Residents of Port Washington are going to be seeing new police cars all over town, as the district has purchased a fleet of vehicles whose design features the input of domestic and international law enforcement officials and whose equipment includes lasers to hone in on texting activity.
Of the eight customized “Interceptor” police vehicles, the district has already taken possession of four while the others will be delivered during the year. The vehicles are SUV style with front wheel drive and good clearance, said Officer Tony Guzzelo.
The Police District acted because its current fleet is outdated. Each of the new vehicles cost $36,635.
Guzzelo said the vehicles are “police purpose built,” meaning they were designed by Ford over a three year period with the help of a police advisory board comprised of national and international police representatives.
The cars have been outfitted with extra lighting and iridescent striping to make them more visible, which provides additional safety for police officers monitoring accidents and motorists approaching police activity.
Each vehicle carries a Panasonic “Tough Book” computer which provides access to the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Port Washington Police District computer system, ensuring that patrolmen have access to the most up to date information available.
The vehicles have hand-held lasers that enable officers to see into cars and identify drivers who may be using hand held-devices, which endangers not only the driver with the device but other drivers and pedestrians. The lasers have been useful in supporting the district in its campaign to eliminate texting and calling while driving.
Guzzelo also said the Hummer the district acquired last year for free as part of a surplus equipment program was invaluable during this winter, providing access to streets that had not been plowed and which even the new vehicles would have difficulty negotiating.
