Eutychus
01-15-2003, 01:27 PM
I thought I had heard it all. But I guess when local governments get desperate enough, any offer of help might become acceptable.
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Cash-Poor Police to Get Free Cars That Carry Ads
DALLAS (Reuters) - This murder scene investigation is sponsored by America's favorite laundry detergent and this drunk-driving arrest is brought to you by the cola that has brought smiles and safe driving to millions worldwide.
In coming months, these scenarios may not seem so far-fetched as cash-strapped police departments receive shiny new cruisers in exchange for sporting advertisements on those vehicles.
A Charlotte, N.C., company, Government Acquisitions, has come up with a plan to provide police departments free cruisers in exchange for having the cars sport advertising reminiscent of blurbs seen on NASCAR race cars.
Ken Allison, a former marketing executive who formed Government Acquisitions, said he decided to launch the program in response to calls to boost domestic security after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
He said his company can put new emergency vehicles on the road at no expense to the taxpayer. Critics say placing ads on police cruisers is demeaning to police forces and makes it appear as if law enforcement officers are endorsing certain products.
Almost 100 police departments in 20 states have signed contracts with Government Acquisitions and Allison expects that number to grow as more look to the program as a way to receive new cars to replace their current clunkers. The first vehicles are likely to hit the roads in about three to six months.
"What is embarrassing for a department is to be in a situation where someone's life is being threatened and their vehicle is broken down on the side of the road," Allison said.
There are tens of thousands of police departments in the United States, and many do not have the money to purchase new police cruisers at a cost of $25,000 to $30,000 each. One department that has signed on with Government Acquisitions is the town of Madison, North Carolina, population 2,500, which has not been able to buy a new police car in about 14 years.
:eek:
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Cash-Poor Police to Get Free Cars That Carry Ads
DALLAS (Reuters) - This murder scene investigation is sponsored by America's favorite laundry detergent and this drunk-driving arrest is brought to you by the cola that has brought smiles and safe driving to millions worldwide.
In coming months, these scenarios may not seem so far-fetched as cash-strapped police departments receive shiny new cruisers in exchange for sporting advertisements on those vehicles.
A Charlotte, N.C., company, Government Acquisitions, has come up with a plan to provide police departments free cruisers in exchange for having the cars sport advertising reminiscent of blurbs seen on NASCAR race cars.
Ken Allison, a former marketing executive who formed Government Acquisitions, said he decided to launch the program in response to calls to boost domestic security after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
He said his company can put new emergency vehicles on the road at no expense to the taxpayer. Critics say placing ads on police cruisers is demeaning to police forces and makes it appear as if law enforcement officers are endorsing certain products.
Almost 100 police departments in 20 states have signed contracts with Government Acquisitions and Allison expects that number to grow as more look to the program as a way to receive new cars to replace their current clunkers. The first vehicles are likely to hit the roads in about three to six months.
"What is embarrassing for a department is to be in a situation where someone's life is being threatened and their vehicle is broken down on the side of the road," Allison said.
There are tens of thousands of police departments in the United States, and many do not have the money to purchase new police cruisers at a cost of $25,000 to $30,000 each. One department that has signed on with Government Acquisitions is the town of Madison, North Carolina, population 2,500, which has not been able to buy a new police car in about 14 years.
:eek: