Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Of course, Dubai Police add Bugatti Veyron to fleet]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/of-course-dubai-police-add-bugatti-veyron-to-fleet/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/of-course-dubai-police-add-bugatti-veyron-to-fleet/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/of-course-dubai-police-add-bugatti-veyron-to-fleet/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Dubai Police Bugatti Veyron

Well, now it's official: Nobody in Dubai is going to be able to outrun the police. You see, in addition to the Aston Martin One-77, Ferrari FF and Lamborghini Aventador that were already part of its stable of police cars, the constabulary in Dubai have most recently procured a Bugatti Veyron to add to the force. And, since the Veyron is the fastest production vehicle in the world, it'd take something truly special to evade the long arm of the law.

The image you see above was tweeted by Dubai's Chief of Police, and as you can see, it's painted up in the green and white hues we've come to expect from its ilk. We do have to wonder, though, if they drilled holes in the Bugatti's roof for the light bar or if it's held on by suction cups or something else less likely to damage the delicate carbon fiber bodywork...

Of course, Dubai Police add Bugatti Veyron to fleet originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 May 2013 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugattibugatti veyrondubai policedubai police bugatti veyronpoliceSat, 18 May 2013 13:05:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20574621/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/18/of-course-dubai-police-add-bugatti-veyron-to-fleet/20574621/article-detail.xml 20574621 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/dubai-police-bugatti-veyron_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/dubai-police-bugatti-veyron.jpg <![CDATA[Portland police pursuit quack down caught on dash cam]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/portland-police-pursuit-quack-up-caught-on-dash-cam/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/portland-police-pursuit-quack-up-caught-on-dash-cam/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/portland-police-pursuit-quack-up-caught-on-dash-cam/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



One driver in Portland, OR should make a hefty donation to his or her local wildlife conservation group after a family of ducks got the person out of a speeding ticket. A Portland police officer clocked a car going 52 miles per hour in a 35-mph zone, but when the officer went to pursue the speeder, a mother duck and her two ducklings ran some unintended interference.

Rather than just going around the ducks, the officer blocks the street to usher the waterfowl from the road. While the speeder got away, it's nice to see some compassion from the authorities. Besides, the gesture might've saved more than just the ducks from an unfortunate accident on the rain-slicked road. Scroll down to watch the video taken from the patrol car's dash cam.

Continue reading Portland police pursuit quack down caught on dash cam

Portland police pursuit quack down caught on dash cam originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dash camdash camedashcamduckmallard duckpolicepolice campolice chaseportland policespeeding ticketvideoFri, 17 May 2013 16:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20573938/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/portland-police-pursuit-quack-up-caught-on-dash-cam/20573938/article-detail.xml 20573938 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/police-chase-ducks_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/police-chase-ducks.jpg <![CDATA[ACLU sues LAPD and Sheriff's Department over license plate scanners]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/aclu-sues-lapd-and-sheriffs-department-over-license-plate-scann/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/aclu-sues-lapd-and-sheriffs-department-over-license-plate-scann/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/aclu-sues-lapd-and-sheriffs-department-over-license-plate-scann/#commentsFiled under: ,

LAPD police cruisers and mobile command unit

Both the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Police Department have become big fans of cameras that capture license plate numbers and check them against information in registration and criminal databases. The Sheriff's Department uses 47 fixed cameras and has 77 squad cars with the equipment, the LAPD has gone from having 12 cruisers with the cameras five years ago to 100 now - and the cameras snag images of more than a thousand plates a minute. The LA departments aren't alone, either, with 71 percent of police departments nationwide said to be using the technology, and New Hampshire the only state to ban it.

Authorities tout how the information helps find stolen cars and help solve investigations, but the American Civil Liberties Union has an issue with the police holding onto the plate images of innocent people. The LAPD is understood to retain the information for five years, the LASD keeps it "indefinitely." According to the Los Angeles Times, the ACLU of Southern California and the Electronic Frontier Foundation filed a Public Records Act request for one week of the data generated by the camera and was denied, with the law enforcement agencies arguing that the information constitutes "investigative material" and thus it doesn't need to be released. That led both organizations to sue, worried that storage of information gathered on innocent citizens is a violation of their privacy.

ACLU attorney Peter Bibring says he would like the information to be destroyed after two weeks. Before that happens, he'll need to convince a judge that long-term databases containing the real-time whereabouts are a threat to a citizen's privacy. It'll probably be tough to do: police can perform manual checks at will, people have essentially no right to privacy in public spaces, the technology is ubiquitous, with border crossings and even the IRS using it, federal grants helping departments purchase the cameras, and information now going beyond state authorities and being checked against national registration and criminal databases. The ACLU has openly questioned the cameras for years, but this isn't only about the 'surveillance state,' it's about the record-keeping state.

