View Full Version : "Street racers"
Now I'm not trying to offend anybody but please listen objectively and try to see this from my perspective.
When I first got my license I was hot-headed as any young male with a nice car might be. It has been years since I recieved my license and I obey every law of traffic. I drive a beautiful little Mitsubishi that I've dumped a boatload of cash into. It's what I love. I could be doing a hell of a lot worse things than spending money on my car. The problem is that I feel like I am profiled for the car that I drive. I get pulled over at least once a month for foolish things. For example:
My license plate was stolen. They literally ripped the bracket off the front bumper of my car. Mitsubishi wants over 800 to fix it because they will only sell the entire bumper. I went to the police station and filed the report for the stolen plate. I then went to our local DMV in Rhode Island to get a new one and I ended up having to switch my plate numbers. With no way to mount it I secured it in my front window. Now I realize this is in the wrong spot, I apologize, but I'm a broke college student and don't have the 800 for a new plate bracket. I got pulled over on break at midnight (I have to work full time to pay for school, so I work third shift), and the officer walks around with the flashlight. He asks me if I've ever been arrested (why? What on earth does that have to do with a license plate?), he then notices my gauges mounted on the A-Pillar of my car. He says "I bet there's a lot more I could write you up for, huh?" He obviously had no idea what he was talking about but I went along and just nodded (I've learned that keeping my mouth shut keeps you guys from writing me tickets for more useless shit like the color of my headlights or 'mufflers' (which are past emmissions and under the decible limit'). He then makes me late for work by bullshitting with his buddies for a half hour and then handing me my 5 day tag... thanks
Now he was riding somebody elses ass before he passed me and whipped around. I KNOW he only looked at me because of my car. I was reading a thread called "why do some people hate cops?" and the very first statement got me a little pissed off. The officer states "some punk street racer"... First of all, just because we have a nice car doesn't mean we race around 24/7, and 99.9% of us bust our balls to make our cars nice and don't bother anybody else. Why does that make us punks? Why do you guys have to nit pick every little thing about my car? If I drove some piece of a stock car you wouldn't give me a second look.
It's funny because I KNOW I was in the wrong with the plate, but it's not only that. When we all meet up to shoot the shit on the weekends cops hustle us out of places. When I have my buddies over for BBQ's on the weekends cops sit on the parallel streets waiting to pull them over. It's rediculous
arson571
06-08-2008, 02:34 AM
I looked for a question but must have missed one.
Are you suggesting that the police created a bad reputation for street racers and is now picking on you because you are forced to drive a car that is a street racer style car?
You are a poor college student that had to cusomize his car but can't afford to replace a stolen license plate bracket?
I don't mean to offend but, do you realize you've contributed to your own grief by the choices you've made?
Welcome to the land of free choice and opportunity. Choice comes with responsibility.
You car probably attracts others' attention too. Isn't that what you hoped for?
Take the good with the bad. Complaining here won't do anything about your local authorities.
God Bless
I looked for a question but must have missed one.
Are you suggesting that the police created a bad reputation for street racers and is now picking on you because you are forced to drive a car that is a street racer style car?
You are a poor college student that had to cusomize his car but can't afford to replace a stolen license plate bracket?
I don't mean to offend but, do you realize you've contributed to your own grief by the choices you've made?
Welcome to the land of free choice and opportunity. Choice comes with responsibility.
You car probably attracts others' attention too. Isn't that what you hoped for?
Take the good with the bad. Complaining here won't do anything about your local authorities.
God Bless
That's exactly what I am saying. Why do you guys look at us a punks rather than casual drivers?
And yes, of course I love the attention. Yes, that is why I build my car. Why should having attention be a bad thing. Police use sirens and lights to attract drivers attention in order to signal them to pull over, why should I feel like I am breaking a law by wanting attract attention from other car admirers and enthusiasts?
Another thing is what can I do to change our local authorities' behavior towards us?
oofdah
06-08-2008, 03:14 AM
I am not a cop but I would like to respond to this because I've had a similar experience, as you'll see...
Now I'm not trying to offend anybody but please listen objectively and try to see this from my perspective.
Hehe, I knew where this was going before I even read it.
When I first got my license I was hot-headed as any young male with a nice car might be.
As was I.
Mitsubishi wants over 800 to fix it because they will only sell the entire bumper.
Welcome to the world of owning a foreign car.
