I HATE Chicago Cops (sorry, need to rant)

[AppleBonker]

Bit of a story to this one. So I went to visit my parents today cause I haven't been to see them in a while. I also wanted to utilize their garage space to wash/wax my car cause she desperately needed a bath. I also visited with some friends I haven't seen in a while, so it was an overdue trip out to the burbs of Chicago, but I digress. So I got my car all cleaned up and had dinner with the rents. I didn't drink anything (partly cause I was driving and partly because I'm trying to get in better shape, lame I know). At this point, it's time to come back to the city. I'm in a good mood, so I head out, windows down and music blasting.

I get into the city and decide to take the long way north to check out the "scenery" in Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville (seeing as it's bar time and there will be a number of people walking around). I turn the music down a bit cause I don't really want to be that guy that everyone hears coming a mile away (hence the sound deadener in my car). So I'm driving through Wrigleyville along Clark (if anyone has been around here you'll know that at night it is a bumping bar scene with plenty of twenty somethings out and about). I'm driving slow and avoiding crazy drivers and drunk pedestrians, when I spot a cop. My windows are still down (so you can't tell the fronts are tinted, the rest of the car is legal in Illinois), so I turn the music down a bit more as not to draw attention to myself. He looks like he's trying to turn on to Clark, so I try to give him room to get in, but he goes nowhere. Ok, so I continue onward. He pulls in behind me, and sure enough, the lights go on.

I have no idea what I was doing wrong. I was sitting in traffic, so obviously not speeding, and I didn't run any lights/signs. There's no place good to pull over, so I just hit the side of the road, throw her in park and wait for this guy to approach. He comes up to the car (and positions himself nicely to the side of the car behind the window as if I'm a threat or something - it looked like his hand may have been close to his holster, but I couldn't really tell). He asks for my license and insurance. Like I always do, I told him it was in my back pocket and I was going to reach for it, to make sure I didn't spook him and make him think I'm reaching for a weapon (which I don't keep any in my car anyway, but he doesn't know this). I hand him both documents and wait. He then asks "Don't you think your music was a bit loud back there?". Not really sure how to respond, I say "I guess so". He asked where I lived and I told him the address on my license.

Now, here's the fun part. He says, "Ok, lock it up and step out. I'm going to tow it away from you." WHAT?!?!?!? I'm completely baffled at this point, but I turned the car off and rolled up the windows, stepped out and locked it. At this point, I've got a million things running through my head. How does he have the right to do this? How am I going to get home? Where is my nice clean car going to? Man, I really need to piss. So I'm waiting on the side of the road, getting the greatest looks from the tons of cars that are passing by. I'm sure everyone is thinking, "man, this guy must be drunk, he's probably getting arrested", so everyone is gawking at me. I'm feeling pretty frickin' humiliated at this point, all because my music was too loud.

So, I'm thinking about what I'm going to say to him when he returns from the squad car. Is he going to arrest me? I can't see anyway that loud music warrants an arrest. Can I move my car somewhere more out of the way so it doesn't get damaged? How am I going to get around for the rest of the weekend? How am I going to get to work on Tuesday? And through all of this, I'm getting more and more pissed.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, he steps out of the car and walks back up to me. "Have you ever had your car towed for loud music?" he asks. Of course I say no, because I've never even heard this was a possibility. On that note, has anyone ever heard of this before? I guess I need to do more research, but I can't see how the state/city/etc has the right to tow a car for loud music. He continues by saying it's like any other time the car gets towed. I'll have to go to court and wait to see what the judge says (although this isn't true because you can get your car back before court by going to the impound). He told me the only difference is I'd have to walk there. So, he changes his story. "Ok, I'm not going to do that to you. But I am going to give you a ticket for the window tints". What the hell?!? This is what you're nailing me for? "If I can hear your music from 75 feet away, it's too loud. But for the windows, take that **** off". Sorry for the profanity, but that's a direct quote. So he gives me my stuff back and I get back into my car and drive away.

