About the Author

Richard Cochrane is trained in chemistry and metallurgy but is far more interested and practiced as a political and fund raising consultant, writer and amateur historian. He grew up in a Navy family and with his two younger brothers carried on its 500+ year tradition of naval service to Great Britain and the USA then enjoyed a career with one of the largest advertising and public relations agencies working with numerous Fortune 500 companies and many of America's premier educational institutions. He maintains friendships and acquaintanceships around the world. He lives in Santa Barbara, California.

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Much Ado About Not Much of Anything.

The California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation says it will no longer give foundation license plate frames and wallet-sized badges to members who donate $1,800 or more. It seems a lot of people think the insignia help luxury car drivers get out of speeding tickets.

A press release says the decision was prompted by illegal Internet sales of the 11-99 license plate holders, talked up in luxury auto chat groups as get-out-of-jail cards. The 11-99 Foundation is a Fullerton-based non-profit group that provides death benefits for California Highway Patrol families. Eleven-99 is two-way radio code for “officer needs assistance.”

The California State Sheriff’s Association still sells license plate frames on its website as do County Sheriff and some police departments. The frames are the minor part for them because county sheriff’s can and do issue concealed weapons permits and routinely give badges to financial supporters.

Such practices have been long standing across the nation. Years ago the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association gave so-called get out of jail “courtesy cards” urging any police officer to extend all courtesy to drivers.

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