The Great Bend Police Department will test motorists’ window tinting for free in during regular business hours through Feb. 23. No tickets will be issued if a window too dark. The total light transmission shall not be less than 35 percent when a sun screening device is used.
Enforcement will commence after the Feb. 23.
For more information, call the GBPD at 620-793-4120.
Overly dark vehicle windows are a threat to the safety of the public and to the police officers patrolling the streets, Great Bend Police Sgt. Jay Bachar told the Great Bend City Council Monday night. So, the City of Great Bend Police Department is undertaking a strong effort to monitor window tinting.
“Safety is the biggest thing,” Bachar said. He and GBPD Lt. Bill Browne attended the meeting to demonstrate a new meter used by the department to test windows and show off a city-produced educational video on the topic.
In the past, Bachar said, the department had two meters. These were cumbersome and required both of an officer’s hands to operate, leaving him exposed to potential harm.
The new units are smaller, just slip over a window, take only one hand and are a lot less expensive. Each patrol car will be equipped with one.
Window tinting that is darker than allowed by state law creates numerous hazards for the public as well, Browne said. Clear visibility is extremely important while driving both during the day light and especially night time hours.
“Every driver needs to be able to clearly see cross traffic, pedestrians, bicyclists or anything that may suddenly dart into the street,” he said.
Before the Great Bend Police Department starts enforcement of window tint violations, officers will offer to allow the public who might be in violation to bring their vehicles in during regular business hours through Feb. 23 for a free tinting screening. The total light transmission shall not be less than 35 percent when a sun screening device is used.
During this screening officers will test and educate those concerned, no tickets will be given if the screening fails. Such violations will come with a $500 fine and possibly one month in jail.
In order to educate the public on this issue, police officers created a safety video to illustrate the officer safety in regards to seeing inside the vehicle and the dangers of dark tints and what might be inside when walking up on a vehicle in a routine traffic stop. The video also highlights the new tinting monitors that have been purchased by the City to help officers easily and effectively test window tinting.
The video can be viewed at youtu.be/YK6e4Abzb6g.
For more information, call Browne at 620-793-4120 or find out the latest information on Facebook at “Great Bend Police Department.”
