# Summary
Police in Dunellen, New Jersey deployed an unconventional enforcement strategy to catch distracted drivers, disguising themselves as shrubs and wearing "Not a Cop" shirts during a six-hour operation that resulted in 74 citations.
The tactic exploits a specific behavior pattern. Drivers scanning for police cruisers often miss officers on foot, especially when they blend into roadside vegetation or wear casual clothing that deflects suspicion. By positioning themselves along busy roads in camouflage gear or deceptive attire, officers could observe drivers texting, scrolling, or otherwise handling phones without detection.
This approach directly targets one of the most dangerous driving behaviors today. Distracted driving kills roughly 3,500 Americans annually according to federal data, with phone use the leading culprit among younger drivers. Traditional stationary enforcement often loses effectiveness as drivers spot patrol cars and momentarily correct behavior. Hidden officers remove that warning signal entirely.
The Dunellen operation reflects growing police focus on phone-related violations across the country. Several states have escalated penalties for handheld device use in recent years. New Jersey itself bans all handheld phone use while driving, with fines starting at $200 for first offenses.
Seventy-four violations in six hours suggests the distraction problem remains acute in the area. That pace translates to more than twelve violations per hour. The visible result likely serves a secondary purpose: public awareness that enforcement happens when drivers least expect it.
Whether officers can sustain this method long-term remains unclear. The strategy's power lies partly in novelty. Once word spreads about shrub-suited cops in Dunellen, driver behavior may temporarily improve along those specific corridors. Police nationwide continue experimenting with creative enforcement angles, from drone surveillance to strategic speed traps in school zones. The Dunellen shrub campaign succeeds because it