Furthering Law Enforcement... One Car At A Time

Retextured graphics and internal LED light-bars assist in making the Lawrence Police Department's newest addition to its patrol cars significant.

Imagine getting pulled over while not even realizing that the car behind yours was a patrol car.  The new low-profile car may deceive you.

        "The traffic division went to the different style for multiple reasons.  When people see a marked patrol unit they are always on their best behavior.  One of the roles of the traffic division is to enforce traffic laws.  This car assists them with that task," Sergeant Bill Cory, said.

              The new car has been introduced to enhance safety.  Most people don't realize that it's a patrol car so they continue breaking the law without a second glance.  The car also poses a problem: at times, there is probable disbelief that the car is an actual police patrol car.

The more people who are pulled over or see people get pulled over by this car - the more awareness people will have at all times.  This is the main reason for the new design of the car.  After Lawrence adds another five low-profile cars, its goal is to have all of its residents abiding by the law at all times.

 

 

"I like the idea, don't get me wrong.  People should be more aware of the way they drive - especially in a college town," Lauren Fournier, Lenexa sophomore, said.  "It's just going to be a rude awakening for the people who regularly speed."

But is this new patrol car only so that people will be careful at all times?  Or is it so that police can catch more people who don't abide by the law?  Cory said that the Lawrence Police Department encourages everyone to abide by the traffic laws and that they are there to keep everyone safe while driving.

"I don't like the idea of these low-profile cars.  It's not like they're (police) cheating, it just seems like an unfair way for the police to catch more people," Ross Wilke, Hiawatha senior, said.

 

        Aside from keeping people aware and safe at all times, the car also poses as an issue of sorts.  Imagine seeing this car [which looks similar to a regular car] and suddenly its lights and sirens go on.  Do you move out of the way for this car?  It doesn't have the light bar on the top and there are no markings visible to you.  What do you do?

             According to Autotrader.com, an ugly tactic employed by some sexual predators has been to acquire a police-type vehicle (e.g., a Ford Crown Victoria or Chevrolet Caprice), obtain police-type flashing lights of the style used by unmarked patrol cars (readily available at police supply stores) and then use this gear to stage phony traffic stops for the purpose of assaulting female motorists.

             Most people will immediately pull over when they see a flashing blue or red light - and predators use this law-abiding instinct to their advantage. However, the fact that a blue or red light is flashing does not necessarily mean it's a cop behind you.

             This is the problem that the officers have to deal with.  If they are pulling someone over, they can only hope that people see the lights, hear the sirens, and pull to the side of the road.  If there is an emergency that they need to get to they can only hope that people move out of their way.

             "At night the markings on the car are highly reflective.  This aids people in seeing the car better when it is used at night," Cory, said.

             The low-profile car has become a more popular look for police cars across the United States.  Although there is possibility of slight disbelief that this car is a patrol car at first glance, the car has been successful in aiding with enhanced public safety and by making more people aware of what they are doing while on the road.