A Brooklyn driver’s encounter with what appeared to be an unmarked police vehicle has sparked debate about unofficial emergency vehicles operating in New York City. The incident, captured on dashcam footage, shows how quickly a routine drive can turn dangerous when someone impersonates law enforcement.
Maritza (@maritza_bk718) shared her experience in a TikTok that has been viewed more than 389,000 times since it was posted on Oct. 24. The clip begins with dashcam footage showing a Ford Explorer with police-style emergency lights and livery similar to an actual police cruiser before cutting to Maritza speaking directly to the camera from her home.
“This car fake pulled me over today,” Maritza says in the video. “If you’re from NYC—Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, Manhattan—you need to hear this because I’m sure that you’ve encountered this because this is the second time and I’m not dealing with this anymore.”
The Incident: Traffic Stop Gone Wrong
According to Maritza’s account, the incident occurred while she was traveling from Staten Island to Brooklyn via the HOV lane with her children. She noticed the Ford Explorer ahead using emergency lights inconsistently—turning them on when other drivers tried to pass, then using them again when the driver wanted to cut through traffic…