On behalf of Chief of Police Tim Duriso and all of the brave hard-working men and women of the Port Arthur Police Department, we would like to extend a heartfelt “thanks” to all of our veterans who proudly protected our country in the U.S. Armed Forces.

David from Bridge City asks: Officer Antoine, I’m generally a supporter of law enforcement because I respect and appreciate the job you men in blue do to keep us safe. With that said, I do believe that some police officers abuse their authority, such as intentionally turning on their emergency lights to run a red light at intersections within the city. I’ve seen this on more than a couple occasions, only to notice the police officer later turns off his red and blue lights or simply turns around. Officer Antoine, is it illegal for police officers to turn on their red/blue lights just to get through an intersection?

Answer: Good question, David! Thanks for your support! I’m sure you and many, many other citizens like yourself, whose prayers and support is felt and appreciated by law enforcement officers near and far, are all across the state and nation. David, one mistake I will not make is trying to guess or assume what another law enforcement officer’s action(s) were, especially if I wasn’t with the officer. You asked about a police officer disregarding red traffic signals by activating their emergency lights, then, after crossing the intersection, turns off the emergency lights. I wasn’t there, so I can’t actually say why the officer went through the intersection with the lights activated, and soon turned off the emergency lights. But I will tell you there are times when officers need to expedite their travel time to a call. For example, a burglary or an assault in progress, or maybe even a theft in progress, and in the officer’s opinion, waiting at a red light intersection could hinder the apprehension of a suspect, stop the furtherance of a crime, prevent injury and ultimately save a life. It also could be an officer who was trying to get to a scene was suddenly told they were no longer needed at the scene. So in this case, the officer will turn off his emergency equipment because the scene where he was headed is under control. David, a couple minutes or seconds could be the difference between any of the above-mentioned incidents from occurring. Sometimes police officers may need to get to a location as fast and safe as possible, without notifying the suspect(s) of their presence. That could explain why police officers turn on their emergency lights to go through a red light intersection, then turn them off. David, I would be crazy to say this is the case each and every time a police officer uses his emergency lights to go through a red light intersection. Where we are today, we can just see the positive action that the officer was en route to an emergency and later discovered they were not needed.

James from Port asks: Officer Antoine, my grandson has been bugging me for some time about me purchasing TV screens for his vehicle. Why he’s so into having TV screens in his vehicle is so important to him is beyond my understanding. I would love to get them as a gift for him for Christmas, but I’m not certain if they’re even legal. Officer Antoine, is it legal to have TV screens in vehicles?

Answer: Good question, James! With the age of technology, we find there plenty of aftermarket items are sold for our precious vehicles. James, TV screens often come as standard equipment on some expensive vehicles. TV screens may be installed in vehicles, but they must be installed where they are out of view of the driver. James, it is a violation in Texas to have the TV screens on in view of the driver while the vehicle is on the roadway. So it’s OK to gift your grandson TV screens; just assure they cannot be viewed by him while he’s driving.

Helen from Port Arthur asks: Officer Antoine, my husband and I are always getting into a disagreement when he drives because he doesn’t seem to understand the meaning of the white line at an intersection. Please help us once and for all settle this dilemma Officer Antoine, because he always stops over the white line! What is the white line at an intersection for?

Answer: Good question, Helen! I think I can help you and your husband with your disagreement. The solid white line at intersections seems to be a law in Texas that’s often overlooked whether knowingly or unknowingly. There’s actually a reason and law why the white lines are at intersections. Helen, the white line at an intersection is a stop line, where motorists should stop behind the white line. Motorists shouldn’t be stopped on any part of the solid white stop line, but behind it. Of course, the white line is at intersections for safety reasons to allow safe passage for pedestrians crossing the road, and for vehicles turning your direction to safely turn in the appropriate lane. So Helen, if your husband is stopping on or beyond the white stop line at intersections, he definitely is in violation of a state law in Texas.

Join Officer Antoine for Ask A Cop Live, on KSAP 96.9 FM, “The Breeze” radio station, every Tuesday (today) for one hour from 1-2 p.m. Tune in and listen as Officer Antoine discusses in detail the newly released Ask A Cop article that printed in The News. You can also tune in via internet atwww.ksapthebreeze.org. Feel free to call in and ask your question live to Officer Antoine at (409) 982-0247.

Remember to email your questions to Rickey.Antoine@portarthurtx.gov, or call 409-983-8673 and leave a message or voice mail question, or mail them to: Ofc. Rickey Antoine, 645 Fourth Street, Port Arthur, Texas, 77640. If you happen to see me in public you can Ask A Cop!