Back to black (and white)

No more wondering if that was a police car you just whizzed by, or

just a security guard.

Costa Mesa police cars are going back to black and white.

For the first time since the 1970s, the City Council this week

approved the switch. The department is elated, and Chief John Hensley

says the switch will increase officer visibility and improve morale.

The more visible police officers are, the better, he said, even if

they are just routinely patrolling the streets. When drivers see

police cars, they slow down. And the classic two-tone variety

unquestionably represents someone who can get you in trouble. There’s

nothing frightening to a driver than the sight of a police officer

who’s on the side of the road issuing a ticket.

White police cars might produce more citation-based revenue, but

black-and-white cars keep roads, and the community, safer. Some have

argued that the softer image of the white car is what they liked, but

some images are best with a harder edge.

Police cars are most effective when they look like police cars.

As drivers in Costa Mesa, we fully support the move back to black

and white.