Proper Signage & Responsible SSP Usage
 

So in terms of identifying that a SSP (or any vehicle) is no longer being used by the police, is there a preferred way to say it on the vehicle? I saw on an enthusiast site where they recommended:

OUT OF SERVICE


But for some reason I vaguely remember something about it being better to say:

NOT IN SERVICE


So I thought I'd open it up for discussion. Is one preferred over the other?

My vote:

NOT A POLICE VEHICLE

:)

Not In Service indicates the vehicle is no longer in service and is not ever going to be in service. Out of Service is a temporary condition for an in-service vehicle being taken out for repairs etc.

Not In Service is best!

http://images40.fotki.com/v775/photo...SC_7314-vi.jpg

Just my 2 cents.

Did I also mention that I cover anything that says "POLICE" on the car when going to shows...

http://images49.fotki.com/v1556/phot...40A0043-vi.jpg

Yikes, that one would get you in hot water real quick in most places for obvious reasons. :yes:

+1

http://images40.fotki.com/v1238/phot...scn3545-vi.jpg

Just a caution for signs magneticly held on. I used to use magnetic signs but after a short time in the sun, It was pointed out by a friend that the finish got dull because of the magnet. It may be more prominent on black or dark blue colors so be careful. I had to polish a lot to get it back to the shine.

Yep, that's happened to me with the covers on the black deck lid paint....no detectable problem so far on the white doors. When it's hot and sunny out, I carry a roll of blue painters tape to cover up the rear lettering for the ride back home.

Not really. Is it illegal in your state to have the word "POLICE" on your vehicle?

I can only speak for FL law, where it isn't illegal, but I'm sure that the same common sense approach reigns supreme in other states:

Use of the signage "NOT A POLICE VEHICLE" would be akin to use of the lettering "FASHION POLICE" for a vehicle belonging to a fashion design firm. A reasonable person would not believe it was an authorized LE vehicle.

Of course, I don't drive around in marked vehicles, so I don't have to worry about it. :)

I use Not In Service. Also have one that I sometimes use that says Show Car Not In Service.

I've used "Not In Service" on the 78' Fury and people still slam on the brakes and refuse to pass. Even when the cars are on the trailer, they slam on the brakes and fall in behind. I recomend covering all markings and removing or covering all lighting. Especially if your not an LEO.

Mike

In CA it's covered under the same provisions pertaining to paint/markings that resemble a law enforcement vehicle. And the bar is set pretty low as apparently there are very few reasonable persons out there.

I personally know of two local instances where it was applied and it's a safe bet that in a state this big there have been a ton of other cases too:

* an "artist" and his wife each had all white retired police Diplomats. On the front doors of both he had painted the cartoon characters of Porky Pig on one and Elmer Fudd on the other bursting out of an oval and a body length two tone stripe on the side with "Sheriff Porky" and "Sheriff Fudd" lettered inside it on the rear quarters. After much negative contact with LE and a trip to the see the judge, he removed all the markings. (Wish I had gotten a photo of those two.) :)

* a business called "NYPD Pizza" was running four-door full size Fords painted and lettered to very closely resemble old blue and white NYPD units to deliver their goods. They looked quite convincing, you really had to look close to see the word "pizza" on them and the real cops did not appreciate that as they were soon abandoned and replaced with unmarked delivery trucks. (It must have been lousy pizza too as they were out of business within a year.)

Out here, the authorities just don't like to see any LE words, symbols or paint combinations on anything that rolls down the road.

Good advice. In addition to the signage mentioned above I cover all the lighting up and meticulously use painters tape to cover up every square inch of markings. You really have to keep your head up and stay alert driving though because of rubber neckers and things like you mention above. Although I have to say I had more close calls nearly getting run into by other drivers when I had my champange gold colored 1969 Mach I. Unforutunately most other drivers payed more attention to my car that to the road. I can recall being the only 2 cars on the road for miles and having a car pass me on the inside and suddenly loose his mind looking at my car and nearly send me off the side of the road. Really have to be alert at all times.

I don't remember if OSP cars have 'Not In Service' or 'Out Of Service', but the maintenance man uses them all the time. When he's done cleaning the post, he takes a patrol car to the drivers exam station and cleans, and then goes to Walmart to buy supplies. He just drives around with the magnetic sign over the door emblem.

To dove tail here in in california we had a local guy paint his exterminator trucks black and white and he painted the bug sheriff on the doors in red. His vehicles were impounded so quickly he could not believe it. He appealed to the DMV and lost. The fines were minimal but the cost to repaint the trucks cost him lots of money. Not in service or in an enclosed trailer is the safest way to go. IMO

does "not is service" imply that this is a real police car just "not in service" at this time?

does "out of service" imply that this is a real police car just "out of service" at this time?


It all needs to be covered up.... period, including the blue lights, and it doesn't matter if they work or not.

this includes the words state trooper, state police, police, sheriff, deputy, department, etc etc etc

Just cover it all up so nobody has a chance to be confused.

They use "Out of Service" in red letters around Chardon and down your way.

Not really.

Just an FYI for those of you in CA.

I still think that putting them on or in a trailer is the best way to go (IN is ideal). Then, there's no worries about paint scratching magnets, painters tape gone wild, misinterpretation of signage, or running into the wrong LE on a bad day and getting into trouble.

Although an enclosed trailer is the ideal way to transport a marked SSP, I know that it's not practical for everyone. Speaking from my own experience, CHP #8395 was purposely not repainted black & white with markings for the sole purpose of being able to drive it on the street. The lights are all covered and inoperable, and the CHP logos/lettering are on magnets for display purposes only. Even unmarked, my sense of respect has grown for antique police vehicles, and I have become quite aware of the responsibilities associated with owning and operating an antique police car.