ACLU sues LAPD and Sheriff's Department over license plate scanners originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acluamerican civil liberties unionautomatic license recognitioncameraelectronic frontier foundationla sheriffs departmentlapdlicense platelicense recognitionlos angeles police departmentlos angeles sherrifs departmentpolicesafetyscannersuesurveillanceMon, 13 May 2013 11:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20565939/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/13/aclu-sues-lapd-and-sheriffs-department-over-license-plate-scann/20565939/article-detail.xml 20565939 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/lapd-police-cars-and-rv_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/lapd-police-cars-and-rv.jpg <![CDATA[Dubai police add Aston Martin One-77 plus Bentley and SLS AMG to exotic fleet]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/dubai-police-aston-martin-one-77-bentley-sls-amg/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/dubai-police-aston-martin-one-77-bentley-sls-amg/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/dubai-police-aston-martin-one-77-bentley-sls-amg/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Dubai Police Aston Martin One-77

GulfNews.com reports the Dubai Police will add even more exotic cars to its fleet of law enforcement vehicles. As you may recall, the city's police department already has a Ferrari FF and a Lamborghini Aventador. Now it looks as if officers will be able to patrol the streets in an Aston Martin One-77 Q-Series and a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. An undefined Bentley will also join the the fleet in the near future. Right now, the One-77 is on display at the Arabian Travel Market for tourists to enjoy. So, why does a police department need a one-of-seven ultra exotic like the $3 million One-77 Q-Series?

While speaking with GulfNews.com, Dubai Police Chief Lt Gen Dahi Khalfan Al Tamim said that the public's reaction and enthusiasm for the force's Aventador convinced him to add other exotics to the stable. The cars will be used for "road security." "These sports cars will not be roaring and chasing speeding motorists," he said.

Dubai police add Aston Martin One-77 plus Bentley and SLS AMG to exotic fleet originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 May 2013 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aston martinaston martin one-77aston martin one-77 q seriesdubai policedubai police astion martin one-77policeMon, 06 May 2013 10:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20558977/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/06/dubai-police-aston-martin-one-77-bentley-sls-amg/20558977/article-detail.xml 20558977 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/dubai-police-one-77-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/dubai-police-one-77-628.jpg <![CDATA[Translogic takes post-mortem spin in Carbon Motors E7 police car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/translogic-takes-post-mortem-spin-in-carbon-motors-e7-police-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/translogic-takes-post-mortem-spin-in-carbon-motors-e7-police-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/translogic-takes-post-mortem-spin-in-carbon-motors-e7-police-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Carbon Motors E7 on Translogic

It's a shame Carbon Motors seems to be dead on arrival. The company's E7 Police Cruiser is a purpose-built law enforcement vehicle with plenty of well-executed innovations. Rather than slather a civilian vehicle in gear and call it a day, the company engineered the E7 with law enforcement in mind from the very beginning.

Unfortunately, funding dried up before the company could really get its legs under it, and as a result, Carbon Motors has shuttered the E7 program. Before that happened, our friends at Translogic got the chance to ride along in a fully functional version of the cruiser.

Carbon Motors Vice President Stacy Dean Stephens took the time to show off all of the impressive technology available on the E7, from license plate recognition software to infrared cameras, extensive speed detection hardware and even the unique front seats built to accommodate an officer's utility belt. Check out the video below for yourself.

Continue reading Translogic takes post-mortem spin in Carbon Motors E7 police car

Translogic takes post-mortem spin in Carbon Motors E7 police car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon motorscarbon motors e7carbon motors e7 police cruiserpolicetranslogicTue, 30 Apr 2013 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20552964/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/30/translogic-takes-post-mortem-spin-in-carbon-motors-e7-police-car/20552964/article-detail.xml 20552964 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/carbon-motors-e7-translogic-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/carbon-motors-e7-translogic-628.jpg <![CDATA[Piquet Jr. spins Scott, post-race altercation leads to kick in the jewels, arrests [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/piquet-jr-spins-scott-post-race-altercation-leads-to-kick-in-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/piquet-jr-spins-scott-post-race-altercation-leads-to-kick-in-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/piquet-jr-spins-scott-post-race-altercation-leads-to-kick-in-t/#commentsFiled under: ,

Scott Piquet Fight

It seems as if NASCAR drivers are hellbent on blurring the line between their sport and pro wrestling. Nelson Piquet Jr. and Brian Scott got into a little scuffle after a Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway recently. The two drivers have had a running rivalry for some time now, and when Piquet spun Scott in a bid for 15th place, Scott stopped by Piquet's car post-race. Some shoving ensued, and Piquet decided to kick for Scott's groin in an attempt to put an end to the argument. Apparently, that wasn't enough.

