Date:         Thu, 16 May 2002 16:40:05 -0400
Reply-To:     "G. Matthew Bulley" <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "G. Matthew Bulley" <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Organization: Bulley-Hewlett
Subject:      Re: Just cause
In-Reply-To:  <021601c1fd07$22cf64a0$9a7b95d1@westal.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Dan's advice is best. I have a variety of data points: I have cops in my
family, and I used to be a vehicular fuck-up.

The cops will tell you, roll up your window and drive off, and you will
face not only a red-light chase down, but probably some new and exciting
charges you wouldn't have faced otherwise. The bottom line: when you see
Blue Lights in the rearview, you've crossed the threshold of the
criminal justice system, and lost the right to drive off without serious
consequences.

As for my driving, I'm pretty serene now, but in the 1980's, with
multiple pierced ears (way before it was in vogue), dyed hair, and a
really fast 914, I looked like a hoodlum menace even fully stopped and
adjusting the radio. Even if completely legal, if there was a cop
around, I'd get pulled.  After 38 tickets, and at least double that many
traffic stops resulting in no ticket, I got to know all of the tricks of
the trade.

Second best bet: Be courteous & respectful. Don't be a smartass. Don't
think for a minute that you are smarter than the cop... he knows his
job, and he knows how to royally F-up your world with a few strokes of
his pen, or a click of his cuffs. Conversely, if you aren't a thug, he
wants to determine that, and get you out of the way so he can chase bad
guys.

Best bet: look like a Republican, and drive something really dull, and
really slow. I ditched my earrings, wear polo shirts, and have a 1985
Gold Jetta TD. Yawn. Our camper is a white Westfalia.  I haven't been
pulled over in 10 years.

Pax--

G. Matthew Bulley
Mount Olive, NC


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Dan R. Hall
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 2:26 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Just cause

A few weeks ago I was traveling past the Atlanta Airport on Interstate
85 in Atlanta, Georgia about 9pm.  I was pulled over by the East Atlanta
Police for a tail light being out.  The officer(well by the time I was
asked out of the vehicle there were 3 officers) asked what I was doing
and where I was going.   I suspect that legally he doesn't have a right
to know that but I didn't see the point of discussing it then and there.

So, I told him I was traveling from my home in Alabama to a band
rehearsal in Atlanta.
Yep.  Driving a VW Vanagon.  Moptop hairdo and sideburns, plays in a
band.    I knew what was coming next.

He asked about "the smell" that was coming from the inside of my van.
I told him it was the remains of a Taco Bell chicken burrito.
He began to tell me that I-85 was one of the main drug smuggling routes
into Atlanta and a lot of times people put things in their car to cover
up the smell of marijuana.  I replied that neither I nor any member of
my band uses marijuana.

He was polite but obviously not interested in what I was saying only in
getting to the "May we search your vehicle?" question.
So, I took a deep breath, told him that I understood he had a job to do
and that I didn't want to bring any trouble down on my own shoulders but
that I would rather not submit to the search because I don't use
narcotics and I was already gonna be late.
At that point, he told me that it was my right to refuse the search but
that by law they could bring the dog out for a sniff around the outside.
I readily agreed, of course, and out came the K-9 unit(luckily they were
already on scene.)  I also thought to ask what movement the dog would
make if he alerted on my car.  Otherwise, they can say he alerted if he
sniffs twice on something.
The dog went immediately to a point about 5 feet to the right of my van
and started sniffing in the weeds.  One of the officers followed the K-9
with a flashlight(thinking I'd tossed the contraband no doubt) but Fido
only hunkered down to relief him/herself.
Then a quick sniff around my vehicle and all was smiles and handshakes
and have a good evening Mr. Hall.

I make this same drive about once every two weeks.  I see this same
policeman shooting radar at the same spot nearly every time.  Maybe I
should stop off and offer him some coffee tonight. :-)

I think the most important thing in this situation is to remain calm and
be very polite and understanding.  Attitude is gonna count for a lot.
Imagine how many stops these guys make a week.  I'd suspect their
bullsh*t/attitude detectors are finely tuned.


Yes, it is your right to refuse but I WOULD NOT recommend rolling the
window up and driving off until the officer tells you it is OK.

dan