SANFORD, Fla. — The Sanford Police Department said it wants to expand its undercover operation by leasing 17 new unmarked patrol cars.
Carolyn Ferris has lived in Sanford for 40 years and claims she knows what undercover cop cars look like.
“They need to disguise them better,” Ferris said.
The police department agrees, which is why they decided to replace their fleet with 17 new cars, which could include anything from a Ford to a Jeep.
The department is moving forward with the issue despite a rift in community relations following the death of 17-year old Trayvon Martin. Officials said the cars are not to hide from the public, rather from criminals.
"That way, they can do the investigations, do the follow up and catch the criminals in the act of committing crime,” said Sgt. David Morgenstern.
Sanford currently has 10 unmarked Chevy Impalas that they’re going to turn into marked cruisers.
Sanford resident Stacy Davis believes marked cars would prevent more crime and the unmarked vehicles are not worth the $350-a-month lease.
Police officials said leasing is cheaper than keeping old cars which need to be maintained and eventually sold. It agrees marked cars are a deterrent, but unmarked cars are better for nabbing suspected criminals.
“They know the police cars, and they hide, so maybe that will help,” said Ferris.
The undercover cars will only need interior police lights because the officers will take their computers and supplies from their old cars. The city still needs to approve the $500,000 deal.
WFTV
