A “Bear Car Police Scanner” isn’t a physical device, but rather a combination of concepts related to monitoring police activity on CB radios. Understanding the lingo is crucial for effective communication. This guide dives deep into the colorful terminology used by truckers and other CB radio enthusiasts to describe police presence and activities on the road.
Decoding the CB Radio “Bear” Lingo
CB radio slang for police often revolves around the word “bear.” This likely stems from the Smokey Bear campaign used by the US Forest Service, and the association with law enforcement uniforms. Here’s a breakdown of common terms:
General Police Terms:
- Bear: The most common term for a police officer.
- Bear in the air: A police helicopter or airplane.
- Bear Cage: Police station or jail.
- Bearmobile: Police car.
- Bear Trap: Stationary police vehicle using radar.
- Beaver Bear/Lady Bear/Mama Bear: Female police officer.
- Black’n White: Police car.
- Brown paper bag: Unmarked police car.
- County Mountie: County police or Sheriff’s Department.
- Jack Rabbit: Police officer of any kind.
- John Law/Johnny Law/Kojak/Man in Blue: General terms for a police officer. “Kojak with a Kodak” specifically refers to an officer using radar.
- Little Bear/Local Bear: Local police officer.
- Local Yokel: Small town police officer.
- Politz-eye/Posse: The police.
- Porky Bear/Rolling Bears/Wall-to-wall bears/Smokey’s thick: Multiple police officers in the area or heavy police presence.
- Smokey/Smokey Bear/State Bear: State Police. “Smokey Beaver” specifically refers to a female state trooper, and “Papa Bear” to a state trooper using a CB radio.
alt: A CB radio and microphone, tools used by truckers and others to communicate and often to share information about police presence on the roads using specialized lingo.
Police Activity:
- Backdoor closed – Rear of convoy covered for police: Indicates police presence at the back of a group of vehicles.
- Camera/Taking pictures/Taking pictures each way: Police radar. “Portrait Painter/Picture taking machine” are also used to describe radar guns. “Radar Alley” refers to a stretch of road known for speed traps.
- Clean Shot/Lights green, bring on the machine/Straight Shot: The road ahead is clear of police and obstructions.
- Decoy: An unmanned police car.
- Flip-Flopping Bears: Police reversing direction.
- Green Stamp Collector/Paper hanger/Pigeon Plucker/Spreading the greens: Police issuing tickets.
- Hiding in the grass/Hiding in the bushes, sitting under the leaves: Hidden police car.
- Hound Men: Police searching for CB radio users.
- Nightcrawlers: Many police in the area at night.
- Open Season: Indicates a high level of police activity and enforcement.
- Pull the hammer back: Warning to slow down due to police ahead.
- Red Lighted: Police have pulled someone over.
- Shake the bushes/Beat the bushes: To drive ahead and try to locate police.
- Smokey Dozing: Police in a stopped car.
- Smokey report: A report on police location.
- Watch your donkey: Police are approaching from behind.
Tickets and Fines:
- Bit on the seat of the britches/Christmas Card/Feed The Bears/Paperwork/Piece of paper: Receiving a speeding ticket.
- Pigeon: Someone caught speeding. “Bear Bait” is a speeding car likely to be targeted by police.
Other Terms:
- Equalizer: High-gain antenna, high-power transmitter, and sometimes a radar detector.
- Keep your noise between the ditches and smokey out of your britches: Advice to drive carefully and avoid police.
- Nobody knows where the teddy bear goes/Someone spilled honey on the road: Unpredictable police movement, often referring to state troopers.
- Smile and comb your hair: Warning of a radar trap ahead.
Staying Informed on the Road
While “bear car police scanners” don’t exist as a single device, understanding CB radio lingo can provide valuable real-time information about police activity. This shared knowledge helps drivers stay informed and make safe decisions on the road. Remember, while this information can be helpful, always prioritize safe driving practices and adhere to traffic laws.