I went to the police station and filed the report for the stolen plate. I then went to our local DMV in Rhode Island to get a new one and I ended up having to switch my plate numbers. With no way to mount it I secured it in my front window. Now I realize this is in the wrong spot, I apologize, but I'm a broke college student and don't have the 800 for a new plate bracket.
After this statment you proceed to claim how work hard and spend to make your car "look nice"... yet you can't afford an $800 bumper? My friend, from experience, that is peanuts compared to some aftermarket parts so I find something a little fishy with that...
I got pulled over on break at midnight (I have to work full time to pay for school, so I work third shift), and the officer walks around with the flashlight. He asks me if I've ever been arrested (why? What on earth does that have to do with a license plate?)
I've been asked as much just about any time I've ever been stopped... sounds like a typical question to me...
, he then notices my gauges mounted on the A-Pillar of my car. He says "I bet there's a lot more I could write you up for, huh?" He obviously had no idea what he was talking about but I went along and just nodded (I've learned that keeping my mouth shut keeps you guys from writing me tickets for more useless shit like the color of my headlights or 'mufflers' (which are past emmissions and under the decible limit').
Now what exactly was on that A-Pillar? A boost gauge? A NOS gauge? Were they lit up with some funky neon light that could pose a distraction to you driving? Or might have he been just joking with you?
He then makes me late for work by bullshitting with his buddies for a half hour and then handing me my 5 day tag... thanks
Now, coming from a non-LE perspective...
When I was 17 I got pulled over for not having a front license plate. I simply never put it on. I got a 5 day - moved - forgot about it - and had a ticket issued to me which I never got. Over a year later I'm riding with a friend who gets pulled over. The cops check our ID's, and he asks us to step out of the vehicle. He searches us for weapons and contraband. I had never been in trouble in my life. The cop informs me that there is a warrant out for my arrest. I am clueless and ask him what for... he didn't know, the information was not forthcoming on the computer in his cruiser. It wasn't until I was cuffed and stuffed, and arrived at the station to be fingerprinted and photographed that I (and the officer) found out that it was for an unpaid $46.00 ticket for not having a front license plate a year prior.
So... dont you think it's possible there may have been some miscommunication or information that was not immediately available while he was checking you out? It's entirely plausible.
Now he was riding somebody elses ass before he passed me and whipped around. I KNOW he only looked at me because of my car. I was reading a thread called "why do some people hate cops?" and the very first statement got me a little pissed off. The officer states "some punk street racer"... First of all, just because we have a nice car doesn't mean we race around 24/7, and 99.9% of us bust our balls to make our cars nice and don't bother anybody else. Why does that make us punks? Why do you guys have to nit pick every little thing about my car? If I drove some piece of a stock car you wouldn't give me a second look.
It's funny because I KNOW I was in the wrong with the plate, but it's not only that. When we all meet up to shoot the shit on the weekends cops hustle us out of places. When I have my buddies over for BBQ's on the weekends cops sit on the parallel streets waiting to pull them over. It's rediculous
Ugh... I've been there before. I got hustled out of places with my buddies - but we were on city property. We had our little get togethers crashed by police - but we were loud, possibly drunk and underage, and pissing off the neighbors. Trust me, the cops don't hang around unless you're giving them a reason to... I can tell you that from experience. I threw many a "social event" not that long ago.
It's not that your "punk street racers". I admire a nice car as much as the next, and the cops I know are the same. But when you drive around going "wwwwaaaaahhhhhh wwwAAAhhhhhh WWWAAAAAAGGGHHHHH" with those stupid farting coffee cans it gets old fast. Keep it on the track and off my streets, I don't care to hear your weed-wackers-on-steroids. In doing so, you're just lumping yourself in with those "street racing punks."
Btw... this is a pro LE forum, and while I (not being LE) did look at your post objectively, even I found some offense in it, so choose your words more carefully next time. Believe me, I was in your shoes just a few short years ago - I know where you're coming from, but I know the crap we pulled at the same time.
Sorry if I've overstepped, mods!
arson571
06-08-2008, 03:21 AM
I don't think you are a punk. But street racers have a reputation that transcends my opinions. I've seen Fast and Furious. Oh, that might be one way people form opinions.
It is just like the stereotypes about cops. I reflected back some things you sort of expected to hear but, maybe not exactly as you expected them. Nevertheless, you assumed I think street racers are punks. So put our assumptions aside and talk plainly.
You say you are a college student and I am also a college instructor. I have several degrees and am in graduate school now. My major is in a human science so I understand social dynamics at an advanced level.
