Quote Originally Posted by slapout9 View Post
They are starting to use what they call low vsiability patrol cars in my area. Look like civilian cars until you get close. May add to the problem.
Am currently assigned to a team which drives lower profile cars - same make & model, different color though with all of the antennas, push bumper, low profile emergency lights. The courts have ruled them something to the effect of "readily recognizable as patrol cars."

Whether through intentional re-painting or because they just "got lucky" at an auction, a couple of our gang participants have showed up driving cars which are visually similar to ours - though not identical. Our team and a similar one at a neighboring agency are keeping a pretty close eye on these cars and their owners. We are concerned about the potential for these cars to be used as a ruse by one gang when initiating a violent assault on a rival set.

My agency has had a pretty policy (and practice) of being quite identifiable - individually - when involved in any enforcement actions - warrants, buy/bust, etc. Those dope rip crews we've encountered haven't had anything complete or consistent enough to match the actual clothing items our people use. However, their stuff is likely "good enough" to gain a window of several seconds or longer. That is more than enough in many cases - especially with what has happened in the Middle East and Mexico.