Tricked-Out Ride Highlights Community Policing

Even for the police department, brand recognition is important. 

That's the idea behind the Cinnaminson Police Department's newly tricked-out community policing vehicle.

Officer Michael Czarzasty, who heads up the department's community policing programs, came up with the idea of snazzing up one of the department's SUVs as a way to give the programs a sort-of rolling advertisement. 

"The idea behind the truck was to show all of our programs that we do in the schools and throughout the community, and kind of emphasize the fact that we’re proud of what we do and show it off, and also have a car that everybody wants to look at," said Czarzasty.

"It does turn a lot of heads."

The vehicle—which was already Czarzasty's regular patrol vehicle—has only been on the road for about three weeks since having the work done, so it's hard to tell whether it's having the desired impact yet.

But he said it's got people talking. More importantly, it's got people talking to him.

"A lot of people don’t know about the community policing aspect of what we do," he said. "And it draws people in. I've had people (come up) who wouldn’t normally approach me, and ask me about it."

The vehicle showcases many of the department's community policing programs, including Click It or Ticket, National Night Out and the youth police academy.

The hood features the Cinnaminson Police badge, with "1927" airbrushed in. According to Czarzasty, that's the earliest he could find evidence for a township police officer, by the name of George Dorwerth.

As with the department's DARE car, the community policing vehicle is the product of donated work from area businesses, including:

• Killer Kreations, out of South Philadelphia, which did the artwork and airbrushing
• Lenny's Towing, in Delran, took care of the body work.
• The wheels are tires were done by FinishLine Auto Salon and Clear Star Media in Maple Shade.
• PPG donated the paint for the airbrushing.

Altogether, the work done to the SUV would have cost around $10,000-12,000, according to Czarzasty. Without the generosity of the sponsors, "it would never happen."

Unlike the DARE car though, which the department only breaks out for special events, Czarzasty's new ride will be part of the regular rotation of patrol vehicles.

"It’s going to be on the streets every day," he said. "We wanted it to be out there all the time."