Houston PD moving to Gold Wings

[Texas T]

 

[dukey33]

Nice!
Some lights on the top radio box would be nice to get them as high as possible. But I could see concerns for EMI from strobing lights.
It is nice how with LED tech, a more random pattern of light strobing is easily achieved. The randomness breaks up the hypnotic effect of blinking lights.

 

[Annhl8rX]

Try as I might I can’t come up with a legitimate reason for police motorcycles to still exist. Oh, wait...they generate revenue. Of course, police departments aren’t in the business of making money...just making the roads safer. Yeah. I definitely buy that.

 

[randypower]

Try as I might I can’t come up with a legitimate reason for police motorcycles to still exist. Oh, wait...they generate revenue. Of course, police departments aren’t in the business of making money...just making the roads safer. Yeah. I definitely buy that.

(legitimate question) I'm not sure if you're saying that police vehicles aren't needed or just police motorcycles aren't needed. You said motorcycles but your rationale (generating revenue) applies to all vehicles types.

 

[Tourmeister]

I have seen HPD using Goldwings forever. How is this new? Are they going to use Goldwings exclusively?

Am I the only one that would like to see a general trend AWAY from more lights on emergency vehicles?! Seriously, I got passed by an ambulance recently and had to stay pulled over until it was gone because its MANY and BRIGHT lights totally destroyed my night vision as it went past me. Then there is the whole driving through a construction site or accident site at night when there are crazy bright lights flashing everywhere. Even when trying to watch for people, I just have a hard time picking them out from all the lights that are killing my vision. It seems there is a point of diminishing returns on more lights

 

[gixxerjasen]

Motorcycles are certainly better at navigating heavy traffic to get to the scene of an accident. However, cars/SUV's can perform arrests, whereras motorcycles seem to be mostly for ticket writing.

Tourmaster, I'm with you. I almost hit a police officer because he thought standing in front of three police cars and an ambulance and fire truck all with their lights on, to direct traffic through was a good idea. Even with his reflective vest I couldn't see him for all the strobing going on right behind him.

Looks like honda designed that engine just for those sirens to mount to.

 

[_RG_]

Same here... too much light at night. Flashers are way too intense but the flood light on a dps car is outright blinding. This has got to change. They're dangerous.

 

[Texas T]

I have seen HPD using Goldwings forever. How is this new? Are they going to use Goldwings exclusively?

Sorry, I wasn't aware of that. They were strictly HD bikes when I lived there so I thought this was a new thing.

 

[Texas T]

Try as I might I can’t come up with a legitimate reason for police motorcycles to still exist.

This is one reason...

 

[SilverBullet]

...Am I the only one that would like to see a general trend AWAY from more lights on emergency vehicles?! Seriously, I got passed by an ambulance recently and had to stay pulled over until it was gone because its MANY and BRIGHT lights totally destroyed my night vision as it went past me. Then there is the whole driving through a construction site or accident site at night when there are crazy bright lights flashing everywhere. Even when trying to watch for people, I just have a hard time picking them out from all the lights that are killing my vision. It seems there is a point of diminishing returns on more lights

...Tourmaster, I'm with you. I almost hit a police officer because he thought standing in front of three police cars and an ambulance and fire truck all with their lights on, to direct traffic through was a good idea. Even with his reflective vest I couldn't see him for all the strobing going on right behind him.

Same here... too much light at night. Flashers are way too intense but the flood light on a dps car is outright blinding. This has got to change. They're dangerous.

^^^ + 1,000
Thought it was only my aging eyesight being overly sensitive to the light. Glad to know others experience the same but then it makes it even more incredible this trend continues. For myself it is indeed downright dangerous. Completely blinding for me unless I look completely away well in advance. But then I'm looking away from the hazard being highlighted so almost equally dangerous. So my choices are greater chance of hitting the emergency or DOT vehicle wig wagging their obnoxious LED lights or hitting the workers on the ground. Lose-lose situation.

