Highway Patrol to Unveil Special Anniversary Cars
KSAL Staff - Thu 03:46 PM 03/29/2012
In 1933, the Kansas Legislature, Governor Alfred Landon, and Highway Department Attorney Wint Smith acted to halt the rampant bank robberies, boot legging, and crime sprees of the 1920s and 1930s.
In 1933, the Kansas Legislature, Governor Alfred Landon, and Highway Department Attorney Wint Smith acted to halt the rampant bank robberies, boot legging, and crime sprees of the 1920s and 1930s. They created a force of ten motor vehicle inspectors, forerunners of Kansas troopers.
The Legislature officially organized the Kansas Highway Patrol in 1937. A superintendent, assistant superintendent, and 45 troopers were hired to reduce crashes by enforcing traffic, vehicle, and license laws.
The agency has evolved in many ways over its rich, 75-year history.
The Kansas Highway Patrol is in the midst of its 75th anniversary year, and in an effort to mark the occasion, 14 new anniversary cars will be unveiled.
The cars will hit the road next week, with two anniversary cars issued per field troop. The troopers will be issued their cars Monday. While these are new anniversary cars, they feature several distinctive features from past patrol cars, which will offer a sense of nostalgia on the roads.
Comments must stay on topic and be respectful. Comments that are personal attacks, make unfounded accusations, or are for the purpose of "trolling" or inciting others will be removed. Offending users will have their profile suspended.
Post a comment Log in or Register to comment
getumgranny
Thursday 29 March 2012 18:35 Report this comment
Gee, that's wonderful!! In the mean time with our State going broke, was this really a needed expense!! Maybe a couple of them but 14!!! I think this was a HUGE waste of tax dollars. I wonder how much these cars are costing the taxpayers!!??
boilerman
Thursday 29 March 2012 19:33 Report this comment
Gee I don't know. Why don't you ask them?
Wowza
Thursday 29 March 2012 20:14 Report this comment
Hey getum I have an idea, let's put them on bicycles. Then when you get out on I70 and have a wreck, get hurt and are dying, you can thank them for saving you your tax dollars as they pedal 40-50 miles to come and save you. Good population control.
salinasouth
Thursday 29 March 2012 21:30 Report this comment
I think it's kinda neat. Just sayin.
Kansascop
Thursday 29 March 2012 23:32 Report this comment
My understanding of the KHP vehicle fund is this: It is completely self-funded. They sell their old cars to other public agencies and the profit is put back into the fund for new cars. No tax dollars are spent on their cars. Its a model system that Missouri has copied. It does so well that the legislature "steals" money to pay for other programs from this fund.
Kansascop
Thursday 29 March 2012 23:34 Report this comment
Oh, and one other thing. The State ain't broke. There is now a surplus of money due to all the cuts. So we can now afford more of Sam's employees from Florida.
harryj45
Friday 30 March 2012 00:18 Report this comment
as usual, "granny" shares her opinion on yet another subject that apparently ruffles her feathers. Thank you Kansascop for setting the record straight this time. One can only hope that she gets the message and tempers her enthusiasm to share her insight in the future. Get-it-granny?
hillbilly
Friday 30 March 2012 04:41 Report this comment
I too think it is kinda neat. Let's preserve the heritage of law enforcement agencies. Sheesh people..I am sure this would not have been approved if it wasn't a self-funded project. I look forward to seeing those special edition cars !!! Maybe KHP should buy more of them just to ruffle a few more feathers.
getumgranny
Friday 30 March 2012 06:58 Report this comment
Kansascop: Thank you for this info, I did not realize the state did not pay for the cars. I did not say we DO NOT NEED THE KHP, I was simply saying in this economic time, some of us view this type of spending as unnecessary. As I said, I was thinking maybe a couple of them, and then using the regular cars would have been great. I put this type of stuff in the "Art" category, It's nice and fun to look at, but can the budget afford to support it. But, since Kansascop has explained this to us, I have no problem with it, if it is not taxpayer funded, then terrific!!