In terms of my original reason for creating this thread, I recently ordered a printed license plate frame that will say "NOT IN SERVICE" between the top two mounting holes. I plan to cut it out so only the top of the frame is used (to allow the inspection sticker at the bottom to remain visible). Delaware only requires a single DMV plate be placed on the rear of the car, but if the frame comes out good I will make another one for the front. I'll post a picture once it's done.

It's all about you and where you live
Let's start with YOU.
Common sense is not as common as you may think
visual perception is 90% of reality (i made that up)
but it's true. walks like a duck talks like a duck
you get the idea
saying not in service or out of service indicates to most
that...... at any moment it COULD be in service.
I distort the markings with magnetic strips that i carry
in a plastic coffee can that says this to the viewer
(again visual perception)
this WAS a police car.
Not.... COULD be a police car at any time.
additionally i have NEVER connected anything
on the car
Why would i have to...... it's a Display vehicle.
Now where you live
The peoples republic of California laws regarding
display / car show / restored / emergency vehicles
use no common sense at all. maybe if these guys would
not insist on connecting and playing with the lights n siren
at car shows?
Black n White VW Bugs that say geek squad can't be used
in California? come on GEEK SQUAD! vw Bugs?
California (and other states) should be more concerned
about the the guy in the full size crown Vic X police car
the guy that is trying to act the part. (and who knows what else)
http://i55.tinypic.com/2r6fgbl.jpg

Bad choice of words on my part. From what I gather, "painted" in that CVC section has been more broadly interpreted to cover markings too, regardless of whether they are applied with paint, decals or felt tip marker. Bottom line is your vehicle cannot resemble a LE vehicle in any way and it's stood up in the courts.

And trailering your car does not absolutely protect you from overzelous LE. I know of a couple who were jammed up for over 2 hours by a certain CHP officer about their marked CHP Mustang that was being lawfully trailered at the time.

SHOW CAR FOR DISPLAY ONLY

WHAT HE SAID

I'll write that on the side of my TRAILER. :bouncy:

When I had the FHP I just used painters tape and covered the fender "STATE TROOPER" decals and I used several pieces to cover the door shield. On the trunk I had a magnet that read, "NOT IN SERVICE". All lights were covered so nothing stuck out at all.

On the TX car it is a little easier. I just put a piece of tape across the "PUBLIC SAFETY" part and cover the lights. If I am taking it on the highway out of state I will also put the NIS magnet on the trunk.

I like that wording. I have a sign stating SHOW CAR IN TRANSIT-NOT IN SERVICE. They are on both doors and in the rear window. The other signage is covered with painters tape. I've had police pull along side and give me the thumbs up. This doesn't mean it is the best but I want to let the Police know I'm not impersonating.

Another signage variation used here:

http://images44.fotki.com/v1419/phot...Ripon24-vi.jpg

http://images57.fotki.com/v496/photo...Ripon25-vi.jpg

Yes, California does have a very stringent requirement and that actually is how movie companies cover the cars in that manner. The fact that the car is painted in that way is illegal there too.

When I had my mustang I used magnets the size of the state decal,state patrol signs and painted the magnets same color as car.
Now with the Camaro!! I have to use those magnets with double faced poster tape painted black to do the job, as the doors and fenders (all except the rear quarter) are composite material.
Except for the creme top and trunk, going to shows you would not know it being an X-police car.
Usually remove the lightbar and put in back seat on a specially built platform.

I'm guessing that you don't go to Florida then as the color is a sticking point with them down there from what I've seen in their vehicle code. I was wondering how you attach those covers. Magnets are great on metal but even so, it works best if you use some blue painter's tape to keep things secure.

Correct about taking to FL.
I will NEVER take the car there, as I would go directly to jail with the color.
As I said the painted magnetic covers are held on with Scotch doublesided POSTER tape.It's as thin as regular scotch tape, but sticky both sides.
I drove all the way to Ca. from Mo. and back 4,000 plus miles, at sometimes a little above the speed limit and never had one come loose and fly off.
When they are painted the car color, it really camoflages the car.
I even take the 3 antennas off and leave the AM/FM and CB radio on.
Radar, I leave in and play with it at times, which really slows some of those agressive drivers down.
To my reccolection I have never been stopped in my 20 years showing the cars, as I believe in taking all the precautions I can as to not get stopped and screw this hobby up.

Now you've done it! By saying that, you're gonna get pulled over any day now. Isn't that Murphy's Law? :) Hope you don't get stopped. In terms of the last part of your sentence, thank you for your diligence.

sounds like you have it figured out. taking the lightbar and antennas off go a long way to"de-police" the car.

Bill, I don't think there's much choice. We all have to pay attention to keeping this hobby going. It is too easy to go the wrong way with these cars and nothing but trouble can come of it and someone in DC or otherwise will take it upon themselves to legislate our hobby out of existence!

Amen.

A few just don't seem to understand the importance of their actions with the cars. the worst is the ones that do stupid things, then arrogantly brag about it on a public forum. Heaven forbid someone question their intentions, especially if they think their profession gives them some sort of "pass" on making us look bad ??? People really need to think about what all the other motoring public sees and what opinions they may formulate because of how we drive the cars. I have made mistakes with the cars myself over the past 15 years, but I have learned from my mistakes and the mistakes of others. The sooner everyone gets on the same page and makes "image" a priority, the better we and every other cop car owner/driver will be accepted. It only takes one childish act to tip the scales against us as we have seen in the past. We all make mistakes, and sometimes we just need to say...wow I screwed that up and it won't happen again.

I am off the soapbox on this topic. I think we have beat it to death.............

Perception is reality. Make sure the perception is not a bad reflection on the hobby.

Those thoughts were really well put. :2thumbs:

x1000.

Nice car Andy. Looking good !