to you”.

Even though many will applaud what the cops did. It is a complete violation to the Constitution and our basic rights of without provable cause searches and seizures. Say what you will this is communist style Police State big brother control. When the cops don’t make this stick they will arrest and seize the cars and property because they will be classified as “terrorists”. Just like the minutemen at the border stopping illegal crossing and illegal drug activity. These men were called by our president GW Bush the minutemen are “terrorists” (in the last 2 elections I voted for this man).

I use to smoke for 14 years. I finally quit once and for all. When I lived in Las Vegas no one though much about it but back here in California people are outright vicious. If I smoked it was not in any confined spaces, or around other non-smokers. Now in some areas if you smoke in you home and you have kids, CPS and the authorities and breakdown your door, arrest you, take your kids and destroy your life. My wife was a nanny for a year in Vegas. She worked for a couple, one was a very wealthy DR. and the Wife did medical billing. They had 5 kids. If it was not for them not having money they would have been in prison for child abuse and neglect. Too much to go into detail but I was shocked to the very core of my being and would stiff my wife for money all the time. We even had their kids stay the nigh at our home because the parents would just disappear.

I have been a hot rod nut for the past 23 years. I really like and respect Later-g members, administrators and other boards as well and I see a lot of people on this board are pretty respectful. We will be the next ones who the authorities will go after for govt $$$$ because global warming, wasteful fuel consumption (HAHAA). We use to laugh when we would say that our new big bloc is going to terrorize the streets… right??? Well not that kind of talk will land you with a ticket while not moving. your car impounded. If this happens to me without cause, I am going to hire Gloria Aldred and the ACLU (will take liberals to fight liberals) with the worst case of PMS and go after the cops, and the government. Well enough.. Sorry about the rant, but we are seeing the death of our Country and our freedoms. I have 3 kids and I pray every day that hopefully with the Lords hand that they will have a country left after what’s we see happening right now (this includes your families as well)…

Blessings,
ALAN

[yell01]

It seems like class warfare. If you have the money, you can go buy a car that can run 11's right off the show room floor... But if you have an 15 second econo-box and install a K&N and CAI, you are now the enemy and you're being targeted because, as the one police officer put it "Why would you want more power going to your car?" Say what? 200hp is illegal in a **** box Honda but 505hp in a ZO6 is fine? WTF

It's obvious that the police are profiling... if you have a 15 second Honda with a 50 shot and a K&N air filter, so it's obvious your only intent is to break the law. That's as stupid as going after gun owners because the intend on shooting someone.

I agree, this was my first thought regarding the Z06. I can see if they were blocking traffic, revving their engines, doing burnouts etc...But if they were just hanging out it seems pretty petty.

[awr68]

So when all this hits the PT world and my car gets impounded, I will prove that it came stock with a V8 (please don't notice the Procharger!), that it now has EFI, gets better MPG than their Police car, is safer with 4 wheel discs and harnesses....but where they got me is that it didn't come stock with a suped up CD player....man I'm gonna be pissed if it hits the police auction while I'm still in jail!! :lol:

[chevyIIpost]

It seems like class warfare. If you have the money, you can go buy a car that can run 11's right off the show room floor... But if you have an 15 second econo-box and install a K&N and CAI, you are now the enemy and you're being targeted because, as the one police officer put it "Why would you want more power going to your car?" Say what? 200hp is illegal in a **** box Honda but 505hp in a ZO6 is fine? WTF

It's obvious that the police are profiling... if you have a 15 second Honda with a 50 shot and a K&N air filter, so it's obvious your only intent is to break the law. That's as stupid as going after gun owners because the intend on shooting someone.

A very big DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Using a shot gun to fix a potential problem when a rifle would be the correct tool.

Guilty by ASSUMPTION?????? What happened to innocent until PROVEN guilty?:mad: :mad: :mad:

[Karps TA]

I find it ironic that in a state that has tons of people waving "Free Tibet" banners, they don't seemed to be as concerned with the stepping on of people's freedoms here.

