News - Local/State

Friday, Jul. 18, 2008

Patrol cars' new design focuses on increased visibility

The York County Sheriff's Office has a new look.

The sheriff's office is replacing its fleet of patrol cars with new gray vehicles that have reflective graphics and decals, designed to be more visible as law enforcement automobiles.

"They will stand out more," said sheriff's Maj. Robbie Hudgins. "(The new cars) will increase the safety of the officers because they are more noticeable."

Officers like the change

Lt. Will Adams, who drives one of the new patrol cars, agrees. "Safetywise, it is better than what we had," he said of the patrol cars. "All the officers like it."

The new cars cost about $41,000, said Capt. Allen Brandon. The design includes the words "Sheriff" and "York County," the York County sheriff's star and the year 1786, when the sheriff's office was established. The design includes the sheriff's office Web site, yorkcountysheriff.com, and the CrimeStoppers' phone number.

Hudgins said the design "is unique to York County. [People] will know it's a sheriff's vehicle in York County."

The new decals and graphics were designed by Pro-Cal Professionals Details Inc., a Rock Hill company. The cost of the design is about $460 per car, Brandon said.

First change in 11 years

The new vehicles have drawn a lot of attention, Adams said.

"It's a really good-looking car," he said. "We got a lot of compliments from the public. It looks more professional."

This is the first time since 1997 the patrol vehicles received a new look.

A total of 28 units with the new design are on the road. Twenty-six are gray and the two K9 units are white. The school resource officers' cars, lake patrol cars and transport vehicles that transport prisioners will also have the new design, Hudgins said.

The sheriff's office is replacing its old white patrol vehicles as they are rotated out of use. More than 60 older patrol cars are still in use. It will take about three to four years to replace all of the cars, Hudgins said.