Originally Posted by amgmark

So I was driving down El Cajon blvd in the College area of San Diego, pretty busy road near my house.. minding my own business driving the speed limit (which is kinda rare.. LOL).. Had to go pick up beer and some oil to make buffalo wings for the playoff game. This cop going the other way flips a U turn in the middle of the road and proceeds to follow me (not a safe looking illegal U turn at that)

I was thinking WTF did I do, why is this moron following me.. So I make a right down the street I live on and he flips on the lights.. I proceed to pull over and he tells me to keep going to the intersection.. Since I only live two houses past the intersection I pull in my driveway and dude almosts rams my car and blocks the whole street behind me..

I rolled down my window and said what's up? What did I do as I hand him my licence? He looks all agro and asks why I didn't follow his "orders". I said, Dude, I live here and I was pointing for you to see where I was going..

So then he says.. You know its the law in California to have a front license plate.. I said, yeah, so, I have never been pulled over for it, nor have I gotten a ticket in the past 10 years and I have never had a front plate on any of my cars..

So now the whole damn neighborhood is looky louing me and the situation, and I was more than pissed, because now I just missed the kick off for the Charger vs. Pats game..

My buddy was in the house waiting for me laughing thru the window.. Then dude walks up gives me my license and says, well I could give you a fix it ticket, but I am not going too. Next time you are asked to pull over just do it.. My buddy was so pissed becasue he just got a fix it tickey two weeks ago. (The cop gave him a choice - fix it ticket or speeding ticket, LOL)

So, I am rambling on here and I really shouldn't be pissed because I didn't get the fix it ticket..

I guess I just don't like taking orders from some guy in a uniform when I haven't done anything wrong.. I am not fond of people taking down to me.. especially some young punk cop..

Originally Posted by amgmark

I guess I just don't like taking orders from some guy in a uniform when I haven't done anything wrong..

Originally Posted by tee_tz

Well it was illegal to be driving without a front plate; secondly, if a cop asks you to pull over at a certain section, please save yourself the hassle and do what he says. In the end of the day, there are some bad cops and some good ones, but they are elected to moderate the law (or some of it), so respect that.

Secondly, you're lucky you're not in New York State, my friend try driving down Manhattan without a front plate, you'll get the ticket nice and crisp -- what the hell is a "fix it ticket"...



Tee_Tz.

Originally Posted by tee_tz

Well it was illegal to be driving without a front plate; secondly, if a cop asks you to pull over at a certain section, please save yourself the hassle and do what he says. In the end of the day, there are some bad cops and some good ones, but they are elected to moderate the law (or some of it), so respect that.

Secondly, you're lucky you're not in New York State, my friend try driving down Manhattan without a front plate, you'll get the ticket nice and crisp -- what the hell is a "fix it ticket"...



Tee_Tz.

Originally Posted by ShelleE55

I was at the 7 Eleven on El Cajon/Rolando Blvd, yesterday and there was this cop in there. Right after he left the girls were telling me how weird he was, I looked out the window and he was checking out the front of my car!!!! I was like whats going on why is checking my plates. He waited in his car until I got in mine and pulled out of the parking lot, he pulled out right behind me and started following me and then made a quick u-turn in the opposite traffic turning lane before I hit Montazuma..... Young guy dark hair. Wonder if it was the same cop...

Originally Posted by H-townbenzoboy

The law says you gotta have a front plate, you didn't have one, now how's that not doing anything wrong?

Originally Posted by tee_tz

Well it was illegal to be driving without a front plate; secondly, if a cop asks you to pull over at a certain section, please save yourself the hassle and do what he says. In the end of the day, there are some bad cops and some good ones, but they are elected to moderate the law (or some of it), so respect that.

Secondly, you're lucky you're not in New York State, my friend try driving down Manhattan without a front plate, you'll get the ticket nice and crisp -- what the hell is a "fix it ticket"...

Tee_Tz.

Originally Posted by amgmark

Yes, young guy around mid 20's dark hair buzz cut..

