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Ask the Officer: September 2008
Ask the officer
Sgt. Robert Lemons Jr.,
Washington police
community outreach
sgtlemons@officer.com
Previous Q&A:
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
To report suspicious activity in Washington County, call 1-800-281-0070. The hotline is confidential and operates 24 hours a day.
Ask the officer
Sgt. Robert Lemons Jr.,
Washington police
community outreach
sgtlemons@officer.com
Previous Q&A:
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
To report suspicious activity in Washington County, call 1-800-281-0070. The hotline is confidential and operates 24 hours a day.
Q. What should you do if your license plate is stolen, and what is the penalty for the person who is found with it? 9/19/08
A. You should report it to the police department where the theft took place. The police would then enter the plate as stolen in the national crime computer, which cancels the plate. You would have to get a new plate from PennDOT. The person found in possession of your plate could be arrested for receiving stolen property and also the theft if it is determined he was the one that took it from your vehicle.
Q. Can the local police issue speeding citations using the radar that is set up on West Chestnut Street now? Or is that just there to advise drivers of their speed? 9/16/08
A. Municipal police can not use radar in the state of Pennsylvania.
Q. Is it legal to have portable basketball hoops on the streets? Even though it is in a housing plan, there is still a lot of local traffic. 9/15/08
A. As long as the basketball hoop isn't blocking the road or any trafficway, there is nothing in the vehicle code stopping people from having them.
A. You should report it to the police department where the theft took place. The police would then enter the plate as stolen in the national crime computer, which cancels the plate. You would have to get a new plate from PennDOT. The person found in possession of your plate could be arrested for receiving stolen property and also the theft if it is determined he was the one that took it from your vehicle.
Q. Can the local police issue speeding citations using the radar that is set up on West Chestnut Street now? Or is that just there to advise drivers of their speed? 9/16/08
A. Municipal police can not use radar in the state of Pennsylvania.
Q. Is it legal to have portable basketball hoops on the streets? Even though it is in a housing plan, there is still a lot of local traffic. 9/15/08
A. As long as the basketball hoop isn't blocking the road or any trafficway, there is nothing in the vehicle code stopping people from having them.
Q. What are the laws applied to window tint in Washington County or Pennsylvania in general? 9/10/08
A. Section 4524 Window obstructions and wipers, sub-section (e) deals with sun screen: No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sun-screening device or material which does not permit a person to see or view the inside of the vehicle through the windshield or side windows. There are exemptions for medical conditions and vehicles with the windows installed by the manufacturer. These regulations are in accordance and adopted by the state Department of Transportation.
A. Section 4524 Window obstructions and wipers, sub-section (e) deals with sun screen: No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sun-screening device or material which does not permit a person to see or view the inside of the vehicle through the windshield or side windows. There are exemptions for medical conditions and vehicles with the windows installed by the manufacturer. These regulations are in accordance and adopted by the state Department of Transportation.
Q. What is the penalty for stealing road signs and street signs in Pennsylvania? 9/9/08
A. A person could face criminal charges for the act. Two charges that could be file are Section 3921: Theft by unlawful taking and Section 3925: Receiving stolen property.
Q. Are stun guns legal in Washington County? Do you need a permit? 9/8/08
A. Section 908.1 PA Crimes Code, Use or possession of electric or electronic incapacitation device subsection (b) SELF-DEFENSE: A person may possess and use a device in the exercise of reasonable force in defense of the person or the person's property if the device is labeled with or accompanied by clearly written instructions as to its use and the damages involved in its use. No, there are no permits for this. A person can't use it for unlawful purpose.
A. A person could face criminal charges for the act. Two charges that could be file are Section 3921: Theft by unlawful taking and Section 3925: Receiving stolen property.
Q. Are stun guns legal in Washington County? Do you need a permit? 9/8/08
A. Section 908.1 PA Crimes Code, Use or possession of electric or electronic incapacitation device subsection (b) SELF-DEFENSE: A person may possess and use a device in the exercise of reasonable force in defense of the person or the person's property if the device is labeled with or accompanied by clearly written instructions as to its use and the damages involved in its use. No, there are no permits for this. A person can't use it for unlawful purpose.