As I'm driving, I'm getting even more pissed. Like I said, this is around the bar scene with twenty somethings. There's music playing at every bar and it's blasting. You can easily hear it from 300-500 feet away, yet my car is a problem? Dude, if you go into an empty gymnasium, I'd be willing to bet you can hear and iPod through the ear buds from 75 feet away if it's turned up (and you put those things right in your ears for heaven's sake)! It's a three day weekend, and the most productive thing this guy can do is pull over a car for loud music and tinted windows?!? Aren't there people driving drunk everywhere? It's Chicago, aren't there murders and other more sinister criminal activities going on? Is this what our tax dollars pay for?

So he didn't try to tow my car. Thanks for being such a nice guy. Oh yeah, and thanks for making me look like a jackass in front of hundreds of people and wasting my time. I feel much safer knowing that cops are out in force regulating the volume of my music and making sure my windows aren't tinted. In fact, I'm surprised the crime level in Chicago isn't eliminated with all of these efforts in place. This is just stupid.

Sorry for the long (and fairly worthless post), but I really needed to rant. I guess you shouldn't bother visiting Chicago if this is how the average citizen is going to be treated. There are plenty of laws I don't agree with, but this is just ludicrous. For the record, there is someone bumping their car right outside my window right now, so I better run out there and tell them to watch out. I don't feel safe right now...

[Scandinavian Flick]

id give the chicago PD a call about what right they have to tow a car for the radio, it would make more ( not much more) sense to tow the car for the tints then the radio,

[Altima_Coupe]

thats bull. ive never heard of being towed for loud music. Its a shame that some cops abuse their authority.

[AppleBonker]

Well, I've done some research. I didn't realize this was the case, but a simple google search for "Chicago impound ordinance music" turns up a number of hits. They all state that in Chicago (leave out Chicago and see that nearly everywhere has passed the same laws) you vehicle may be impounded if the music is audible from a distance greater than 75 feet by a person with average hearing. Well, that's great. I don't want someone waking me up in the middle of the night with their music, so I understand that. But I was in a bar zone. The music radiating from the bars was far louder than my car. Also, it was about 10 pm. I highly doubt I was actually disturbing anyone.

So if this is the case, can I start calling and complaining about ice cream trucks? I can hear their music from 75 feet away. I think we need to start impounding all ice cream trucks. This is complete bull. If this were the biggest concern in the city of Chicago, I'd be ok with it. But come on. There are so many bigger problems that need to be addressed. Man, my music wasn't even that loud. I'm glad my car didn't get impounded, but that is honestly a worthless law. The crap legislators come up with is just mind boggling. I'm even more mad now than when this all happened. I wonder if the cop thought he was teaching me a lesson. The only thing I've learned from this whole episode is that we've got more laws than we really need, and the focus of cops is purely on earning money and not on actually protecting people from harmful crimes. F this...

[pancho y onions]

Man that sucks nuts. I go to chicago quite a bit and i always hear cars jamming like crazy and cops dont seem to do shiz. Maybe hes all pissed off cause he cant go to Millwauke for harley fest.

[rjdmmfl1]

the thing is, I gaurantee you, because of your music, he probably thought he was gonna catch you riding dirty (warrants, drugs, guns, something).. oh yeah, from that far away maybe he thought you were the wrong color.. who knows what goes through the minds of pigs these days... I don't hate all cops, just the ones that harass people, abuse their power, racially profile people, and are just a$$holes in general.... and because I can't tell which one is which.... olo em all!!!!!

which mod edited my statement... "bunghole"???? no!!!!
Modified by rjdmmfl1 at 6:16 PM 8/31/2008

[AppleBonker]

the thing is, I gaurantee you, because of your music, he probably thought he was gonna catch you riding dirty (warrants, rugs, guns, something).. oh yeah, from that far away maybe he thought you were the wrong color.. who knows what goes through the minds of pigs these days... I don't hate all cops, just the ones that harass people, abuse their power, racially profile people, and are just bungholes in general.... and because I can't tell which one is which.... olo em all!!!!!

Yeah, maybe he did think there was something more going on. I was listening to Plies, so I guess that could be the case. I think it's bogus in this day and age that we are still assessing what people are doing based on these factors. I mean, I listen to everything in my car. I've cranked classical and country music before. What would his opinion have been then? I'd like to think that this wouldn't be how the law would work, but I'm not that naive.

