There is something new a foot in St. Mary’s County. The sheriff’s office has purchased a brand new patrol car. Once the car began being shown around St. Mary’s County the rumors started to fly. One such rumor was that the car could drive under water. So, TheBAYNET.com decided to find out exactly what is so special about this brand new acquisition to the sheriff’s office.
In a conversation with Sheriff Timothy Cameron, TBN was told, “The car just has a new paint that turns heads. It is equipped the same as all the other patrol cars, but it has a two new features.”
Cameron went on to say that the patrol car’s new black and white color scheme is the only one until the concept of changing color schemes can be studied, and community and employee feedback can be received.
“It has been proven that people identify with a black and white color scheme more readily than other paint schemes,” said Cameron.
The new patrol car does have a new siren tone that is designed to more readily protect the public. The siren is what is referred to as a ‘Rumbler.’ “When an officer comes to an intersection, he can start the rumbler and it is a lower sound, but also creates a vibration so that people in their cars on the cell phone or listening to music will be able to notice the car approaching.”
The new car also has a lower profile light bar and the other new feature is the push bumper which will allow police to push cars out of travel lanes during emergencies or after an accident.
“We took the car into Leonardtown and people came up to it to see it. It is definitely more noticeable.
After the car is shown and various officers have driven it and provided feedback, the car will enter the regular assignment rotation the same as all the other police cars. “We want feedback from the public and the employees,” said Cameron; indicating that a fleet change to all black and white patrol units was not planned.