Later, crew members for both drivers got into a further altercation at the track's motor home lot that culminated in two of Scott's boys getting arrested. Michael Searce was booked on two charges of misdemeanor assault while Thomas Costello was arrested on one count of the same. Both were released early Saturday. You can watch a video of the collision as well as interviews with both drivers below.

Continue reading Piquet Jr. spins Scott, post-race altercation leads to kick in the jewels, arrests [w/video]

Piquet Jr. spins Scott, post-race altercation leads to kick in the jewels, arrests [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian scottnascarnascar crewmembers arrestednascar fightnationwidenationwide seriesnelson piquet jrpoliceMon, 29 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20551740/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/29/piquet-jr-spins-scott-post-race-altercation-leads-to-kick-in-t/20551740/article-detail.xml 20551740 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/scott-piquet-fight-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/scott-piquet-fight-628.jpg <![CDATA[Police using 43-year-old Plymouth Satellite to patrol Seattle streets [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/police-using-43-year-old-plymouth-satellite-to-patrol-seattle-st/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/police-using-43-year-old-plymouth-satellite-to-patrol-seattle-st/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/police-using-43-year-old-plymouth-satellite-to-patrol-seattle-st/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



It's like throwback uniform days at the ballpark, only this happens every day and it's at the police station. A story and video by the Associated Press takes a look at Seattle police officer Jim Ritter and his 1970 Plymouth Satellite police cruiser (the Satellite was renamed Fury in 1975) - and yes, that's him above with the car, Ritter in his period-correct police uniform. As you might guess, this is one of those community relations efforts, but it's no show pony - the Satellite is Ritter's daily driver and he'll ride in convey with Crown Victorias to answer any kind of police call.

Ritter started the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum 15 years ago, and there are 14 cars in its collection of automobiles. This one was offered by a retired Seattle city worker living in Nebraska, and after it was determined that it was indeed part of the King County Police Department in 1970, the museum restored it with the help of local businesses. It hasn't been made modern, though - it's got no air conditioning, no computer, and 43-year-old ride quality.

Nonetheless, as a woman remarks in the video below, it's "filthy," which means "awesome." You can read even more about it over on KOMO News.

Continue reading Police using 43-year-old Plymouth Satellite to patrol Seattle streets [w/video]

Police using 43-year-old Plymouth Satellite to patrol Seattle streets [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1970 plymouth satellitejim ritterplymouthplymouth satellitepoliceseattleseattle police departmentvideoyoutubeMon, 29 Apr 2013 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20552124/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/29/police-using-43-year-old-plymouth-satellite-to-patrol-seattle-st/20552124/article-detail.xml 20552124 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/1970-plymouth-satellite-police-cruiser-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/1970-plymouth-satellite-police-cruiser-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mom arrested for helping kids vandalize cars with BB gun]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/28/mom-arrested-for-helping-kids-vandalize-cars-with-bb-gun/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/28/mom-arrested-for-helping-kids-vandalize-cars-with-bb-gun/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/28/mom-arrested-for-helping-kids-vandalize-cars-with-bb-gun/#commentsFiled under: ,

Susan Becker Arrested

There are any number of wholesome ways to bond with your brood. Teaching them the finer points of the drive-by shooting probably shouldn't be one of them. That didn't stop 43-year-old Susan Becker piling her two teenage children into a car along with another teenage friend, arming the lot with pellet and BB guns and encouraging her posse to fire on parked cars.

Becker bought the toys for her 13-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter, and a 15-year-old friend tagged along for the ride. All told, the team damaged at least 60 cars in and around Long Island as they fired from Becker's minivan.

Police received reports from Islandia, Hauppauge and Commack communities, and some residents reported their windows smashed. Law enforcement used surveillance video to identify Becker's minivan and arrested the woman for multiple crimes, including endangering the welfare of a child and criminal mischief. Watch the local news report below.

