Recommendations for BEA vehicles

With all the dissention regarding what type of person drives what type of vehicle for BEA work, can anyone reccommend a fullsize american made 4 door sedan that does not look like it could be police car?

We only have two American automobile manufacturers left, Ford (Lincoln, Mercury) and Chevy (OK, GM - Chevy. Pontiac. Caddilac and Buick but they all look the same anyway).

So I have a choice of Crown Victoria or Chevrolet Caprice, Pontiac Bonneville, or Mercury Gran Marquis right? Now I'm looking for a car that will hold a few folks with room for one extra in need of transprtation to a county facility.

Now I currently own a ford taurus and a Dodge Intrepid (Hey it was still an american company when it was made). Truth be told neither is a car that I would want to spend a lot of time in with two and if everything works out well, three others - they are just too tight being mid-sized vehicles.

Now, even if we say just get an SUV stupid. This leaves me with an "explorer class" or an "expedition class", to keep it simple were talking about sizes here, GM's make comparable sized vehicles but well use ford as an example.

Since I may need to buy one of these myself and feed it fuel and maintenance lets look at why the full sized sedan seems like a good choice to me. The cost of an SUV is still more than I feel the need to pay for something with the same amount of room as a 4 door sedan . The expedition compares closely with my taurus for interior room, and who would actually sit in the now available 3rd row seating in an Explorer?

The expedition (and Excursion) class vehicles are comparable to a crown victoria or caprice for interior room and cost significantly more to purchase and operate. I did say significantly, didn't I?

For many of the members of this forum who fall into the "some of the best and most successful in the field" category (You know who you are and so do we AND we respect that - so there is no sarcasim meant in that statement) You have earned the ability to be paid accordingly and have plenty of work to keep the bills paid because you are good at what you do. At that level in your career pruchase price and to some degree operation expenses are not as much of an issue, but were talking about guys like me here. Were not at the top of the field, we may not even be on the field yet. For me and those like me cost is an issue, operating expense is an issue. We will be paid on the low end of the commisssion scale as part of any team that we may be fortunate enough to be able to work with. We will need to pay for and maintain our vehicles and equipment out of that commission.

Well now before I get too far off track, I think that the Full sixe 4 door american made sedans are used my some (maybe many) for the same reasons that the Law Enforcement community finds them attractive. The have the room to work for long periods of time, they have room to transport guests safely and effectively, they are very common and that makes for an economy of scale, they sell lots of them so they can be made for a descent price, parts are plentiful, and every mechanic woth his salt can work aon a basic ford or gm engine.

With that being said there are some that will drive a crown victoria because it looks like a policemans car and they wish they were policemans. No matter what field your in you will always have that 10% that will want to pretend to be something they are not (or are not very successful at).

With my questions now being asked and my statements being made I will close my post (possibly a borderline rant) and look forward to constructive advise from the cream of the crop to the new guys in the field. Remeber that if you guys don't train us, the future of your chosen profession is at risk. Those of us new guys that are here on the forum and stay here do it because we don't want to be that "10%", WE WANT TO LEARN TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY, from the top professionals in the field.

Thanks for your time, and until we (the future of the BEA business) find someone willing to give a chance to gain some experience on the street and train and mentor us in a hands on environment, we will keep looking to YOU for guidance and direction in our professional careers, no drama required.

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regards,
Larry Schlack

Larry,

First, let me commend you on your unbiased observations that are strictly in keeping with things to consider regarding a vehicle for BE work.

The pros and cons of using a Crown Vic are well documented in my latest book, "Modern Bounty Hunting," so I won't go over this here.

With respect to other vehicles, however, you covered so many variables that I cannot offer you a definitive way to go without a long drawn out thread.

Therefore, I will hope for other suggestions.

Rex

LARRY MY PRIMARY VEHICLE IS A 2005 CRN VIC-PLENTY OF ROOM-GREAT TRUNK TO STORE GEAR- VERY RELIABLE(FORD HAD A LONG TIME TO GET IT RIGHT)-GOOD FUEL ECONOMY APPROX 25 MPG AND AGAIN GOOD VALUE FOR THE BUCK--LIKE REX AND OTHERS HAVE SAID BEFORE
THIS CHOICE HAS GOOD AND BAD POINTS-TIPS OFF THE BAD GUYS SOMETIMES(MAYBE)-SOMETIMES QUIETS SITUATIONS(MAYBE)

THE STRAIGHT FACT IS EVERYBODY HAS DIFFERENT TECKNIQUES THAT WORK FOR THEM--I HAPPEN TO BELIEVE IN HITTING THE HORNETS NEST AND SEEING WHAT FLIES OUT(NO PATIENCE TO SIT SERVAILENCE JUST MAKE IT HAPPEN) OTHER PROS SIT AND WATCH THAT IS WHAT WORKS FOR THEM--ALOT OF PROS USE A COMBO OF BOTH TECKNIQUES

