Winchester’s new-look, ‘safer’ patrol cars increase fleet to 66

City police Capt. Mike Danielson shows off one of two new police cruisers. The 2013 Ford Taurus Police Interceptors sport the new Winchester Police designs on the sides of the vehicle (right). (Photo by Ginger Perry/The Winchester Star)

Capt. Mike Danielson checks out the interior of one of two new police cruisers purchased recently by the department. (Photo by Ginger Perry/The Winchester Star)

WINCHESTER — Residents will soon see some new police cars cruising the local streets.

City police have added two new patrol cars to their fleet, and for the first time in about 13 years, they have a new design.

The 2013 Ford Police Interceptors — which display a new blue and gold color scheme — were purchased for slightly more than $30,000 each from Sheehy Ford in Richmond.

They have all-wheel drive and will be safer for officers when they patrol in inclement weather, according to Capt. Mike Danielson. “They handle great. It’s a very nice, smooth-running car.”

Danielson said the cars would be added to the current fleet, bringing the total to 66, and would not be take-home vehicles.

“The road officers will have them,” he said.

In addition to the new design, the department is phasing out red lights on the light bars.

Spokeswoman Lauren Cummings said many people associate red lights with fire. “We want to associate blue [lights] with police.”

The hope, she said, is that each year as the department purchases new vehicles, it can eventually phase out all of the older ones.

Each car travels about 12,800 miles per year on average. A police cruiser is retired from the fleet after its odometer reaches about 120,000 miles, Cummings said.

Danielson said the new cruisers would be ready for patrol within two weeks.

— Contact Melissa Boughton at mboughton@winchesterstar.com