09-04-2008, 01:51 AM
When it comes to Plantation's police cars, there is no black and white.
Officers want the 10 new 2009 Ford Crown Victoria Interceptors the city will buy from a local dealer to be painted the traditional black and white, and the 200 existing marked cars eventually to be painted in the same tones.
"We've seen the black and white cars in other cities," said Detective Philip Toman. "They do look nice. They're more recognizable."
The cars currently are white.
Police Chief Larry Massey Jr. said at a recent commission meeting, where the purchase of the new cars was approved, if officers want black and white patrol cars, that's fine with him.
But money is tight, Massey said, and the department needs in-car cameras and gun racks.
"I just don't think it's a good business decision," he said.
Toman said, "I think it's more tradition," explaining police cars in old movies are black and white. "I guess officers have that in their head that that's the way a police car looks."
Councilwoman Diane Veltri Bendekovic said she would "go with equipment and functionality every time."
Painting the new cars would cost $900 each and $1,800 for each existing police car, said Frank DeCelles, the city's public works director.
Councilman Jerry Fadgen said he likes the police cars just the way they are.
"I guess I get used to things," he said. "Black and white reminds me of the Keystone Cops."
Fadgen said the white cars have a distinctive look. "They mark our city."
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flpolice0831cwaug31,0,4347489.story
Officers want the 10 new 2009 Ford Crown Victoria Interceptors the city will buy from a local dealer to be painted the traditional black and white, and the 200 existing marked cars eventually to be painted in the same tones.
"We've seen the black and white cars in other cities," said Detective Philip Toman. "They do look nice. They're more recognizable."
The cars currently are white.
Police Chief Larry Massey Jr. said at a recent commission meeting, where the purchase of the new cars was approved, if officers want black and white patrol cars, that's fine with him.
But money is tight, Massey said, and the department needs in-car cameras and gun racks.
"I just don't think it's a good business decision," he said.
Toman said, "I think it's more tradition," explaining police cars in old movies are black and white. "I guess officers have that in their head that that's the way a police car looks."
Councilwoman Diane Veltri Bendekovic said she would "go with equipment and functionality every time."
Painting the new cars would cost $900 each and $1,800 for each existing police car, said Frank DeCelles, the city's public works director.
Councilman Jerry Fadgen said he likes the police cars just the way they are.
"I guess I get used to things," he said. "Black and white reminds me of the Keystone Cops."
Fadgen said the white cars have a distinctive look. "They mark our city."
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flpolice0831cwaug31,0,4347489.story