Budget-strapped police forces going with green vehicles to save on fuel

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Aspiring Blues Brothers may be able to get old Crown Vics cheap pretty soon -- but if you’re at all eco-minded, you may not want to drive them. The iconic and soon-to-be-retired police rides only got 14 m.p.g. in the city, but the Ford Interceptor -- set to be their primary replacement when they go out of production -- does 20 to 25 percent better.

That’s good news for the planet, but even more compelling for most police departments, it’s also good news for local budgets. Detroit, for instance, could save $2 million a year on fuel costs with a Ford Interceptor fleet, and L.A. County could save $20 million.

straight to the source

• High Gas Mileage: Now It's Even Crucial For Cop Cars, GreenCarReports

[^_^ 5,021]

I have heard (this is not officially declared policy) that Camden police (lots of layoffs) are now only responding to loss of life or limb situations.

[Harsh_77 718]

I have heard (this is not officially declared policy) that Camden police (lots of layoffs) are now only responding to loss of life or limb situations.

That could be true, I have heard of similar things specially for really small towns, where police are really budget strapped and dont have enough bandwidth.

They would only respond to the life threatning situation and would not respond to assitance calls.

Moving to the green or hybrid vehicles could not be bad idea, have you noticed how much fuel they burn just ideling, when they are escorting the road maint crew etc.

[^_^ 5,021]

That could be true, I have heard of similar things specially for really small towns, where police are really budget strapped and dont have enough bandwidth.

They would only respond to the life threatning situation and would not respond to assitance calls.

Moving to the green or hybrid vehicles could not be bad idea, have you noticed how much fuel they burn just ideling, when they are escorting the road maint crew etc.

I have even seen officers idle their cars in the parking lot while they run into the Dunkin Donuts or the diner.

[Darnell 8,479]

why not replace yer fleet with Volvo 760 turbo sedans? Go International, la.

Don't like that? Used LHD Renault Kangoos are really cheap, imported from The BeneLux.

[The Dude 206]

why not replace yer fleet with Volvo 760 turbo sedans? Go International, la.

Don't like that? Used LHD Renault Kangoos are really cheap, imported from The BeneLux.

Yes, lets import vehicles that aren't compatible with law enforcement, or a car that the manufacturer has no U.S. presence. Smart decisions.

[Darnell 8,479]

760 turbo sedan used for law enforcement all over the world

as for the Kangoo - that really was a farce, glad you caught it

[The Dude 206]

760 turbo sedan used for law enforcement all over the world

as for the Kangoo - that really was a farce, glad you caught it

All over the world is not the U.S. We have different law enforcement needs than the rest of the world.

[Ban Hammer 13,491]

put them in citroen ducks.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

put them in citroen ducks.

If you really want to save on gas, there's only one choice:

Edited June 9, 2011 by Mr. Big Dog

[The Dude 206]

If you really want to save on gas, there's only one choice:

Posting dead links will save you gas?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Posting dead links will save you gas?

Fixed the above.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

They'll be outhorsepowered

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

As many of you know I'm a classic car and bike collector, which is one of the reasons why I moved to the US and specifically Southern California. Can't beat the combination of fantastic weather, dirt cheap gas prices and the lax registration laws.

Anyway, I have three authentic Police vehicles: a Harley-Davidson Road King Police in black-and-white, an early Kawasaki KZ1000 C3 police bike in black and white, and an all black Crown Victoria in full FBI guise.

You would have to be a cop or federal agent to tell that the Ford is out of service, so perfectly have I staged it. When having to do a quick Freeway run, I love to jump into the Crown Victoria. It's super comfy, everybody gets out of my way in the fast lane, and even the CHiPs keep a distance.

I remember a day back in the mid-90s when I had an all black Chevy Caprice FBI cruiser with a hidden supercharger under the hood. We hammer over some nasty railroad tracks at considerable speed and at the next light a cop car pulls up next to us. Cop greets us friendly and smiles. Priceless.

Edited June 9, 2011 by Just Bob

[slim 1,530]

All over the world is not the U.S. We have different law enforcement needs than the rest of the world.

Yes. First of all we have to have a vehicle that's big and strong enough to catch and then ram other vehicles off the road and/or block vehicles coming towards checkpoints.

Then we need something that can run lights, sirens, radios and computers, and have a place to store all that stuff. It has to have a big enough trunk for a shotgun, paperwork, roadside repair kits, accident investigation kits, evidence collection kits, first aid kits, bloodborne pathogen kits, hazardous material kits, spike strips, extra lights, extra water, extra ammo, body armor, gas masks, etc.

Keep in mind too it needs to be able to carry at least two criminals securely without them being able to move around too much. It also has to provide reasonable protection in a crash (lest they sue the transporting authority) and/or protection from others trying to aid them in escape.

Lastly, and most importantly... it has to be manufactured by union workers and sold at top dollar so the unionized police forces that drive them can perpetuate the cycle of using tax dollars earned by honest hard-working Americans to pay for excesses demanded by government and justified by an unfounded fear of "the war on crime."