I guess it was harsh saying I hate all Chicago cops, but every run in I've ever had has gone similar. I hope that maybe they're learning something. I've never been driving with open warrants, drugs or open alcohol in my vehicle/on my person or weapons in the car. So for a cop to think that this is the case based on tinted windows and my music, I hope they learn that this is very rarely accurate. Maybe they should start to assess the level of my character based on how I'm driving or how I act. Some people need to grow up a bit and get a freaking clue.

[rjdmmfl1]

Yeah, maybe he did think there was something more going on. I was listening to Plies, so I guess that could be the case. I think it's bogus in this day and age that we are still assessing what people are doing based on these factors. I mean, I listen to everything in my car. I've cranked classical and country music before. What would his opinion have been then? I'd like to think that this wouldn't be how the law would work, but I'm not that naive.

I guess it was harsh saying I hate all Chicago cops, but every run in I've ever had has gone similar. I hope that maybe they're learning something. I've never been driving with open warrants, drugs or open alcohol in my vehicle/on my person or weapons in the car. So for a cop to think that this is the case based on tinted windows and my music, I hope they learn that this is very rarely accurate. Maybe they should start to assess the level of my character based on how I'm driving or how I act. Some people need to grow up a bit and get a freaking clue.

no my dude, I think they would just look at it as being an exception to the rule, and continue to profile... I've got $100 saying that if you were blasting Bill Mayer, you don't even get the I'll tow your car speech, just "keep it down a bit"

[kuhan]

first I have to say,

reading your post was like reading a freaking novel

Anyway, Chicago cops suck man. There are so many bad things I can say about them.....

How dark is your tint in your front windows?

I got 35% all-around and got 2 tint tickets while parking and 1 warning while driving.

Like you, I like to crank the music loud too, but whenever I see cops approaching I lower it down a little (cuz I don't need any more headache from those A$$****.

[AppleBonker]

first I have to say,

reading your post was like reading a freaking novel

Anyway, Chicago cops suck man. There are so many bad things I can say about them.....

How dark is your tint in your front windows?

I got 35% all-around and got 2 tint tickets while parking and 1 warning while driving.

Like you, I like to crank the music loud too, but whenever I see cops approaching I lower it down a little (cuz I don't need any more headache from those A$$****.

Yeah, I tend to write novels... The front windows are 20% and 5% across the rear (this is my second tint ticket in about 7 months). I know it's pretty dark, but he definitely didn't pull me over for the windows since they were rolled down. And like I said, I had turned the music down, I guess just not enough for this particular cop's tastes.

[dldjros69]

Ive been reading this thread and i have been waiting for the other side to weigh in. i feel you cops pull dirty tricks to catch you riding dirty. I get a grimy impression out of all of them. Even if im working and see them, or just observing their actions when im not the center of attention.

[zer0id]

I've been lucky every time I've been pulled over... Each time I could of been arrested for what I was doing.. Street racing, drunk driving, evading the police....I guess I've been lucky with the sdpd, I've known people who have been fked over by them too though.Can't wait for those tint tickets

[Kanard]

thats beat up man. sorry to hear that, they will do that to people too. just to get they daily hassles..

[Cali 2 Balti G]

Yeah, I tend to write novels... The front windows are 20% and 5% across the rear (this is my second tint ticket in about 7 months). I know it's pretty dark, but he definitely didn't pull me over for the windows since they were rolled down. And like I said, I had turned the music down, I guess just not enough for this particular cop's tastes.

Not trying to judge the situation - but 5% tint on the back 3 windows is pretty easy to see. That means they appear to be almost black - and little if anything inside the car is visible from the rear - especially if youhave a black interior. Remember its a car and not a pickup or SUV that come with the rear windows tinted from the factory. So any amount of tint darker than 35% on a car (in many states) can get you pulled over. 35% can get you pulled over if you run into the wrong cop.

So the fact that your side windows are down - makes no difference - your tint was still visible.

I have 35% on my windows all around. That means my rear windows are actually between 33% and 29% visibility (factoring in the small amount of tint in factory glass). I haven't got stopped - but I know it is a possibility.

With 20% or 5% you are definitley taking a risk if you are in a state not friendly to tint.

