NJ Cops Are Now Dressing Up as Bushes to Bust Drivers

Drivers on a busy New Jersey road didn't spot the cop in plain sight, mainly because he looked like a bush. The Dunellen Police Department says an officer donned a ghillie suit to camouflage himself, then stationed himself roadside with binoculars on Wednesday as part of a six-hour crackdown on drivers using handheld phones, per the New York Post. From his leafy costume, the officer radioed in violations, leading to 74 citations for distracted driving, according to the department's social media post.

New Jersey bans the use of handheld phones or other devices while driving, with first-time offenders facing fines of $200 to $400. Police noted that they'd chosen that particular location since it's a heavily trafficked one downtown with lots of pedestrians, per Patch. The department framed the stunt as a safety push, adding, "That text or notification can wait. Keep your eyes on the road, not your screen!"