Rockland legislator not allowed to have red lights in his car

[joetnymedic 43]

Rockland legislator not allowed to have red lights in his car

By Sarah Netter

The Journal News • May 27, 2008

A county legislator who is driving around with red lights in his car said it's perfectly fine for him to have them.

But state vehicle and traffic law prohibits anything but fixed white lights, such as headlights, except for authorized emergency vehicles.

full story:

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...EWS03/805270360

Edited May 27, 2008 by jack10562
EMTBravo News Story posting policy copyright notice

[helicopper 1,050]

Michel said he only turns the lights on when he's working as a minister.

"Nobody can tell you they ever see me with emergency lights on ... except when I'm leading a funeral or something like that," he said.

Michel said he officiates at funerals "most every weekend."

"I don't see what's the big deal," he said.

But the state law says nothing about allowing ministers to use emergency-type lights, including lights that oscillate, rotate or flash.

Included in the law's definition of emergency vehicle are ambulances, police vehicles, firetrucks, hazardous material vehicles and blood-delivery vehicles.

Nick Cantiello, a spokesman for the state Department of Motor Vehicles, said there were no provisions for use of such lights by a clergy member.

"I would say he is not allowed to have these, to use these lights," he said.

Detective Lt. William Barbera confirmed that the vehicle and traffic law doesn't allow red or other emergency-type lights to be used by a civilian in such instances.

What a joke! Of course he doesn't see anything wrong with it, we can only hope he reads this article to learn definitively from the DMV and PD that his operation is illegal.

No wonder people pay no attention to our lights anymore!

[20y2 43]

It's usually up to interpretation, but having the lights installed is not illegal, displaying them (turning them on) is.

[irishfire2491 24]

I am pretty sure that is Purple Lights are for funeral not RED (really dont see what the red light is going to give him anyway) Any one that use the Lights to get through traffic or to act importain for no reason are Abusing the Power and putting a bad name to the Police, Firefighter, and EMS that use them on a daily bases for a real reason.

[nycemt728 49]

You are right, purple has been adopted by some funeral homes, however, that is still not authorized by any section of NYS VTL. I have personally seen funeral processions driven like a motorcade, using purple lights and untrained funeral home drivers...very unsafe! You are also correct, all this does is desensetize the public to true emergencies.

[DaRock98 76]

Working right next to a cemetery I see those purple lights on funeral processions all the time. Some of theses drivers in funeral processions drive with no regard for the law at all. I have seen so many of the running red lights blocking main intersections and almost causing serious accidents. I hate to say it and I am not being raciest but its mostly the Chinese funerals that theses guys are driving for. I mean I have seen it all, from driving in the opposite lane of traffic to speeding. I don't understand why they just don't call for a police escort. My father is also a funeral director and any large funeral procession he has he calls the local police dept and as long as there is nothing major going on they gladly send over a few cars for him. Sorry end of rant!

[NWFDMedic 58]

Maybe I'm sounding a bit heartless, but the person will still be dead if they get to the burial site a few minutes later.

[jack10562 414]

This guy is a typical egomaniac. He exhibits several warning signs, in this article here alone.

They think the world revolves around themselves.... he admits it's probably improper but then goes on and justifies the lights and his own self-importance, as a some sort of "religious leader".

I could go on, but then I'd be preaching to the choir....

[IzzyEng4 427]

Maybe I'm sounding a bit heartless, but the person will still be dead if they get to the burial site a few minutes later.

Come on, who would have thought of that!!! LOL I agree with you all, if your not permitted to use them under law then you shouldn't have them.

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

Its possible that this minister has privillages with local police department that allow him to use the lights in specific circumstances.

I do take issue with one thing particular thing stated in the article. The article said that he had pulled people over twice and that no charges were filed. Are you kidding me......this minister impersonates a police officer by displaying red lights, pulls people over and is not charged with anything. That is a little insane.

Now I have been pulled over by a minister impersonating a police officer with a badge and a light and nothing happened to that guy either. Is there a pattern I see?

