QUESTION: I have perfected the ability to imitate a police siren on a PA system. I have installed a PA system within the front hood of my car and I am able to hold the microphone out of the line of sight of others. When I see another driver do something illegal, I have a little fun with it and do my siren bit. After the driver hears what he or she is certain is a police siren, the driver becomes startled, acts guilty and begins to drive overly cautiously, thinking that they are about to be pulled over by a cop – it is good for a laugh. Is this forbidden because of the prohibition of Geneivas Da’as (deception)? Perhaps I am doing a Mitzvah by scaring the driver into driving more carefully in the future?
ANSWER: This practice is forbidden under the prohibition of Geneivas Da'as (deception) and would certainly not qualify as a Mitzvah – It would more likely qualify as a Mitzvah HaBa’ah B’Aveira (a Mitzvah brought about through a sinful action). Geneivas Da'as is considered a serious violation that applies universally. The Shaarei Teshuva (3:181) states that Mutar L'Shanos Mipnei HaShalom is not to be used when it comes to Gneivas Da'as. Your siren imitation is likely considered to be Gneivas Da'as because you are creating a false impression by making other drivers believe there is a police presence when there is none. This constitutes intentional deception, as you are deliberately trying to fool people and it affects their behavior as you have reported that the drivers change their driving conduct based on your deception. Your "Mitzvah" argument does not apply in this situation. You are not preventing immediate danger, so this is not a case of Pikuach Nefesh (saving another from a life-threatening situation). You are also not a law enforcement officer and therefore lack authority to enforce traffic laws. Additionally, in this case, your end-goal is to deceive someone for a laugh and make someone think that the police are around when they are not, unlike in certain other cases where a deception may be employed for an end-goal that is a greater good.
In addition, your police siren imitation could easily lead to a Chillul Hashem (desecration of Hashem’s name) if discovered, as people would view this as dishonest behavior by someone presumably committed to Jewish values. This practice should be discontinued immediately.
