If a police officer stops you. Question about VIN #

[lovehamr]

One thing, for those not into law enforcement, to remember is that most Mobil Data Terminals (MDTs) are not actually lap tops and don't have all the functions that you would normally get out of one. The things that a street officer has to do on an MDT are comparatively few in # its just that (depending on where you work) you might have to do them 500 times a day. You wind up getting good at the old right hand only commands and data entries. These days there are new technologies coming to the MDT segment with some very positive connotations like 2.5/3G service and wifi netting. These combined with video recognition software and automation like XB-60 mentioned, will most likely make our jobs easier and safer.

Steve

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

One thing, for those not into law enforcement...

I support law enforcement, but only if that enforcement is against someone other than me.

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I support law enforcement, but only if that enforcement is against someone other than me.

Me too.

[SP01715]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

One thing, for those not into law enforcement, to remember is that most Mobil Data Terminals (MDTs) are not actually lap tops and don't have all the functions that you would normally get out of one. The things that a street officer has to do on an MDT are comparatively few in # its just that (depending on where you work) you might have to do them 500 times a day. You wind up getting good at the old right hand only commands and data entries. These days there are new technologies coming to the MDT segment with some very positive connotations like 2.5/3G service and wifi netting. These combined with video recognition software and automation like XB-60 mentioned, will most likely make our jobs easier and safer.

Steve

Be careful with that right hand. I have seen a few cars wrecked trying to drive and type at the same time.

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by SP01715

Be careful with that right hand. I have seen a few cars wrecked trying to drive and type at the same time.

Actually I shouldn't type in present tense when discussing things like that. I can't really remember the last time that I used an MDT for anything real. These days I just teach people how to shoot. Hey sombody's gotta do it!

Steve

[cobrajeff]

I have only had my VIN checked one time. It was back in the 70's, and I was driving my 1966 Shelby GT350 at a normal speed on a rural backroad. Maybe I attracted him because the car was White with two big Blue racing stripes (and open headers).
I had installed new headers at home, but could not get the collectors to mate up to the exhaust. So, at 7:00AM the next morning, I thought I'd cautiously drive to a local shop to have the new collectors welded up. I was driving as quietly as I could (with open headers)

Officer friendly was sitting in a school parking lot, and must have heard me coming (how could he not?). He pulled me over, and I explained to him that I was on my way to get the exhaust system repaired. He started looking at the dash to compare my Registration to the car's VIN - that's when I opened the hood to show him that in 1966, cars didn't have their VIN on the dash, it was under the hood, stamped in the fender apron. He said "Oh, you must have to do this pretty often, eh?" I bit my tongue and was silent. He issued me a "fix-it" ticket, I went on to the shop to have the exhaust welded up, then I drove to the local Ohio State Highway Patrol Post to have it inspected, and the ticket discarded.

I have a great deal of respect for the job police officers do...they put their lives on the line every day. Most of them I've met (even the ones who DID write me) have been pretty good guys.

Jeff

[SP01715]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

Actually I shouldn't type in present tense when discussing things like that. I can't really remember the last time that I used an MDT for anything real. These days I just teach people how to shoot. Hey sombody's gotta do it!

Steve

Much better job than pushing a patrol car.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

One thing, for those not into law enforcement, to remember is that most Mobil Data Terminals (MDTs) are not actually lap tops and don't have all the functions that you would normally get out of one. The things that a street officer has to do on an MDT are comparatively few in # its just that (depending on where you work) you might have to do them 500 times a day. You wind up getting good at the old right hand only commands and data entries. These days there are new technologies coming to the MDT segment with some very positive connotations like 2.5/3G service and wifi netting. These combined with video recognition software and automation like XB-60 mentioned, will most likely make our jobs easier and safer.

Steve

Our police and fire apparatus got rid of the MDT's many, many years ago. All have laptops with wireless air cards and have full access to everything including the internet. If you still have MDT's, you need to get out of the 90's.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by jwd

Our police and fire apparatus ... all have laptops with wireless air cards and have full access to everything including the internet.

Well that explains why the trooper said to me "Pat, I'm gonna let you off with a warning, and by the way, I think ERAChas and RodKnock are both jerks too."

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by jwd

Our police and fire apparatus got rid of the MDT's many, many years ago. All have laptops with wireless air cards and have full access to everything including the internet. If you still have MDT's, you need to get out of the 90's.

LOL, I've been called a dynosaur!