VPD's Operation Silhouette

[integra298]

For some reason... this cracks me up. :laughing


VPD: 'Operation Silhouette' targets speeders on Knight Street (http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20080605_163401_8112)
Real or cardboard?
News1130 Photo
Thursday, June 05 - 04:05:15 PM Shane Bigham/Mike Hanafin

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Is it a real police officer? Or a life-size cut-out of one? Making a mistake with that question could cost you a traffic ticket on Knight Street this summer, thanks a new VPD program.

It's called “Operation Silhouette", a low-tech solution to a high-speed problem on one of Vancouver's most travelled and most dangerous streets. VPD Staff Sergeant Ralph Pauw says laminated life-size cut-outs of a police officer pointing a radar gun are being set up at various locations along Knight Street, starting this afternoon.

Pauw says Knight Street is being targeted because it is the deadliest traffic corridor in the city. "It's a serious issue, and we're trying to develop new strategies like this to see if they work." And just to make things interesting, at various times there will be real officers standing behind their cardboard counterparts to hand out tickets.

VPD say while Knight Street is a 50 kph speed zone, the average speeder is ticketed for 84 kmh and some have been driving as fast as 115 kph. Operation Silhouette will continue for the next six months. There were 25 fatal collisions in Vancouver last year and we’ve had seven so far this year.

http://rogersradiointernet.com/BC/CKWX/images/2007/Operation%20Silhouette.jpg

[Motorcycle Man]

lol, I can't wait to see how creatively they are vandalized.

[Saturnin]

tax money spent well

[adam112]

been doing this in the US for years. Old news.

Thanks to Escort I will know when it's constable cardboard down the way.

[chixilog]

they should make one a sexy girl in bikini holding a radar gun...:laughing ...
..i would slow down for that....:roflmao

[SkydiveSonic]

Probably be more effective than the three cops on BICYCLES that were doing traffic on Garden City in Richmond last week .... Funniest thing ever.

[klutch_r]

For some reason... this cracks me up. :laughing
VPD say while Knight Street is a 50 kph speed zone, the average speeder is ticketed for 84 kmh and some have been driving as fast as 115 kph. Operation Silhouette will continue for the next six months. There were 25 fatal collisions in Vancouver last year and we’ve had seven so far this year.

http://rogersradiointernet.com/BC/CKWX/images/2007/Operation%20Silhouette.jpg



Sweet. Now we've all got a target to beat. 115 should be fairly easy.

[Bison]

Maybe somebody should attach a cardboard donut to the poster?

[SVR]

just leave empty Timmy boxes laying at their feet. LOL

[elevation]

Down in the states I came upon a police car on the side of the road with a fully dressed dummy in the driver seat. Simple solutions works!

+1 to putting a bunch of tim hortons boxes by the cut out!

[Kamloopsfz6]

Cops should not be using Laser speed detection by holding it in their hands, they need to be tripod mounted. I won a speeding ticket once for this reason.

Even the manufacturers suggest it is not as accurate using it handheld.

Wonder how good Laser works for catching bikes?

The primary target for the laser beam is the vehicle's license plate. The light beam relies on a reflective surface for the successful return signal. This is why dark low slung vehicles with minimal or no chrome are so hard for laser to detect. The front license plate should be removed and the rear plate should be painted with a high gloss clear coat to help defeat the laser beam.

[prophet]

Cops should not be using Laser speed detection by holding it in their hands, they need to be tripod mounted. I won a speeding ticket once for this reason.

Even the manufacturers suggest it is not as accurate using it handheld.

Wonder how good Laser works for catching bikes?

The primary target for the laser beam is the vehicle's license plate. The light beam relies on a reflective surface for the successful return signal. This is why dark low slung vehicles with minimal or no chrome are so hard for laser to detect. The front license plate should be removed and the rear plate should be painted with a high gloss clear coat to help defeat the laser beam.
Besides the fact that we're required by law to have a plate on the front of our cars, it would make their new fancy-shmancy license plate readers only half as useful.

[miraclejoe]

I'm starting a cardboard cut out collection.

Edit: and I will take them on the road and take pictures of them in the most unlikely places.

[MrCheeky]

It's an oldie, but THIS would likely be more innovative and effective for speed control, however there may be more accidents...

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/292357/unusual_speed_control_idea/

[CHIA]

This one would get me:

http://ypcommando.com/images/fake_cop.jpg

This one might not:

http://www.bitsofsanity.com/images/27.jpg

[Demasiado]

I have a batch of 2-inch-penis stickers being printed up as we speak...

