Vehicles are filled with a multitude of areas that can, for criminal types, conceal weapons, drugs and other contraband. Many are factory designed for the harmless purpose of convenient storage. Others, like door panel cavities, trunk gulleys and engine compartment crevices, exist as a by-product of vehicle design. Still others are created by cunning craftsmen for the sole purpose of being unrecognizable and effective at criminal concealment.
Your awareness of common concealment locations can help you recognize and react to furtive movement towards particular areas in a vehicle that could signal an attack. It can also help you take proactive steps to turn common traffic stops into contraband busts.
Share Your Compartment Descriptions and Photos With Other Police1 Members Across the Country!
As we share the following concealment alerts submitted by Police1 members, we invite you to share your own descriptions and photographs of compartments you, or others in your agency, have surfaced. Please e-mail descriptions, background details on the discovery, if applicable, and photographs if available to: editor@policeone.com
1. Driver’s Seat Compartment in Mercedes E500 Sport
According to a Police1 member, a military police officer surfaced a loaded .357 revolver in one of these compartments during a random inspection. If you approach this type of vehicle, be prepared to react quickly should the driver reach between his legs to the base of his seat during your contact. (This holds true for anyone who makes such a movement, regardless of vehicle.)
As an additional note, be aware that as you approach from the rear of the vehicle, you may be unable to see the driver accessing this compartment, which opens very quickly. Little movement is needed to get inside. With this in mind, consider making a passenger side approach, which may allow you to leverage the element of surprise and see what the driver has in his hands before he realizes you’re there.
2. Hidden Compartment in 2000 Cadillac Seville STS
Nevada officers found this compartment in a 2000 Cadillac Seville STS. It held a loaded Smith & Wesson handgun that a kidnapping victim told arresting officers was secreted somewhere in the vehicle, The compartment, which was spotted when officers noticed two hinges below the steering wheel, was accessed through a complex opening sequence. A magnet needed to be placed on the dashboard above the speedometer and the glove compartment had to be open. Then, the compartment would open only when pushing down on the tilt steering wheel knob.
Something to keep in mind: The complexity of this compartment’s opening sequence could be designed to frustrate officers trying to get inside. It’s possible that a drug mule could be betting that you will give up after a few failed opening attempts and be willing to take his word for it that he has no idea why the hinges are there.
If something clearly looks out of place in a vehicle-like the strange hinges these officers spotted-trust your instincts and stay with it until you figure out how this compartment is accessed and what it holds.
3. Visor Rifle Rack
Be aware of a new, commercially available rifle rack called “Rifle-It” that can conceal a weapon behind the sun visors inside the cab of a truck. The rack, manufactured by Pace Edwards and positioned as “a practical, stylish means of keeping the cab organized,” can be installed into the existing mounting holes for factory installed sun visors and fits SUVs, vans and trucks. It is made from heavy-duty aluminum and it comes in a variety of colors that allow it to easily blend into the interior’s visual scheme.
When approaching a vehicle that may be equipped with one of these, take caution if the driver or front passenger reaches for the visor area. As the Police1 member who submitted this suggested, if the circumstances of the stop warrant your ordering them to put their hands over their heads, consider having them stick their hands outside the vehicle instead.
4. Honda Ridgeline Compartments
Deputy Mike Barnett with the Jackson Co. (OR) SO wrote in to share some tactical concerns related to his new Honda Ridgeline.
Honda Ridgeline
Console Compartment
Trunk Compartment
Of the Ridgeline, Barnett writes, “While I am impressed with the great use of space, there are a couple of things some of you may not be aware of. “First, the front half of the center console has a squeeze-release latch that allows the entire front half on the console to slide foreword. There is a deep storage area within. It’s about 10 or 12 inches deep, 8 or 10 inches wide and over a foot long. I hide a handgun there myself. The latch is easily concealed with normal items one would carry in a shallow tray in your car, like sunglasses or a wallet. “Second, the truck has a large trunk below the bottom of the bed. Honda says it is large enough to carry three sets of golf clubs. I believe them. I carry a lot of tools in it. While it has to be accessed with the tailgate open and by using a key, I would not put anyone unattended near the back of this truck. The tailgate opens normally and to the side like a station wagon.”
5. Motorcycle Blade Concealment
Deputy Barnett also shared details of a great reminder that motorcycles, too, can harbor concealed threats.
Remember these photos the next time you approach a motorcycle. If the rider seems to be reaching for or removing the gas cap, take appropriate notice and action with this potential concealment area in mind.
6. Dodge Durango
Similar to Deputy Barnett’s comments on the Ridgeline console, Officer Walter Boyle of the Charlotte (NC) Airport Police writes,
“As many of you know may know, some of the newer automobiles come with some hidden compartments. One of these is in the 2004 and later Dodge Durango. The center console of the 2004 and it looks like any other console a place for change or CDs but you can lift the tray up to reveal another hidden compartment under it. It is big enough for handguns and other contraband.”
Remember, we’re interested in your descriptions and photos of vehicle concealment areas! Please e-mail them to editor@policeone.com.
