Police Cars to Feature Advertising

[Jenna]

Police Cars May Feature Advertising

By WAYNE PARRY
Associated Press Writer



NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP)--Cash-strapped police departments around the country are considering selling advertising space on their patrol cars--an idea that has some officers worried they will get stuck driving around with a really embarrassing ad.

``I don't want my officers driving around in a car that says, `Trojan: Ribbed for extra pleasure,''' said Louis Napoletano, public safety director of Long Branch. ``We've come a long way to be perceived as professional, and this would set us way back.''

Government Acquisitions LLC, a company in Charlotte N.C., started selling the ads about two months ago.

The deal works like this: A police department agrees to put ads on its patrol cars, usually on the hoods or on the side and rear. In return, Government Acquisitions provides new patrol cars to the department for $1, and replaces them every three years. The company keeps the ad revenue.

``Due to a lack of government funding and tight budgets, police departments across America don't have the equipment they need,'' said Ken Allison, president of Government Acquisitions. ``If you're home at night with your wife and kids and some maniac breaks into your house, you call 911 and you want a police car there. You don't care if there's a Burger King logo on the trunk.''

So far, 20 mostly smaller municipalities around the country have signed contracts, and scores of other cities have expressed interest, Allison said. The first cars should be delivered within a few months.

``I'll be happy to slap someone's name on our municipal building if they give us enough money,'' North Brunswick Mayor David Spaulding said. ``My overriding goal is to be fiscally responsible, and that's what we're doing. We're trying to save the taxpayers money.''

His police department is considering the idea, which Spaulding estimated could save the township $250,000 a year on its 18 marked patrol cars in a municipality with a $30 million annual budget.

Government Acquisitions has signed up or hopes to sign up burglar alarm companies, real estate agencies, auto body shops, children's learning centers, fast food restaurants, and lost and missing children's agencies.

The ads cannot come from alcohol, tobacco, guns or gambling interests, and the police departments have some leeway to reject ads they deem inappropriate, Allison said.

Some potential advertisers love the idea.

``We'll be able to attach our name to local authorities, which gives us near-instant credibility,'' said Victor Adams, president of Alltech Specialists, a Tampa, Fla., distributor of home burglar alarm systems.

The Elizabeth Township Police Department near Pittsburgh hopes to buy up to 15 cars from Government Acquisitions. The police chief is a NASCAR fan and liked the idea of plastering ads on cars, Deputy Chief Bob Wallace said.

But many police officers do not like the idea of turning their police cars into rolling billboards and joke about the poor guy who gets stuck driving a car with an ad for a feminine hygiene product, or worse.

Michael Moriarty, North Brunswick's public safety director, said officers from other communities find the idea hilarious. They have been calling up, pretending to be from Hooters and offering to sponsor a car.

But he said the idea can work, provided the ads are done tastefully.

Michelle Bozio Beaton, who runs a vacuum cleaner business in North Brunswick, said the ads ultimately are not worth the price.

``Police have a position of respect, and a lot of people might find it comical and not respect them because of it,'' she said. ``There's enough jokes about cops already. These guys put their lives on the line for us every day. They deserve more respect than that.''

[Stump]

``We'll be able to attach our name to local authorities, which gives us near-instant credibility,''

THAT is the reason I wouldn't like to see that happen. People will ASSume that cops are endorsing the products advertised on their cars.

But I can see their side of it.

[OfficerBigelow]

I personally would leave a department if they started putting ads on my patrol car. I REFUSE to be a billboard! I am a police officer, not an advertisement!

[txinvestigator1]

This is really a bad idea

[Samuel]

It is a sad state of affairs when we have to stoop this low...


JUST GIVE US THE FRICKEN MONEY ALREADY!!! JEEZUS!!!

[Vigilante]

I really like this part-"If you're home at night with your wife and kids and some maniac breaks into your house, you call 911 and you want a police car there. You don't care if there's a Burger King logo on the trunk.''

Actually, here in CA with our gun laws, you may as well put CORONER on the trunk of that car.

But really, how serious can my kids take a cop preaching DARE and anti-drunkdriving when he steps into a car labeled "BUDWEISER"?

I, for one, at least hope there will be limits on the TYPE of ads IF this does go through. Would sure hate to see ads for some of those RAP records on a cop car...can you imagine - Ice Cube and the crew from Niggaz 4 Life with their "F the police" mentality plastered on a car because the DOLLAR said so?


SHAME.

[txinvestigator1]

Hey V, we agree, go figure.

[MarineDispatch]

I think Target should start advertising on the Police cars so that all the PO's can drive around with a big red target on the car.





While we are at it...There no sense waisting all that extra space on your uniforms too..:D

[P01IC3M4N]

if i could choose where, how, and by whom the ads were placed, i wouldn't mind. i know the officer from the picture below. he contacted the vendors and was able to get a vehicle donated every few months. the city isn't out the money for a car and it doesn't look that bad.

what i would have a problem with is the actual logo. if it just said the name of the company i'm fine with that, but no logos or banners.