Anyone with an FOP sticker story?
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Anyone with an FOP sticker story?
I just did some research on this a couple of weeks back, and basically FOP, thin blue line, etc., decals hurt more than they help if you don't have a badge, especially since you can buy them on eBay. Cops have gotten wise to it and if they pull you over with them at best it does nothing for you and at worst they don't like someone thinking they can manipulate them... and will cite you instead of giving a warning.Quote:
Originally Posted by randypk
Not only that, but an FOP sticker is an open invitation for every cop-hater who sees your car to mess with it.Quote:
Originally Posted by The ChariotI just did some research on this a couple of weeks back, and basically FOP, thin blue line, etc., decals hurt more than they help if you don't have a badge, especially since you can buy them on eBay. Cops have gotten wise to it and if they pull you over with them at best it does nothing for you and at worst they don't like someone thinking they can manipulate them... and will cite you instead of giving a warning.Quote:
Originally Posted by randypk
Is the FOP, the Fraternal Order Police or whatever? They ALWAYS call me and ask for my money. No respect, especially when they call around 9pm.
I ended up getting a State Police license plate this year. (It's the first year they have offered them in Indiana.) I figured it would be better than an FOP sticker, because it may give me a chance to let them know how I support my brother-in-law. He has told me before that he is suspicious of cars with those stickers and also cars with a lot of religious things in/on it.
You want to know a dirty little secret? Its really not the fire fighters calling, the FOP, the Vietnam vets, the VFW, etc. All of those calls are from for-profit organizations which telemarket on behalf of the non-profits. The non-profit will typically only get 10-15% of the money, the rest lines the telemarketing company's pockets. I know this because I had a friend many, many years ago who worked for one of these companies, and he shared many things about what went on. Lots of low-lifes who can't hold any other job working at them, people who will lie and say they are vets, police officers, fire fighters, etc, whatever it takes to make a "sale" and they bound from one of these telemarketing organizations to the next as a "career".
About the decals, around here it seems you see the thin blue line decals on all the hoopies. Yeah, like a cop is going to be driving around in one of those as a personal vehicle!
I have found that it is best to have no stickers. PBA cards work pretty well in my area (Northeast), but you really need to have a good reason or story about who gave it to you and why. It also helps if you have a business card of a LEO who you know since sometimes a LEO may want to check that you didn't just buy the card or sticker online. If you say my uncle gave it to me, he may say well lets call him. If you want to use the method of stickers or cards it is really best to try and find a LEO that you know even a little bit who would take a call and vouch for you.
You could always have a fake business card with a google voice number listed that rings your homey who will 'vouch' for you :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by carter840
Actually...FOP = Bad Voodoo in NJ. PBA and FOP don't get along and most police are repped by PBA if Im not mistaken.Quote:
Originally Posted by randypk
PBA works in NJ if you dont drive like an idiot or shove the card in the LEO's face. I have a nice 4x4 PBA gold shield sticker slightly above my inspection sticker (no other stickers anywhere). I actually have accumulated 6 different gold/brass family member cards via good friends throughout the years. The popo can't take them etc...I have one place behind my registration and one place behind my license...the rest I have in the glove box. To this day...I have only been asked to take them out maybe twice in 10 years...however...they never go unseen if I get pulled over (no more than 2x's a year btw).
I'm a fast (but safe) and courteous driver. Short story long...about 3 weeks ago I was omw to work on the NJPW and was doing my usual 80mph...I moved from the left lane to the right lane (3 lane change but not at one time) a little faster than I should have. As I am about to take the exit off the PW...I see a white State Trooper SUV quickly approaching. I knew he was coming for me (my radar never went off though). I pull off my exit and he hits the lights as I was 1/2 way off the exit...I slowed down and wasn't sure where to stop bc it was a somewhat dangerous spot to be stopped at. He gets on the intercom and tells me to "pullover NOW". "Oh lord...I really did it this time!"
I pull off into the grass and I see him get out of the car. This guy had a chiseled face...well built...crew cut...veteran...reminded me of a well oiled machine or Marine drill sergeant. He came to my window and did the usual:
1. do you know why I pulled you over? yes...im pretty sure i know why
2. license, registration, insurance: slowly pull them all out allowing him to see all of the brass I have
3. where r u coming from and where are you going (was in my work attire which is suit/tie): coming from home...going to office
He proceeded to tell me how fast I was going...and how much that fine would cost. He told me I made an unsafe lane change and how much that would cost. (this part shocked me) Then he asked me how much the radar detector cost. As I sit there...100% sure I was going to get my first moving violation in 10 years. He also told me he could give me a ticket for the PBA sticker and the license plate cover I have on (light smoke). He said "well today just cost you close to $1,000 and you haven't even made it to work yet" (he added the cost of my radar into the equation lol).
As soon as he said that...he gave me back my papers and simply told me to "slow down"...and it was over just like that! He didn't even go back to his truck and run me. I graciously thanked him and went on my way.
That is a good example of how PBA cards work (not FOP though).
I used to live in Northern NJ and I used my PBA cards a couple of times over the years. I was pulled over once for doing 35 in a 25 on a residential street. I pulled out my paperwork along with my PBA card and handed it to the LEO. He wrote his name on the back of the card with the notation 35/25 then gives it back to me. He advises me to slow down and says I'm free to go. I heard some LEO's confiscate the card and mail it back to the officers name on the back to let them know that the cardholder was stopped for a traffic offense. I hardly ever used the card in fear of losing it and not getting a new card next year. They do come in handy at times.
i went to a community outreach program by my local PD and they talked about people with the FOP stickers and the black/blue stickers on their cars. They said they would especially target those cars since it looks like they're trying to hide something with the stickers.
What did they say about bright red Corvettes?:DQuote:
Originally Posted by kllian
Years ago I had a IAFF sticker on the car, I did work with their mechanic so they gave me one.
How are you doing today sir? May I see your license and registration? Stay right there, I'll be back with your ticket in a few minutes. :pQuote:
Originally Posted by category4What did they say about bright red Corvettes?:DQuote:
Originally Posted by kllian