I ALSO USE OTHER VEHICLES - PICKUP TRUCKS, VANS, SEDANS, COUPES ETC. ALL HAVE THEIR PLACE AND TIME-ITS NOT COOL TO DRIVE INTO A REDNECK OFF ROAD RALLY WITH A RED CROWN VIC JUST LIKE I WOULD NOT USE A 6 INCH LIFTED 4WD F-350 ON HUGH TIRES WITH GLASS PACS TO WATCH BAD GUYS AT THE PRU CENTER IN BOSTON OR THE RITZ IN NY--SO GET THE BEST YOU CAN AFFORD AND DEVELOP A METHOD THAT WORKS FOR YOU

Larry,

A plain minivan will serve your purposes of transporting 2 or more persons. They are about the same price as a full size car with more interior room. You can secure a lock box in the back if you are concerned with weapons or items that you can't secure otherwise.

We have travelled thousands of miles in these and they are about the most comfortable, unobtrusive, economical vehicles you can use. Just my opinion, of course.

Kathy

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Kathy Blackshear
Blackshear Investigations
Blackshear Bail Bonds
Sales Associate, Prepaid Legal Services, Inc.
Walsenburg, CO

Proud Member of the AB Reject Club

I am with Kathy on this 1.

Since 1984, I have driven nothing but minivans. I have removed the center seat, leaving just the rear seat. Gives me plenty of room to move around inside, during those long hours on surveillance, especially when I have to piss like a race horse. Just pull out the 5 gallon jug and go. Quick question: How many here have been sitting on a location for hours, waiting for your Skip to leave in a certain vehicle? You sit, sit, sit, sit and then you have to pee. So you leave your surveillance position, drive to find a restroom, only to return to see that the vehicle you have been waiting for hours to move, is now gone!

All the windows have limo tint, plus I have also installed black out curtains that I can open or close.

None of my vehicles have ever been brand new. All of them were at
least 5 to 8 years old, before the vehicle hit the street. I can sit in any neighborhood and not stick out, like I would if I were in a "cop car".

I have even gone so far as to have maganic signs made saying I was a cable installer, pest control and my favorite, pizza delivery.

_________________
Steve Hedrick
Hedrick & Associates INVESTIGATIVE GROUP
Nederland, TX
TX PI LIC #A-09665
(409) 284-1895
http://360.yahoo.com/ftachaser357
"For every DEFENDANT that fails to appear in Court, there is a VICTIM seeking Justice"

I use a mini van and it works well for me in the mountains of Arkansas. It also has 2 rows of seats in the back and by placing a defendant all the way in the back while restrained allows a litle more room for safety.

Robert,

We usually put our prisoners in the very back as well if there is only one or two. With the middle seat blocking the front it secures them better than mere restraints.

On one trip we rented one of the new Dodges that has the fold away seats. It negates having to take a seat out and store it and it's always there when you need it. Maybe someday I can afford one of my own .

Kathy

_________________
Kathy Blackshear
Blackshear Investigations
Blackshear Bail Bonds
Sales Associate, Prepaid Legal Services, Inc.
Walsenburg, CO

Proud Member of the AB Reject Club

Everyone has given you sound advice. 1 additional thing to think of that most BEA's and PI's miss is annonymous vehicle registration. Alot of the fugitives that you will eventually apprehend are just as adept at tracking as we are.

So here is some food for thought:

1) Rent a p.o.box at a store that has a real, physical address in your company's name. In most states they will not accept a p.o.box address alone, they want a hard physical address along with it.

2) When purchasing a vehicle and registering, do so in your company name utilizing the above address. You should also have yourself incorporated for a variety of reasons, but for this posting so that everyhting comes back to the company...nothing in your name.

This way, if a "bad guy/girl" run your tags, and they go to that address, all they will find is a store front. You should also do this for any of your BEA related mailings, phone bills, business cards, etc. and it typically is not that expensive either.

This way you shouldn't have any trouble regarding "paybacks", threats, or vandalism to your personal property. Also a method of keeping your family safe.

Happy Hunting

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River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601

Crown Vics are totally useless for BEA work and serve only to draw attention to the occupants. That is just plain 'ol common sense.

Some, such as Court Services, do mostly prisoner transport work... a Crown Vic is perfect for that type of service. As for BEA work... not!

_________________
Lance Allen Wilkinson
Recoveries by L.A.W.
Serving since 1984
“What is sought is found... what is overlooked escapes” (Oedipus Rex)

Let me throw an idea out. I was considering a black Lincoln Town Car. I think it is plenty roomy, has a big trunk, & may be mistaken for a taxi. I'm a Ford guy, but I have to give credit to the Pontiac Grand Prix. It's roomy, comfy, & pretty quick. The NJ State Police use them for their Auto Squad. I had to memorize the plate on the one from the barracks I work with. These guys would park in a rest area & laugh while I would drive around looking for them. Very stealth.