[badmatt]

I just read the atricle....

Can a honda even do a donut?

[monza]

I just read the atricle....

Can a honda even do a donut?

Yea in reverse kinda fun actually, and no I have never owned one...

[Bulldog68]

Yes, but I doubt there were too many rwd S2000s in attendance. :lol:

I just read the atricle....

Can a honda even do a donut?

[67rsconvert]

Just a quick observation here. Whenever someone puts in a comment mildly criticizing the policies of the US government, he is quickly put on notice of being banned or "on thin ice", but people can slam my country all day long.

If you really want to politicize this issue, may I suggest that:

1- Canadians consistently have a much greater voter turn out (except Alberta, the most American-like province) than ANYWHERE in the USA. So if any country has a minority speaking for the majority, it certainly is the US, where less than 25% of the population actually votes for the leader.

2- The police crack down at issue here, if anything is a RIGHT wing reaction, not LEFT or liberal. The measures enacted in Ontario, where by the police can actyually crush your car, were brought in by the Conservative government. Here in Quebec, which by US standards is mid way between Cuba and the Former Soviet Union, we have police crackdowns on Sport Compacts, but nowhere near the draconian laws of our more right wing and conservative neighbours in Ontario.

I don't want to offend anyone, just showing that people from other countries can be just as patriotic and proud of their heritage too.

cheezer

While I can understand you being defensive for your country, you should at least be accurate and try to include facts, otherwise it is hard to take you seriously. In 2004 the United states had 64% over the age of 18 voting in the Presidential election. That same year Canada had 61% voting in the Federal Elections. So I would correct you and say that Alberta is actually more Canadian "like" than American "like" :rofl:
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/004986.html

http://www.nodice.ca/elections/canada/voterturnout.php

[andrewmp6]

The way i look at it is you break the law be ready for a ticket a lot things people do to a car are not street legal aka dot approved or say off road use only.I love when the same people doing this bitch they get a ticket.I am getting sick of hearing a import with a 5 inch muffler reving to 9 grand at 3am.

[DDY RCKT]

It does make me worry. I live in second worse state for "our kind", the performance junkies. Here in the Communistwealth of Virginia, a lot of things are quilty by suspicion charges. Though we're not to the point of impounding and crushing cars yet, I can see it coming. VA loves to institute random retarded laws to generate revenue. So what's going to happen when I want to drop that 427 into my 'Vette? I don't street race, I don't taunt the mustang that lines up next to me, and I ignore the turbo'd out, fart can equipped ricers that rev up and down at me on the highway. I do track my car, and I love big ass motors. I work for the DoD, I'm as patriotic and law abiding as they come, but really, there's a line that just becomes unreasonable. What are we going to be able to do with this hobby in 5 years? 10?

[surreyboy]

maybe we will all have prius by then and discuss vinyl body stickers since paint by then will be too harmfull to apply outside the factory.

[whytry]

unfortunately, this is more about the money than curbing street racing. Last year on a Wednesday afternoon I was at a friends shop on Sunrise Blvd. This is the main drag to the race track, and Wednesday night is open to all cars. They had 4 different agencies involved and stopped every import heading to the track that had any visible mods; exhaust, lowered car, etc. I watched six of them get pulled over and all six went on a wrecker to impound. None of the people I saw were arrested, but the impounding of their cars and related fees had them pretty pissed off to say the least.

Here's my problem. I have no sympathy for the guys racing on the street, they pretty much get what they deserve. But these guys were heading to the track to do legal racing. Isn't that the point? What a stupid message to send to them; don't race on the street, but don't go to the track either, as we'll set up an impound sting.

