Gilbert lawmaker wants fewer unmarked police cars

A Gilbert Republican lawmaker wants to limit the number of unmarked cars that police can use for traffic stops.

And the few unmarked vehicles they would get to drive would at least have to be inscribed with the name of the agency on the right front door.

Rep. Travis Grantham said he wants the public to be suspicious of being pulled over by “some creep’’ driving what might actually be a private vehicle outfitted with some red and blue lights in the grille.

 And the fewer legitimate unmarked vehicles out there, he said, the less the chance that a motorist might be fooled.

A Gilbert Police spokesperson said, “Because this deals with pending legislation, our department is waiting to see how the bill moves forward before providing our insight into the topic.”

Grantham acknowledged that his HB 2830 also means that police agencies would be limited to no more than 10 percent of their vehicles doing traffic enforcement being without the traditional lights on the roof and markings all around the front, sides and back. But he said that doesn’t bother him. Continue Reading