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Safety Tips To Avoid Impersonators
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Police impersonators want easy victims! Don't be easy to attack.
If you are being pulled over at night and are reasonably sure that you have not broken the law:
1. Put on your flashers, go the speed limit and call 911 to verify that this is a legitimate traffic stop.
2. If it is legitimate, they will be able to confirm this information right away. It is safe to pull over at that point.
3. If it is not a real police officer, STAY on the line with dispatch and they will guide you from there. |
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If you do NOT have a cell phone: 1. Put your flashers on, go the speed limit and drive to a well lit, well populated area. (A place with video cameras like Walmart would be ideal.) 2. If you stop, do NOT put your car in park. Leave it in gear so that you always have an escape if necessary. 3. If you are not feeling like this is official, roll down your window only a few inches and ask the officer to call for a marked vehicle. Do not hand him your information and DO NOT get out of the car. If he refuses, leave. Drive to a place where you can get some help. Be sure to drive the speed limit and put on the flashers. |
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Some impersonators will come to your home and knock on your door. They will flash badges and say things to gain your trust like there is a situation in the neighborhood or there has been a complaint..
*Fake badges and uniforms can be purchased on the Internet.
*Lock your doors and do not open them even if they show you identification. Without a search warrant signed by a judge, they cannot enter your home without your permission.
*Observe what they look like, height, weight, hair, color, etc.
*Tell them that you are calling 911 to verify.
*Chances are they will flee at that point. Notify dispatch and be sure to give a description. |
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Key things to remember: Don't be an easy target. Don't travel without a cell phone. Don't let strangers in your home .Do not get out of the car or put it in park . Fumbling around for your registration and insurance is a distraction. Put that information in a handy, easy to reach place. Pay attention to your surroundings. |
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Remember to ALWAYS report suspicious behavior. In most states: Red and Blue lights are law enforcement .Yellow lights are city workers. All red lights are emergency vehicles. White flashing lights are nothing! Volunteer vehicles like fire fighters, rescue workers do NOT have the right to make traffic stops. Only Law enforcement officers are allowed to pull you over. To be absolutely sure what lights are law enforcement in your city and state, call your local law enforcement agency to get that information. Find out what the laws are regarding police impersonation. It is only a FELONY in a few states. Write your Senators and Congressmen to complain about laws in your state regarding this topic, especially light laws. In Colorado, before Lacy was killed, it was a 15 dollar traffic fine to have police lights on a car. |
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