Businesses are advertising on a sheriff’s deputy vehicle that’s used for a youth education program, but don’t expect to see local police cars covered with ads as though they’re racecars.
Johnson County Sheriff Doug Cox said the ads were unique, since private donations entirely pay for the department’s youth assistance and crime prevention program and spare taxpayers the expense. The sponsors get recognized with decals on a vehicle, and the county is able to fund the program that warns kids about drugs, alcohol and dangers on the Internet.
Cox doesn’t want ads on any police cars, a growing trend across the country as local governments look for ways to pay for services. He has concerns about the vehicles looking tacky, inappropriate businesses wanting to advertise and the risk that ads could confuse residents, who might question whether they’re dealing with real police officers.
