KHarman - would like to have this new toy?
City unveils high-tech cop car
By Gary Washburn Tribune staff reporter Published February 9, 2006, 3:13 PM CST
A high-tech law enforcement SUV equipped to scan the license plates of up to 3,600 vehicles an hour, spot suspects lurking in the dark and transmit data wirelessly at high speeds was unveiled today at a Southwest Side police station.
The Chicago Police Department will put the Chevrolet Tahoe and four other concept vehicles like it through evaluations and field tests before deciding whether to order more.
But Mayor Richard M. Daley said at a news conference at the Chicago Lawn District police station, 3420 W. 63rd St., that something like them someday would be standard equipment for city law enforcement.
"This eventually will be the police car of the future," Daley said. "Every car will be like this."
The police Tahoe costs $85,000, officials said. The manufacturer's suggested retail price for a base model of a conventional Tahoe, by way of comparison, is about $34,000.
The model displayed to the media today has been assigned to the Harrison District. But for the next few days, it will be on display at the Chicago Auto Show, which opens Friday and runs through Feb. 19 at McCormick Place.
The vehicle has a pair of roof-mounted cameras that can scan the license plates of up to 3,600 parked and moving vehicles an hour, officials said. Plate numbers are fed into a computer, which checks for vehicles reported stolen, boot-eligible or wanted in connection with outstanding warrants or Amber Alerts.
The Tahoe also comes with a thermal-imaging night-vision camera, a video camera to record traffic stops and two high-speed, portable data terminals and a retractable work desk in the rear seat.
Just Sharing. Drive carefully. Milo
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