Unfortunately, I drive a ghetto minivan which causes the police to profile me and has caused people in small towns to call the police on me if I am in a public park or in their neighborhood. I even had someone call the police on me at campground that I had pre-paid for and the police were not sympathetic at all to my right to just exist.
I am aware of stop and identify laws and know that a cop needs reasonable suspicion to demand to see your ID. However, can’t the cop just make up some lies about reasonable suspicion?
If a cop approaches me can I immediately start with: “Officer, do you have reasonable suspicion that a crime has occurred, is in the process of occurring, or is about to occur?” It seems like that will immediately escalate things even if technically the law is on my side.
I just want a damn right to exist law and to not be a target for an overactive imagination by the police which treats me like a criminal until they can check me for warrants.
Honestly, I want to tell them to fuck off right away but I also don’t have money for a lawyer.
Best bet? Get some local PD/Sherrif or PBA (or equivalent) stickers and place near the rear license plate and on the glass by the driver side A pillar.
This is a phenomenal tip, they love seeing those lil stickers or badges. Changes the tone of the conversation from the get go.
Lol, no it doesn’t and no don’t do this. Especially don’t do it on a “ghetto” looking van. This will make you even more of a target.
You might be right there. The beat up van might be coloring the interactions too much for the protection money sticker to work.
like it’s a fucking goop frequency sticker keeping headaches away, lol.
The only time that might work is if it’s a nice, expensive and well kept car. But then with that I doubt you’re too worried about being harassed in the first place.