SPRINGDALE (KFSM) -- By changing the colors of its police squad cars, the Springdale Police Department hope to better connect with the community.
Since the year 2000, police in Springdale have been driving silver squad cars.
However, the department says all newly purchased vehicles will be painted black and white.
“We look at black and white on police cars as being tradition,” said Lt. Derek Wright, spokesman for the Springdale Police Department.
He said surveys with the public, as well as within the department, showed black and white vehicles were more acceptable. The new colors are also supposed to be easier to identify during emergencies.
"The community can relate to that. They may be a little easier for the community to pick out, if they need help,” Wright said.
“It was an overwhelming majority of those who preferred the black and white color scheme, over the one we currently have,” Wright said.
The department has started to roll out the new black and white Ford Explorer police units.
They replace silver Ford Crown Victorias and Dodge Charger units.
“[The department hopes it reminds the community of when] police were out in communities, they were invested in the community, and they were more of members of the community.”
Purchased in solid black, the new Explorers are then wrapped in white stickers.
By doing so, the department will have a higher resale value down the road.
Wright says the new Explorers also save tax payer dollars, as they receive 20 percent better fuel mileage than the 2011 Crown Vics.