Placerville CHP - Profilling Question

[Throttleman]

I was wondering if the Placerville CHP has a car/driver profiling sting ongoing.

My son, (24 YO military) and several of his friends drive stock imported cars, Honda's, Toyotas and a Subaru.

This weekend the young men all related stories of being pulled over by Placerville CHP. The CHP without exception asked each adult man if they would mind opening the hood of their car for an engine inspection.

The CHP never indicated what they were looking for and I was unable to offer any reason as well.

All the guys complied. One kid asked why he was stopped and the CHP said his license plate light was dim???? WTF. DIM??

None of the young men were issued a ticket because thir cars were all stock, not drinking, speeding, cars in compliance etc.

One kid has been stopped three times another two and another once. Again no tickets were issued.

These men are all very good citizens of America, some military and some in college. One wants to explore LE. They would like an explanation for the actions of Placerville CHP.

One kid called the Placerville CHP AAA drivers with guns, we had a very hearty laugh at that discription. (They are becoming cynical about their LEO experiences)

If someone is able to offer an explanation we would appreciate it otherwise I may write the head person at Pvill CHP.

Thanks,

TM

[9mmepiphany]

i have not specific knowledge, but i'd think that they were responding to complains of "hot rodded" imports (i hate the R word) racing up the highway.

when you say "stock", do you mean just like it came off the lot...like a Subaru WRX STi or like the soccer mom's silver Honda Civil w/steel wheels and covers?

[Jonathan Doe]

I believe a similar subject was covered here on Calguns before. If the LEO suspects the vehicle was modified, I think he can inspect the vehicle.

[RangemasterP226]

Some observations:

1. Don't come into the LEO forum and offer up CHP insults, poor taste.

2. Your son is 24? Maybe he should inquire about this and not you?

3. Sounds like you are fostering this "cynical" feelings of these young men?

4. This is a perfect example of how LE can't win. You are perhaps the type of person who hates the loud, illegal motors and exhaust systems many young people have in their cars, but when LE tries to do something about it, all there is is complaining. Meh.

[Throttleman]

Really?

Some observations:

All cars are bone stock except one after market sound system.

1. Don't come into the LEO forum and offer up CHP insults, poor taste.
Please quote where I insulted anyone? I am asking about a potential policy, nothing more.

2. Your son is 24? Maybe he should inquire about this and not you?
He is not on this board and I perhaps misunderstood that some LEO read and responds to reasonable questions asked by non LEO's.

3. Sounds like you are fostering this "cynical" feelings of these young men?
How so, please provide a specific quote from my OP. Again we are looking for fact based answers not E dribble.

So for the benefit of those that cannot understand my original question I'll ask it again.
IS there a Pvill CHP policy for stopping ricers driven by the youth? THAT IS ALL I AM ASKING, clear RM?

4. This is a perfect example of how LE can't win. You are perhaps the type of person who hates the loud, illegal motors and exhaust systems many young people have in their cars, but when LE tries to do something about it, all there is is complaining. Meh.

Perhaps? You know nothing about me whatsoever, what I do for a living etc.

[jmzhwells]

The CHP has the right to do vehicle inspections, on vehicles that may be dangerous, unsafe, or illegally modified, per the vehicle code.

[Jonathan Doe]

You or your son should contact the CHP directly. A lot of non-CHP LEO's are not familiar with CHP policies. CHP's are primarily traffic oriented agency, although they took over the State Police for some other functions. I believe their badges say "California Highway Patrol Traffic Officer". They are probably more familiar with the vehicle codes in more detail.

[CSDGuy]

While the CHP used to do "just" traffic enforcement, they can enforce the entire Penal Code... but traffic/vehicle code is their specialty. Much like Game Wardens... they can enforce the Penal Code, but the Fish & Game code is their specialty...

[97F1504RAD]

Yes they are profiling, and you can thank the Fast and Furious Movies for that. They are looking for illegal modifications that take the cars out of smog compliance. Petty in my opinion and they would be better served doing something else more productive. This is a revenue generator as well.

If the young men feel they are being harassed and have never been issued any citations after multiple encounters I would file a complaint.
Before doing so they should make sure and keep a log of dates and times of said occurrences.
Note the time, date and officers name and the reason they pulled them over. If it is for a dim plate lamp check to see if it is dim and if not note that.

