MORE POLICE CARS, MORE POLICE PRESENCE

Cape Girardeau Police Chief Rick Hetzel wants to increase officer visibility, and he's come up with an interesting way to accomplish that goal.

Hetzel is recommending the city buy 30 reconditioned police cars over the next three years -- one for each patrol officer. It is a proposal with merit.

Officers who live in the city could take the cars home, although the vehicles couldn't be used for personal business. It would offer an added incentive for officers to live in the city.

In other cities, off-duty police officers using assigned vehicles seem to be more involved in handling crime reports. And the presence of a police car on more city streets may be a powerful crime deterrent.

The suggestion also makes financial sense. Currently, 37 police officers share eight patrol cars. The cars are used 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The city puts an average of 38,000 miles on each patrol car in a year. This kind of constant operation means the cars typically last only two years.

The city originally considered buying five new cars for $100,000. For the same cost, the city could buy 10 reconditioned vehicles. Over three years, the city could purchase 30 reconditioned police cars. By increasing the fleet, the cars would be driven less and would last longer.

The proposal makes sense for the city. It should save the city dollars and increase police presence on Cape Girardeau streets.