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Virginia police cruisers painted pink

Posted at 6:00 PM, Jul 19, 2012
and last updated 2012-07-19 18:15:31-04

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. (WTVR)  – Some cruisers for the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Department, in Western Virginia, are turning heads with their new paint scheme.

The cars used to be brown, but the department says painting them pink and white instead saved hundreds of dollars.

In addition, deputies say it also shows the department’s support for breast cancer research. And it also has another benefit: helping solve crimes.

“We wanted to be more approachable. We wanted to be able to connect wit the community,” says Rockbridge County Sheriff Chris Blalock.

“I thought it was a good looking car. I thought it was something that really stuck out and I enjoy the interaction with the community I get while driving it,” says Sgt. Hugh Ferguson, who drives one of the new cruisers.

Deputies say people who live in the community are more comfortable approaching them and reporting crimes now that they are in the pink cruisers.

In addition, deputies say criminals are more embarrassed to ride in pink cruisers when being taken to jail.