Is 420 a Police Code?
The number 420 has become synonymous with cannabis culture and is often associated with marijuana use. However, one of the most common questions surrounding this number is whether it is indeed a police code. In this article, we will delve into the history of the number 420 and explore whether it is, in fact, a police code.
The Origins of 420
The origins of the number 420 can be traced back to the 1970s in San Rafael, California. According to legend, a group of high school students in the city’s San Rafael High School would meet at 4:20 p.m. to search for a hidden cannabis crop. The story goes that the students would use the term "420" to refer to the time and the location of their meetings.
The Early Days of 420
In the early days of 420, the term was mainly used by the group of students who would meet to smoke marijuana. However, as the years went by, the term began to spread to other parts of the country and eventually the world. In the 1990s, the term gained widespread popularity among cannabis enthusiasts and activists.
The Rumors About 420 as a Police Code
So, is 420 a police code? The answer is no. Despite widespread rumors to the contrary, there is no evidence to suggest that 420 is a police code. In fact, the San Rafael Police Department has repeatedly denied that the number is a code.
Police Codes and the 420 Myth
Police codes are standardized systems used by law enforcement agencies to communicate with each other quickly and efficiently. These codes are typically used to convey information about crimes, accidents, and other incidents. The codes are usually assigned by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and are used by law enforcement agencies across the country.
A Table of Common Police Codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 10-1 | Repeater needed |
| 10-2 | Breaker breaker |
| 10-3 | Stop transmitting |
| 10-4 | Affirmative |
| 10-5 | Relay message |
| 10-6 | Busy |
| 10-7 | Out of service |
| 10-8 | In service |
| 10-9 | Repeat last message |
| 10-10 | Information needed |
| 10-13 | What is your location? |
| 10-19 | Mission completed |
| 10-20 | Unknown |
| 10-21 | Suspicious person |
| 10-22 | Suspicious vehicle |
| 10-23 | Suspicious situation |
| 10-24 | Requesting assistance |
| 10-25 | Requesting unit |
| 10-26 | Requesting a report |
| 10-27 | Requesting a warrant |
| 10-28 | Requesting backup |
| 10-29 | Requesting medical assistance |
| 10-30 | Requesting a tow |
| 10-31 | Requesting a rescue |
| 10-32 | Requesting a bomb squad |
| 10-33 | Officer needs assistance |
| 10-34 | Officer down |
| 10-35 | Officer in need of medical assistance |
| 10-36 | Officer in need of backup |
| 10-37 | Officer in need of a tow |
| 10-38 | Officer in need of a rescue |
| 10-39 | Officer in need of a bomb squad |
| 10-40 | Traffic stop |
| 10-41 | Traffic accident |
| 10-42 | Traffic hazard |
| 10-43 | Traffic obstruction |
| 10-44 | Traffic congestion |
| 10-45 | Traffic clearance |
| 10-46 | Traffic diversion |
| 10-47 | Traffic rerouting |
| 10-48 | Traffic management |
| 10-49 | Traffic enforcement |
| 10-50 | Fire alarm |
| 10-51 | Fire report |
| 10-52 | Fire investigation |
| 10-53 | Fire response |
| 10-54 | Fire suppression |
| 10-55 | Fire rescue |
| 10-56 | Fire evacuation |
| 10-57 | Fire alarm test |
| 10-58 | Fire alarm malfunction |
| 10-59 | Fire alarm false alarm |
| 10-60 | Medical emergency |
| 10-61 | Medical transport |
| 10-62 | Medical report |
| 10-63 | Medical investigation |
| 10-64 | Medical response |
| 10-65 | Medical suppression |
| 10-66 | Medical rescue |
| 10-67 | Medical evacuation |
| 10-68 | Medical alarm test |
| 10-69 | Medical alarm malfunction |
| 10-70 | Medical alarm false alarm |
| 10-71 | Emergency medical services |
| 10-72 | Emergency medical response |
| 10-73 | Emergency medical transport |
| 10-74 | Emergency medical report |
| 10-75 | Emergency medical investigation |
| 10-76 | Emergency medical response |
| 10-77 | Emergency medical suppression |
| 10-78 | Emergency medical rescue |
| 10-79 | Emergency medical evacuation |
| 10-80 | Emergency medical alarm test |
| 10-81 | Emergency medical alarm malfunction |
| 10-82 | Emergency medical alarm false alarm |
| 10-83 | Hazardous materials incident |
| 10-84 | Hazardous materials response |
| 10-85 | Hazardous materials transport |
| 10-86 | Hazardous materials report |
| 10-87 | Hazardous materials investigation |
| 10-88 | Hazardous materials response |
| 10-89 | Hazardous materials suppression |
| 10-90 | Hazardous materials rescue |
| 10-91 | Hazardous materials evacuation |
| 10-92 | Hazardous materials alarm test |
| 10-93 | Hazardous materials alarm malfunction |
| 10-94 | Hazardous materials alarm false alarm |
| 10-95 | Weather advisory |
| 10-96 | Weather warning |
| 10-97 | Weather watch |
| 10-98 | Weather report |
| 10-99 | Weather investigation |
The 420 Myth Debunked
As you can see from the table above, there is no police code for 420. The myth that 420 is a police code likely originated from a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the number. Despite the rumors, there is no evidence to suggest that 420 is a code used by law enforcement agencies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the number 420 is not a police code. The myth surrounding the number likely originated from a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the number. While the term "420" has become synonymous with cannabis culture, there is no evidence to suggest that it is a code used by law enforcement agencies.