As a young person who is exploring the world through academia, you need to be always aware that theory in school is often idealistic and constructed through the very epistemology in which it was "discovered". The police world is very pragmatic and full of utility rather than theory. Most of the time police procedures find their validation through praxis. As society evolves quickly, police work evolves to stay with the changes.
You, as an individual and American citizen, will have many crossroads in your life. Whether or not to conform with the group, which group, and under what circumstances and why. With every choice comes pros and cons. I know you understand that. What you may not have come to fully embrace is that, conformity with societal norms and "the majority" doesn't make you a sheep. It doesn't mean you aren't able to stand on your own two feet. What it means is, you have CHOSEN the pros of conformity over the cons of the counter-culture. What is important is that you chose. Too many teens think that being contrary is being an individual. You are not a sell out to put your adolescent authority resistance aside.
If you don't want to be coupled with a negative reputation, don't align yourself with those who have one. Reputations are formed upon the representativeness of a groups typical behavior. You don't want to be treated according to a reputation that doesn't fit you, don't hang with people who fit the reputation.
Don't think for a second we don't understand or experience stereotyping. Its just that we believe the work we do is worth the misunderstandings. What is your justification?
Those fart cans just amplify the sound of a 4cyl motor. Just as a small block with flowmasters sounds the way it does. If it sounds like a weedwhacker to you guys, sorry, that's the sound they make. Stock mustang GT's come off the factory line with a higher decible meter than my car has with an aftermarket exhaust.
And yes, I have a shitload of money under the hood of my weedwhacker, but that's my point. The money I have goes into things I like, what is wrong with having my license plate in my front window. It's obviously clearly visible if the officer can pull me over and tell me it's in the wrong position? I realize that's out of your jurisdiction though, that's where the statute states it has to be. My problem is that if there is 50 cars with the front plate missing, the officer doesn't go after the first one, he/she waits for mine. That is a form of profiling whether one wants to admit it or not. Whether you may take offense to that, it's not fair to us. We just want peace. I understand that get togethers get rowdy, but if you had your cars at local areas how often was drinking involved? We know people are going to be whacking around and when guys get their testosterone going they have to show off, but out of the years I've been going to meets there has been no drinking or drug use of any sort. Just the ritual "get the **** out of here you little bastards" and then all the pullovers once we get off of private property. I'd just like to change the officers' views on us if possible. I'd like to write a detailed letter or something to the local PD, but I'm afraid it could make it worse. Just great having my address as the return address and having the local cops say "there's a street racer! Get him!". I work third shift so I drive my car a lot at night, it's a shame that I have to constantly keep my eyes in the rear view mirror because I'm afraid of every other car's headlights thinking it could be a cop. You guys are supposed to make me feel safe in my own area, not petrified that I'm on my way to traffic court again.
I don't think you are a punk. But street racers have a reputation that transcends my opinions. I've seen Fast and Furious. Oh, that might be one way people form opinions.
Don't think for a second we don't understand or experience stereotyping. Its just that we believe the work we do is worth the misunderstandings. What is your justification?
This is my whole point though. Just because I have a nice car doesn't mean I'm a "street racer". I've built plenty of early 70's cars and just finished up a rat rod, I just wanted to try something new. I remember when I got pulled over a cop said to me "This isn't the ****ing fast and the furious."... I was on my way home from work. It's like, I understand what you're saying about conformity and that it doesn't necessarily mean that I'm a "number" persay, but I'm not building cars to be rebellious. I LOVE seeing the shiny paint and hearing the turbo wind up, it doesn't mean that I'm driving aggressively. I conform by obeying every traffic law and NOT looking for confrontation on the road, my actions speak for themselves, I should not be treated otherwise.
It's sad that I have to accept the fact that if I want to drive a nice car I have to "pay the price"...
arson571
06-08-2008, 03:36 AM
OK, there are different issues at work here. First, the stereotyping thing is just a fact of life. You are aware of it, you choose to do it, so you are going to have to live with the group's reputation by association.
Why should your license plate not be allowed in the window? Because gas thieves keep them there so they can take them down when stealing gas to avoid being videotaped. That may not apply to you, 'cause you of course are honest. However, gas thieves keeping there plates in the window is another reputation thing.
You are a big boy, you are responsible to obey all of the traffic laws to the best of your ability when you drive. And when you screw up, intentionally or not, you have a responsibility to take the ticket.
