Question for L.E.O.'s and everyone else, is this legal? What do you think?

[SJgunguy24]

OK fellow Calgunners. I riding to the train station from my job at Stanford. I cruise by a carwash place and I see a Police car..........No big deal right?This is what I see.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/SJgunguy24/015-9.jpg

This isn't a meter maid car this is a Police car complete with Remmy 870 and Surefire handguard with light. How do I know this????


http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/SJgunguy24/016-6.jpg


Because I walked over within about 5 feet and looked inside the car. Now with the rash of LEO gun thefts lately and the fact the some people are dirt bags and will steal anything of value, who's to stop somebody from stealing an armed police car with the keys in the ignition,the motor running,unattended and a driveway directly in front of it? This just doesn't seem right to me. Lemmie know what you think.

Mike

[bluestaterebel]

:eek: where was the deputy?

[Turbinator]

Irresponsible.

So, how's the new ride? :D

Turby

[ojisan]

So, how's the new ride? :D
Turby

:rofl2:

I suspect there was a Krispy Kreme next door to the car wash.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j100/nation161/Winter%20Break%2006-07/Phone%20Pics/1216061313.jpg

[hellraiser]

maybe he had taco bell for lunch!!!:gene:

[lasereye]

Just because you're at Stanford doesn't mean your bright.;)

[Two Shots]

Yes, it should be a concern with the recent theft of weapons from patrol cars.

Many departments use car washes to clean thier vehicles, they have some type of contract with the facility. In this case the LEO should have been watching his car, which he may have been watching from inside.

This could have been a oppertunity for a thief to get a set of wheels with lights and siren and a 870 and whatever was in the trunk if hthe LEO was not watching his unit.

[SJgunguy24]

Yes, it should be a concern with the recent theft of weapons from patrol cars.

Many departments use car washes to clean thier vehicles, they have some type of contract with the facility. In this case the LEO should have been watching his car, which he may have been watching from inside.

This could have been a oppertunity for a thief to get a set of wheels with lights and siren and a 870 and whatever was in the trunk if hthe LEO was not watching his unit.

If he was watching his car.......why would I be able to walk up and start snapping photos with out anyone even saying anything? He was nowhere near his ride. I actually rode past and then stopped, turned around and rode back to take the pictures.

[bluestaterebel]

yes the deputy was very complacent

[Dark&Good]

You should've corrected him on the subject.

[tyrist]

It's not illegal...however it's bad form but I don't know that departments policy on such things.

[bsg]

maybe it was a 'sting' operation to see if anyone working at the car wash would steal those donuts in the front seat right in front of that shotgun....

[saigon1965]

I see it all the time here in Dublin - We have 3 carwashes in town - But I always see the officer watching his/her ride -

[Fjold]

Send the pictures to the Chief along with the write up of how anyone could have stolen it because the officer wasn't watching it.

[gn3hz3ku1*]

montebello cops get whole cars jacked ... so does the fbi :)

[Turbinator]

maybe it was a 'sting' operation to see if anyone working at the car wash would steal those donuts in the front seat right in front of that shotgun....

Or it was a bait car, and the moment you get in and drive off, the doors lock, the engine shuts off, and the whole thing is being recorded...

Turby

[luchador768]

http://www.forumammo.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10063/That-Is-A_Trap_%28Star_Wars%29.jpg (http://www.forumammo.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10063/That-Is-A_Trap_%28Star_Wars%29.jpg)

[triggerhappy]

Anyone want to buy a used car and a twelve gauge? Cash only, please.

[Two Shots]

If he was watching his car.......why would I be able to walk up and start snapping photos with out anyone even saying anything? He was nowhere near his ride. I actually rode past and then stopped, turned around and rode back to take the pictures.

He just didn't think it could happen to him, seems he was not too careful.

[Quiet]

Send the pictures to the Chief along with the write up of how anyone could have stolen it because the officer wasn't watching it.

+1 on this.

[MontClaire]

I think you just gave some dirtbags an idea.:no:

It'd be much better if you told the officer in question in private and just pointed out his mistake for him on the spot. Now you posted this with the license number...I don't have a good feeling about this.

[BigDogatPlay]

He just didn't think it could happen to him, seems he was not too careful.

And that attitude may get him hurt some day.

That Stanford officer needs to have his rear end kicked hard. Laving his vehicle, with weapons and (I am guessing) computer equipment holding LEA only information unsupervised is just plain foolish. I don't care how much you think you trust the car wash... you don't leave your unit wide open like that without supervision.

[Turbinator]

I think you just gave some dirtbags an idea.:no:


I disagree. Whoever's been already stealing police cars and taking the weapons is the one giving ideas to other dirtbags, not the OP who posted the pics.

