Local police vote for black and whites
By Leigh Ann Maze
The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department has a brand-new patrol fleet of 1999 Ford Crown Victoria's, and a new look. The department regularly replaces cars about every three years, but this is the first time in more than 30 years that the department has gone to black-and-white cars, according to Captain Duino Giordano. Only the traffic sergeant's vehicle, which is not fully equipped as a regular patrol vehicle, will remain white. It will sometimes be used at night or for patrol in areas where the police may want to be less conspicuous.
"There is no strategic reason for going to black-and-white cars other than the Police Officer's Association had a request for input and the management let the officers vote," Giordano said. The POA is a union of police officers, "but we're more like a family," Giordano added.
In an informal survey, the officers chose the black-and-white style, which looks similar to that used on Highway Patrol vehicles, over the local tradition of all-white cars. Police Chief Larry Todd had final say in the matter and chose to honor the officers' request.
The 12 new cars are replacing the old fleet of 1995 Chevrolet Caprices, although some of the equipment that is still in good condition, such as siren and light controls and light bars, will be recycled onto the new Fords. About half of the old cars are being auctioned off, while those that have better survived the rigors of police work will be kept for use by community service officer interns and Volunteers in Policing. One of the old cars has been converted to the K-9 unit for officer Sam Wonnell and his K-9 companion, Quarz.
In addition to the new color scheme, the logo on the doors has been revised to incorporate the Monte Sereno name. Although Los Gatos-Monte Sereno was previously listed on the cars, the logo did not reflect the addition of Monte Sereno as a community served by the town police until now.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
