Highway Patrol Unveils Special 75th Anniversary Cars
KSAL Staff - Mon 01:01 PM 04/02/2012
Two of the blue and gray cars will be issued per field troop, to cover the state of Kansas. Troopers issued these cars will continue their normal road patrol duties, in addition to attending community events.
In honor of its 75th anniversary, Monday the Kansas Highway Patrol issued 14 anniversary cars to road troopers across the state.
According to the agency, these Ford Crown Victorias have two distinct features of KHP patrol cars past, giving them a retro feel—a blue and gray color scheme, and the red cherry beacon on top.
Two of the blue and gray cars will be issued per field troop, to cover the state of Kansas. Troopers issued these cars will continue their normal road patrol duties, in addition to attending community events.
Another special aspect of these vehicles is that they are some of the last Ford Crown Victorias ever manufactured. The Crown Vic has been a staple in the law enforcement world, and with Ford ceasing production of the Crown Victoria, agencies across the U.S. will be looking at various models of cars to incorporate into their fleets.
It is important to remind motorists that these blue and gray cars will function as any other law enforcement vehicle. Troopers in these cars will still initiate a traffic stop for those motorists violating Kansas laws. The Move Over law also applies to these vehicles.
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.
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SheriffK
Monday 2 April 2012 14:12 Report this comment
This is a test.
Iamgonnagetu
Monday 2 April 2012 15:05 Report this comment
What a waste of taxpayer money. Why? I am not impressed looks like Andy from mayberry patrol car. LOL
HOMER
Monday 2 April 2012 15:50 Report this comment
It's a cool car, just hope I don't see it behind me.
HankHill
Monday 2 April 2012 15:54 Report this comment
fail.
ShadowCipher
Monday 2 April 2012 16:33 Report this comment
I, for one, think it's awesome. I didn't realize any company still produced the bubblegum light. Mr. Kochanowski, has your department decided on what will replace your Crown Vics? Are you just going to all pickup trucks, or looking at other manufacturers for a solid car option?
horsisaz
Monday 2 April 2012 18:24 Report this comment
It would only make sense to the state that they will buy pickups and suvs with $5 gas coming.It would also make sense to buy Gm products only.Government Owned
Ksomething
Monday 2 April 2012 19:58 Report this comment
Hey getu, as usual you are wrong. The KHP car program is a self-sustaining system. No taxpayer money involved! If you don't believe me ask the Sheriff. And no, we don't get money from tickets either. It goes to the Law Enforcement Center in Hutch. Yea, the one the KHP doesn't even use. Don't hear much complaining about that huh?
troy
Monday 2 April 2012 20:07 Report this comment
I love that great big, huge, giant, can see it from your house, monsterous, enormous red light on top of the car. Not too stealthy, won't be sneaking up behind too many people.
Iamgonnagetu
Monday 2 April 2012 23:26 Report this comment
Ksomething the check to pay for the cars comes from the state treasury. Also when it comes time to sell tehey are put into the state car pool to be sold. Maybe the next time the sheriff visits your cell you can discuss it with him.
Ksomething
Tuesday 3 April 2012 14:50 Report this comment
Here you go getu. I know this took a lot of time and thought. Here's the KHP link to how the vehicles are sold to other agencies and shows where the money comes from. Boy that was hard to do! http://www.kansashighwaypatrol.org/fleet/fleetdirectory.html