Posted Aug 7, 01:55 PM by ben
I’ve always had the habit of scanning traffic while driving to spot unmarked police vehicles. Not particularly because I’m speeding but for the same reasons I am aware of surveillance cameras nearby.
Maybe it’s a game I play to keep my mind from wondering. On the way in to work this morning I counted 9 tells that I typically use to spot an unmarked car that is behind me.
One of the tells even signals if it’s a state or federal owned, which is handy if you’re wanted by the FBI.
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This thread sucks without lists / pics.
I assume you mean tells more advanced than stickers, plates, and lights?
* Driver behavior is often an indicator – sometimes it’s fun to play ‘unmarked car or jerk driver’ as late model Ford Explorers rush up on my 6 o’clock in the fast lane when I’m already speeding
* Antennae (and mash in lo-jack, whips, old-school short cell-antennae, and crazy CB style multiples – you know who you are)
* Bar codes / facility access windshield stickers
* Driver and passenger both have mustaches
* Car-puter
* License plate / car exterior conditions don’t match but vehicle is not a theft magnet or from a dealership
I can’t think of any others.
— Grant · Aug 7, 03:24 PM · #
- Driver/passenger both have that cop style buzz cut
- If it’s a crown vic style car, and it has the sport package (dual exhaust, etc).
- Extra lights on the rear shelf, dash board, and license plates
- My Valentine One is chirping like a watzit.
— Will · Aug 10, 08:12 AM · #
@grant – I didn’t want to ruin the brainstorming by posting my own. I’ll post them in a few days.
@Will – Dual exhaust is a good one, except you can’t see that if the unmarked car is behind you.
I saw an umarked today that has a single high-gain antennae about 2 inches high and 3 inches thick on the roof. That’s the first I noticed that upgrade.
— ben · Aug 11, 10:36 AM · #
I forgot to mention, and this one is a no-brainer:
Domestic vehicle!
When we toured the FBI office, that was the first thing I noticed in their parking garage. I mentioned to Grant that of the couple hundred cars there, I didn’t see one of foreign make.
It gets more difficult when places like Virginia add car models you wouldn’t expect. I’ve seen unmarked Chevy Camaros pull people over on the Beltway. The SUVs are difficult to notice, too, because the extra lights inside the vehicle are obscured by the deep tinted rear windows. FYI all the windows behind the front row of seats in an SUV or van can be tinted as dark as desired, so alot of them come that way from the factory, which makes the unmarked SUVs blend in very well.
— Will · Aug 15, 02:19 PM · #
well for what it’s worth, here’s the list I made beforehand:
1) ford crown vic body shape (or impala)
2) several antennas – typically three
3) red EZPass (or blue for fed)
4) one passenger
5) subdued ext body color
6) flashlight attachment near side mirror
7) will never have: out headlight, low tires, dirty car, etc.
8) equipment on roof or viewable in windshield
9) md state troopers occasionally put their brimmed hat on the top of the passenger seat
It is admittedly very Maryland-based. It’s more of a thought exercise than anything else.
— ben · Aug 15, 02:30 PM · #