Continue reading Mom arrested for helping kids vandalize cars with BB gun

Mom arrested for helping kids vandalize cars with BB gun originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bb gunbb gun drive bydrive bypolicesusan beckerteenagersvandalismvideoSun, 28 Apr 2013 10:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548876/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/28/mom-arrested-for-helping-kids-vandalize-cars-with-bb-gun/20548876/article-detail.xml 20548876 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/susan-becker-arrested-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/susan-becker-arrested-628.jpg <![CDATA[Two-time Le Mans winner Melo arrested after high-speed chase and crash [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/two-time-le-mans-winner-melo-arrested-after-high-speed-chase-and/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/two-time-le-mans-winner-melo-arrested-after-high-speed-chase-and/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/two-time-le-mans-winner-melo-arrested-after-high-speed-chase-and/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Jamie Melo at Le Mans (middle) with trophy

Brazilian race driver Jamie Melo, ex-Risi Competizione Ferrari driver, got into the wrong kind of race with the Brazilian authorities recently. According to reports on the BBC and Speed, Melo (above, middle) got into an argument with a man outside of a nightclub, and when the police showed up, he got in his car and drove away with the headlights off. A high-speed chase ensued, resulting in Melo crashing into a house, then trying to run away, only to be apprehended on the grounds of the 6th Military Police Battalion.

That meant a night in the clink on charges of drunk driving, driving under the influence of narcotics, driving with a suspended license and resisting arrest. To start with...

He's apparently out now on bail, and his father said he left the country soon afterward to drive a race in Europe. Melo won the ALMS GT2 Championship in 2007 and Le Mans in 2008 and 2009 in GT2. If you're interested, there's a video of him below in better days winning the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2007 in a Ferrari, battling a Porsche throughout the last half of the last lap.

Continue reading Two-time Le Mans winner Melo arrested after high-speed chase and crash [w/video]

Two-time Le Mans winner Melo arrested after high-speed chase and crash [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>braziljamie melomelopolicepolice chaseWed, 24 Apr 2013 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548063/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/24/two-time-le-mans-winner-melo-arrested-after-high-speed-chase-and/20548063/article-detail.xml 20548063 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/jamie-melo-driver-le-mans-2009_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/jamie-melo-driver-le-mans-2009.jpg <![CDATA[Watch a high-speed chase from a motorcycle-mounted officer's point of view]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/13/watch-a-high-speed-chase-from-a-motorcycle-mounted-officers-poi/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/13/watch-a-high-speed-chase-from-a-motorcycle-mounted-officers-poi/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/13/watch-a-high-speed-chase-from-a-motorcycle-mounted-officers-poi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Motorcycle Police Chase Video

Riding a motorcycle through high traffic can be a stressful experience. And we don't even want to imagine what it's like to have to actually pursue someone on a motorcycle. Fortunately, we don't have to. Officer Troy Gurley of the Florence, Alabama police force recently attempted to stop a vehicle for traffic violations. The driver, 24-year-old Justin Sanders, figured he could use his Mazda3 to outrun the bike cop. Turns out, not so much.

Gurley pursued Sanders for nearly five minutes as the Mazda driver ran stop signs, swerved through traffic and raced through residential neighborhoods, but the perpetrator couldn't shake the tenacious and experienced rider. Other units soon joined the pursuit, and Sanders thought it best to leave the protection of his car to attempt to flee on foot. From there, it didn't take officers long to apprehend him. You can watch the video below for yourself.

Continue reading Watch a high-speed chase from a motorcycle-mounted officer's point of view

Watch a high-speed chase from a motorcycle-mounted officer's point of view originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chasehigh speed chase motorcyclehighspeedchasemotorcyclemazdamazda3motorcyclemotorcycle copmotorcycle cop videomotorcycle officermotorcycleofficerpolicepolice chasepursuitSat, 13 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20538578/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/13/watch-a-high-speed-chase-from-a-motorcycle-mounted-officers-poi/20538578/article-detail.xml 20538578 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/motorcycle-police-chase-video-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/motorcycle-police-chase-video-628.jpg <![CDATA[Wealthy Russians hiring ambulances to cut through Moscow traffic]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/wealthy-russians-hiring-ambulances-to-cut-through-moscow-traffic/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/wealthy-russians-hiring-ambulances-to-cut-through-moscow-traffic/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/wealthy-russians-hiring-ambulances-to-cut-through-moscow-traffic/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ambulance in Moscow

We're not sure how widespread the practice is, but the option is apparently out there: Russian police have discovered companies on the Internet offering rides in "ambulance-taxis" through notoriously bad Moscow traffic. For roughly 6,000 rubles per hour - about $193 US, which doesn't sound like much for a wealthy Russian - the 'customer' will get to cut through gridlock in an ambulance with flashing lights and the proper paint scheme outside but a refitted, leather-lined interior.

