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Anchorage Police Getting New Patrol Cars with Kevlar Panels
Department asking state for additional funds for more protection
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.
