The New Jersey Police Department came up with a clever way to bust distracted drivers — or did they?
There was a mixed reaction to a story about a Dunellen police officer who was disguised as a shrub while watching for drivers distracted by their phones.
The idea was part of a six-hour operation “meant to enforce the state’s cellphone law and promote safety,” the New York Post reported.
And it worked.
“Our ‘shrub’ was busy. We issued 74 citations to drivers distracted by their devices in a six-hour window,” the department wrote in a statement. The citations come with hefty fines of $200 – $400 for first-time offenders.
NJ cop disguises himself as a shrub to bust 74 distracted drivers https://t.co/zaEgguvVr1 pic.twitter.com/Lw51in5bK1
— New York Post (@nypost) July 31, 2026
The Dunellen Police Department posted the successful operation to its Facebook, where it got plenty of feedback, and of course, snark.
“Nice. Now if you need someone to cross the street so you can grab people who ignore pedestrians in crosswalks, I’m in. I’ll even wear a safety green NOT A COP shirt if you want,” one wrote.
“What’s next…hiding behind a billboard?” another quipped.
Reaction on X was mixed too:
“The law prohibits drivers from using a handheld cellphone or device — resulting in fines of $200 to $400 for a first offense.” That’s nice what about the police that I see doing it all the time
— Satgod (@Satgod_) July 31, 2026
Why do I love this? lol it’s so silly and angering at the same time
— MapleLeafMenace (@Zpb1985) July 31, 2026
One officer with binoculars (only?) as the eyewitness to 74 citations in six hours? That’s a lot to remember. Be interesting if all of them went to court and contested it.
— InvestiGator (@grrothwell) July 31, 2026
Drivers were distracted by the shrub with arms and legs.
— Hunter Biden’s Life Coach (@Dave_AllRighty) July 31, 2026
It would seem spotting a walking shrub staring at you would be somewhat distracting. But then again, that’s only if you see it.
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