Thin Blue Line stickers

Thumpernator · 07-30-2012, 08:51

I used to think that the TBL stickers were only used on POV of law enforcement folks. But it sure seems like they are no longer used in that way, at least according to the Google search I did.

I am not in LE but my son is. I've been told by some LEO's that it would be appropriate for me to have one on my POV to show support for the officers since my son is an Officer. What are your (LEO's) thoughts on the use of these stickers on vehicles?

BTW, thanks for what you guys/gals do.

Panzergrenadier1979 · 07-30-2012, 09:06

My opinion is that it is appropriate for immediate family members (parents, spouse, children of the officer, siblings, etc...) to have the TBL on their vehicle.

I do not feel that it is appropriate for friends or distant relatives to do so.

Chuck54 · 07-30-2012, 09:50

I think they make fine targets for gang-bangers.

John Rambo · 07-30-2012, 09:51

A bit off-topic and I'm obviously not your target audience, but since I saw the thread I figured I'd ask here. I thought those were the stickers people put on their car that mean some kind of sovereign citizen or, "I won't surrender my rights," crap directed AT law enforcement? Am I mixing another sticker up with that?

blueiron · 07-30-2012, 10:50

Two usual meanings in my area. They and the 'support your local police' stickers usually indicated that the driver of the vehicle was involved in some sort of illegal activity. The other usual meaning was that the driver was a 'wannabe'.

The real deals never had them on their vehicles.

Patchman · 07-30-2012, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumpernator

I
I am not in LE but my son is. I've been told by some LEO's that it would be appropriate for me to have one on my POV to show support for the officers since my son is an Officer. What are your (LEO's) thoughts on the use of these stickers on vehicles?

BTW, thanks for what you guys/gals do.

I have absolutely no stickers or anything on my family cars that indicates LE associated. But then again, I absolutely hate any kind of permanently affixed bumper stickers-political, support wildlife, "My child is on the Dean's List at Harvard" or whatever else- on my cars.

OK, maybe I'm a poor choice to offer an opinion.

But thank you for your support. And best wishes that your son stays safe.

***SAR*** · 07-30-2012, 13:13

Those TBL stickers have no basis in law or policy so there is no appropriate or inappropriate as far as I'm concerned. They are exceptionally unpopular in Los Angeles because very few police officers want their personal vehicles to be associated with law enforcement in any way. I seldom see one around here, but when I do, I assume they are new on the job or posers. You can stroll through the parking lot at my work and not see a single one.

CJStudent · 07-30-2012, 13:22

Around here, it usually is just used by the officer; a lot of local shops want law enforcement ID before they'll sell them to you. A few guys at work have them.

ateamer · 07-30-2012, 13:27

In California, it would guarantee vandalism and could be a death sentence for the driver in ome places.

***Rabbi*** · 07-30-2012, 14:18

It seems like, in these parts, it is mostly cops who put them on their POVs. The Texas one is rather popular.

It also seems like Fireman and EMS folks put a LOT of stuff on their cars. Some Military folks put up a metric crap ton as well. With LE, maybe a blue line sticker or maybe a FOP (or similar organization) sticker that most people would miss.

cowboywannabe · 07-30-2012, 14:42

thin blue line stickers are now about as useless as an FOP supporter medalian on the license plate....

PattonT · 07-30-2012, 15:34

I have a Thin Red Line sticker on my car. Everyone knows what they are now so when people see my car outside of the town hall they will think I'm a FF and not a 5-o. And no, I'm not a firefighter. My Grandfather is a retired fire captain though.

Panzergrenadier1979 · 07-30-2012, 16:07

I passed a vehicle in MD this weekend. On the passenger side of his rear window was a Thin Red 1* sticker and on the driver side was the Thin Blue 1* sticker. In the driver's seat was a uniformed security guard......

collim1 · 07-30-2012, 16:49

Secrets been out since 2005 on that one. I wont put one on my vehicle. In my area all the thugs have firefighter license plates or blue line stickers on their vehicles. I see lots of fake blue line stickers also, and have seen them for sale on the internet without requiring a LE ID.

I would pass on that one. If you get stopped throw his name out there and hope for mercy, thats what I tell my wife to do.

ateamer · 07-30-2012, 17:07

Why would anyone want to advertise that they are an LEO? If you're off duty, try to not look like a cop and free your mind from work-related things. Awareness is one thing, but there is still no need for anyone, even other cops, to know who you are. If you want it to keep you from being stopped, here's an even better idea: Drive better.