Police say they've already stopped one ambulance with a "strange" driver that was found to have a bunch of people in civilian clothing in the back. The National Post reports that police have been told to keep an eye on the emergency-looking vehicles and to make sure they're actually being used for emergencies, which would appear to mean they're going to be tailing and perhaps stopping ambulances that are actually in the middle of emergency services. And that can't be good for anyone.

Wealthy Russians hiring ambulances to cut through Moscow traffic originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Mar 2013 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambulancepolicerichrussiarussianwealthySun, 31 Mar 2013 17:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20523761/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/31/wealthy-russians-hiring-ambulances-to-cut-through-moscow-traffic/20523761/article-detail.xml 20523761 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/russian-ambulance_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/russian-ambulance.jpg <![CDATA[Ohio judge calls speed cameras a "scam," earns spot on our Christmas card list]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/16/ohio-judge-calls-speed-cameras-a-scam-earns-spot-on-our-chris/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/16/ohio-judge-calls-speed-cameras-a-scam-earns-spot-on-our-chris/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/16/ohio-judge-calls-speed-cameras-a-scam-earns-spot-on-our-chris/#commentsFiled under: ,

Elmwood Village, Ohio photo enforcement signThere's only one thing better than fighting the man, and that's watching the man fight himself. A Hamilton County, Ohio judge has ruled against an ordinance that allowed the village of Elmwood Place to install speed cameras. The town of just 2,000 people has already seen the cameras generate some $1.5 million in fines since they were installed last July, and USA Today reports Judge Robert Ruehlman believes "Elwood place is engaged in nothing more than a high-tech game of Three-card Monty," adding, "It is a scam the motorist cannot win."

Preach it, preacher man.

Ohio has 13 other jurisdictions that use speed cameras, and a total of 13 states and Washington, D.C. use them to enforce traffic laws. Elmwood Place began handing out $105 citations shortly after the cameras were installed, and local residents reacted accordingly, with many simply avoiding the village all together. Local businesses say revenues are down and lawyer Mike Allen has stepped in to represent drivers suing the village. "It is obvious that the village of Elmwood is motivated by financial considerations and not public safety," he said.

Allen's victory marks what could be the country's first specific constitutional challenge to speed cameras. That is, whether or not a driver's due-process rights are violated by getting a ticket in the mail.

Ohio judge calls speed cameras a "scam," earns spot on our Christmas card list originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Mar 2013 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>elmwoodelmwood placeelmwood place ohiogatsogovermentlaw enforcementlegalohiopoliceroad safetyspeed cameraspeed camerastraffic safetySat, 16 Mar 2013 09:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20505666/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/16/ohio-judge-calls-speed-cameras-a-scam-earns-spot-on-our-chris/20505666/article-detail.xml 20505666 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/village-of-elmwood-photo-enforced-sign-1363363186_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/village-of-elmwood-photo-enforced-sign-1363363186.jpg <![CDATA[Chinese thwarting seatbelt laws with t-shirts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/11/chinese-thwarting-seatbelt-laws-with-t-shirts/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/11/chinese-thwarting-seatbelt-laws-with-t-shirts/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/11/chinese-thwarting-seatbelt-laws-with-t-shirts/#commentsFiled under: , ,

China Seatbelt T-Shirt

If necessity is the mother of ingenuity, law enforcement must be the doting father. Drivers in China have taken to circumventing local seatbelt laws by purchasing and wearing special T-shirts. The shirts feature a graphic with a stripe that runs from shoulder to hip, creating the illusion that the driver is wearing his or her harness while seated. Police have reportedly begun cracking down on drivers for not wearing their belts after a rash of collisions resulted in occupants jettisoned from their vehicles. Now, getting busted without wearing your safety belt carries a penalty of the equivalent of $8 and two points on your license. Lose 12 points and you're walking.

The shirts themselves can cost up to $8, and while they aren't specifically illegal, some police have called the garments "self-deceptive." We aren't entirely sure what that means, though we imagine procuring and wearing the T is a bit more of a hassle than simply buckling up, regardless of the safety risks.

