Anchorage Police Getting New Patrol Cars with Kevlar Panels

Department asking state for additional funds for more protection

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By Heather Hintze
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ANCHORAGE - The Anchorage Police Department will be adding more protection to patrol cars next year.

Deputy Chief Steven Hebbe said right now the department has enough money to buy 50 new patrol cars that will be outfitted with Kevlar on the driver’s side door panel.

APD is also asking the state for an additional $135,000 that would allow the department to purchase 50 more cars with Kevlar panels on both the driver’s and passenger’s sides.

Each door costs around $1,300 and Hebbe says that’s a small price to pay for the protection.

“One of the most dangerous times for an officer is when he's arriving on scene on various calls. Police cars can attract attention both good and bad. Giving the extra safety that Kevlar provides, we think it's a low-cost way in improving our officers' safety,” said Hebbe.

Another security measure that could be coming soon is cameras in patrol cars. Hebbe says APD has the funding in place and is pricing systems with different companies. About 180 cars are scheduled to get cameras and Hebbe says that will like start happening at the beginning of 2013.

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joe said on Friday, Nov 16 at 9:16 PM

from Mayberry to this? somethings not right....hired thugs from the government to take more money out of your pocket

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Norm Olson said on Friday, Nov 16 at 9:41 PM

Kevlar Panels? That's the stuff of warfare... Doubtful that drunken bumbs and child support delinquents would prove to be a threat.. Question then become, "Who are the police preparing to defend against?"

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JBomber said on Friday, Nov 16 at 9:58 PM

The kevlar panels are not for your defense. Ask Officer Jason Allen. $65K for 50 cars is peanuts compared to what the taxpayer shelled out for his medical bills after the bullets that hit him passed through his car door. Perhaps a little more common sense and some compassion for those risking a bullet for you.

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Aaron Priest said on Saturday, Nov 17 at 1:11 AM

Go to work where local gangs, drug dealers, violent offenders with guns, etc., have no problem shooting or stabbing you on sight, then ask the question "who are the police defending against?" The ballistic panels are designed to save lives. The people who wear a badge and serve our communities save lives. People like Norm give me pause. His comments lead me to ask the question, "Why does Norm Olson not want the police to have ballistic panels?" Maybe because like his friend Schaeffer Cox, he wants to make sure that those who protect our communities from people like Shcaeffer Cox, are vunerable.

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HOOCHI said on Saturday, Nov 17 at 3:05 AM

Aaron Priest . mole in ACM

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Andrew said on Sunday, Nov 18 at 11:03 AM

its about time anchorage police work hard keeping anchorage safe

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