Saw this on the news, thought it my provoke some discussion.

Are Storm Chasers Being Targeted By KHP?
Nearly ten chasers were pulled over in different parts of the state Friday, for what they call frivolous reasons.
Reporter: Alicia Myers
Email Address: alicia.myers@kake.com



When severe weather hits KAKEland, trained storm chasers like Lanny Dean are out in full force trying to capture a tornado touchdown on camera.

"We are truly out there for a reason: to teach people weather, to show them weather," said Dean, owner and lead forecaster of Extreme Chase Tours.

Chasers are also the eyes and the ears of the storm.

"We validate that warning process by giving direct information to the NWS, to local media outlets, such as Jay Prater," said Dean.

That is what Dean and his crew were doing Friday when he says he was pulled over near Coffeyville by a trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol.

"What we feel like the reason was for the officer pulling us over was what I consider nothing more than targeting," said Dean.

Dean says seven other chasers were also pulled over in different parts of the state for frivolous reasons, and lectured about their involvement in the chase.

Deans says many were threatened with tickets, even jail time. He says they were warned about the tinting of their car windows and the proper way to park.

Why were they attacked, as Dean puts it? He says they are being lumped together with all chasers and spotters, even the people who are only out there for the thrill.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says any stop is a necessary one.

"When we stop a motorist at any time, we've got to have probable cause for that traffic stop. So, we would not stop a vehicle for no reason," said Trooper Gary Warner, Kansas Highway Patrol.

Dean disagrees and fears soon he and others may be forced to quit chasing in Kansas, which he says puts everyone in danger.

"How many people are going to have to die before people realize we're worth our weight in gold out there?" asked Dean.

Not a surprise in the slightest. I drove interstate trucks for a while and I know all about those guys. There is a major KHP training center on I-70 in the western part of the state. Just saying that because that is an area that is often quite thick with patrol cars.
I am going to make a huge guess, here, that they are trying to discourage the 'complete amateurs' out there. The ones that are too stupid to know when to run.. and the ones that do dumb driving stunts... like cutting over Interstate medians. Also, some don't even turn on their headlights or flashers !!

So, we ask, how does a KHP officer know who is who ? How can they tell someone with an MS in Meteorology from some kid looking for thrills ?? And... will being a "pro" insulate you from harassment ??

Perhaps, in an optimal world, there would be "multi-state" special plates for the professionals. Get the tornado alley states to agree on a "twister" icon on the license plate. Present some docs at a DMV that says you are "for real" and get the special plates.

Just an idea from someone who doesn't like seeing the kids get killed or injured out there.
Leave this to the pros....

Richard

Would love to see something like this - plates or special other vehicle ID information that can be easily and quickly identified. Not to say that it's something that would probably go over well - being government-run would likely mean it would cost extra to get that special decal or plate - but it may be something that's eventually necessary. Of course, I can see THAT becoming an issue, too. At what point would it not be targeting?
I don't doubt that the police, state and otherwise, are to a degree targeting chasers. I think I agree with Richard, that the KSP just don't know who is who and can't prove, even then, that the vehicle they're pulling over is legitimately with the organization the officer thinks they're with?
I might even go as far as saying that Skywarn and other organizations that do have legitimate in-field chasers who are trained provide some kind of ID decal for the time being. It may not help in the long term, but if officers in all states can get used to knowing that these organizations and thus these certain chasers are specifically educated and knowlegable, they might be less likely to pull them over.
In the long run the situation just kind of bites; everybody's trying to save lives in the only way they know how.

This is the dead horse that has been beaten repeatedly as long as I've been around storm chasing and even longer than that.

It is impossible to "regulate" storm chasing.. and, there are reckless activities from local yokels running around after the storm AND from "legit" chasers, whatever that means.

KHP has better things to do than to pull over chasers and worry about who's should be there and who shouldn't, and looking for your "legit storm chaser ID."

If you are chasing, driving to work, or whatever, just obey the rules. It's as simple as that. Don't give people a reason to write an article.

Skywarn does not have "legitimate, in-field chasers." They do, however have legitimate, in-field spotters who already have "some kind of ID."

I agree with Jenn here. This is the old horse getting beaten again and again.

communities.ptc.com/servlet/JiveServlet/...6-6326/DeadHorse.gif

Storms belong to everyone. They cannot be 'claimed, bagged, nailed, captured' and etcetera. The roads also belong to everyone. Spotters or chasers or your average commuter who couldn't care less about what the clouds are doing above them; they all pay taxes or tolls to use those roads.

Any state's HP have the right to pull someone over for driving well over the limit. Are we all supposed to believe that chasers, who drive hundreds of miles to get to any given target are driving at or under the limit?
And, once they're in the zone, that they're not repeatedly passing others in order to get to the best spot for pix/video?

Simple:
If you don't want to draw the attention of any HP or LEO, stay within reasonable speeds and don't drive aggressively. Also, don't plaster your vehicle w/stickers/magnets that scream "HEY! Watch ME - I'm gonna get me a tornado!"

Much ado over not a whole lot, really. Laws are there for everyone - not only certain segments of society. *shrug*