The thing is, they've discovered how much money in fines and fees this brings in, and since most every agency is faced with budget cuts, this is an easy way to make money. You guys who haven't seen this personally be prepared, because once they all realize how much money this generates it'll be coming to a city near you.................... :rolleyes:

Jody


I've been out to Sac Raceway with some friends and we were not even racing and we were pulled over under suspicions of "modified" cars. They winded up giving me friend a ticket for modified exhaust, tinted windows, no front plate, and a couple other things too. We were in his 96 Impalla SS.. We got pulled over about 1/2 mile from the track....

[AM.MSCL]

Here is a photo example of the drag racing they are trying to stop
http://falcondetailing.com/images/sfdrags.jpg

:rofl:

[syborg tt]

not sure what scares me more the picture or the fact that you new where to get the picture. ...... and then you post it.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[jeff s]

It happened to me in Schauburg IL.
Cops broke up a cruisin spot where some guys were hanging out.
As soon as we hit the street, everyone was getting pulled over.
I got a $75 ticket for no front plate. I was driving my Evo 8.
Later that night I got pulled over again in Crystal Lake, IL by a State Trooper.
Was also gonna write me for no front plate. I told him someone had already beat him to it. He wasn't happy, held me for 20 minutes, wrote me a written warning anyway.
My Evo had the factory installed Carbon Wing, I got pulled over so much in that car for BS stuff, I sold it. Cops were profiling big time.

[jeff s]

What really gets me is the road blocks they set up around here late at night, supposedly to catch drunk drivers.
They pull every single car that comes down the road into a parking lot and put through sobriety tests, check all the paper work, search the cars, check passengers ID's etc. They usually set it up a few miles from a popular night club.
I've seen that on Randall Rd in Elgin and in Crystal Lake on RT 31.
Seems like Nazi Germany around here lately.

[RussMS]

Luckily, I live in area of the country where most of the excuses these cops use to issue the tickets it are a lot more tolerated. When they did cruisin the coast last year a lot of guys were getting away with small burnouts on the main drive and loud exhaust was the norm. Eventually, some Barney Fife will see the opportunity to make money for violation of a noise ordinance somewhere along the route. Sad really.

My concerns are echoed here by many people. I should have the right to drive what I like. I should be able to make it look like I want it to. I should be able to make it sound like I want it to. If I want to get 3 mpg with 1000hp, as long as I am not speeding, who cares? As long as I comply with the laws, I should be able to push the envelope as far as I can.

How long will it be before the all the politicians and cops and so-called concerned citizens that know better for us than we do, decide that we should no longer have the right to drive what we like? How long until our beloved cars become illegal to drive on the street?

For all these people, I have only one thing to say

STAY THE HELL OUT OF MY GARAGE AND I WILL STAY OUT OF YOURS!

One day, people will wake up. I just hope it is not too late to get our freedoms back once they are gone.

[AM.MSCL]

not sure what scares me more the picture or the fact that you new where to get the picture. ...... and then you post it.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I actually got it from another car forum that I am on so I did not have to search to find it.

We had the HoT and Rat Rod Event this last weekend in Austin, TX. This is a yearly event that has been going on for several years. Friday and Saturday night the road that this event locates to from the event center on the edge of town has a couple of spots that people will start doing burnouts. The cops let it happen and actually have been parked at the spot and control the crowd in that spot to keep it as safe as I guess you can there. That was about 3 years ago not sure if the cops sat there this year or not. It is a public road near downtown that this happens at.

[JohnnyGMachine]

"If you're not into street racing, why would you need that?" Riverside Police Traffic Sergeant Skip Showalter asked an enthusiast during a similar crackdown last year. "Why would you want more power going to your car?"


my reply would have been "...because it's my God-given right"
AMEN

Why would you put in a swimming pool behind your house? Why would you where nice clothes? Why would you want to eat steak when you could eat a hot dog? Any of of these questions are as stupid as the one the officer asked but they all have a simple answer.

Unbelievable - I'd be getting an attorney for harassment for sure just on principle!

