The Back Page
Film in the News
Compiled from News Reports Around the World

Window film is a popular item among consumers and, as such, stories about it pop up almost every day in newspapers around the world. The Window Film staff has compiled a few on this page that we found interesting. To submit articles that you see in consumer publications or your own hometown press, please e-mail a link to the story to dvass@glass.com or mail a copy of the article to Attn: Window Film magazine, P.O. Box 569, Garrisonville, VA 22463.

Tinted Windows? Keep Moving
Weissport, Pa.—When the Weissport Town Council recently approved the purchase of a $159 window tint meter, the borough’s police chief, John Doucette III, praised this decision, readily admitting the new tool would give his force an excuse to pull and search “suspicious vehicles.”

“For some reason, drug elements like tinting their windows,” Doucette told The Morning Call. “I want a reason to stop them.” He said suspicious vehicles with tinted windows have been repeatedly seen in the borough “making stops.” Aside from stopping and having tinted windows, the article cites no further characteristics.

N.C. Students Beware
Boone, N.C.—Appalachian State University students recently received a wake-up call from its student newspaper regarding the risk of fines for illegal tint. New meters have been issued for testing tint levels statewide and several students have already faced violations. Two students, however, reported that the officers who issued their tickets apparently did not have access to meters.

Senior political science major Kenneth A. Johnston received a ticket for his tinted windows when he was pulled over for speeding.

“He took my driver’s license and held it against my windows and said my windows were too dark because he could not see my license through them,” Johnston told The Appalachian.

Sophomore marketing major Brittney S. Lee also received a ticket during a routine traffic stop, but it was later dismissed, when she explained that a medical condition makes her mother highly allergic to the sun.

“I appealed my ticket in court and explained about my mom to the judge … the judge said he understood and my ticket was dismissed,” Lee explained. The officer who issued her ticket did not perform any sort of test, but said he was supposed to be able to see objects moving around in the car. 

No Longer in Training
Collier County, Fla.—When Michael Young was pulled over recently for illegal window tint, the deputy discovered he was driving on a suspended license. Young wasn’t the owner of the car. The car’s owner, sitting in the passenger’s seat, was a Collier County sheriff’s deputy in training—Shaconda Rice.

An internal investigation was launched and Rice initially denied having knowledge of the suspended license. According to NBC2 News, Rice changed her story, admitting that she knew about Young’s suspended license, but was tired and didn’t want to drive. There was no mention of whether she was aware her car contained illegal tint. She was later fired.

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