[retired]

Some observations:

1. Don't come into the LEO forum and offer up CHP insults, poor taste.

2. Your son is 24? Maybe he should inquire about this and not you?

3. Sounds like you are fostering this "cynical" feelings of these young men?

4. This is a perfect example of how LE can't win. You are perhaps the type of person who hates the loud, illegal motors and exhaust systems many young people have in their cars, but when LE tries to do something about it, all there is is complaining. Meh.

First of all Rangemaster, you are not a moderator, so please do not act like one; leave that to the mods please. Secondly, IMO, he is not, "offering up CHP insults, it appears he is asking a question in the hope that a CHP member might answer.

Throttleman, your best source for a possible answer, would be to call the particular CHP office involved and speak with a watch sgt. Better yet, the young men involved should be the ones to do that. I understand you are the member here and that is why you asked the question, but the odds of a member here being a CHP officer out of that station, are pretty slim.

Throttleman, that Triple A remark you mentioned is considered leo bashing; it doesn't matter that someone else said it, you said it here. Don't come to this forum, asking questions and then make remarks like that

[icsam]

i have not specific knowledge, but i'd think that they were responding to complains of "hot rodded" imports (i hate the R word) racing up the highway.

when you say "stock", do you mean just like it came off the lot...like a Subaru WRX STi or like the soccer mom's silver Honda Civil w/steel wheels and covers?

^^most likely scenario - citizen probably called in a group of cars that looked like about to race.

http://www.chp.ca.gov/community/streetlegal.html

http://www.chp.ca.gov/community/apistreetracing.html

http://www.chp.ca.gov/community/apistreetracing.html

[alex00]

When I was a motor officer, I was sent to a class sponsored by the Office of Traffic Safety. The class taught officers to identify illegal smog equipment under the hood of cars. The primary focus of the class was how to ID the equipment in Japanese cars. The rationale is that the cars most often involved in illegal street racing are modified to some extent. We learned the legal authority to get us under the hood, if the driver did not give consent. Cosmetic and exterior performance modifications could be used to give me PC for a search under the hood. Right or wrong, effective or not, the powers-that-be have given officers tools to remove cars from the street. The cars removed from the street are similar to those used in illegal street racing. When I say removed from the street, I mean the car was put out of service, and could not be driven until the car was seen at a BAR referee station.

It is my understanding CHP uses a similar program, with a similar goal to reduce illegal street racing.

[97F1504RAD]

When I was a motor officer, I was sent to a class sponsored by the Office of Traffic Safety. The class taught officers to identify illegal smog equipment under the hood of cars. The primary focus of the class was how to ID the equipment in Japanese cars. The rationale is that the cars most often involved in illegal street racing are modified to some extent. We learned the legal authority to get us under the hood, if the driver did not give consent. Cosmetic and exterior performance modifications could be used to give me PC for a search under the hood. Right or wrong, effective or not, the powers-that-be have given officers tools to remove cars from the street. The cars removed from the street are similar to those used in illegal street racing. When I say removed from the street, I mean the car was put out of service, and could not be driven until the car was seen at a BAR referee station.

It is my understanding CHP uses a similar program, with a similar goal to reduce illegal street racing.

While the goal may be to try and stop street racing, it effects many law abiding citizens who simply enjoy modifying their vehicles and never have nor will they ever participate in street racing. The laws are bogus just like the gun laws. The Smog Laws in this state are as pathetic as it's gun laws

[IronColt]

First of all Rangemaster, you are not a moderator, so please do not act like one; leave that to the mods please. Secondly, IMO, he is not, "offering up CHP insults, it appears he is asking a question in the hope that a CHP member might answer.

Throttleman, your best source for a possible answer, would be to call the particular CHP office involved and speak with a watch sgt. Better yet, the young men involved should be the ones to do that. I understand you are the member here and that is why you asked the question, but the odds of a member here being a CHP officer out of that station, are pretty slim.

since you are the moderator, do you know who deleted my post?

[ckim34]

While the goal may be to try and stop street racing, it effects many law abiding citizens who simply enjoy modifying their vehicles and never have nor will they ever participate in street racing. The laws are bogus just like the gun laws. The Smog Laws in this state are as pathetic as it's gun laws

Vehicle inspections turn up stolen motors, transmissions, and vehicles.