Originally Posted by amgmark

I wanted to pull over in a place where there were no cars and it was safe. He wanted me to stop in the middle of the road which I am not going to do. He said he will block the whole road if he wants too and its not my decision. I have seen many videos of cops not fully off the road getting rear ended and injured as well as the person they pulled over. Sorry, I am going to do what I think is safe.

Next, they are not elected.. Only the Chief is elected.

I have met my share of good cops and bad cops. Have friends that are cops.. I have absolutely nothing wrong with police in general. I just don't like being sweated because this guy wanted someone to hassle.

I would never drive in Manhattan.. been there many times, no thanks!! (I was born and grew up in upstate NY)

Originally Posted by sdunham

I used to get pulled over often in my '02 Z06 Vette for no front plate by the local State Trooper who cruised the highway I drive everyday... Never got a ticket, but it was always "next time, I'll write you a ticket"... The Troopers in Colorado have a "contact quota" meaning for every 10 miles they drive on the patrol car, they have to make a stop... No front plate just gives them a reason to make the initial stop and then they never know what else they'll find once they make contact... No license, no insurance, no registration, drugs, drunk, weapons, you name it, they run accross it simply by making the stop... In your case, your number just came up and that may be all there is to it...

Originally Posted by tee_tz

Well believe it or not it's for your own safety. Imagine we all, in the U.S., took off our front plate and drove around like that, it would be havoc. So my own advice is - don't try to live above the law, or think you should get an 'exception' because your friend is a cop. If you really prefer register your car in a state like Pennsylvania that doesn't require the front plate.

Also, you endanger yourself when you don't follow a cops' orders. What you fail to realize is that cops deal with all types of people - some innocent like yourself, but some who are dangerous who might jump out the car and start shooting; some who are hiding a body in their trunk, some who are wanted convicts; hence when a cop asks you to do something and you don't respond he automatically begins to assume all these things, and needs to also protect himself (for instance, I'm sure he ran your plates as he did when he followed you for a while before activating his sirens) and he'll also start to giving his location, just in case things go down.

Anyway, I think many understand my point, cops are here to help govern the law. We can't all be cops and think we'll I'm not bothering anybody so what the heck; no, it's already been decided that we need front and rear plates, so either follow it, or get the ticket. Also 99.9% of the time if you go to court to contest the ticket and the cop shows up, you lost. Cause the fact is, you know diddly squat about the law, and he knows the whole book. (Well, unless you're a judge/lawyer).

Hey, at the end of the day, keep them off if you prefer just don't come complaining to us when you get the ticket.


Tee_Tz.

Originally Posted by RacerX0911

im my state you are not required to have a front plate...but i know people that carry a plate with them and throw it on the windshield when they think somthing is up...you could try that...maybe when u park throw it up there...

Originally Posted by tee_tz

Yea, people in PA do that also, for when they are visiting other states; although not required, but they do so out of courtesy. But in states that a front plate is required, putting it on the windshield doesn't count. They want it ON the bumper.


Tee_Tz.

Originally Posted by amgmark

Just found this and signed it..

http://www.petitiononline.com/caplate/petition.html

I like this phrase from the petition:

"Finally, police officers will be more productive in stopping dangerous motor vehicle violations such as drunk driving, reckless driving, speeding, etc., because their time won't be compromised by a California motorist who simply didn't have a front license plate on display."

Originally Posted by MercedesFTW

Duh, our high performance engines need the perfect airflow from the front bumper for max performance. With a dumb plate in front, we loose power!!!



Actually, I think it ruins a really nice looking front. That's why mine will remain plate-less.

Originally Posted by Saprissa

This link should be on every CALIFORNIA MBWorld member's signature:
http://www.petitiononline.com/caplate/petition.html
I just signed the petition.

Mark, join the SAN DIEGO Caravan to the Saturday MB Meet in Irvine, CA.
We are meeting up at the PARK & RIDE near the 805 North on-ramp off Mira Mesa Blvd, near Sorrento Valley. See the SD Caravan thread in the EVENTS section.


Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com