Chinese thwarting seatbelt laws with t-shirts originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinaclick it or ticketlaw enforcementpoliceseat beltseat belt lawseatbeltseatbelt lawsseatbelt t shirtshirtt shirtt-shirtMon, 11 Mar 2013 11:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20496917/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/11/chinese-thwarting-seatbelt-laws-with-t-shirts/20496917/article-detail.xml 20496917 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/seatbelt-china-shirt-628-1363011933_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/seatbelt-china-shirt-628-1363011933.jpg <![CDATA[Check out these safe new ways police can stop criminals in their tracks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/check-out-these-safe-new-ways-police-can-stop-criminals-in-their/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/check-out-these-safe-new-ways-police-can-stop-criminals-in-their/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/check-out-these-safe-new-ways-police-can-stop-criminals-in-their/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



We've all seen police chases where officers have to throw spike strips into the roadway, but an Arizona-based company called Pacific Scientific has created some new tools to stop bad guys without putting any officers in harm's way. Both the Pit-BUL (Ballistic Undercarriage Lanyard) and the NightHawk are innovative devices designed to quickly, safely and easily disable a vehicle that is either attempting to run from police or enter a restricted area.

The coolest of the two is the Pit-BUL, which looks like a conventional speed bump but can deploy a net, as seen above, that almost immediately disables vehicles running over it. Designed more to protect an established position such as check point, border crossing or a military base entrance, this device works by using spikes attached to a large netting to lock up the front wheels. Each Pit-BUL costs up to $29,000, and since the nets are only useable for one application, additional net kits cost as much as $3,000.

As more of a mobile tool, the NightHawk is a deployable spike strip that can operate remotely to keep officers out of danger. When deployed, a beanbag-like projectile is fired from the container and carries with it the spike strip. After the intended vehicle has run over it, an internal motor can retract the strip so other vehicles don't accidently get flat tires.

Scroll down to watch both devices in action.

Continue reading Check out these safe new ways police can stop criminals in their tracks

Check out these safe new ways police can stop criminals in their tracks originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>immobilizernighthawkpacific scientificpolicepolice chase videopolicechasevideospike stripstop stickstop sticksvehicle arresting technologyvehicle immobilizationvideoFri, 08 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20495071/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/08/check-out-these-safe-new-ways-police-can-stop-criminals-in-their/20495071/article-detail.xml 20495071 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/ballistic-undercarraige-lanyard_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/ballistic-undercarraige-lanyard.jpg <![CDATA[Check out this sneaky NYPD cop car disguised as a yellow cab]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/check-out-this-sneaky-nypd-cop-car-disguised-as-a-yellow-cab/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/check-out-this-sneaky-nypd-cop-car-disguised-as-a-yellow-cab/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/check-out-this-sneaky-nypd-cop-car-disguised-as-a-yellow-cab/#commentsFiled under: , ,



That's no ordinary New York City yellow taxi in the image above; it's a police cruiser for the New York City Police Department dressed up like an NYC yellow taxi. Captured in a short video on a Manhattan street corner, it is escorting an NYPD van behind it.

They don't just use Crown Vics, either: NYC The Blog has video from two years ago of a motorist being pulled over by a Nissan Altima taxi. The blog also lets you know how to tell an undercover police cab from a proper taxi by comparing the license plate number to the medallion number on the cab's roof - not that it would do you any good in your rearview mirror, though.

When the post was written two and a half years ago it was said that there were only eight such taxis prowling the naked city, and that their plates all began with "T800." That's not the case with the taxi in the video below, so we wouldn't be surprised if the number has grown and now there are even more people in more places keeping an eye on you.

Continue reading Check out this sneaky NYPD cop car disguised as a yellow cab

Check out this sneaky NYPD cop car disguised as a yellow cab originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>new york citynew york police departmentnycnyc taxinypdpolicetaxiundercovervideovideosyellow cabyoutubeTue, 26 Feb 2013 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20478997/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/26/check-out-this-sneaky-nypd-cop-car-disguised-as-a-yellow-cab/20478997/article-detail.xml 20478997 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/undercovernypdtaxi2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/undercovernypdtaxi2.jpg <![CDATA[Truck decked out in festive lights gets owner a ticket for Christmas [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/15/truck-decked-out-in-festive-lights-gets-owner-a-ticket-for-chris/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/15/truck-decked-out-in-festive-lights-gets-owner-a-ticket-for-chris/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/15/truck-decked-out-in-festive-lights-gets-owner-a-ticket-for-chris/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Truck in Christmas lights

Nobody likes getting a ticket from the police, but a $300 fine given to David Hill of Wichita, KS could prove to be some of the cheapest PR a charity could receive. Hill had his Ford F-350 Super Duty covered in 856 Christmas lights to help raise awareness to his charity, One Spark Can Start a Fire, when a Wichita police officer pulled him over and ticketed him for being a distraction on the road and illegally displaying red and blue lights on a vehicle (although it's hard to believe that anyone could confuse this truck for any sort of emergency vehicle).

