A Question for Washington Residents
On a recent trip to Seattle I noticed several brown colored law enforcement vehicles. I was not able to read the agency name, but they were on the freeways in and around Seattle.
I have a question.
Years ago there was a Department Of Transportation requirement for law enforcement vehicles that were traffic enforcement oriented to have a black doors or white doors on their vehicles. There was no requirement for the coloration for the rest of the vehicle. Also if I remember correctly the agency name had to be legible from 300 ft. These brown cars had none of these required properties. And yet they were working traffic citations and collisions on the freeways.
These brown cars had the blue lights reserved for law enforcement vehicles, but the agency name was in black and that does not contrast with the brown coloring of the cars.
Anybody know if this Department Of Transportation requirement is still in effect, and what agency uses these brown cars?
I also saw a Seattle PD vehicle, parked at the center median, with the officer standing beside the patrol car using a handheld radar device. Poor officer safety, and poor police work. The roadway was not wide enough to park on the left side of the #1 lane.
Are they that hard up for the money to risk the loss of life, injury?
I have a question.
Years ago there was a Department Of Transportation requirement for law enforcement vehicles that were traffic enforcement oriented to have a black doors or white doors on their vehicles. There was no requirement for the coloration for the rest of the vehicle. Also if I remember correctly the agency name had to be legible from 300 ft. These brown cars had none of these required properties. And yet they were working traffic citations and collisions on the freeways.
These brown cars had the blue lights reserved for law enforcement vehicles, but the agency name was in black and that does not contrast with the brown coloring of the cars.
Anybody know if this Department Of Transportation requirement is still in effect, and what agency uses these brown cars?
I also saw a Seattle PD vehicle, parked at the center median, with the officer standing beside the patrol car using a handheld radar device. Poor officer safety, and poor police work. The roadway was not wide enough to park on the left side of the #1 lane.
Are they that hard up for the money to risk the loss of life, injury?
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They have cars of many different colors here, but most are easily identifiable...I don't recall any that match your description.
They use drug arrest cars, criminal arrest cars, and even buy cars and trucks to fool those of us who are good at pattern recognition.
Usual give-aways are two-fold: Driver's side spotlight, and multiple antennas that are obviously NOT in the HAM radio freqs. Most, if not all, have HI-PO tires, not whitewalls or wheel covers.
If you go online and look for "Bear-tracker" radio recievers, they work GREAT - they listen for (short-range, high freq) link comms that officers use between their car and their handy. it is active at all times an officer is on duty. The Beartrackers also recieve CB freqs, so you can listen for truckers reports as you travel, and because both are relatively short range, you have good notice that mr. PO-PO is active near you. Check speed, then check six.0 -
I used to live in the Seattle area and was also stationed at Ft. Lewis for a time, so I believe I can answer this on car colors!
The Washington State Patrol has been useing all sorts of colored cars for many years! White is the primary color for most of thier cars, but I have seen maroon, baby blue, red, dark blue, and a couple others.
If you look at the licence plates you can tell the agency. For example a licence plate begining with WSP is state troopers.0 -
Colors, and different makes and models, you name it. Also pickups, SUV's. 0 -
Hard to say without a picture.
The tan color police cars and trucks are usually the Tribal Police.0 -
I haven't seen any of those colored cars in the Seattle area. 0 -
When we get our internet fixed (Cableone has been down for more time than it has been up), I will do some research to find the answer to the underlying question. Did the Department of Transportation resend the rules for traffic enforcement vehicles? 0
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