The Snyder police department recently got some new vehicles as part of the regular replacement rotation, and with the new units came new light bars.
The new bars have a much lower profile, which reduces wind drag while actually providing a brighter visibility to approaching traffic.
Drivers who keep a look-out might have a tougher time spotting the cars however because the lights don’t show the familiar blue and red profile when the lights are not activated. The new cars also have flashing lights in the rear window, further increasing visibility, especially when the unit’s trunk is open.
Perhaps making a greater impact to drivers are the seven mounted, and one portable, radar units called Stalker Direction Sensing Radar (DSR).
According to Police Chief Steve Warren, the units can check the speed on a vehicle whether its is approaching or driving away from a patrol car, and whether the patrol car is moving or stationary.
Now it just takes the pressing of a button to switch directions, and the radar adjusts automatically when the car starts moving or stops.
The other change is that the unit can monitor multiple vehicles at once so that if two cars are coming side by side the unit will determine which is going faster and be able to lock in the speeds.
“This is the unit the DPS uses now and it has really help them,” said police Sgt. Mike Ward.