New Police Car a Big Hit in Falls Church

The eyes of bystanders and motorists alike followed the new Falls Church City Police Department’s newest patrol car as Officer Matt Cay drove it through town Thursday.

Unlike the aging patrol cars in the fleet, the new black and white Ford Interceptor uses Ecoflex fuel and can reach speeds of up to 160 mph in a pursuit. The car is also equipped with all-wheel drive for inclement weather and new radar and video capabilities.

It’s the only new cruiser for now but more could be on the way.

“Our patrol cars are in use 24/7 and replacement is critical to operations,” said Susan Finarelli, spokeswoman for the city. “The cost of this type of vehicle with the new paint theme is in line with the other model cars the department currently employs.”

Unveiled at the Falls Church Farmer’s Market over the weekend, the new patrol car cost the city $38,000. Finarelli said the purchase was factored into the fiscal year 2013 budget for the annual vehicle replacement cycle. Finarelli said she isn’t sure when the department will get more new vehicles.

As Cay meandered through the city in the new patrol car, he drove by the city’s service yard where an old Ford Crown Victoria police car sat desolate. Like the new car, the old car was stamped with the number 13. Cay said the new car replaced the one sitting behind a gray, chain linked gate at the yard.

“That car has been gutted already and some of the electronic equipment that was in that one, like the radar system, is in the new one,” Cay said. “The old car had more than 100,000 miles on it and we had it for about 10 years.”

Check out the video of the new police car and learn more about the city’s newest addition.

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