Drivers passing through downtown Dunellen, New Jersey, may have noticed something unusual hiding near the roadside. One of the bushes appeared to be watching traffic through binoculars.
That was no landscaping feature, however. It was a police officer wearing a ghillie-style camouflage suit as part of a distracted-driving enforcement operation.
The unusual tactic was used along the 100 block of North Washington Avenue, a busy downtown area with significant pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Officers targeted motorists who were allegedly holding or interacting with their phones while driving.
According to the Dunellen Borough Police Department, the six-hour operation resulted in 74 citations. The campaign combined a serious road-safety message with the kind of visual joke that quickly attracted attention online.
A Police Officer Hidden in Plain Sight
The disguised officer positioned himself near roadside greenery and monitored passing traffic for potential violations of New Jersey’s handheld cellphone law. Once a driver was spotted using a device, nearby officers were alerted so they could stop the vehicle and issue a citation.
The department also leaned into the undercover theme with another officer wearing a black T-shirt printed with the words “Not a Cop.” The joke may have been obvious to anyone paying attention, although that was precisely the point of the operation.
Drivers focused on their screens were unlikely to notice the officer dressed as a shrub, the suspiciously labeled colleague, or other hazards around them. That lack of awareness is what makes handheld phone use behind the wheel so dangerous.
A Busy Pedestrian Area Was Chosen Deliberately
Dunellen police said North Washington Avenue was selected because of its heavy traffic and the number of pedestrians moving through the downtown corridor. A distracted driver in that environment can create immediate risks for people crossing streets or entering traffic.
The department described the operation as an effort to protect the community while enforcing the state’s cellphone restrictions. Its social media post urged drivers to ignore texts and notifications until they could safely stop.
Issuing 74 citations in six hours works out to more than 12 tickets per hour. That total suggests phone use behind the wheel is common even in crowded areas where drivers should be especially alert.
The Humor Came With a Serious Message
Photos of the plant-like officer and the “Not a Cop” shirt gave the operation a lighthearted edge, although the enforcement itself addressed a genuine safety concern. Distracted motorists may miss braking traffic, pedestrians, cyclists, traffic signals, or sudden changes in road conditions.
Modern vehicles already contain large touchscreens, driver-assistance features, and multiple sources of information competing for attention. Adding a handheld phone to that mix can make it even harder for drivers to remain focused.
The operation also demonstrated why enforcement can matter alongside legislation. A ban may discourage some drivers, while visible consequences can remind others that police are actively watching for violations.
The Bush Might Be Watching
It’s not clear whether Dunellen police plan to make shrub camouflage a regular part of future traffic details. The strategy was unconventional, yet the number of citations suggests it was effective.
Drivers may laugh at the idea of officers disguising themselves as roadside plants, although the simplest way to avoid becoming part of the next operation is straightforward. Put the phone down, keep your eyes on the road, and assume that suspicious-looking bush might be paying attention.