NEW PATROL CARS DRAW STRANGE LOOKS FROM CITIZENS

Some Cape Girardeau patrolmen are getting some bizarre looks lately from city residents.

Over the last week, the Cape Girardeau Police Department has received four new 1991 Chevrolet Caprices it had on order. The new police cruisers look different than the traditional patrol cars.

"The officers who have been driving them, the two we've had on the street, have stated they have had more people ask about the cars and stare at the cars than when we've gotten any of (our) other ones," said Cape Girardeau Police Capt. Steve Strong.

"An officer said people are staring at the cars although there are several privately owned Caprices in the area."

The cars, two of which were still being readied for police use Thursday, are the same make and model as the last police cruiser the department purchased. It's just that Chevrolet has made an extreme change in the model. And once the cars are striped and topped with police lights, they look outlandish to some people.

Around the department, the car is being likened to an egg on wheels, or the mid-century Hudson.

"We've had several people refer to it as a Hudson," said Strong. "I've heard the comment several times. It reminds them of a Hudson."

Lt. Dale Ratliff was no different.

"It reminds me of the Hudsons that used to be out," he said. "It has a very comfortable ride to it."

The cars were available for purchase through a state bid. Under that system, Ratliff said, the state agrees to buy a number of the cars. Additional cars are then sold to other government agencies, such as police departments.

Strong said generally the vehicles are offered at a lower price under the arrangement. Each year, he said, the department tries to replace at least four of its vehicles.

Police Chief Howard Boyd said the cars are the same model that is being used by the Illinois State Police. A lot of state agencies, he said, are choosing the cars.

The difference between the Cape Girardeau Police vehicles and the Illinois State vehicles is in the size of the engines, Boyd said. The department here went with a smaller V-8 engine, or the 5-liter, whereas the Illinois State Police chose a larger V-8 engine.

Aside from the car's appearance, Boyd admitted the new Chevrolet Caprice does have a comfortable ride.

"That's the one good thing you can say about them, is they really drive nice," he said.

Howard Vineyard, fleet services coordinator for the city of Cape Girardeau, said each of the new police cars cost a little more than $15,000.