Filed under: Trends, Etc., Dodge
Toledo cops begin selling ads on police cruisers
"This citation has ben brought to you by _________, for all your _________ needs. Thanks for using the Toledo PD, please drive safely and have a nice day."
The Toledo, Ohio police department needs to replace about 100 of its 140-car fleet at a time when money's tight. When budget deficits are forecast, getting funds can be a challenge, and that's what led the Toldeo department to offer cruiser sponsorships. In exchange for $15,000, the cars will have a 3 by 1 foot ad placed on the rear quarter panels. Four businesses have signed on so far, which means that two cars have been paid for. Toledo PD Chief Mike Navarre has received more negative feedback than good comments, but the bottom line is that it's going to offset the considerable annual cost of replacing all those cars. The influx of cash means the fleet gets replenished sooner while still leaving money for the many other things a police department needs. Innovative thinking in tough times is a consistent theme in America, and Toledo's not the first department to put ads on their cars. The Fire Department is keeping an eye on how the sponsorships unfold, and could roll out its own effort. We don't see what the big deal is; it's saving taxpayers money in the end. It's not like they've sold naming rights to the department or anything, so keep an eye out for new Chargers with a cop motor, a HEMI plant, cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks, and an ad for Bambino's Pizza where 9-1-1 used to be.
[Source: Toledo Blade via Kicking Tires]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
sfast 11:05AM (7/04/2007)
Hooty's Hot Wings!!!!
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Wilson 4:54PM (7/04/2007)
So we spend 2.1 billion a week in Iraq but we cant pay for a police cruiser in our backyard?
kballs 5:35PM (7/04/2007)
Yeah hot pink police cruisers! See them from 10 miles away!
This trend of privatization and reliance on non-tax revenues is a bad trend. It means an end to objective, unbiased law enforcement. Police funding should come without fine revenue and quotas built in. When there is direct money involved it guarantees lesser and lesser offenses will be punished on a wide scale and any business owners funding the police will get away with murder.
John 5:48PM (7/04/2007)
I agree with both of you. If we wasted less on flawed foreign policy then we would have money for this.
I also agree that having businesses paying money to the local police department and in return the local police department thanking the business and placing ads for the business on their cars is a very bad precedent.
sfast 11:50PM (7/04/2007)
I think all of you guys need to cool out. We are talking about $15,000. Not one million. Like cops are going to pander to businesses that give such a small amount. If the business isn't on the up and up no cop is going to fail to do their job for $15,000 when there are many other businesses that are still willing to give that much. Only "Four businesses have signed on so far."
I see all of you thinking about a snowball effect but as long as they keep it all capped off to such a low amount...I just don't see the problem.
ripismoney 12:27PM (7/06/2007)
You have the right to remain silent, and the right to enjoy Hooty's Hotwings with your choice of sauces -- atomic, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, or Chernobyl.
Bob 11:08AM (7/04/2007)
"We don't see what the big deal is."
Try external influence into what should be a neutral investigative and enforcement organization.
Wow.
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fm 11:16AM (7/04/2007)
Agreed. This is ridiculous. They really need to change all those cars at once? And how about Dodge charging less? Maybe even opting for the v6 instead of the v8 for fuel savings along with a lower price tag?
Bryan 11:30AM (7/04/2007)
I swear I remember a Reno 911 episode relating to this. A rib and Chicken restaurant had sponsored the department.
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VenGenzt 11:45AM (7/04/2007)
This is not only a bad idea but it is another nail in the coffin of the already compromised law enforcement and justice system. The 'Rule of Law' is being undermined.
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Jackson 12:04PM (7/04/2007)
There are some definite positives to doing this, and I'm sure that they have good intentions...but they are still leaving the door wide open for corruption...
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Aunt Jemima 12:16PM (7/04/2007)
So what happens when the business that is sponsoring a couple cop cars needs a favor?
but then again if our lawmakers can accept campaign money etc from large corporations & wealthy individuals and "not be corrupted" then why can't our police or judges?
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Bill 12:18PM (7/04/2007)
"This citation has ben....." Ben?? What happened to "been"? No wonder they're broke, they can't even spell!!!
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drolds1 4:07PM (7/04/2007)
That was obviously a joke inserted by AB. Misspelling notwithstanding, where in the story does it say that citations will have advertising on them?
nolan 12:23PM (7/04/2007)
What happens if somebody in "upper management" from the sponsor company gets arrested? Does the money stop? Or do all employees get a "Do Not Arrest" card...
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Emmo213 12:47PM (7/04/2007)
The Toledo PD was always underfunded, even when I went to school there. Instead of new cars they should worry about hiring more and better cops!
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robz4 1:05PM (7/04/2007)
" The influx of cash means the fleet gets replenished sooner while still leaving money for the many other things a police department needs." Yeah... like buying coffee and donuts.
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jamesc 2:54PM (7/04/2007)
You're an idiot.
geo.stewart 1:14PM (7/04/2007)
this was attempted in NASCAR country but nixed, I believe mostly due to the idea of potential corruption and favoritism.
I tend to agree with the favoritism but its not much different than making contributions except you get to advertise it, which makes it easier for businesses to write off.
Of course, what happens when Microsoft buys the whole fleet, or Bank of America... You think there wont be some favoritism shown?:?
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sfast 1:28PM (7/04/2007)
It doesn't say if they are getting the Hemi powered charger or the v-6. The V-6 does cost much less then the Hemi anyway. 26,930 vs 29,160. And the Ford is only about $500 bucks cheaper then the v-6 charger.
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