Asked 3/19/2016 – Arlington, TX

My son said he was stopped in the morning by an officer in the city in which he lives. My son uses the exact same route every morning on his way out to work.
My son says the officer was in the lane next to him and suddenly got behind my son’s car and pulled him over. My son says he did not violate any laws and when the officer approached the vehicle, the officer told him he’s just running plates.

Answer

“Running plates” means the officer is entering license plate numbers into the computer he/she has in the squad car. if a “regional hit” appears, it means there is some issue; i.e. a warrant out for the registered owner of the vehicle, the car was reported stolen, the VIN number or make and mode of the car does not match with the plate number or some other matter which may just be clerical. This “hit” give an officer reason to stop the car.