Charger revs up Somerton patrol - with video

SOMERTON - Don't push the pedal to the metal, and make sure you're wearing your seatbelt next time you see a Dodge Charger around here.

Chances are it's the Somerton Police Department's new "aggressive driving" patrol vehicle.

The department unveiled Tuesday a 2008 unmarked Dodge Charger fully equipped to catch those who break traffic laws.

"This vehicle gives our department another tool for our traffic unit to be utilized for the enforcement of catching drunk drivers that claim many lives in Arizona and motorists who have total disregard for our traffic laws," said Police Chief Terry Hollis.

"For the past years, we noticed an increase in traffic in our region and the speeds of our motorists have also increased."

The Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety granted the Somerton PD a total of $42,000 that helped pay for the vehicle and overtime funds for the enforcement of traffic laws, said Richard Fimbres, director of the agency.

"It's important for the city of Somerton to be properly equipped to better serve the community," Fimbres said. "Police vehicles are a necessity for a law enforcement, especially in times of budget shortfalls."

Officer Jose A. Sandoval, the main operator of the new patrol vehicle, said the vehicle is very effective for them because normally people don't recognize that it's actually a police car.

During a Highway 95 test drive for The Sun, the Charger's radar gun displayed that a few vehicles were going 11 mph over the 55 mph speed limit.

Those speeding vehicles were not pulled over, because the media hadn't signed an official waiver to take the spontaneous ride.

"People don't think it's a police car. You see people throwing trash out the window or you'll see babies jumping up and down on the seats," Sandoval said. "You'll get instances when people come up from behind and throw you their headlights or honk at you to get out of the road.

"Basically, there is a lot of road rage and aggressive driving," he said.

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Stephanie Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@yumasun.com or 539-6847.