Stang_Man · 07-30-2012, 17:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by ateamer

Why would anyone want to advertise that they are an LEO? If you're off duty, try to not look like a cop and free your mind from work-related things. Awareness is one thing, but there is still no need for anyone, even other cops, to know who you are. If you want it to keep you from being stopped, here's an even better idea: Drive better.

Not only that, but if a thug ha reason to believe a vehicle may belong to LEO, he may believe there to be cool gear/weapons/armor/etc within said vehicle.

Under the radar is how I want to be

***Rabbi*** · 07-30-2012, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by ateamer

Why would anyone want to advertise that they are an LEO? If you're off duty, try to not look like a cop and free your mind from work-related things. Awareness is one thing, but there is still no need for anyone, even other cops, to know who you are. If you want it to keep you from being stopped, here's an even better idea: Drive better.

I have brought this up before here and some understand it and some dont but in some places, for example, where I live, the San Antonio area, Every third person looks "like a cop" the 5:11 look with the hair and general fitness to match is literally the style here. Of course, we are one of the largest military towns in the country.

It is Ok to be a cop here. I understand that in some places, your wisdom applies.

To tell you the truth, I am the oddball because I am either dressed Black Tie well or I look like a skater who is too old. I dont really do the off duty cop look. However, I like living in a place where I can "be" a cop and be proud about it. I hear so many of yall horror stories about how you must keep it a secret.

Thumpernator · 07-30-2012, 19:59

Should have said in my original post that I have no desire to put one on any of my vehicles. I don't like ANY stickers on my stuff. Besides, I de-badge them when I get a new/used vehicle.

Have no need for one in hopes of getting out of a ticket, either. Last ticket (and stop) I got was in 1976 for speeding. I don't give LE a reason to stop me.

I have two LE neighbors and they both have the stickers on their vehicles.

Seems like the consensus is that the sticker identifies more BG's than GG's.

Thanks for the insights, guys.

***Sam Spade*** · 07-30-2012, 20:55

Yeah...I'm a little too close to the border to want to go there.

If I do see one, I check the driver: either AARP charter members or tweekers seems to be the rule.

**Hack** · 07-30-2012, 22:00

Won't have one on my car. Too many thugs already know what they are, so why have a vehicle used for target practice. I had a crown vic once, with civilian colours, with the exception of the tale tell black strip in the back. Darn thing was LE as far as most people were concerned. But, there are people who buy those up to use for personal cars, so it is not as much of a danger in the immediate area.

lawman800 · 07-30-2012, 23:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueiron

Two usual meanings in my area. They and the 'support your local police' stickers usually indicated that the driver of the vehicle was involved in some sort of illegal activity. The other usual meaning was that the driver was a 'wannabe'.

The real deals never had them on their vehicles.

This.

But I will add a 3rd type... the guy who wants the whole world to know he/she is a cop and usually pin the badge to the off duty attire and walk around like the off duty detective with world wide jurisdiction. Usually not long for the profession and kicked out after doing some stupid goofy crap.

I don't like the ubiquitous KMA/KJC license plate frames either because nobody who sports one of those is a cop either... and the 11-99 Foundation plate frame holders? All drive like *******s. Every single one of them. *******s.

ZGXtreme · 07-31-2012, 06:27

Here a Thin Blue Line Decal might as well be a sign saying "Narcotics on Board."

JuneyBooney · 07-31-2012, 12:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panzergrenadier1979

My opinion is that it is appropriate for immediate family members (parents, spouse, children of the officer, siblings, etc...) to have the TBL on their vehicle.

I do not feel that it is appropriate for friends or distant relatives to do so.

That sounds reasonable to me.

**DustyJacket** · 07-31-2012, 12:30

Time to add one to our "friend" with the car...

Based on the acceptance criteria to join and order the TBL gear - only active duty officers should have them.

Given that, only once did I have some sort of cop thing on my car. I was 22 years old, new to the job, and should have known better. It went away within weeks.

FL-obiwan · 08-01-2012, 13:24

A lot of guys that I work with (Fed LEOs) like them. I have my FOP member placard on my lic plate. That's enough. (prob more than enough).