Turby

[Shadowdrop]

I never realized how easy the release is for those center console weapons until working on them as a mechanic. After finding out, I can't believe more aren't stolen out of the cars.

[Dark&Good]

I think you just gave some dirtbags an idea.:no:

It'd be much better if you told the officer in question in private and just pointed out his mistake for him on the spot. Now you posted this with the license number...I don't have a good feeling about this.

I think that cop in Stanford gave an idea to far more "dirtbags" than you'll find on CalGuns. Of course, I don't know how many dirtbags are here... how do you know that there are any?

[SJgunguy24]

I disagree. Whoever's been already stealing police cars and taking the weapons is the one giving ideas to other dirtbags, not the OP who posted the pics.

Turby

Thanks turby, BTW I did fire off a nice e mail with the photos. I didn't get nasty at all but I did say how this type of incident helps nobody cause, especially us. I can hear it now"Look how irresponsible the police are with guns......how could someone with no training be trusted"

I notice little things,stupid things......like cops do. I just hope that I can stop another bad story about a cops weapon getting boosted......and we suffer the consequences of their misjudgement.

Mike

[dominic]

I never realized how easy the release is for those center console weapons until working on them as a mechanic. After finding out, I can't believe more aren't stolen out of the cars.

Don't they have the ability to lock those consoles to keep the weapons from being so easily released?

[tenpercentfirearms]

I think you just gave some dirtbags an idea.:no:

It'd be much better if you told the officer in question in private and just pointed out his mistake for him on the spot. Now you posted this with the license number...I don't have a good feeling about this.

Great point. We all know that many criminal dirtbags hang out on Calguns.net. In fact, the mere fact so many of us owns guns does make us a threat to the public and we know criminals often cruise this web board. :rolleyes:

[SJgunguy24]

* I have a follow up. I received an e mail from the Stanford Sheriff Cheif.* This was the e mail Thank you for bringing this to my attention.* You raise some very worthwhile points.* We will be reviewing our practices.*

Sincerely,

Laura

I just wonder what would happen if one of their cars does get boosted?

[Dark&Good]

Good job :)

[blackberg]

you should have jumped it and left around the corner to teach him a lesson :auto::driving:

-bb

[devildog999]

If he was watching it, no biggie. If he wasn't, then that could pose a serious problem.

[Guns R Tools]

Looks like all you need is yellow shirt, hat and rag to get into one of those.
Even the cop won't care if you got in.

[WokMaster1]

* I have a follow up. I received an e mail from the Stanford Sheriff Cheif.* This was the e mail Thank you for bringing this to my attention.* You raise some very worthwhile points.* We will be reviewing our practices.*

Sincerely,

Laura

I just wonder what would happen if one of their cars does get boosted?

It was probably Laura herself & she's trying to keep a lid on this...:p

[chrisj13]

And I'm assuming you SAW him with your own beady eyes get out of his car, walk calmly away, and forget all about it? I don't know how many times I have jumped out of my car chasing somebody on foot, unable to turn the car off or even shut the door. How do you know he just didn't witness a robbery in progress? Or somebody brandish a gun? Unless you know ALL the facts preceding the event, don't attempt to draw any conclusions. BTW, the guns are locked and each dept has their own method of unlocking it. I'm sure if he was in fact chasing somebody that he radio'd for somebody to secure his car. To get a cop car stolen is one thing...to get your own s$!& jacked is outright criminal!!

[Springfield45]

And I'm assuming you SAW him with your own beady eyes get out of his car, walk calmly away, and forget all about it? I don't know how many times I have jumped out of my car chasing somebody on foot, unable to turn the car off or even shut the door. How do you know he just didn't witness a robbery in progress? Or somebody brandish a gun? Unless you know ALL the facts preceding the event, don't attempt to draw any conclusions. BTW, the guns are locked and each dept has their own method of unlocking it. I'm sure if he was in fact chasing somebody that he radio'd for somebody to secure his car. To get a cop car stolen is one thing...to get your own s$!& jacked is outright criminal!!

Is this the best you can do to through blame back on the OP. Are you saying people should not report a unsecured weapon in public? :eek: I know I am responsible for my equipment in the field, why are other LEOs not? I am calling BS. You could have at least asked why the OP did not watch the car until our lunch wielding crime fighter returned.

Good job reporting the open cop car. The department can determine if this officer was negligent or not. I bet he is. How hard is it to take the keys with you and close your damn door.

[ZRX61]

I just wonder what would happen if one of their cars does get boosted?

They'l be waiting in your driveway when you get home with it.. ;)

[fatass]

Hey Mike, nice to see another fellow Stanford employee on these boards.

You did the right thing sending it into the Stanford Sheriff's department.
:thumbsup:

[Got Stuff?]

