Kmart shoppers urged against buying 'illegal' item
“Surely they can’t sell this!”
Kmart shoppers are divided as a new item on shelves is revealed to have some people conspiring.
The item, Kmart’s new Novelty Warning Light, may look innocent at first.
But, use it incorrectly, and it may end you up in the cop shop for real.
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“Surely they can’t sell this?”
Kmart shoppers are alarmed as new Novelty Warning Lights have popped up on the website.
“Surely they can’t sell this,” said one concerned person on Reddit.
The website says that the lights can ‘bring attention with style’, advertised as ideal for the home, garage, or for event use.
But some fear those who purchase them may be doing so with ulterior motives.
“I noticed this new product in Kmart and I just can’t believe it will sell there,” the poster continued.
“This is definitely something people would use wrongly. Maybe I’m just overreacting. What are all your thoughts?”
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Commenters were divided
Many commenters shared the poster’s concerns, saying that people could easily add these lights to their cars to impersonate a police officer or vehicle.
“It is illegal to put flashing lights on your car. People are definitely going to put these flashing lights on their cars,” said one person.
“It's completely reasonable and not stupid for someone to pull over if they see these lights flashing on the dash of an unmarked car behind them. Especially at night time,” another agreed.
“‘Bring attention with style using the Novelty Warning Light’. Oh it will bring attention alright. Idiots are definitely going to put them on their cars,” a third said.
But others said that they were just being dramatic, adding that not using the lights on your car was common sense.
“Why would they be illegal? Yes you can't put it on your car but you can't trampoline on your car either. You can't wave a steak knife in public. Should we ban every device that could be used illegally? It doesn't say it's for a vehicle at all. Could simply be for a home use such as a security system or when someone is testing something,” one person asserted.
“So many of you here are totally out of touch with the modern world/reality! You can go online and buy LED red and blue lights, that dash mount and plug into your lighter socket. Those with ill intent aren’t going to buy these battery operated dinosaurs from Kmart,” said another.
Don’t do it!
If you were thinking about buying these for your car, this is your sign not to!
In a statement to Kidspot, NSW Police confirmed that things could go awry if you use the lights in a way other than what they were intended for.
"There is no offence in possessing red/blue flashing lights. An offence maybe committed if the lights are used for an unlawful purpose," they said.
Sydney lawyer Avinash Singh confirmed to Kidspot that using the lights incorrectly - leading others to believe that you’re a police officer - could land you years in prison.
“While these lights may seem like a fun idea, if a person uses them on a vehicle, they could be charged with the offence of impersonating a police officer under Section 546D of the Crimes Act 1900. This carries a maximum penalty of 2 years jail and/or a fine of 100 penalty units," he shared.
“Significantly, in order to prove this offence police do not need to prove that the person had any intent to deceive or that they were attempting to exercise a police power.
“There is a more serious offence under this section of aggravated impersonation of a police officer. This offence carries a maximum jail term of 7 years. The offence is aggravated where there is any deception by the person and they were attempting to exercise a police power.”
Kidspot has contacted Kmart for comment.
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Originally published as Kmart shoppers urged against buying 'illegal' item