Edited May 27, 2008 by bvfdjc316

[Goose 188]

V&T law is pretty damn clear. Someone needs to issue him a citation or arrest him.

[INIT915 1,119]

Its possible that this minister has privillages with local police department that allow him to use the lights in specific circumstances.

I do take issue with one thing particular thing stated in the article. The article said that he had pulled people over twice and that no charges were filed. Are you kidding me......this minister impersonates a police officer by displaying red lights, pulls people over and is not charged with anything. That is a little insane.

Now I have been pulled over by a minister impersonating a police officer with a badge and a light and nothing happened to that guy either. Is there a pattern I see?

There's really no precident for local PD's to allow him to do that, unless he is employed by them.

And I think your mixing up the Minister story with the 1997 Mayor story. Two different incidents.

[jack10562 414]

Local jurisdiction cannot supersede State DMV Laws, I seriously doubt he has authorization for possession or use of any "warning lights" county vehicle or otherwise.

Re-read the article... the bit about people getting pulled over was by another "local official" 11 years ago... he should have been locked up!

[helicopper 1,050]

Its possible that this minister has privillages with local police department that allow him to use the lights in specific circumstances.

I do take issue with one thing particular thing stated in the article. The article said that he had pulled people over twice and that no charges were filed. Are you kidding me......this minister impersonates a police officer by displaying red lights, pulls people over and is not charged with anything. That is a little insane.

Now I have been pulled over by a minister impersonating a police officer with a badge and a light and nothing happened to that guy either. Is there a pattern I see?

The article cites two examples, the current "minister" is not accused of stopping vehicles. That was a former mayor of Spring Valley accused of making car stops.

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

Oh ok, I see. I mis-read the article.

As it was explained to me by Lts and POs from multiple jurisdictions, certain law enforcement agencies have ministers from specific denominations "on-call" for their officers and thus are given special privileges like a red warning light or a badge more as a courtesy than anything else. I know several departments do this, for example NYPD and DFPD.

The instance in which I was pulled over by a minister impersonating a police officer I was flashed a badge and flagged down by a black SUV with a red rotating light. I noted the very conspicuous license plate, called it into the local PD, came into give a deposition and thats it.

As far as I know, the minister in my case was disciplined "internally" and no charges were filed to my great dismay.

Edited May 27, 2008 by bvfdjc316

[joetnymedic 43]

purple, red, blue, they're all the same right? (detect some sarcasm there?)

That may be very well why the public is lacking information, however coupled with a siren, it should be a clear get the hell out of the way notice.

This guy appearently had the ok as a sherriff to have these lights - although from my recollection of my time in new york, sherriffs aren't full fledge law enforcement anyways. But he had the right to have them at that point in time - however he resigned, hence it should have been bye-bye red lights. but that would be the logical approach to things. from the article, it sounds like this guy has a bit of an ego thing going on. Like it's owed to him. If he keeps doing it, (my bet is he keeps it down for awhile till the water cools then starts again) hopefully he'll catch the wrong cop and get prosecuted. As for the Mayor thing from 97 I think it was. Funny thing, here in CT the Mayor, although not a cop or firefighter, is issued a car from the city, usually a CV with a police package, with both radios for PD and FD and Red lights. Just because he's head of the city. The current Mayor of my town has an explorer like that. I have never seen them on at a scene or otherwise. And I'm pretty sure he'd get shrugged off o/s anyways. ONe of the past Mayors, went to a scene, no rls or anything, and tried to start telling both fire and pd what he thought should go on - he was politely told to step off by both.-lol

[WAS967 97]

They should get rid of vehicular funeral processions altogether unless fully organized and escorted by police (example - Fire Department Funeral procession, Military Funeral Procession, etc). The typical "funeral procession" from a Funeral Home to cemetery is ridiculous and downright dangerous. People say that you can continue through a red light if part of one. But tell that to the people with the green light (I also don't know if thats actually law or not - anyone?).

If you want an honorable procession, have it on foot at the cemetery from curb to grave. Much more solemn and effective.