What does this sticker mean?

[Mickeyluver37]

Ok, so I know the blue square with the yellow equals sign is equal rights, and I see that one frequently. But lately I've been seeing a square on cars, about the same size as the normal equal rights one, that looks like a blue minus sign, on grey/black/silver. Has anyone seen these and do you have any idea of the symbolism?

 

[caitycaity]

don't know if it's the one you've seen,, butw hat you are describing sounds like a bumpersticker i have seen denoting law enforcement.

 

[megan4777]

What happened to bumper stickers that actually had words?

I can't figure out all the different symbols, letters, etc that are on them anymore.

 

[DISUNC]

I never notice the bumper stickers when i keep hitting the other cars bumpers

 

[phamton]

Do a Google search on the "thin blue line." The “thin blue line” decal is restricted to use by the officer and his or her spouse only. Many people buy it on eBay or other places because they have heard that if they display the “thin blue line” decal on their automobile that they won't get a ticket. Whether this is true or not, I can't say. It is rumored that some law enforcement officers won't give a ticket to another cop or to the family member of a cop.

I certainly wouldn't have a bumper sticker if I (or my spouse) wasn't a cop. I'm afraid if I were stopped that I would be questioned on who my husband was and which police department he worked for. Busted!

 

[Arielle22]

The thin blue line will not get you out of a ticket. My bil is a police officer and he was pulled over for speeding. He was asked if he had an ID to go with his plate.

He has the plate on the front of his truck. He and my sister lived in an apt in the city in which he works. He was looking out their window (5th floor) and saw someone in front of his truck. At first he thought the man was at the car next to his (man was in a car that partially blocked bil view). The man got in his car and left. BIL noticed the front plate was missing. So he called the police dispatcher who put out an alert for the man and his car (sister and bil have a police scanner and heard the announcement). The man was pulled over a few minutes later. He tried to claim that he thought bil's plate was his friend's plate that had been stolen from his car. The police brought the man back to bil who ID'd him. The police instructed the man to put the plate back on bil's truck and then he was arrested.

What a dufus. He must have thought no one could tell where he got the plate from.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Do a Google search on the "thin blue line." The “thin blue line” decal is restricted to use by the officer and his or her spouse only. Many people buy it on eBay or other places because they have heard that if they display the “thin blue line” decal on their automobile that they won't get a ticket. Whether this is true or not, I can't say. It is rumored that some law enforcement officers won't give a ticket to another cop or to the family member of a cop.

I certainly wouldn't have a bumper sticker if I (or my spouse) wasn't a cop. I'm afraid if I were stopped that I would be questioned on who my husband was and which police department he worked for. Busted!

Yes!!! That's it! Very interesting. I had tried googling every combination I could think of before you posted. Thank you! Now I won't go nuts every time I see it!

 

[phamton]

The thin blue line will not get you out of a ticket. My bil is a police officer and he was pulled over for speeding. He was asked if he had an ID to go with his plate.

I always assumed you would be asked and would probably be in more trouble for having the bumper sticker if you didn't earn it. But the burning question is: Did your BIL get a speeding ticket after he produced his police ID?

 

[caitycaity]

i could be wrong, but i think in some places it is illegal to display the sticker if you are not law enforcement.

 

[phamton]

i could be wrong, but i think in some places it is illegal to display the sticker if you are not law enforcement.

I know we discussed this on snopes.com but can't find the thread. From what I remember it is not illegal but it won't make you too popular with the cop who stops you if you don't have the ID to match. It is supposed to be sold only to officers but just like fake designer purses it isn't illegal to buy it or display it. Just don't expect special treatment. In fact, it would most likely backfire.

 

[caitycaity]

but just like fake designer purses

 

[Andy B]

So what is meant to be the legal purpose of these signs?

 

[Galahad]

perhaps it's just showing an affiliation. It's usually what most bumper stickers are about in the end.

 

[phamton]

The black background represents all the officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The blue line represents those who still serve in law enforcement and put their lives on the line every day.

 

[CathrynRose]

It is rumored that some law enforcement officers won't give a ticket to another cop or to the family member of a cop.

My father is/was a Chicago Police Officer (retired) and *knock on wood* Ive never had a ticket. (as his his brother, his nephew, his BIL)

Keep in mind - I also have no relationship with him. But a simple mention does the trick.

ONE time, the officer gave me the ticket and said "if you have your dad call me, just show up to court, and Ill have it dismissed" I thought "Great.... that's not gonna happen"

So I left a message with dispatch girl at his Police station "need you to call Officer so and so, blah blah - and let them know youre my Dad" I thought for SURE, I was SOL. Like I said - No relationship....he left my Mom PREGNANT cuz he didnt want kids.

Ill be danged if when I got to court, I asked "Did my father call you?" Oh yeah...its all taken care of. WOO HOO!

I figure him being an absent DEAD BEAT ($10/wk child support!!!) DAD, thats the least I deserve.

 

[Andy B]

[My father is/was a Chicago Police Officer (retired) and *knock on wood* Ive never had a ticket. (as his his brother, his nephew, his BIL)

Keep in mind - I also have no relationship with him. But a simple mention does the trick.

Thats the Chicago way.