Sent from my SM-G860P using Tapatalk

 

[MidlifeCrisis]

My next door neighbor is HPD. Not moto squad, but he has owned his own Harley Road Kings for many yrs now, for running sidejobs escorting cranes, funerals, etc. He had to go thru the qualification course to put HPD markings on his own bike. He told me HPD finally approved non-Harley bikes a year or two ago, not just Goldwings. Before that, it's HD only. My neighbor wants to move to a Goldwing, but Harley dealers won't give him much for his current RK, unlike his previous RKs, which they'd give him a very generous trade in on a new one. So he is keeping it for a few more yrs to get his money's worth.

Here in Missouri City, the moto cops have been running Victorys. Got pulled over by one once. Not sure what they will do next, now that Victory is no more. Other jurisdiction have different rules on approved bikes.

 

[StromXTc]

This is one reason...

Cool video

 

[woodsguy]

Same here... too much light at night. Flashers are way too intense but the flood light on a dps car is outright blinding. This has got to change. They're dangerous.

That flood light is ridiculous.

 

[Monica]

Corpus Christi police officer killed, another injured while conducting traffic stop

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (KETK) – A Corpus Christi police officer has been killed in the line of duty while conducting a traffic stop. According to CCPD, a CCPD officer had pulled over a vehicle…

www.easttexasmatters.com

A firefighter and a police officer were killed at the scene of a crash in Texas | CNN

A firefighter and police officer were killed while working the scene of an icy wreck in Texas, authorities said. A second firefighter is in critical condition.

www.cnn.com

I was trying to stay out if this conversation because it is personal to me. But I'm going to share anyway at the risk of becoming a future target for someone with a grudge because the men and women I know are dear to me and if my comment is heard by one, it might get one if my friends home. I am not prepared to lose one, especially for a preventable circumstance.

So, drivers, pay attention and calm yourself down. The same indignance we have towards cagers as riders is the same I say that now. Slow down and be careful. That's someone's mom, dad, brother, sister and friend you are blowing by on the highway!

The spotlights on PD vehs are suppose to be bright. It is used to light up the stopped vehicle as well as make visibility difficult.

Here's a reason:

As for brights LEDS, yeah they're bright. I see them wirking accidents at night. If a driver can't see you're suppose to slow down, not soldier on at 70mph.

Also this just happened too:

Schertz Fire Department

Around 3AM our crews were working an accident near I-35 and 1103. We were using our Platform apparatus to block the scene to protect our First Responders. A second tractor trailer struck the front of...

www.facebook.com

Drivers and riders, however you feel towards anything helpful to PD, FD and EMS, please don't kill one of my friends.

 

[randypower]

Monica, I'm glad you (and Brian) chimed in and maybe more perspectives other than my own will help to understand better.

I totally understand the need to have bright spotlights and worklights. What I find difficult is the super bright flashing lights (usually red and blue) that I believe can be counter-productive to safety. They need to be bright to be visible from a distance, but once near, it's far too much against the night blackness and makes unlit things invisible.

Emergency situations are exceptional and clearly require exceptional behaviors by all who are there. For uninvolved drivers, we need to slow and and move ahead carefully.

Unfortunately those lights are often blinding. Just this morning before dawn, driving through a construction zone (281 North of San Antonio), police cars stationed all along the area had this effect on me. At one point, at about 20 mph I realized I was driving right by a standing officer who was about to step in and direct traffic. I was blinded to him by his own vehicle's lights. I certainly hope he's not injured today.

Anyway, I hope you and other responders and officers will continue to share your perspective.

 

[Texas T]

Cool video

He previously released it with a lot of comments as he was riding; I don't know why he edited it and brought it back out with all the music and the gaps in the sound.

He doesn't do a lot of videos any more since he became a Chopper Copper flying overhead, but some of his previous videos are pretty enlightening as he does talk about what he's doing as he's inroute to various accidents.

 

[Annhl8rX]

(legitimate question) I'm not sure if you're saying that police vehicles aren't needed or just police motorcycles aren't needed. You said motorcycles but your rationale (generating revenue) applies to all vehicles types.

I meant just motorcycles. They’re not utilized for anything other than traffic enforcement. I just find it ridiculous how the police world is so focused on the safety of officers (and rightfully so), but still send guys out on two wheels just because it makes it easier for them to write more tickets than they could in cars.