I'm not saying its fun, I'm just saying its life. All you can do is reduce your likelihood of getting in trouble by paying attention to your self-presentation. It is something we all have to do. If I walk around with my zipper open, spaghetti sauce on my shirt, and snot running out my nose, you'd think I was an idiot. Well, would I have cause to blame you for how I look?
oofdah
06-08-2008, 03:47 AM
Don't get me wrong. I recognize that it's different strokes for different folks. I'm not a fan of foreign cars, but I understand the hard work, money, and sweat that goes into them as much as any car, and respect them for that. I've seen plenty of "ricers" that I thought were pretty damn sharp looking.
But that's really not the issue here - you need to look at priorities. "Should I spend X amount of dollars to make my car faster... or legal?"
Just ten months ago I sold my "baby". Chipped, supercharged, exhaust, tint, custom lights (legal), rims, etc. No high wings, flashy lights, or other gawdy crap, just a very well rounded customization that stood it out from the rest. I was never ONCE singled out or pulled over for simply what my vehicle was. If I decided to be stupid in it, that was a different story, but I never "paid the price" for driving a "nice car" - and even at that, no matter how "nice" I thought my car was, or how "nice" you think your car is, there are 10,000 better ones on the road. Mine sure as hell was no Ferrari...
If it were the same cop stopping you all the time I might find your story a little more plausible, but if it's a different cop each time (which your story seems to make it be) then I'm guessing it's not just your car that's attracting their attention...
Been there, done that, got the tshirt (and the tickets).
OK, there are different issues at work here. First, the stereotyping thing is just a fact of life. You are aware of it, you choose to do it, so you are going to have to live with the group's reputation by association.
Why should your license plate not be allowed in the window? Because gas thieves keep them there so they can take them down when stealing gas to avoid being videotaped. That may not apply to you, 'cause you of course are honest. However, gas thieves keeping there plates in the window is another reputation thing.
You are a big boy, you are responsible to obey all of the traffic laws to the best of your ability when you drive. And when you screw up, intentionally or not, you have a responsibility to take the ticket.
I'm not saying its fun, I'm just saying its life. All you can do is reduce your likelihood of getting in trouble by paying attention to your self-presentation. It is something we all have to do. If I walk around with my zipper open, spaghetti sauce on my shirt, and snot running out my nose, you'd think I was an idiot. Well, would I have cause to blame you for how I look?
But isn't stereotyping in itself against your code of conduct? Should you not first get an image of the car stealing gas and then find the same car with the plate in the window? What can I do to take the eye off me and my car. You know just as well as I do that when the plate is up front and I'm off the gas I'll get pulled over for something else. I just want to take the spotlight off of me.
For example I was asked about the gauges before. Yes, I have a nitrous gauge, a boost gauge, a wideband A/F ratio gauge, and an oil pressure gauge. Mitsubishi runs a Chrystler 4g64 block in the eclipse and came turbocharged STOCK (not saying mine is stock, but I'm not speeding so let it be). I NEED a nitrous gauge to legally run at the track, it's disconnected when I run on the street but the gauge needs to be there. The WB gauge makes sure that the air fuel ratios are in order to keep the car running correctly and make sure that the car isn't putting out harmful emmissions. Why should an officer point out gauges that have nothing to do with my license plate and then make threats that he could write me up for those too. They're no more than a speedometer or a techometer for other devices in the car.
It's not even the fact that he did this, I'm just pissed that I do my best to behave and I get my balls busted and I know there isn't anything I can do about it. Sometimes I'd like to become a cop just so I could do the better thing and not bust balls, I'm still young enough. I just would rather shed light on the subject. Nobody seems to care about us. Adults see us as delinquents just as law enforcement does because of stupid movies and stupid actions that people do.
arson571
06-08-2008, 03:57 AM
This is my whole point though. Just because I have a nice car doesn't mean I'm a "street racer". I've built plenty of early 70's cars and just finished up a rat rod, I just wanted to try something new. I understand what you're saying about conformity and that it doesn't necessarily mean that I'm a "number" persay, but I'm not building cars to be rebellious. ...I should not be treated otherwise.
It's sad that I have to accept the fact that if I want to drive a nice car I have to "pay the price"...
We may totally agree on all the above points. However, don't compare apples to existentialism. In other words, "shoulds" and "is" are different things.
You have a particular social milieu in your environment. I don't have any suggestions about how you can moderate their effects on your hobby. If you are from a very small town, you might trying getting to know the cops. If they know you, their suspicions will vanish and they will also know you by your car. You can also speak out to the street racers and discuss the grief you get. You know, they are the origin of your problems, not the police officers.
As for officers being rude, that is unnecessary. You'll get no argument from me on that.
