Q: Can a private patrol car that is parked idly in a residential community have the flashing lights turned on continuously

A: California Vehicle Code 25250 covers the use of flashing amber warning lights on vehicles. Here are the key points:

1. Flashing amber warning lights are permitted on vehicles engaged in construction, maintenance or operations on or adjacent to a highway.

2. Vehicles used for the installation, maintenance, or repair of facilities upon or along the highway may display flashing amber warning lights when necessarily parked on the roadway.

3. Flashing amber warning lights are permitted on vehicles used to perform survey work along the highway when necessarily parked on the roadway.

4. Pilot cars required by the permit may display flashing amber warning lights while escorting an extralegal load.

5. Flashing amber warning lights are permitted on vehicles or equipment operated by a state, federal or local agency.

However, VC 25250 does not appear to permit a private security patrol car to have flashing lights activated continuously while parked in a residential area, unless it falls under one of the specific permitted uses outlined in the code section. The flashing lights are generally intended for specific highway maintenance, construction, survey, and pilot car escorting purposes rather than routine private security patrols in residential neighborhoods.

A: You may want to contact the police department. Perhaps are warning or citation may be appropriate. Of course, we don't know what you mean by "continuously." I doubt it's 24 hours a day or even 9 to 5.