Extreme makeover for Menlo Park police cars? Extreme makeover for Menlo Park police cars? (July 28, 2004)

Black and white may be old-fashioned on TV screens, but fans of a new design for Menlo Park's police cars say the look is pretty hip.

On the urging of many officers, the department has replaced the bright blue logos on two of its cruisers with a slick new black-and-white design. The two cars have hit the streets and were also parked outside the City Council chambers last week to give city officials a glimpse.

The new cars have won at least one high-profile fan, Mayor Lee Duboc, who pronounced at the July 20 council meeting: "I personally like 'em. They're keepers."

Chief Chris Boyd also says there's evidence that black-and-white cars are more visible in the community.

The department is budgeted to get six new cars this year, which will arrive black-and-white from the factory, Chief Boyd said. But re-doing the whole fleet could cost $1,000 per car, and that money isn't in the budget.

The money could come from a new source. Chief Boyd said his department may create a nonprofit police foundation that could allow its officials to seek donations for a variety of things, such as the new paint jobs, non-lethal weapons and other equipment.

Department officials have sought funding for youth programs in the past, but never for equipment, Chief Boyd said. Several agencies have foundations: in Los Angeles, the police department's foundation has paid for digital cameras, portable oxygen systems, and trauma kits for treating shooting victims, among other purchases.

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