Cops change their colors, again
By Andrew Lightman/ Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Two years ago, the Newton Police Department, trying to boost morale and energize the officers, repainted its old fleet of white cruisers a sleek black.
But after dozens of e-mails, letters and phone calls complaining about the stealthy cruiser colors, Mayor David Cohen and acting Police Chief Robert McDonald are changing colors again.
This time they'll be royal blue.
"I have decided to heed the voice of the people on this matter and return our police colors to a blue-and-white color scheme," Cohen said as he and McDonald unveiled the new blue and white cruisers at press conference on Monday.
As soon as next month, Newton residents can expect to see the first redesigned police cruisers on the street - even though the city's rank and file police officers are opposed to the color change.
The cars will have royal blue front and back ends, to match the official City Seal, with white doors and roofs.
Rather than repaint any existing cars, McDonald said the new colors will be used on newly acquired cruisers only, at no additional cost to the taxpayers. Six have already been ordered, and another 10 are expected to be replaced within a year and a half, McDonald said.
The new design selected is a slight variation of a black and white model approved by a design committee back in 2002. That version was ultimately rejected when former Police Chief Jose Cordero opted to go with the committee's other recommendation.
Cordero spent $10,400 in money seized during drug busts to repaint eight cruisers that were white with a blue stripe to black. Eight other cars with the black color configuration were new.
At the time, Cordero said he was worried that residents were confusing the white cruisers with taxis or Boston College police cars.
But since, many residents have complained that the black cruisers are intimidating, and designed to seek up on unsuspecting residents.
Of all former chief's reform measures, Cohen said the painting the police cruisers black was the one not worth keeping.
"It became clear to me in reading and hearing from dozens of people that the residents of Newton did not feel comfortable with the color black for our community police cars," Cohen said. "I want to thank the people that voiced their opinion on this issue, and want you to know that I have heard you."
But Newton's men and women in blue aren't happy with the decision.
Jay Babcock, president of the Newton Police Assocation Union, said the mayor's color choice was asserted against the will of his officers during a planning meeting.
"The mayor is micromanaging the department," Babcock said.
Black-and-white cruisers, not blue-and-white was the union preference, Babcock said.
"It's a traditional color that represents police departments," Babcock said. "Los Angeles has it, Needham has it."
Now all black, Newton's police cruisers were white with blue stripes, and before that powder blue with blue writing. Back in the 1930s and '40s, Newton's cars were the traditional black and white that was standard for most of the country at the time.
The color of Newton's police cars will be changing from black to blue over the next year. But an unscientific poll suggests that some locals still prefer an earlier color choice.
Newton resident Rebecca Warner said she prefers the old white with a blue stripe cruisers that were replaced in 2002 because they stand out best.
"At least it's an improvement," Warner said, when showed a picture of the new blue and white cars.
Chris Maggiore, who works in Newton Centre, also said the white ones were the best, adding that the new cruisers will look "Boston-ish."
"I think the white ones are the most noticeable," Maggiore said. "They're easier to see at night."
But Lindsay Brandt said she prefers the black cruisers which are about to become obsolete, because "they look more professional" than the new ones.
"[The new cruiser] looks like a toy car to me," Brandt said. "I would be more intimidated by the black one."
"I like the black ones best, myself," agreed Rich Payne, an East Bridgewater resident who works in Newton Centre. "They stand out more. You definitely know it's a Newton cop right when you see it."
However, Kevin Shea, a Brighton resident visiting Newton Centre, said the new colors are a good upgrade. The old white cars looked too much like taxis and the new ones are too dark, he said.
"So the new one, I'd probably say is best," Shea said.
Click on link belowto see new design[web]
http://www2.townonline.com/newton/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=93043
By Andrew Lightman/ Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Two years ago, the Newton Police Department, trying to boost morale and energize the officers, repainted its old fleet of white cruisers a sleek black.
But after dozens of e-mails, letters and phone calls complaining about the stealthy cruiser colors, Mayor David Cohen and acting Police Chief Robert McDonald are changing colors again.
This time they'll be royal blue.
"I have decided to heed the voice of the people on this matter and return our police colors to a blue-and-white color scheme," Cohen said as he and McDonald unveiled the new blue and white cruisers at press conference on Monday.
As soon as next month, Newton residents can expect to see the first redesigned police cruisers on the street - even though the city's rank and file police officers are opposed to the color change.
The cars will have royal blue front and back ends, to match the official City Seal, with white doors and roofs.
Rather than repaint any existing cars, McDonald said the new colors will be used on newly acquired cruisers only, at no additional cost to the taxpayers. Six have already been ordered, and another 10 are expected to be replaced within a year and a half, McDonald said.
The new design selected is a slight variation of a black and white model approved by a design committee back in 2002. That version was ultimately rejected when former Police Chief Jose Cordero opted to go with the committee's other recommendation.
Cordero spent $10,400 in money seized during drug busts to repaint eight cruisers that were white with a blue stripe to black. Eight other cars with the black color configuration were new.
At the time, Cordero said he was worried that residents were confusing the white cruisers with taxis or Boston College police cars.
But since, many residents have complained that the black cruisers are intimidating, and designed to seek up on unsuspecting residents.
Of all former chief's reform measures, Cohen said the painting the police cruisers black was the one not worth keeping.
"It became clear to me in reading and hearing from dozens of people that the residents of Newton did not feel comfortable with the color black for our community police cars," Cohen said. "I want to thank the people that voiced their opinion on this issue, and want you to know that I have heard you."
But Newton's men and women in blue aren't happy with the decision.
Jay Babcock, president of the Newton Police Assocation Union, said the mayor's color choice was asserted against the will of his officers during a planning meeting.
"The mayor is micromanaging the department," Babcock said.
Black-and-white cruisers, not blue-and-white was the union preference, Babcock said.
"It's a traditional color that represents police departments," Babcock said. "Los Angeles has it, Needham has it."
Now all black, Newton's police cruisers were white with blue stripes, and before that powder blue with blue writing. Back in the 1930s and '40s, Newton's cars were the traditional black and white that was standard for most of the country at the time.
The color of Newton's police cars will be changing from black to blue over the next year. But an unscientific poll suggests that some locals still prefer an earlier color choice.
Newton resident Rebecca Warner said she prefers the old white with a blue stripe cruisers that were replaced in 2002 because they stand out best.
"At least it's an improvement," Warner said, when showed a picture of the new blue and white cars.
Chris Maggiore, who works in Newton Centre, also said the white ones were the best, adding that the new cruisers will look "Boston-ish."
"I think the white ones are the most noticeable," Maggiore said. "They're easier to see at night."
But Lindsay Brandt said she prefers the black cruisers which are about to become obsolete, because "they look more professional" than the new ones.
"[The new cruiser] looks like a toy car to me," Brandt said. "I would be more intimidated by the black one."
"I like the black ones best, myself," agreed Rich Payne, an East Bridgewater resident who works in Newton Centre. "They stand out more. You definitely know it's a Newton cop right when you see it."
However, Kevin Shea, a Brighton resident visiting Newton Centre, said the new colors are a good upgrade. The old white cars looked too much like taxis and the new ones are too dark, he said.
"So the new one, I'd probably say is best," Shea said.
Click on link belowto see new design[web]
http://www2.townonline.com/newton/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=93043
