PaulEllis posted:I wanted to contribute a comment in reference to the front license plate. I retired from the Sheriff's Office a year ago after a 30 year career. Police across the country are catching hell for corruption, excessive force and other serious issues. I agree that these problems need to be corrected and bad cops fired or jailed for abuses. Citizens criticize law enforcement for enforcing seemingly minor violations. I want everyone to understand how police work......works. Law enforcement doesn't catch bad guys crawly out of your bedroom window with your jewelry box; they find your stolen valuables in the bad guy's vehicle after stopping it for having one tail light or no front license plate. When I started we stopped cars for not having the rear license plate light. Using this same method they find stolen cars, felony warrants etc. Our little cars don't fit the profile for most criminal activity. Yes, I used the dreaded word "profile." Again, its how legitimate police work is conducted.
Bruce's license plate devise looks like the cure, in California at least. Try to remember folks if and when you are stopped, the officer is trying to do his job. Arguing with the officer is a sure way to be cited.
The same for me. I've never stopped someone because they didn't have a front license plate. I conducted a criminal profile based on my training and experience and used the lack of a front plate as a lawful reason to stop the vehicle. The lack of a plate is the method for making the stop but not the real reason for the stop. Whren v. United States, 517 U.S. 806 (1996)
p.s. - Paul and I were/are deputy sheriffs and we were responsible for preventing and/or reacting to crimes. Traffic officers however are responsible for one thing....enforcing traffic laws. They're the ones most likely to cite you for no front plate.