General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI have a question about the ICE shooting in Houston
Are people, regardless of their "status" required to stop for unidentified vehicles that are trying to get them to pull over?
I mean, it could be anybody. How are you supposed to know that it is law enforcement? The victim's son said that his father would definitely have pulled over if he knew it was law enforcement. He said they had discussed it and his father knew the danger of not complying with the authorities.
The congressman who represents this area of Houston appeared on CNN and said that no one in that neighborhood is going to pull over for just random plain cars aggressively trying to detain them. He said that too many people are carrying guns and it's too dangerous to do so.
I really think this question should be answered.
bucolic_frolic
(56,503 posts)Proceed to local police station was at one time the best idea.
Then, call 911 and ask them if you're being followed and advise them you are complying.
Warning signals is prob not a bad idea, it acknowledges you are aware. Then drive slowly.
There is no way to distinguish between unidentified federal agents and criminal highwaymen, during the moment of pursuit.
LeftInTX
(35,196 posts)Yes, ummarked vehicles pull people over, but there are procedures. It depends on their target too? Someone who they have a warrant on and the person knows they have a warrant.
Red light, speed traps and DUI traps? I would think in this case, the cop would be in uniform. And I would think if the person sped up, it would not be a good sign to the cop. But if the person pulled into a populated area for safety, that would be a reasonable thing to expect. I think it's reasonable to expect vehicles to seek for "safety first". However, if the driver becomes reckless in response, then it probably ups their ante. Even with a potential "fleeing suspect", police officers need to think "safety first".
For instance, if there is an Amber Alert out and an unmarked vehicle spots the wanted vehicle, it can reasonably assumed that they have a right to pull the person over and if the person flees, it is not a good sign to officers. Same with APBs.
erronis
(25,201 posts)If I'm being tailed by someone flashing lights at me I am not going to pull over to ask to see their uniform. My mother was chased down Wisconsin Ave. in DC by two men who were not interested in giving her a ticket.
When you're driving and confronted by a terrifying situation, how can you not drive a bit erratically? Looking for a safe place to pull over? Wondering how far the nearest police station is? Lights flashing and aggressive driving from behind?
We're expecting the driver to know there is an "Amber Alert" and therefore to yield to anyone that wants them to stop their car?
There's got to be a much better way than to let wannabe thugs (and official thugs) hijack our rights.
LeftInTX
(35,196 posts)Amber Alerts literally flash the lic plate number all over the place. "Toddler missing License Plate YXG 5444", it is safe to assume that the missing toddler is in your vehicle or that the missing toddler was in your vehicle.
Example of Ambert Alert w/suspect and lic plate # 
However, if you have been drinking and weaving in and out of traffic and suddenly you speed up to 100 mph because an unmarked vehicle wants you to pull over, they will chase you.
cab67
(3,955 posts)cab67
(3,955 posts)I assume you mean "drive slowly after it's been established that one is being followed by law enforcement or federal agents."
LeftInTX
(35,196 posts)sop
(20,123 posts)LeftInTX
(35,196 posts)I guess ICE forced him over by using more than vehicle?
bluestarone
(22,664 posts)I would NOT stop. I would like to see bills voted on that DEMAND emergency vehicles of ALL kinds, number one be MARKED accordingly, two, use of warning lights of the same nature of what Americans are used too. This should be attempted BEFORE election, so people can vote accordingly. If they vote no, then vote them OUT!
RB77
(156 posts)20 years ago, - if someone in an unmarked car, wearing masks and packing guns tried to force a person to pull over and that person was armed and shot them it would be ruled as self defense. All this person did was refuse to stop, - it cost him his life.
erronis
(25,201 posts)LeftInTX
(35,196 posts)https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/undercover-or-imposter-how-to-tell-if-unmarked-vehicle-is-law-enforcement/
I guess if there is an APB out on your vehicle, you may lose those rights, but that I don't think there was an APB out on this vehicle.
hlthe2b
(115,455 posts)cab67
(3,955 posts)Unmarked police cars are still required to use their lights and sirens when pulling someone over.
This was unspeakably stupid of the ICE agents, and it speaks to just how poorly trained they are. I don't own a gun, but lots of people do, and if they think a crazy person is chasing them for an unknown reason, they might decide to defend themselves.
LeftInTX
(35,196 posts)I haven't had time to follow this case indepth. However, I have seen them in unmarked vehicles and some of the vehicles look that usual junk off the street.
flamingdem
(41,008 posts)of the other person's point of view.
Tragic endings are the result.
niyad
(135,829 posts)murder their victims and get away with it. Thinking how much they can terrorize people.
niyad
(135,829 posts)been too many instances of rapists pretending to be leo's. We had several here.