Businesses help bankroll 10 new police cars

newsstandard.net ^ | Tue, July 1, 2003 | By MARK GRAY

[bicycle thug]

OGDEN -- A handful of Ogden police officers will begin patrolling city streets today in 10 new cars that local businesses have partially bankrolled in exchange for the right to have their logos adorn the cruisers.

Police Chief Jon Greiner said the sponsorships are nothing as extensive as those found on NASCAR racing cars.

"This is just a way for all the business community to thank the police department for what we do every day," Greiner said. "It doesn"t look like commercialism."

Beginning today, the 10 2003 Ford Crown Victoria"s -- with a small sponsorship circle on the rear quarter panel -- will hit the streets, making Ogden the only police department in the state with sponsored vehicles. And taxpayers won"t pay a cent for them.

In response to a Standard-Examiner article last August centering on poor equipment and low morale within the Top of Utah"s largest police force, business leaders in the community began gathering funds to lease new cars.

The cars - as well as who will drive them - were unveiled Monday night at a ceremony at the Dee Events Center in front of approximately 125 Ogden police officers. During the four-hour ceremony, law enforcement agencies from South Ogden, Riverdale, Weber County and Roy patrolled Ogden streets. The event, called "Tribute to Ogden City Police Officers," was put on by community sponsors.

"My business partner called me up and read the article to me and we decided right then we wanted to help. We were on the phone with (Greiner) right after that," said Cal-Pro Inc. president Cal Osborn, who sponsors a car. After the article, "there was an outpouring of people who wanted to help.

"We thought it was a good idea to give back to this great community and the men and women who have kept us safe for years. . . . I"m just honored to be in a position to do this."

The 10 sponsors paid a first year lease of $7,500 for the vehicles, Greiner said. They will then have the option for a second-year and third-year lease. In the event the same company picks up all three years, the sponsorship will permanently stay on the car.

Greiner said there are local companies waiting to put its name on a cruiser next year. All 10 vehicles were bought in Ogden.

While some may see this as a form of advertising, Osborn said that"s not the case with his company since most of his business is out of state.

Incoming Police Benefits Association president Chad Ledford said Monday"s banquet and the addition of the cars raises morale that"s been lagging because of vehicle problems.

The article that prompted the community support said the city had eight new cars in city storage while 25 officers were driving aged vehicles that had been covered in vomit and blood over the years.

"A lot of these guys are underpaid and overworked," Osborn said.

Aside from giving each officer a plaque for their work, officers were also given a free one-night stay at the Marriott hotel, a flag set and a free uniform cleaning.

It"s a perfect case of Ogden investing within itself, Greiner said.

Also, former Utah Jazz coach Frank Layden presented Matt Maw with a $2,000 check. Maw, a former Weber State University mascot and trampolinist, was rendered quadriplegic by a tumbling accident in 2000 in the school"s gymnasium.

Reporter Cathy McKitrick contributed to this story.