Most cop cars have a "secure idle" capability. This allows the the shifter to be placed in park and the ign key removed with the vehicle still idling.

IF....you know how and where to activate the electronic lock for the long rifles AND the officer didn't bypass that electronic lock with the key lock AND the secure idle is NOT enabled......well, I guess it's possible to run off with the rifle.

"Secure Idle" also disables the electronic rifle lock from opening as does turning the ignition off.

[SJgunguy24]

Most cop cars have a "secure idle" capability. This allows the the shifter to be placed in park and the ign key removed with the vehicle still idling.

IF....you know how and where to activate the electronic lock for the long rifles AND the officer didn't bypass that electronic lock with the key lock AND the secure idle is NOT enabled......well, I guess it's possible to run off with the rifle.

"Secure Idle" also disables the electronic rifle lock from opening as does turning the ignition off.

The car was at a carwash, it was moved and the key was in the car. I did a quick walk around the car and no deputy came over or was even within sight of his vehicle. The gun might take a few mins to get, but the car...........5 seconds to get.

My point is, we HAVE to secure our vehicles or we could be held liable for damages. Especially if there is a weapon. I know if there is a foot pursuit or a high risk stop, that door is open for a reason. That car was just sitting there for anyone to take.

Irresponsibility with any tool is no excuse. A police car is a tool, as is the shotgun. When i'm done with driving the Gradall at work......I make sure the brake is set, the forks are on the ground, the transmission is in neutral, and the key is in my pocket. I'm not going to leave a chainsaw running with kids around, if I do, who is on the hook if an unauthorized person grabs it and hurts someone?

Don't we have to sign waivers stating that if a child get one of our firearms.........we are legally responsible? Criminally responsible? Well last time I checked cars kill more than guns.............unattended police car.......with a shotgun............NOT GOOD

[chrisj13]

Most cop cars have a "secure idle" capability. This allows the the shifter to be placed in park and the ign key removed with the vehicle still idling.

IF....you know how and where to activate the electronic lock for the long rifles AND the officer didn't bypass that electronic lock with the key lock AND the secure idle is NOT enabled......well, I guess it's possible to run off with the rifle.

"Secure Idle" also disables the electronic rifle lock from opening as does turning the ignition off.

Finally, somebody who knows what they are talking about...Has anybody had the bright idea that JUST MAYBE the officer WAS standing there? MAYBE he/she was not dressed in the typical full police uniform we are used to seeing...MAYBE he/she was in plain clothes, coming from or going to training...
How quick we are to judge.
I'll be sure and turn off my car, set the parking brake, roll up the windows, lock the doors, then look back to make sure everything is hunky-doory before I chase after the next purse snatcher.

[SJgunguy24]

Finally, somebody who knows what they are talking about...Has anybody had the bright idea that JUST MAYBE the officer WAS standing there? MAYBE he/she was not dressed in the typical full police uniform we are used to seeing...MAYBE he/she was in plain clothes, coming from or going to training...
How quick we are to judge.
I'll be sure and turn off my car, set the parking brake, roll up the windows, lock the doors, then look back to make sure everything is hunky-doory before I chase after the next purse snatcher.

No cop anywhere. No plain clothes either. On my back that direction the car was through the wash and was being dried off.........the cop was outside then. He was in uniform and was packing a G23, I know caused I asked. If you look at the posted photo............anybody could've walked up and taken the car.

If you leave your car unattended thats up to you. Every cop i've talked to has told me if I see a purse snatching in progress, I need to be a good witness, not a crime fighter. Thats not the point of this thread, the point is a armed vehicle was left unattended with the keys and motor running. The fact that it's a police vehicle is insane. How many police firearms have been stolen in the bay area in the last 6 months?

Like I said before. The anti's will say"if the cops can't be trusted.......how can a untrained civillian be trusted?" They want to eliminate firearms period! Crap like this only gives them more leverage.

[VtotheZ]

hmmmmmmmmmm

[BigDogatPlay]

While at another time and place I might agree with the above, there have been way too many units being stolen from or stolen outright lately... particularly around the SF Bay Area.

These days I wouldn't let my car out of my sight in that type of situation.

[chrisj13]

No cop anywhere. No plain clothes either. On my back that direction the car was through the wash and was being dried off.........the cop was outside then. He was in uniform and was packing a G23, I know caused I asked.


I have no idea what the italicized sentence means. Was there a uniformed officer there? Or not? Please explain.

[SJgunguy24]

I have no idea what the italicized sentence means. Was there a uniformed officer there? Or not? Please explain.

Yes he was there, but for the 2-3 mins I was standing there taking pictures he was nowhere in sight. Not even when I walked up to look inside the car to see if the keys were there.

It was about 10 mins later when I was riding back when I saw the deputy. Thats when I asked about his gun, it was a G23.