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I had a great time at a friend's BBQ in downtown Houston tonight. I also had a great time driving back to the west side of town on I-10 -- that is until I spotted an HPD "slicktop" traffic enforcement unit driving in the center lane of the freeway just after the Beltway split, but not running any K or KA band radar. Luckily, I was able to slow down significantly (down to 70) without being too obvious, but that wasn't enough. The officer paced me for about a minute and then lit me up just before the Dairy Ashford exit.

I took the exit instead of stopping on the shoulder, and drove down the feeder until I found a well lit parking lot to stop in. Turned on my dome light, rolled down my window, and waited for my punishment. The officer came out and let me know that he stopped me for driving 70 in a 60 zone, then asked for my driver's license and insurance card. I pulled out my wallet and let him know that I have a a concealed handgun license, and that I'm giving him that as well as my drivers license. He then asked if I was carrying, and I let him know that it's in my right side waistband. He took a quick look at my Florida non-resident "CWL", handed it back to me along with my insurance card, and told me that he'd be right back.

About a minute later, he returned to my car with my drivers license, and said "Mr. Mylastname, it should be a lot higher but the speed limit is 60 here." That was it. I shook his hand, rolled up my window, and was on my way.

Excellent stop by HPD even though I deserved the ticket and then some. I was also concerned in the past about the possibility of being stopped by an officer who is ignorant of the reciprocity laws (especially since I'm a Texas resident with a Florida license), but this officer was completely professional and very knowledgeable.

I see a lot of traffic enforcement on I-10 W between Gessner and Dairy Ashford this Summer.

Even if you didn't have a Florida license, you were presumably legal to have a handgun under MPA.

It sounds like it was a good stop and I'm glad it worked out for you. And yes, it should be 70+ out there since they widened I-10 and added the Katy Toll lanes.

Well that does sound like a good LEO encounter he shook your hand... i have encoutered people that when i extend my hand for a good ole hand shake they look me funny. So for an LEO to shake your hand means some kind of mutual respect!!

I had my first encounter since having my CHL with a LEO(HPD) about two weeks ago. Was leaving work around 4:30PM going up Richmond toward 610. Noticed he was following me for about a 1/4 mile when he lit me up. I was in the middle lane, gave a right turn signal and pulled into the first side street I came to. When he walked up to my vehicle and said the reason he stopped me is because he showed that my tags were expired and I politely pointed to my windshield and informed him that the tag was current. He said that they must not have updated the system yet. When he asked for my ID I handed him both my DL & CHL; he half glanced at the CHL and waved it off saying he didn't need to see that and went back to run my DL. He didn't asked if or where I was carrying. Came back with my DL and said have a nice day.

All in all a good professional stop. I just wonder why he ran my plates in the first place; wasn't speeding, making improper lane changes etc.

Pete, I can't tell you for sure why he ran your plates, but my Brother in Law is a San Antonio Police Officer...When I rode along with him a while back, he would run the plates of a lot of the cars that he saw out on the road, either traveling in front of him or stopped at a stop light, no particular reason. This is how stolen cars are found, amber alert suspects are found, robbery suspects, etc. He probably routinely ran your plate, saw it was expired (in his system) and figured he'd pull you over to check it out. You have no idea how many bad guys they catch this way! Once he saw that you were not a bad guy, he let you go on your way, hopefully with little to no hassle...

DrinkRaiderade wrote:Once he saw that you were not a bad guy, he let you go on your way, hopefully with little to no hassle...

No hassle at all - he was friendly, polite and professional the whole time. I was just a little on the nervious side being stopped the first time carrying.

boomerang wrote:I see a lot of traffic enforcement on I-10 W between Gessner and Dairy Ashford this Summer.

It goes all the way out to Sealy, at least.

VERY NICE stop!

Kudos to the officer!

I am glad for your good encounter with LEO and happy to hear that there are professional officers out there.

-geo