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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, March 28, 2014 | 4 Halton police put black-and-whites back on the road by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Residents can expect to start seeing black-andwhite police cruisers patrolling the streets of Oakville late this summer or early fall. The Halton Regional Police Service Board voted Thursday to change the colour of police vehicles. They will move away from the current all-white branding that has been in place since 2009. The change will only affect newly-purchased vehicles so existing police cruisers will be kept in service. "We're partly looking at visibility," said Halton Police Chief Stephen Tanner. "One thing we are hearing from citizens is they like the visibility. They want to see police vehicles more often. They want to see police officers more often... The design of the vehicles may have some impact on visibility and other police services have addressed that as one of the primary reasons for changing the design." The trend amongst police service across Ontario has been to shift back to black-and-white vehicles so the public can instantly recognize them, the chief outlined in his report to the board. He noted black-and-white cruisers would provide a distinctive presence for police and enhance the organization's efforts towards traffic safety, increased community presence and overall community safety. Tanner said 600 members of the Halton Rendering of the new black-and-white police cruiser being brought to local roads by Halton Regional Police. | courtesy Halton Regional Police Service Regional Police Service were surveyed to get their thoughts on the proposed change. Of those surveyed, 97 per cent said they favoured of some kind of vehicle rebranding. Some 89 per cent of those, said they liked the proposed black-and-white design. It's expected it will take three to four years before all Halton police cruisers are black and white. According to the report, the new design will add $50 to the current $610 per vehicle design cost. It will cost police $5,500 over three to four years as the 110-police vehicle fleet is gradually replaced. That's an annual cost hike from $1,375 to $1,833. Not everyone on the police board favoured the change. Rick Craven, a Burlington councillor, wanted to know why the change was needed and what was wrong with the current cruiser colours. Tanner said there is nothing wrong with the all-white design and that it has served the organization and the community well. He said, from his perspective, if he could answer the wishes of 97 per cent of police personnel who responded favourably for the change, he would like to do that. "Mr. Chair, I'm sure 97 per cent of the force would like a lot of things too, but that's not our job here," said Craven. "I can't support this, Mr. Chair. It is not necessary." Oakville Mayor and Halton Regional Police Service Board Chair Rob Burton said he liked the new image and the efficiency inherent in gradually putting it in place through attrition. ARRIVING DAILY! KIDS' SANDALS FACTORY SHOE OUTLET #1 SHOE STORE #1 CHILDREN'S SHOE STORE HOURS: Monday-Friday 9am to 9pm, Saturday 9am to 6pm · Sunday 10am to 6pm 905-632-9688 2394 FAIRVIEW ST., BURLINGTON FAMILY OWNED FOR 57 YEARS!