I live in a small city on the border of Providence. What could I do to meet the local law enforcement?
arson571
06-08-2008, 04:13 AM
I live in a small city on the border of Providence. What could I do to meet the local law enforcement?
See if they have a ride-a-long program and go with them. If you can integrate it into a sociology assignment or something for school, kill two birds with one stone. Or just say hello and ask them a few questions when you see them. Perhaps have a similar conversation as you've had with me; without all the profanity of course.
As for stereotyping? I use the term in the psychosocial context, not in the lay-person's context which carries a negative connotation. We all stereotype all day long. We do it to reserve our cognitive capacities so we can attend to more than one thing at a time. It is simply a natural cognitive process. For example, you see a pitbull with a spiked collar, you might think it is a mean dog. It may be a nice dog. But what makes the risk of petting it worth your while? Poodles bite too but, not quite as severely. People in wheelchairs can't walk. People with sunglasses and long white canes with a red tip have diminished eyesight. Shall I continue to show examples of stereotypes?
It is the negative stereotypes that society would like us to avoid. However, cops rely on nonverbal cues people present that indicate trouble to do proactive police work. We're not talking just skin color. We are talking about clusters of behaviors and a constellation of self-presentation markers. The same markers that communicate group affiliation within a group.
Now I'm not trying to offend anybody but please listen objectively and try to see this from my perspective.
When I first got my license I was hot-headed as any young male with a nice car might be. It has been years since I recieved my license and I obey every law of traffic. I drive a beautiful little Mitsubishi that I've dumped a boatload of cash into. It's what I love. I could be doing a hell of a lot worse things than spending money on my car. The problem is that I feel like I am profiled for the car that I drive. I get pulled over at least once a month for foolish things. For example:
My license plate was stolen. They literally ripped the bracket off the front bumper of my car. Mitsubishi wants over 800 to fix it because they will only sell the entire bumper. I went to the police station and filed the report for the stolen plate. I then went to our local DMV in Rhode Island to get a new one and I ended up having to switch my plate numbers. With no way to mount it I secured it in my front window. Now I realize this is in the wrong spot, I apologize, but I'm a broke college student and don't have the 800 for a new plate bracket. I got pulled over on break at midnight (I have to work full time to pay for school, so I work third shift), and the officer walks around with the flashlight. He asks me if I've ever been arrested (why? What on earth does that have to do with a license plate?), he then notices my gauges mounted on the A-Pillar of my car. He says "I bet there's a lot more I could write you up for, huh?" He obviously had no idea what he was talking about but I went along and just nodded (I've learned that keeping my mouth shut keeps you guys from writing me tickets for more useless shit like the color of my headlights or 'mufflers' (which are past emmissions and under the decible limit'). He then makes me late for work by bullshitting with his buddies for a half hour and then handing me my 5 day tag... thanks
Now he was riding somebody elses ass before he passed me and whipped around. I KNOW he only looked at me because of my car. I was reading a thread called "why do some people hate cops?" and the very first statement got me a little pissed off. The officer states "some punk street racer"... First of all, just because we have a nice car doesn't mean we race around 24/7, and 99.9% of us bust our balls to make our cars nice and don't bother anybody else. Why does that make us punks? Why do you guys have to nit pick every little thing about my car? If I drove some piece of a stock car you wouldn't give me a second look.
It's funny because I KNOW I was in the wrong with the plate, but it's not only that. When we all meet up to shoot the shit on the weekends cops hustle us out of places. When I have my buddies over for BBQ's on the weekends cops sit on the parallel streets waiting to pull them over. It's rediculous
I get pulled over at least once a month for foolish things.
keeps you guys from writing me tickets for more useless shit
Why do you guys have to nit pick every little thing about my car?
I secured it in my front window. Now I realize this is in the wrong spot, I apologize
the color of my headlights or 'mufflers'
I KNOW I was in the wrong with the plate
I drive a beautiful little Mitsubishi that I've dumped a boatload of cash into.
I'm a broke college student and don't have the 800 for a new plate bracket.
just because we have a nice car
Do you see and understand the conflict in your own statements?
I KNOW he only looked at me because of my car
just because we have a nice car
If I drove some piece of a stock car you wouldn't give me a second look.
cops sit on the parallel streets waiting to pull them over
So, not only do you have the ability to read that Officer's mind...but the mind of EVERY Officer?
When we all meet up to shoot the shit on the weekends cops hustle us out of places
Why? Can't you read those minds? Or, might it be something OTHER than you, or your car?? (city loitering ordenances possibly?)