The lights were attached to the truck using magnets and powered by an 8,000-Watt generator mounted in the bed of the truck. The lights are a great way to draw local attention to his charity, but Hill sees the ticket as a way he can draw even more attention to One Spark, which is a non-profit organization intent on performing random acts of kindness such as collecting clothes and providing food for the homeless, according to the organization's Facebook page.

Be sure to scroll down to watch the news report video, and check out Hill's charitable cause here.

Continue reading Truck decked out in festive lights gets owner a ticket for Christmas [w/video]

Truck decked out in festive lights gets owner a ticket for Christmas [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Dec 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charitydavid hillf-350fordone spark can start a firepolicesuper dutySat, 15 Dec 2012 16:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20401542/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/15/truck-decked-out-in-festive-lights-gets-owner-a-ticket-for-chris/20401542/article-detail.xml 20401542 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/lights-truck_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/lights-truck.jpg <![CDATA[Police dash cams catch crook driving stolen cop car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/12/police-dash-cams-catch-crook-driving-stolen-cop-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/12/police-dash-cams-catch-crook-driving-stolen-cop-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/12/police-dash-cams-catch-crook-driving-stolen-cop-car/#commentsFiled under: ,



This past Friday, police officers form the unfortunately named White Settlement, TX responded to a break-in at an antique store. The police arrived to catch Darren Porter in the act, arrested him, and put him in secure custody in the back of a cruiser... or so they thought.

In a scene more fitting of a lost episode of Dukes of Hazzard, Porter was somehow able to roll down back window of the Crown Vic and let himself out. All officers on the scene were still in the antique store, so with no one around, Porter decided to help himself to the driver's seat of his former place of captivity. From there, he embarked on a joyride with the cruiser.

Porter was off, with the local smokies none the wiser. Unfortunately for Porter and his getaway plans, his hands were still cuffed, and he was unable to keep control of the car. He eventually blew out a tire, drove off of the road, and fled when the car was no longer drivable.

Incredibly, the cache of firearms in the trunk was never accessed, but Porter is still at large. The video below should come as a warning to local law enforcement.

Continue reading Police dash cams catch crook driving stolen cop car

Police dash cams catch crook driving stolen cop car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crown vicdarren porterjoyridelaw enforcementpolicevideoWed, 12 Dec 2012 17:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20399902/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/12/police-dash-cams-catch-crook-driving-stolen-cop-car/20399902/article-detail.xml 20399902 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/police-breakout-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/police-breakout-628.jpg <![CDATA[Did Drexel police use excessive force pinning a suspect with their cruiser? [w/poll]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/19/did-drexel-police-use-excessive-force-pinning-a-suspect-with-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/19/did-drexel-police-use-excessive-force-pinning-a-suspect-with-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/19/did-drexel-police-use-excessive-force-pinning-a-suspect-with-the/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Drexel Police possible excessive force video screencap

Last December, Drexel University Police were attempting to apprehend Walter Johnson, who was was suspected of trying to burglarize local buildings. When the authorities tried to detain Johnson, he fled. And whether it was intentional or not, the pursuit of ended in a dramatic show of force when police pinned Johnson to a wall with their police cruiser. The whole incident was captured on video, and almost a year later, the case is back in the news due to a new parole hearing for Johnson and a lawsuit being brought up against the Philadelphia-area university.

Johnson, who had left a halfway house without permission, was spotted by security cameras attempting to enter several buildings, and when police approached him, he took off running. It's not known how long police were chasing him, but it was all over after he was hit by a Ford Explorer police vehicle and rammed into a building. The force of the impact was enough to crumple the front end of the SUV and shatter Johnson's pelvis and leg. Johnson later told police that he was looking for a restroom, but police said that he and another man he was with were both carrying screwdrivers.

According to a report by WPVI ABC6, Philadelphia's district attorney has dropped the charges against Johnson, but he has remained in prison since the incident for violating his parole. The university itself is declining to comment due to the pending lawsuit, but that isn't stopping critics from accusing the police of using excessive force to capture Johnson.

Scroll down to watch the video report (including a graphic footage of the incident), and then let us know what you think in our poll below.