I get that motorcycles also have an advantage in responding to crashes in that they can squeeze through traffic easier. I’d be really interested to know how many lives are saved by motorcycle officers getting to the scene quicker in comparison with how many officers are killed on motorcycles. My guess is that those numbers wouldn’t support their continued use.

 

[Jesse H]

I'll absolutely say that motor units number one purpose is traffic enforcement. And that's just the polite term for helping with revenue.

Within our city, PD has the highest budget. Why not allow them to help pay the bills as long as things are done properly? Every citation written goes directly to the city anyways so it's not like any officer is receiving a raise for making more contacts and writing more tickets. We get legitimate traffic complaints from citizens. I forward them to the traffic division and they go and respond to them. Citizens are happy. People who get stopped aren't. As a bonus the city gets a little help funding itself. As a patrol supervisor's standpoint, I'm glad we have them because I'd rather not use my patrol resources to handle traffic complaints and work crashes and investigate hit and runs.

I like putting it this way. Would you rather taxes get increased or a bond get established because the PD needs new body armor or other equipment updates, or just let the traffic division do their thing and help with the funds?

 

[Annhl8rX]

I'll absolutely say that motor units number one purpose is traffic enforcement. And that's just the polite term for helping with revenue.

Within our city, PD has the highest budget. Why not allow them to help pay the bills as long as things are done properly? Every citation written goes directly to the city anyways so it's not like any officer is receiving a raise for making more contacts and writing more tickets. We get legitimate traffic complaints from citizens. I forward them to the traffic division and they go and respond to them. Citizens are happy. People who get stopped aren't. As a bonus the city gets a little help funding itself. As a patrol supervisor's standpoint, I'm glad we have them because I'd rather not use my patrol resources to handle traffic complaints and work crashes and investigate hit and runs.

I like putting it this way. Would you rather taxes get increased or a bond get established because the PD needs new body armor or other equipment updates, or just let the traffic division do their thing and help with the funds?

How about just axe the traffic division? That savings will buy a lot of body armor. I’m being hyperbolic there, but I do think a lot of departments could significantly reduce their traffic divisions. The idea that there are cops whose entire job is to go out and write tickets doesn’t sit well with me, and I don’t think most people would be in favor of it if they understood it.

A small traffic division that responds to crashes, addresses problem areas, and has the specialized training needed for fatality accident investigation makes sense to me. A platoon of professional ticket writers is something I can do without, and something I think contributes heavily to the PR problem law enforcement suffers from.

 

[Jesse H]

How about just axe the traffic division? That savings will buy a lot of body armor. I’m being hyperbolic there, but I do think a lot of departments could significantly reduce their traffic divisions. The idea that there are cops whose entire job is to go out and write tickets doesn’t sit well with me, and I don’t think most people would be in favor of it if they understood it.

A small traffic division that responds to crashes, addresses problem areas, and has the specialized training needed for fatality accident investigation makes sense to me. A platoon of professional ticket writers is something I can do without, and something I think contributes heavily to the PR problem law enforcement suffers from.

Depending on who you ask, it's a necessary evil. Traffic divisions are small when you look at how many officers are in a traffic unit compared to patrol. I know our traffic division pays for itself.

Remove our traffic division and now I've got my patrol guys wasting time responding to crashes, investigating hit and runs (you have no idea what a time waster it is to track down the offender and interview just so they can exchange information and no files are charged), or work traffic complaints and assignments (even though you don't call in people running stop signs in your neighborhood or speeding in a school zone LOTS of citizens do and it's a full time job to respond). On top of that you want patrol to still be patrolmen to be responsible for calls for service (real police work)?

Same reason I don't have my patrol guys being point on a SWAT operation, I don't necessarily want my patrol guys doing traffic division's job. If your citizenry didn't want a traffic division, we'd know it.

 

[LaserDave]

had to stay pulled over until it was gone because its MANY and BRIGHT lights totally destroyed my night vision as it went past me.

I've nearly been in two wrecks (car) because of cops behind me turning their lights on and going around.
Freekin' TERAWATT light clusters completely blinding me trying to get out of the way.

 

[Annhl8rX]

If your citizenry didn't want a traffic division, we'd know it.

