PPD cars have a new look

By on Thursday, August 3rd, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON โ€“ New police cars have finally arrived at the Pendleton Police Department, and they are distinctly different from the familiar blue Fords. Chief Chuck Byram said after waiting for over a year for the new cars, he was more limited than in the past.

โ€œThey didnโ€™t offer blue anymore,โ€ he said. โ€œWe had a choice of black and white. Thatโ€™s what we had. I knew that county was already driving white, so I didnโ€™t want to get our cars mixed up. Nobody around here is driving black, so I chose the black cars.โ€

Byram said the switch to black also meant a change in the carsโ€™ graphics.

โ€œWe went to a more muted style of graphics on those cars that are reflective in nature, so they really light up at night,โ€ he said. โ€œYouโ€™re going to be seeing black patrol cars with muted patterns on them, with a light bar on top. Weโ€™re excited about them because theyโ€™re sorely needed.โ€

The three new vehicles were ordered last year. The year before that, police cars were not available at all.