New cruiser for Middleton police

Cara Spilsbury

May 02, 2007 11:31 am

— MIDDLETON -- After donating an unmarked cruiser to the Middleton Fire Department, Police Chief James DiGianvittorio decided it was time to purchase a brand new ride for his station.
The 2007 Ford Crown Victoria, with just over 100 miles and an authentic new-car smell, hit the streets on Monday, April 9 to help enforce the rules of the road.
After DiGianvittorio was promoted from within the department to become chief, the department was left with an extra unmarked vehicle. He wanted to add an enforcement cruiser, and donating the car they no longer needed to the fire department allowed them to do so while still keeping the same fleet size. The police department has passed down low-mileage vehicles to the fire station in the past, as well as to animal control and the Board of Health.
While purchasing the new ride, DiGianvittorio also deemed that the car needed a facelift. The cruiser now sports the department's revamped logo -- simplified graphics and a return to the traditional black and white.
"It's a sharp looking car," DiGianvittorio said. "It's more distinctive. It's the universal color combination for help."
Soon, the red, white, and blue of the Middleton Police will be a thing of the past for all four of their marked patrol cars. One by one, they'll all be repainted, and then the department's Ford Explorer will follow suit with a makeover. DiGianvittorio also said that they're eagerly awaiting another new arrival, due in June -- a Ford F250 King Cab sporting the department's new look.
The cost of the car itself was around $22,000, but the final bill was closer to $26,500 after a radio system, a siren, all the lights, a rear prisoner cage and the new graphics were added.
The fresh face of the Middleton Police fleet has already turned a few heads around town according to Officer Adam Maccini, who had the privilege of taking the new cruiser for a recent shift.
"People like it," he said. "We've had a lot of compliments on it."
But this car isn't just all about the looks. It has some impressive technology on the inside as well. The cruiser is referred to as a "low profile vehicle," meaning the flashing lights are hidden in the dashboard and windshield. It also has a lo/jack recovery system to locate stolen cars, a laptop computer system, and patrol rifle racks.
But the amenities don't stop there.
"It handles nicely," Maccini said. "It's a much smoother ride than the other cars."
For Digianvittorio, the new design for the cruisers is more than just a crisp coat of paint. It's a symbol that the force he took over almost three months ago is moving in the right direction.
"It's a fresh look, and a morale booster for the department," he said. "It's a way to show positive change."

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