I don’t think that’s really true. Most folks have no clue about the inner workings of a police department, and I’d wager that a majority of people don’t even know that patrol and traffic are two different things. I think if more people knew there was a division whose sole purpose (exaggerated, but essentially true) is to write tickets they wouldn’t be happy about it. Of course, they also wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.

I also disagree that it’s a “necessary evil”. It absolutely makes sense to have folks who primarily work accidents...particularly the major ones that may involve criminal charges greater than a class C misdemeanor. That could be a smaller unit than what most traffic divisions likely work with. Paying cops to spend 80% of their time or more making stops and writing tickets serves no purpose other than raising money.

People contesting those tickets takes away the monetary benefit to the department. I’d love to see how departments would react if the bulk of people started opting for a trial rather than paying the ticket or taking a plea deal for deferred adjudication or defensive driving. I bet if that revenue stream dried up those traffic officers would be some of the first budget cuts.

 

[blupupher]

I agree most all motorcycle patrols are traffic enforcement, and I am completely fine with that. Traffic enforcement is needed, and needed more than ever. How many of us have had a close call (on a bike or in a vehicle) that you wish a cop was around to see it? How about all the texting/phone use and driving? I would like 100 dedicated units just in my area for that alone. As for being a money generator, well, quit breaking the law and you don't have to worry about it.
As we all know, on a bike you see and hear better, as well as have better maneuverability through traffic. Great for busy events as well as escort vehicles.

I do agree with the new LED's on emergency vehicles being way to bright at night.
In the day, it is a good thing. When I worked on the ambulance, daytime lighting was OK at best with strobes, and early LED's were no where near as bright as today's are.
Now though, while finally bright enough for sunny days, they are ridiculously bright at night. Even the brake lights on the ambulances around here are way to bright, I have to look to the side when behind one at a stop light. They need an automatic dimmer on them for nighttime.

 

[dukey33]

Agree, traffic enforcement is a necessary evil. If we have traffic laws and no one enforces them, how many drivers would follow them? A few? Some? Many? For sure it would be less than the amount that does with enforcement. And what is the common language of enforcement for all governing entities? Penalties and fees. (Let's not talk about incarceration because more and more District Attorneys are letting more and more crimes skate without jail time)

We all have to admit we will ignore speed limits when we think the road conditions are safe enough and we feel comfortable we won't get caught speeding. Just extend that to all other traffic laws and the variation of risk acceptance across individuals. Without enforcement, 'getting caught' falls out of the equation and we are left with total traffic anarchy (ok, maybe it bit over-the-top )

 

[StromXTc]

Corpus Christi police officer killed, another injured while conducting traffic stop

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (KETK) – A Corpus Christi police officer has been killed in the line of duty while conducting a traffic stop. According to CCPD, a CCPD officer had pulled over a vehicle…

www.easttexasmatters.com

A firefighter and a police officer were killed at the scene of a crash in Texas | CNN

A firefighter and police officer were killed while working the scene of an icy wreck in Texas, authorities said. A second firefighter is in critical condition.

www.cnn.com

I was trying to stay out if this conversation because it is personal to me. But I'm going to share anyway at the risk of becoming a future target for someone with a grudge because the men and women I know are dear to me and if my comment is heard by one, it might get one if my friends home. I am not prepared to lose one, especially for a preventable circumstance.

So, drivers, pay attention and calm yourself down. The same indignance we have towards cagers as riders is the same I say that now. Slow down and be careful. That's someone's mom, dad, brother, sister and friend you are blowing by on the highway!

The spotlights on PD vehs are suppose to be bright. It is used to light up the stopped vehicle as well as make visibility difficult.

Here's a reason:

As for brights LEDS, yeah they're bright. I see them wirking accidents at night. If a driver can't see you're suppose to slow down, not soldier on at 70mph.

Also this just happened too:

Schertz Fire Department

Around 3AM our crews were working an accident near I-35 and 1103. We were using our Platform apparatus to block the scene to protect our First Responders. A second tractor trailer struck the front of...

www.facebook.com

Drivers and riders, however you feel towards anything helpful to PD, FD and EMS, please don't kill one of my friends.

1st responders death order goes like this... cancer, heart attacks, and 3rd, roadway accidents