According to SPD Chief Don Myers, “the main goal of the program is to reduce the potential for aggressive driving in our City, ultimately improving the safety of our roads for everyone.”
The new vehicle is a 2008 Dodge Charger. The Charger, specially designed for law enforcement use, was partially funded through a Department of Justice grant. Chief Myers says the vehicle will be used at various times on a daily basis, for responding to aggressive driving and in directed patrol situations including DUI and drug enforcement.
Sgt. Matt Ayers, who was instrumental in obtaining the grant, notes that the occurrence of aggressive driving is on the increase throughout the country, including in our City. “There has been a rise in serious traffic accidents and driver confrontations due in large part to aggressive drivers,” Ayers states.
The new vehicle is a steel blue/gray color with subdued police identification. The vehicle is equipped with standard emergency equipment such as a siren and blue lights (located inside the front and rear windows, and front and rear grill areas). The vehicle does not look like a standard patrol car; this enables officers to respond to situations such as reports of an aggressive driver, without the alleged aggressive driver being aware of the officer’s initial appearance.