[byebye67]

dont worry, when americans vote it doesnt really matter because the electoral college actually votes for the president. those electors are in place because according to the framers of the constitution, the role of choosing the president should not be left to the people because we might not choose the right candidate.(!) and also for the record, i cannot count how many times the term liberal has been used improperly. i know what it means to have too much regulation and legislation, but liberalism is a completely different term.

[lowboy]

Hey byebye67, if it weren't for the electoral college, our president would be elected by San Francisco, New York, Dallas, and the rest of the major cities that are all very "LIBERAL". I do however agree with you in that the term "liberal" is not an accurate term for the people whom are labelled as such. How about left wing nutbag, or treehugging piece of s!!!, or socialist, or even in some cases, communist. Don't know about you, but, I don't want my president being determined by cities listed above. We are not a democracy, we are a representative republic thank God.

[bill amsley]

typical case of police fishing for violators. where else to fish than the hatchery.(custom car shows) the city will be the ultimate loser when they chase all of their customers out of town. look at colombus it grows bigger every year ,and ive rolled by a cop with smoke still rolling out of my wheel wells and they smile and nod. (as long as you are under controll no tickets are issued) thats why columbus is the best show in the country, its all about the cars there.

[tyoneal]

It happened to me in Schauburg IL.
Cops broke up a cruisin spot where some guys were hanging out.
As soon as we hit the street, everyone was getting pulled over.
I got a $75 ticket for no front plate. I was driving my Evo 8.
Later that night I got pulled over again in Crystal Lake, IL by a State Trooper.
Was also gonna write me for no front plate. I told him someone had already beat him to it. He wasn't happy, held me for 20 minutes, wrote me a written warning anyway.
My Evo had the factory installed Carbon Wing, I got pulled over so much in that car for BS stuff, I sold it. Cops were profiling big time.
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Jeff:

Sorry to hear you had such a sh*tty time with the cops. I talked to a Top Notch Attorney here and found out what I could do to give the cops a bag of Sh*t right back to them.

Here unless they smell dope or see something conspicuous, the Police have to ask to search your car, or have a signed Warrant.

Here I've been told to say,

"I do NOT give my permission to have my car searched, but I'm not going to stand in the way of you doing your job."

This statement here in, (TX) forces them to now make some tough decisions about an ambiguous statement. As long you don't keep illegal drugs in your car, have your paperwork up to date, if you are carrying follow the rules of disclosure, then all they can do is bring dogs by to sniff around your car.

It's a Big Headache for them otherwise here they would need a warrant to search.

In any event document everything they do, say (Because you don't have to say anything except what was listed above.) and the amount of time they wasted finding nothing.

Go to the next City Council Meeting and bring up the behavior of the officer, whether or not they violated your rights, how much time they wasted etc. Make sure the officers names are recorded, as well as their supervisors. Most councils now also broadcast locally the council meetings.

Bring up the fact of the local crime statistics, and why they are spending their time harassing law abiding people and wasting their time.

Think of a City as a Big Mountain of Bureaucracy, if you start a snow ball on the top of the mountain headed downwards, by the time it gets down to the peons that did this they get put through hell.

It's quite a pleasant feeling to ask the council, "What do YOU intend to do about this?" Hold their feet to the fire.

Politicians are a breed of people I don't understand, but I do know they don't like to look stupid or out of touch on camera in front of a lot of people.

You request that you want a letter or a plan from them describing what lengths they are going to do to follow through on this to make sure it doesn't happen again?

Here anyway you can create a bunch of Pure Headache for them, and pure hell for the Police Department who serve under them.

It's not a quick process, but embarrassing them and using an attorney to go after any violations, works here quite nicely.

I like it when the council hates to see me signed up to speak at the meeting.

In other words, get organized, and push back hard. Eventually they will stop this crap, or at least leave you alone.

I don't know if this helps at all or not, but don't take BS from them, and if they abuse their power, make them pay.

I hope things work out for you.

Best regards,

Ty