Hot Sheet

Information on all stolen cars from the last seven days in the city are placed on the hot sheet: a print out circulated to officers at roll call. On a good day, there's fifty cars on the list. On a bad day, there's two hundred.

Usage:

Scratch Adam, Union, X-ray, One, Two, Three, from the hot sheet, it's been recovered and in the owner's possession. 

Comments

[Cath]

But... what... so everytime you see a car, you need to check to see if it's on the hot list? How do you ever find time to do anything else? Or maybe this isn't the most important thing you do during a shift. How many cars are actually found and returned?

[RD]

Cath,

In theory yes, in practicality:

1) I try to memorize the plates of the cars stolen in my area of the city, i.e. the ones I have a greater chance of seeing.

2) Certain makes and models of cars are stolen again and again, if the cars is an odd one to be stolen, it stands out.

3) I'm always running plates on the box. It helps find the rare rolling stolen, suspended drivers, and mopes with warrants.

4) Some cars scream at you. "I'm stolen, please stop me" or "I'm dumped, it's about time you recovered me and returned me to my owner." I listen.

RD

[Cath]

I believe I know nothing at all about policing. I really appreciate your answers, Raindog. Thank you :-)

[h.]

The hot sheet is also organized in an easy to read manner. It is organized alphabetically and numerically. Officers who pride themselves on finding stolens will use a highlighter to mark up their hotsheet in a special format, specific to their own method, so individual plates stand out.

This is also one time when having a personalized plate really helps out a car owner. An officer has a much greater chance of recognizing a plate which reads "GR8T TURD" than one that is just randomly generated gooblygook.

As far as the number of cars recovered, very few are recovered as Rolling Stolens. There is a very limited window when a stolen car is actually driven. Most cars which are stolen are either used immediately to go from point a to point b (think instant transit) or they are stolen for parts. Only a few cars which are stolen are used to commit further crimes. The vast majority of recovered stolen vehicles are found parked and abandoned.

[Jade]

Is that why police will sometimes follow for a little bit, typing on their keyboard, and then after about a half mile they'll turn a different direction? I'm curious to know what you find out when you run plates?

[RD]

@Cath,

One of the purposes of this blog is to demystify and personalize police work. I hope I am achieving my goal.

@H is correct, as always. :)

@Jade,

You are correct. The officer is running your plate and looking for tells in your driving record and criminal history. He's fishing for a good stop. I doubt if you would ever be a good stop.

RD

[deputy dog]

Got to love fishing.