APD Unveils New State-of-the-Art Traffic Enforcement Squad Cars

November 17, 2010

On Wednesday, Mayor Richard J. Berry and Police Chief Raymond Schultz unveiled three new, state-of the art traffic enforcement police cars that will help officers catch speeders on the interstates.

The cars are white unmarked Dodge Chargers that feature a Hemi V8 engine that is capable of reaching speeds of 60mph in six seconds. Previously APD was using Ford Crown Victorias for interstate traffic enforcement. Unlike the Fords, the Dodges will feature:

• Radar in the front and the back that can be used while the squad car is in motion
• Sub-sonic sirens that are easier to hear for motorists on the interstate
• Cameras that will record every traffic stop
• An in-car computer system that will quickly scan a driver’s license and print out citations.

“These vehicles will help APD keep our roads safe,” Mayor Berry said. “Motorists who choose to speed and drive dangerously are on notice that they may see one of these cars in their rear-view mirror.”

About a year ago, APD purchased a prototype Dodge Charger and the traffic unit tested it for about a year. The prototype was so effective that APD decided to purchase three more. The cars cost about $29,000 a piece. Funding came from APD’s general fund appropriation for police vehicles.

The vehicles will be assigned to APD’s traffic unit and will mostly be used on the interstate from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. They will also be used as chase vehicles at DWI checkpoints to catch motorists who break traffic laws to avoiding going through a checkpoint. APD also plans to use the vehicles for drug interdiction operations.

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