Ever Had Another motorist Complain About Your Car to Police?
I'm curious if all the states police have a policy whereby they have a database or derogatory info in their computer based on other motorist calling the police and complaining about you or your car.
Will try to make this short and still get the point out. But I still need to paint a detailed picture of the scenario.
Got stopped by the local FL police for speeding (59 in 45) three weeks back. During the ticket issuing process he proceeds to remind me that I (My license plate) have had 2 separate motorists call the police informing them that my car was "driving wrecklessly" on a major road. I was completely floored! I have NEVER driven unsafely in and around traffic. I have revved my engine. I have reached the speed limit faster than other drivers, but have never driven wrecklessly!
I asked the cop how this could happen. He claimed a lot of people call in complaining about numerous drivers (i.e. wrong turns, no turn signal, wreckless driving, etc..) and most of the time it's nothing. The cop explained they must check it out or try to find the vehicle and annotate the call/incident in their database. Just to be sure, I asked the cop that, "Anyone can call you guys about anything and you keep a record of it?" I also stated it was BS because if I ever get stopped by the cops again for anyrhing, they already have "accusations" on me. . No proof, just an upset or jealous motorist who doesn't like my driving or noisy engine. AND, that they (cops) are more likely to issue a citation if I'm stopped in the future. Even if my violation is minor (Say 50 in a 45 zone).
The cop proceeded to tell me he was not giving me a ticket based on the info in the database. I agreed, but stated he already has a formed opinion of me or the car--guilty. It's only human nature. And I stated it wasn't fair that the complaint remains in the database because anyone can call and accuse another motorist for anything just for spite or a misinterpretation of another motorist's actions.
Fast forward to one week ago. I'm in Jax, FL, stopped at stoplight around 7pm on a major busy road way. A Mustang GT pulls up next to me and starts revving his engine. I look at him, snicker, and rev my 680rwhp w/corsa exhaust to 5K rpm naturally putting his exhaust to shame. He laughs and gives me the thumbs-up. When the light turns, he accelerates rapidly to reach the speed limit. Of course I accelerate slowly to erase any doubt about me wanting to race him.
About 10 minutes later, I see this local cop cruiser pull out from a side street right behind me. He tailgates me for about 2 hundred yards and then my V1 detector goes crazy (rear arrow indicator). I don't hit my brakes because I've been doing the 35 mph speed limit. He continues tailgating for the next 1/4 mile until I turn into a small shopping center parking lot. I circle the lot twice because I can't find a space near the front--he's still following me around the lot. I pull into a space and he pulls just ahead of me, stops, then backs into a space directly behind me. I act like I don't see him and go into the sub-shop and stay for 20 minutes. I did noticed he got out of his car and came up and looked at my interior. He remains in the lot for the next 10 minutes then leaves. I have no idea what he was doing, but I guarantee you it wasn't to give me compliments on the car or interior.
So guys, here's my questions and thoughts:
Did someone possibly call to complain about me revving my engine? Or, thinking I was about to race? (It's obvious that cop probably got a tip from someone behind me at the light and that's why he followed (harrassed) me). And now, I'll probably have another entry in my record that I was racing.
This proves my exact reasoning of why it's BS that anyone can call and leave a permanent scar on your record. In reality, if you don't like someone, you can obtain their plate number and falsely complain about their driving on a weekly/monthly basis. You can wake up in the morning and just call to complain. Nothing that person can do/say to disprove the entry. AND it will be reviewed by the cop the next time you're stopped for anything.
Has anyone ever experienced this? Can I legally remove these entries from my record? Will obtaining new license plates alleviate the problem or will the entries carry forward to the new plate?
Guys, I apologize for the novel, but this just pisses me off that this can actually happen. Your thoughts.
When I was 17 I had a Corvette. One time I removed the entire exhaust from the mid-crossover pipe back (so it was manifolds into the precats, into the cat, then to the air). It was LOUD. I mean it was LOOOUUUDD.
Being 17, I thought it was awesome.
One time this lady pulled out in front of me. She came out of a sidestreet and I was going 40mph along a 35mph major road. There was no cars anywhere so it annoyed me that she pulled out in front of me. Rather than get on the brakes hard, I just crossed over the center line and passed her and honked.
I pulled into a shopping center about 2 miles down the road to get something. When I was leaving I saw the girlfriend of my friend. My car was so loud that *everyone* knew me by the sound. So I put it in neutral and revved the hell out of the motor. The girl stopped and waved.
