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Morganton Public Safety redesigns patrol car logo

Jennifer Frew | The News Herald

Morganton Department of Public Safety will be introducing new cars to its fleet in the upcoming weeks. This Dodge Charger is one of four that will be patrolling Morganton soon.

By Julie N. Chang | The News Herald

Published: June 20, 2009

MORGANTON - That's not a trick your eyes are playing, the newest Morganton Public Safety patrol cars have a new design, including the word "police" across the front and rear ends.

Maj. Ronnie Rector said the new design, for the first time in his memory, features the word "police" because visitors from out of town and minorities are unfamiliar with Public Safety as a police force.

Over the next few weeks, the department will be rolling out eight new vehicles: four Dodge Chargers and four Ford Crown Victorias.

Rector said the cars are part of the 2008-2009 budget.

The new design gives the logo a contemporary look, Rector said. The last update to the logo was more than 10 years ago.

Rector, along with Administrative Supervisor Jason Smith, Calvin Daniels and Screencraft owner Mike Ballard, had input in the design. Ballard presented four designs, from which several Public Safety officers overwhelmingly chose the new design.

The logo isn't the only new thing for the patrol cars.

Smith said the backseat of the car has been reconfigured to give the driver of the vehicle more space.

The cell is now a half-cage behind the front passenger seat, Smith said.

The cell is not upholstered, which prevents the occupant from hiding contraband and is easy to clean, Smith said.

Rector said the technology in the cars have been updated, most notably the video and radio systems.

The cars will employ the Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders, which allows emergency responders and law enforcement agencies from across the state to interact with each other during major emergencies.

Rector said the new video system is digital and when the cars return to the station, the system will automatically download wirelessly to a computer base.

Smith said many of the current patrol cars are still using VHS tapes in their camera systems.

In addition to the technology, the Chargers are new territory for Public Safety, who has not used them in the past, Rector said.

"We're anxious to see how they prove themselves for Public Safety," Rector said.