It's rediculous
I agree
That's exactly what I am saying. Why do you guys look at us a punks rather than casual drivers?
Where did that come from? What justification can you possibly have for that accusation?
Another thing is what can I do to change our local authorities' behavior towards us?
Maybe not attracting so much attention, maybe following the vehicle codes and other applicable laws will help.
...I can't read minds....but that's just a hunch.
Those fart cans just amplify the sound of a 4cyl motor. Just as a small block with flowmasters sounds the way it does. If it sounds like a weedwhacker to you guys, sorry, that's the sound they make. Stock mustang GT's come off the factory line with a higher decible meter than my car has with an aftermarket exhaust.
And yes, I have a shitload of money under the hood of my weedwhacker, but that's my point. The money I have goes into things I like, .
That is where I stopped reading.
Clearly you know why you are having issues...you just don't want to fix them. As Arson told you its all about choices. You choose to amplify the sound of your car...expect to get attention focused on your exhaust. Whining about a front plate while sporting said shitload of money under the hood and aftermarket exhaust just shows your priorities.
mcsap
06-09-2008, 12:57 PM
You MAY be one of the few better " ricers " but MOST of your crowd isn't. They race around , play their stereos loud, drink , drug , litter and make noise on others property. You and your kind also tend to have warrants, suspended licenses , illegal tags , ILLEGAL mods , etc. A lot more so than any other group. And your continuing to choose which equipment laws you will abide by only continues to give us a green light to stop you for it.
We don't have the time to determine which ONE of you is the more repsonsible citizen. If you choose to look and act like the typical " ricer"....then we are going to do what we have to do to keep you in line. We get a lot of complaints about the 16-20 yr olds in their cars, they also have the HIGHEST accident rate. So since you belong to this group are we not doing our jobs to monitor you ?
SARK9
06-09-2008, 02:47 PM
But isn't stereotyping in itself against your code of conduct?
Just imagine if you did have the opportunity to sit with a police officer and watch traffic. While parked along the road, you notice several "stock" minivans, SUVs, perhaps a few Accords, and Camrys pass by. All are traveling in a normal flow. All of the sudden... a somewhat indistinguishable "body kit clad" car flies by with a loud muffler, tinted windows, missing plate, slammed suspension, loud stereo, tacked on A-pillar gauges, etc... Even without police training, wouldn't that car catch your attention and stand out from other traffic?
Originally Posted by Nick
But isn't stereotyping in itself against your code of conduct?
NO. In a politically correct world some groups have tried to use PC to further restrict common sense, but after all, if you belong to the high likely group as Mcsap said....its only common sense --and good police work--to notice you.
mikagami
06-10-2008, 06:18 AM
You MAY be one of the few better " ricers " but MOST of your crowd isn't. They race around , play their stereos loud, drink , drug , litter and make noise on others property. You and your kind also tend to have warrants, suspended licenses , illegal tags , ILLEGAL mods , etc. A lot more so than any other group. And your continuing to choose which equipment laws you will abide by only continues to give us a green light to stop you for it.
yeah. i'm a car guy, to some extent. i've hung out with the 'ricer' crowd, and the 'muscle' crowd, etc. etc., these things are all true. last meet i went to for my local nissan club, a guy from (i thought it was canada; his car had canadian plates, anyway) got picked up on a warrant in washington. crap like that is common. there are some decent guys there, engineery types, etc., but for the main part the bulk of the crowd is made up of punk @sses, lol. and this isn't coming from an officer, here. it's just the facts, at least as they pertain to my area of the state. though, i would be shocked if it's any different anywhere else to a significant degree, as far as ricers are concerned.
Crusty_One
06-11-2008, 03:33 PM
Another thing is what can I do to change our local authorities' behavior towards us?
If you're a member of an enthusiast club, your club could get together and perform some charity or volunteer work. I wonder if public attitudes might change if a bunch of club members showed up with their tuner cars and remodeled some low-income housing (Habitat for Humanity), cooked and served meals on Thanksgiving (homeless shelter), or escorted and peacefully protected the caisson for a fallen local vet (like the Patriot Guard Riders).
As part of the club's charter, you could promote safe, sane, and legal street driving practices. Imagine if once a month, the general public saw a tuner car club on TV doing great things for society. My guess is that slowly, opinions in your local area would change and, in turn, law enforcement attitudes might change, as well. You'll still get "singled out" (since your car is the pink horse in a herd of zebras), but the conversation during the traffic stop might go a little better.
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