That evening a cop comes to my house - says they got a complaint and threatens to write me a ticket. I ask from who? He says none of my business. He says I revved my engine in the lot and "tried to run her over". LOL - riight. He says he could haul me in right then and there. Being a 17 year old punk I tell him to go ahead, and I'll be able to find out who complained. He tells me to 'watch myself' and leaves (no ticket).
Poing being, they can bug you over people calling in. I imagine it only really matters if a trend develops though.
I doubt they have any info on who reported it, but if you're feeling frisky, call the PD and request it under FOIA (freedom of info act). They may tell you to file a FOIA form or they may just give you whats in your file.
Being a 17 year old punk I tell him to go ahead, and I'll be able to find out who complained. He tells me to 'watch myself' and leaves (no ticket).
Poing being, they can bug you over people calling in.
First, that took balls.
Second,
Poing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Poing is a freeware computer game, made by Paul Van der Valk, and released on the Amiga in 1992. It is a variant of the arcade games Breakout and Arkanoid.
I took the ACR out for a "spirited" ride a couple of summers ago. When I got home there was a cop friend of mine sitting in the driveway. Someone had called in a complaint about my car and he had intercepted the complaint on my behalf. We had a good laugh at whomever called it in, mainly because a situation like that would be thrown out of court so fast that it would make your head spin.
End result? I took him for a ride. In uniform. Try complaining about me now
I took the ACR out for a "spirited" ride a couple of summers ago. When I got home there was a cop friend of mine sitting in the driveway. Someone had called in a complaint about my car and he had intercepted the complaint on my behalf. We had a good laugh at whomever called it in, mainly because a situation like that would be thrown out of court so fast that it would make your head spin.
End result? I took him for a ride. In uniform. Try complaining about me now
They should be complaining about your fucking pavement quality.
I agree its horse-shit. I would be very interested to see if you can have that checked into/removed via attorney. BTW, pos-rep for your newly acquired 'Notorious' status.
1) It's reckless driving, not wreckless. Wreckless means you are not in a wreck.
2) I am on your side regarding people calling in, it's stupid and it's happend to me. But you have to be high off your ass if you are going to come in here and talk about your 680whp and then have the nerve to say that NOT ONCE have you ever rodded the piss out of it on a public street. Who are you kidding? You have 680whp so you can accelerate slightly faster than normal traffic? Either you are lying out of your ass or I feel sorry for you for not driving your car like a real man.
In reality, if you don't like someone, you can obtain their plate number and falsely complain about their driving on a weekly/monthly basis. You can wake up in the morning and just call to complain. Nothing that person can do/say to disprove the entry.
Now, there's an idea for me to use on my asshole neighbor!
Didn't someone write a looong time ago about taking the local small town sherriff out for a spin, when a call came over the sherriff's radio that a Grey GTS was highballin' around town and it's license plate was the one that they were in? They were out for a simple cruise and some jealous MF called it in. The end result was that they traced the call and ticketed the caller at their home.
This story goes back a ways and I can't remember if it was posted here or at the Morgue.
Same type of B.S that us Porsche owners go through, carving up mountain roads in Seattle.....
We have been busted several times over the last few years on R Gruppe runs in precisely this manner. Some senile old AARP member calls us in from their plodding mobile phone booth and the cops come looking for us. We appear to be "racing" when we pass these clowns, who are sometimes holding up dozens of cars while refusing to use the turnouts. Two or more Porsches, Ferraris, Vipers, Vettes, motorcycles, or whatever must be "racing" in these people's eyes.
Last time was coming down from the south side of Mt. St Helens. We passed a shitload of RV's, mini vans, and whatnot on the way up. So, when we were getting ready to leave the parking lot, an unmarked Sheriff pick up truck was waiting for us. Luckily for us, a mini van spoiled his plans, and pulled out to leave in front of our group. He pulled in behind the mini van, obviously hoping to catch us passing it, and many other cars, on the way down. And well we would have, save for the fact that our astute leader noticed the green uniform and patch on his sleeve. The radios light up "oh shit, it's a cop..." and we fall in line like little duckies and plod down the mountain at a good 10-15 mph UNDER the limit. There were almost 20 of us. In a mile or two, there were at least that many more cars behind us. And the fuching mini van driver passed a dozen turnouts, along with the "delay of five vehicles illegal; must use turnouts" signs. And the cop never stopped him.
Robot, where are you?