View Poll

Continue reading Did Drexel police use excessive force pinning a suspect with their cruiser? [w/poll]

Did Drexel police use excessive force pinning a suspect with their cruiser? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutalitydrexeldrexel universityexcessive forcepolicepolice brutalityvideowalter johnsonMon, 19 Nov 2012 20:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20383642/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/19/did-drexel-police-use-excessive-force-pinning-a-suspect-with-the/20383642/article-detail.xml 20383642 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/drexel-pd-walter-johnson_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/drexel-pd-walter-johnson.jpg <![CDATA[Man pays ticket with 137 origami pigs made from dollar bills... in donut boxes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/19/man-pays-ticket-with-137-origami-pigs-made-from-dollar-bills/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/19/man-pays-ticket-with-137-origami-pigs-made-from-dollar-bills/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/19/man-pays-ticket-with-137-origami-pigs-made-from-dollar-bills/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Getting a ticket from the police is never fun, but some people like to get a little creative when paying their fine. One YouTube user, appropriately named "Bacon Moose," decided to pay a $137 ticket he received in Jersey Village, Texas (near Houston) by creating an army of origami pigs made out of dollar bills.

In an attempt to hammer home his point, he brings his little piggies to the municipal court in a pair of Dunkin Donut boxes. Not surprisingly, the court clerk, none too amused with the situation, refuses to take the folded up dollar bills, and asks for a police officer to come over and explain to "Mr. Moose" why they can't accept the money in its current state. The man eventually gives in, and after spending more than four hours folding all of the bills, it takes him just "three to four minutes" to unfold them all to successfully pay his ticket. In the video, the man insists his ticket was not for any moving violation, but he does not say what he was ticketed for.

Kudos to the court clerk and the court clerk who both seem to be amused with the situation (in the end) and handle the situation cooly. After seeing antics like those in the video posted below, we now know why the lady behind the payment counter always seems to be so cranky.

Continue reading Man pays ticket with 137 origami pigs made from dollar bills... in donut boxes

Man pays ticket with 137 origami pigs made from dollar bills... in donut boxes originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>citationcops and donutsdunkin donutsorigamiorigami moneyorigami pigpaying ticketspolicetraffic violationvideoWed, 19 Sep 2012 12:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20326974/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/19/man-pays-ticket-with-137-origami-pigs-made-from-dollar-bills/20326974/article-detail.xml 20326974 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/origami-dollar-pigs_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/origami-dollar-pigs.jpg <![CDATA[Ford's Taurus-based Police Interceptor getting more power to catch scofflaws]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/14/fords-taurus-based-police-interceptor-getting-more-power-to-cat/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/14/fords-taurus-based-police-interceptor-getting-more-power-to-cat/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/14/fords-taurus-based-police-interceptor-getting-more-power-to-cat/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ford's Taurus-based Police Interceptor - front three-quarter view

Ford has revealed that it is updating the base powerplant on its 2013 Police Interceptor sedan. Ford's 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine will replace the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine in its Taurus cop car, and the new engine will slot under the optional twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6.

The V6 offered is a version of the powerplant found in the base Mustang and F-150, and it was already available on Ford's Police Interceptor Utility (read: enforcement-spec Explorer). With the help of twin independent variable camshaft timing, the 3.7-liter V6 makes 305 horsepower and 279 pound-feet of torque. It puts up these numbers while achieving 18 miles per gallon city, 25 mpg highway. Combined fuel economy is 21 mpg.

According to Ford, the 3.7-liter provides the highest output of any naturally aspirated V6 pursuit engine. The change should improve its 0-60 time, especially compared to competing six-cylinder pursuit vehicles. If you recall, the outgoing 288-hp 3.5-liter V6 resulted in a 0-60 run of 8.36 seconds, well behind the 7.34 of the Chevrolet Caprice PPV V6 (301 hp), and the 7.68 of the Dodge Charger Pursuit V6 (292 hp). The new 3.7-liter mill should put the Ford Police Interceptor in that range, though we do not yet have those numbers.

If a police department decides that 305 horsepower is not enough to chase down perpetrators, Ford still offers its 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine with 365 horsepower, and it's still the only twin-turbocharged V6 engine being offered in America's police vehicle fleet. For more information on the naturally aspirated V6, click below to read through the press release.

Continue reading Ford's Taurus-based Police Interceptor getting more power to catch scofflaws

Ford's Taurus-based Police Interceptor getting more power to catch scofflaws originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Sep 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford police interceptorecoboostfordlaw enforcementpolicepolice carpolice interceptortaurusFri, 14 Sep 2012 16:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20322410/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/14/fords-taurus-based-police-interceptor-getting-more-power-to-cat/20322410/article-detail.xml 20322410 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/police-interceptor-sedan-630_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/police-interceptor-sedan-630.jpeg -1 2