Tinted car windows major problem for police

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — “Tinted windows is a big problem for policing, especially for the patrol division who is out monitoring violations on the roadway every day,” explained Major Todd Patalano from the Cranston police department.

The Rhode Island window tint law states all windows of passenger vehicles operating on any public highway, must have a total light transmittance of no less than 70%.

“It also enhances the dangers, obviously when you approach a car and you see someone where you can’t see their hands, when you can’t see what they’re doing,” added Patalano.

“I am seeing we got too crazy with it,” said Volare Motors owner, Paul Stascavage. “It’s way too dark the tinted windows. I mean it’s so dark, it’s like limo tint. You see windshields that are tinted. I get a lot of cars in with tinted windows that I have to pull off.”

Stascavage owns Volare Motors off of Park Avenue in Cranston and sees many illegal tinting jobs in his shop.

“I see police officers in Cranston are doing their job. They are pulling over a suspect, I see it here all the time with the tinted windows. You can see they are going to the car with caution. It’s daytime and you can’t even see in the car, everything is done,” explained Stascavage.

Police said there are exemptions when it comes to the state law which can then be frustrating for police.

“Some people can apply for an exemption,” said Patalano. “For instance, a physician’s note can say from their optometrist that they have an eye problem or whatever other cases they may have.”

Police explained if you were to get pulled over for an illegal tint, you’d be given a citation and then have to appear in the traffic tribunal where you’re given the chance to explain why your windows are tinted.

“The problem we also run into is a lot of the vehicles are from out of state, like Florida and other states that we cannot enforce that when they have out-of-state plates,” added Patalano.

“I am trying to make it where these police officers and the public are more safe,” concluded Stascavage.

Stascavage believes some kind of ordinance will be the solution.