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cruiserlight

 police cruiser with one headlight
 
(0) 		  [vote for,
against]

Device added to existing police cruisers which can turn off one of the car's headlights at the push of a button while the car is creeping through back alleys, college campuses, etc. looking for criminals. Have you ever seen a cop car with only one headlight? Switch also linked to speedometer so if the car is going over 25 miles an hour the headlight will automatically turn back on to reduce police liability in the event of an accident. Related devices (part of a whole "ghetto disguise" package might include a device that mimics a hole in the muffler or maybe imitates bumper-shaking bass tones so the car can sneak up on would-be wrong-doers without them giving the car a second thought.
—twackered, Jan 03 2004

See the Visby, while you can... http://www.naval-te...s/visby/visby10.htm
an example of counterintuitive aspects of camo [DadManWalking, Oct 17 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

Highway Patrol Sports Cars http://www.squadpix...es/oklhma/ok025.jpg
OK HyPo - jerks [Letsbuildafort, Oct 17 2004]

Only in Oklahoma http://www.squadpix...es/oklhma/ok018.jpg
Undercover? [Letsbuildafort, Oct 17 2004]

Completely Unmarked Police Car http://www.squadpix...res/feds/fed090.jpg
The Feds! [Letsbuildafort, Oct 17 2004]

[link]






       If you don't want to be recognized as a policeman, why are you driving around in a police cruiser in the first place?!   

       Unmarked cars are a thoroughly Baked part of the law enforcement arsenal.
—DrCurry, Jan 03 2004
   

       one headlight looks like a motorbike, not sure I like this at all...
—po, Jan 03 2004
   

       Implementing this in the UK would leave the police officer liable for fines and or points on his licence for driving a defective vehicle. It also may affact any traffic stops they make whilst the light is off.
—oneoffdave, Jan 03 2004
   

       Those boxing weight classes are so confusing!
—phundug, Jan 05 2004
   

       I think humanbean is on the mark. The Crown Vics are pretty distinctive even in the dark and the shape of the headlight assemblies is surprisingly identifiable if you are looking for it.   

       You would think that night time affords some camouflage for the car but it actually may decrease it by making the moving car and the high contrast elements stand out with even greater relief from the background.   

       Better to:   

       Change the shape of the headlights from the stock to anything else.   

       slam the light bar down to the roof deck completely and make the light color of the light bar not visible when the lights are off (not sure if LEDs would do it) but the lenses need to not reflect, instead just transmit. Ideally they are also not shiny.   

       Camouflage is a fascinating discipline. This idea is not state of the art and does not take advantage of how the mind and eye work. Another [-] for you.
—DadManWalking, Jan 05 2004
   

       I have to agree with this idea. Unmarked cop cars are usually a dead give-away, but if I saw one with a 'burnt out' headlight I would think otherwise.
—xrayTed, Jan 05 2004
   

       I have only once seen an unmarked *SUV* pull someone over. If I can remember correctly, it was silver in colour. Now thats definately a stealth unmarked police vehicle.
—v0rtexx, Jan 06 2004
   

       We have HyPo Suburbans (LARGE SUVs) here in OK ... and interceptor Camaros ... those folks are fast ... see links
—Letsbuildafort, Jan 06 2004
   

       DadManWalking, you should also remove the bumper pads on the front bumber and remove the door mounted spotlights.
—GenYus, Jan 06 2004
   

       //DadManWalking, you should also remove the bumper pads on the front bumber and remove the door mounted spotlights.//   

       OY are you right. ESP the door mounted spotlights. And in the South they used to take off their hats and hang them from a header hook. Really stood out when looking in rear view mirror to see a lump sticking down in to the windshield shape and cutting up the silhouette you normally see.   

       And somehow the chrome packages on the cop cars are different too.
—DadManWalking, Jan 06 2004
   

       One headlight? Are you talking about the Tucker?
—k_sra, Jan 06 2004
   

       The best way to camoflage it would be to replace the motor in a normal car. Again, that would be difficult.
—my-nep, Jan 29 2004
   
      
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