Maybe the whole "I'm gonna tow your car for loud music" thing was to "educate" you. Are any of you old enough to remember "Scared Straight"?

P.S Applebonker - I rarely visit the audio section and it seems like you and Doc Rob are real heavy there - is your system modified?

Could it have been the bump in the trunk plus the dark tints that got you bagged?

[AppleBonker]

With 20% or 5% you are definitley taking a risk if you are in a state not friendly to tint.

I rarely visit the audio section and it seems like you and Doc Rob are real heavy there - is your system modified?

Could it have been the bump in the trunk plus the dark tints that got you bagged?

Well, the front windows are the only part of the car that's illegal. In Illinois, you can go as dark as you want on the back, but the front can't have anything. So 5% in the rear is completely legal. Nothing up front is legal, so I know that 20% is far too dark, but that's why I said the windows were down.

And yeah, my system is heavily modified. My sub is getting nearly 5000 watts of peak power alone (when turned all the way up), and the inside speakers have all been replaced and amped as well. I guess he could've heard the stereo, but in comparison to the bars blasting their music into the streets it would've been minimal.

[AppleBonker]

Wow, I seriously have some of the worst luck in the world when it comes to Chicago cops. Got ANOTHER window tint ticket this morning. I was on my way to the gym at about 4:15AM and the cop spotted me and pulled a U turn to get to me. Then, he didn't even give me the city citation, he went with the state citation (which is a $75 fine rather than $25). I'm not sure why cops are so adamant about giving out tint tickets. It seems strange to me that they'll let people who are speeding (which could immediately cause death to those around them) go with warnings but go hard core over the tints. It's amazing that the only laws I regularly break are speed limit and tinted windows, and I get more tickets than nearly anyone. How is this honestly making the streets safer? Heaven forbid actually doing something to punish guys who sell drugs at schools and gang members. Might as well let them all get away with it (as long as they don't have tinted windows and loud music).

[marlin29311]

Saddly enough politics suck - those bars bring in mad $$$ for tax purposes so they're not going to care too much about the noise they make - they might look at the questionable clientele coming out....

That sucks hardcore though.

[spockrock]

Wow, I seriously have some of the worst luck in the world when it comes to Chicago cops. Got ANOTHER window tint ticket this morning. I was on my way to the gym at about 4:15AM and the cop spotted me and pulled a U turn to get to me. Then, he didn't even give me the city citation, he went with the state citation (which is a $75 fine rather than $25). I'm not sure why cops are so adamant about giving out tint tickets. It seems strange to me that they'll let people who are speeding (which could immediately cause death to those around them) go with warnings but go hard core over the tints. It's amazing that the only laws I regularly break are speed limit and tinted windows, and I get more tickets than nearly anyone. How is this honestly making the streets safer? Heaven forbid actually doing something to punish guys who sell drugs at schools and gang members. Might as well let them all get away with it (as long as they don't have tinted windows and loud music).

Well I can kind of see why, imagine if you are a police officer you pull someone over and they have the windows up the tints are so dark you can see through or barley make out whats happening, next thing you know guy draws a gun and bam. Even if the person is a law bidding citizen you just wont know right, then you get upset over nothing and well if the tint is too dark you give them a ticket.

I think, really its like guns, owning and carrying a gun does not make you a criminal. The walk into a bank with a gun out in the open and people will suspect the worse.

As per the first incident I think the guy was being a prick but what can you do.

[Alt.ImaCoupe]

Bad luck on the second ticket. Another example of good police-community relations. lol

I agree with SpockRock on the reason for tinting laws. Makes sense.

But towing a car for loud music? That's crazy. The only reason a vehicle should be towed is if the driver or vehicle can't safely proceed. I don't see another reason. How old was the first guy? I find most cops under 30 have something to prove, and most over 50 are just miserable. Don't find many that I like.

Enjoy your de-tinting.

[AppleBonker]

Bad luck on the second ticket. Another example of good police-community relations. lol

I agree with SpockRock on the reason for tinting laws. Makes sense.