[bcmtnbka]

I know that VPD is having a hard time to recruit new members, but this 'Homer Simpsons' approach is the new low.

[clutch]

They DID this in Toronto in 98/99 the only difference was the cop was in shot sleve in T.O. so it looked kinda odd in the middle of winter toe see a cop in a short sleve shirt with a radar gun.

[arcrz]

I`ve got a buck for the first person to kick a real Cop in the shin and then say, "Sorry about that, I thought you were cardboard."

[SkydiveSonic]

They DID this in Toronto in 98/99 the only difference was the cop was in shot sleve in T.O. so it looked kinda odd in the middle of winter toe see a cop in a short sleve shirt with a radar gun.

Someone put fake hard nipples on them I hope.

[miraclejoe]

Someone put fake hard nipples on them I hope.
I'd would've bought some jackets from the salvation army and put them one the cut out...

[penumbra604]

We should encourage the use of cardboard cops....

I say we print up cardboard driver's licenses using crayon to give to the real police on Knight Street....

[bluenote]

Build more fuckin' roads so I don't have to take forever to get somewhere and get a ticket on top. :/

[JamieJames]

I loved the part in the article where a tow truck driver drove up and started talking to the cutout.

Just remember folks.. cutouts can't issue tickets. Just blow by every cop and if they pull you over later just say "I thought it was a cutout".

[g_spyder91]

Sweet, finally a suitable target to take to the range.

[SkydiveSonic]

Thought the same thing this morning when I was talking to my range buddy :D Shame you have to take off the head if you go to PoCo :laughing

[Ryu]

So if the city would fork out the money needed to hire some real cops, the VPD wouldnt be forced into this solution......they are still trying to fight crime, and save lives, but apparently on a tight budget.....but wait, that would mean you actualy recieved more tickets........right. Good on the VPD for ingenuity.

[mondocycle]

While we are saving money on our legal system in BC we should fix some cardboard cutouts of judges in our courtrooms. The accused and crown council can play rock-paper-scissors for a conviction or acquittal.

[NFG]

That news report was staged right outside my house on Knight (three doors over in fact). What a gong show. There is limited parking on our street and they were blocking me from exiting and a neighbor from getting in. Not a good scene. In fact I would call it dangerous.

Still if done right this should slow a few drivers down. Let's just hope it's not through a major collision.

[bluenote]

All the regular VPD members are out beating the shit out of suspects and tasering people to death. :>

[trademark]

AHAHA they had the cutout in force today, propped up against a pole on 62nd no less. I was going to turn around and take a photo of it, but I guess I made a smart move by continuing to drive (slow) as the real deal was still up the hill on 60th lasering people. hmmmm Maybe they want to see if people slow down, chuckle, and then speed up?

[Tattoodles]

The only thing this campaign has taught me is what I already know - don't drive down Knight St.

[miraclejoe]

I wonder what I will be charged with for setting one of those on fire?

[CHIA]

hmmmm Maybe they want to see if people slow down, chuckle, and then speed up?

Speaking for myself, I would say that tactic's not laughable, and is probably quite effective.

I've passed many a radar trap, only to step on it, seconds after passing....will have to keep that in mind in the furure.

[Funk]

passed one yesturday going down knight, had the cut out and then a real cop, but my radar detector didnt pick up anything and he was leaning against a fence ..... probably just out to scare ppl right now or get them used to them before they hit you up for it.

[kastles]

Thought the same thing this morning when I was talking to my range buddy :D Shame you have to take off the head if you go to PoCo :laughing
it may take a few rounds but i'll cut the head off :)

[J_Scott]

Article on Radar trap cash cows (http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id=21af7c8c-2449-4989-ba79-93fab793b909)

The article's too short and I probably could have written 4 pages on it... but I agree with his points none the less.

Red light cameras cause accidents (http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id=83634a05-d62e-47e1-b8e9-dc247df001ef)

:laughing

[adam112]

Well if everyone disputed the tickets they wouldn't issue so many. Obviously there is a good number of individuals running out and paying them within 30 days to get their measly discount. If everyone disputed, would tickets still be considered "easy money". I sure as shit dispute every ticket I get, valid or not.

[coolio]

I wonder what I will be charged with for setting one of those on fire?

Why not put a for sale sign over it?