Freewill
Friday 30 March 2012 08:00 Report this comment
This must be why the Hwy Patrol is seen more in town handing out tickits. Low hanging fruit sure adds to the funding for new equipment.......
Ksomething
Friday 30 March 2012 10:16 Report this comment
Freewill, if you did your homework you would also see KHP doesn't get revenue from tickets. A majority goes to the Law Enforcement Training center in Hutchinson. Yeah the one the KHP doesn't use! Maybe Troopers stop someone when they see a violation regardless of the location. Hmm.....
Aces
Friday 30 March 2012 13:32 Report this comment
I dont think the state pays for the vehicles... I went to an auction and purchased my pick up and they told me it was a former highway patrol vehicle and the proceeds went to purchasing new vehicles for them.
Aces
Friday 30 March 2012 13:42 Report this comment
Oops sorry Kansascop; didnt read the comments before I posted :) Sorry for the repeat
GETALIFE674
Friday 30 March 2012 13:53 Report this comment
NEAT MY BUTT YOU MORONS....Number one the highway patrol did more in the thirties and forties then they do today. Ticket writers do not need new fancy cars they need basic models the lowest cost possible. I would like to know who approved this accessive expenditure. KANSASCOP blows smoke all the time and their facts are usually wrong. If you contact the dealer these cars come from the payment is not from the highway patrol but the state of kansas. HARRYJ.O. WHY DON'T YOU GO UP IN THE HILLS WITH HILLBILLY.
Kansascop
Friday 30 March 2012 14:30 Report this comment
GETALIFE674 Of course the payment to the dealer comes from the State of Kansas........all state agencies pay for stuff through the state.......because they ARE the state. You can do some research and find that the KHP vehicle fund is self funded. No tax money involved. And the only thing special about these cars appears to be the paint job......just retro styling......I don't think they bought leather seats. You may have a point about the 30's and 40's.
Ksomething
Friday 30 March 2012 14:47 Report this comment
For everyone who thinks the KHP is just about writing tickets, here's a little trivial fact for you. The KHP had more felony arrests last year than all other agencies combined. Last time I checked, speeding isn't a felony. What you don't understand is the KHP is like the silent partner. They take care of business and don't worry about the publicity.
Ksomething
Friday 30 March 2012 14:48 Report this comment
If you let everyone know what you do, they will look for you next time!
salinasouth
Friday 30 March 2012 15:17 Report this comment
ghettolife. excessive not accessive.
farmdude123
Friday 30 March 2012 20:58 Report this comment
Thats government for ya.....blowing taxpayers money!
Kansascop
Saturday 31 March 2012 18:30 Report this comment
farmdude123....you're right all government spending is wasteful. So when you call 911 sometime remember.....that was wasteful spending. When you drive to WalMart.....remember that road was wasteful spending. When you went to school that was all a waste. When you flip the light switch, flush the toilet, water your lawn.....all stupid wasteful government spending. And if you are a farmdude I'm sure the Ag bill that will pay subsidies is a waste too.
unnamed
Sunday 1 April 2012 01:21 Report this comment
Well for all of you who think you know it all well here is some more truth the KHP is self funded until they need something then the money they need comes from the state general fund which comes from KDOT most of the money the state gets is funds for highway projects and when something is needed elsewhere they take the department of transportation which is not only the guys you all see out on the road but the railroad and buses on the roads here and Wichita etc. But also the airport look into it but what the KHP does is alot more they are also responsible for simple things like blood runs where when the drunks and drug addicts are either hitting a family of five and blood is needed but not here but say Wichita Topeka or Hays they either fly it to the location or a trooper drives it there when an officer in Minneapolis is getting shot at
unnamed
Sunday 1 April 2012 01:25 Report this comment
at or looking for a suspect they are there to assist they are the top of the law enforcement in the state of Kansas that is why the capital police. Are really troopers and. Not Topeka pd. So remember before you all get mad at something like this. Or ask why are they in town giving tickets ask why. The pd and sheriff are in the median. Giving tickets and then remember to look on your block and see how many troopers like here in salina alone ..and thank your orange vested men and women for maintaining the roads for the troopers to come to your or your family's aid if ever needed.