But towing a car for loud music? That's crazy. The only reason a vehicle should be towed is if the driver or vehicle can't safely proceed. I don't see another reason. How old was the first guy? I find most cops under 30 have something to prove, and most over 50 are just miserable. Don't find many that I like.

Enjoy your de-tinting.

First guy was probably around 30. That's why I was surprised about him threatening to tow me. I figured the same as you, they can only tow if the vehicle cannot be driven safely, or I'm driving uninsured/suspended license/under the influence, etc. Not sure what bugs Chicago cops so much about music though. Hell, if I knew I was gonna get pulled over for it, I would've really had it turned up.

Also, safety is a BS excuse (for pulling over for tints) for the cops to sleep better. If I wanted to off a cop, I could easily do it, tinted windows or not. If it were safety, we'd all be required to have completely see-through cars and drive naked. I don't see how it's any harder to conceal a weapon in a hoodie than having tinted windows. But even if we roll with this as a legitimate reason, why give the ticket once you investigate and find that I'm doing nothing wrong? Fact is, you're a cop. If you don't feel safe, you picked the wrong job, plain and simple. So I'm not pulling the tints (it's not a fix it ticket). If the worst crimes I ever commit are loud music and tinted windows, I'll still be able to sleep at night. I'm not planning on complying with a completely bogus law.

[kuhan]

I got to admit...f***** chicago cops have nothing to do nowadays but driving around and giving tickets!!!!!

I've got another parking ticket for tinted front windows. this my 3rd in a year....$25

I've had enough so I took the tints on the front windows out today. I thought the process would be cumbersome with involving using razor blades and soapy water, etc. to remove the glue.. but it literally took 5 minutes for both windows. it just peeled off just like a scotch tape!!!

the car looks naked without tint on the front windows now

[AppleBonker]

the car looks naked without tint on the front windows now

That's why I refuse to do it. I can't imagine my car with 5% across the back and nothing up front. Plus, the government seems to be perfectly willing to steal my money (or devalue what little money I still have through inflation) to help out large financial institutions that had their money and painfully screwed it up. So why not throw a few more dollars the government's way? I guess it's my way of trying to save the economy. You can all thank me later...

[kuhan]

That's why I refuse to do it. I can't imagine my car with 5% across the back and nothing up front. Plus, the government seems to be perfectly willing to steal my money (or devalue what little money I still have through inflation) to help out large financial institutions that had their money and painfully screwed it up. So why not throw a few more dollars the government's way? I guess it's my way of trying to save the economy. You can all thank me later...

There you go....that is the spirit!!!

[shortys408]

in orlando its 25 ft. and they can impound your car here too

[rjdmmfl1]

da*n fellas, and I thought Cali Cops sucked.... I don't think I've ever heard of someone here getting a tint ticket while their car is parked. I officially will NOT take any jobs in Chicago... but you know what, it may be a good idea to get one of those FOP stickers, decals, or something to put on the back of your car... sure, they're ugly, but if you appear to be related to Porky the Pig, maybe they won't stick their snouts in your car anymore.... just an option

[AppleBonker]

I don't think I've ever heard of someone here getting a tint ticket while their car is parked.

Yup, it's basically the same ticket too. I think the difference is a violation of 12-503 (a) if the car is moving or 12-503 (b) if the car is parked on city property. I guess the theory behind it is that the car got there somehow, and it probably drove there (which would be illegal). Maybe if you could somehow prove that it was a show car and that you flatbed-ed it to that location they'd let you off (but why would you EVER park a show car on the street?). And, I've only had a problem with actual city cops. I've never even been pulled over and given a warning in the burbs anywhere.

[kuhan]

those chicago a$$**** cops have nothing to do!!!!For all the illegal things going on here in chicago like people running red lights, shooting each other and these guys go around and give tint tickets to parked cars

apple, you got 5% in the front windows???

yeah it would look like really funny if you take out the tint in the front windows....

[AppleBonker]

apple, you got 5% in the front windows???

No, 5% across the back, 20% up front. Still pretty dark and very noticeable. Oh, and on your other point of crimes occurring in Chicago, I looked it up. Through July of this year there has been something like 291 murders and I think 11,300 or so stolen cars (my old car being one of them!), yet one of the crimes they seem to target is tinted windows. Go figure...