Wednesday's Internet Edition, March 10, 2010. Tradition, technology give police cars high-tech edge NEW KINGSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT PATROL CARS — Rick Salinas, left, and Gilbert Gonzalez, both patrol officers, show off the new 2007 police vehicles. - The Kingsville Police Department has purchased eight fully equipped 2007 Dodge Charger vehicles with drug forfeiture funds. The sleek-looking cars include two V-8 “interdiction” vehicles and six V-6 patrol vehicles. One of the patrol vehicles will serve as the police department’s K-9 unit. Police Chief Ricardo Torres teamed with Lt. Julian Cavazos and Rudy Macareno of Macareno Signs in Kingsville to come up with the distinctive look of the new police cars. The chief said the entire department decided on the traditional black and white color scheme. Macareno Signs did all detailing of the vehicles that include the U.S. flag, police department emblems and 911 emblems along the sides. The inside the vehicles are installed with laptop stands, wireless radar, digital video, and upgraded command instruments for law enforcement purposes. The K-9 vehicle is installed with an alarm system that notifies the K-9 police officer by beeper when away from the vehicle if the temperature inside becomes too hot for the dog. The vehicle automatically lowers the glass windows in front of a screen and lowers the temperature by turning on an interior fan. The beeper notifies the officer who is off site to return to the vehicle to check on the dog. “Technology assists in solving crimes, and we are trying to move into the 21st Century,” the police chief said. “We wanted something the guys could really be proud of, and they are really excited,” he said.

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