The Indiana State Police are notorious for their astute methods in securing the Hoosier highways. But the days of camping behind the billboard with the radar gun are over for 18 lucky officers—the state recently purchased a new fleet of 2008 Mustang GTs to be used as unmarked police vehicles.
Most youngsters can’t remember any time when the ISP patrolled in anything but Crown Victorias, but these were only used after Chevy discontinued the Camaro. And what did the ISP use before the Camaro? You guessed it—the Ford Mustang. In an interview with FlyerGroup, ISP Sergeant Rich Myers said the state’s fleet
consisted of a few Mustangs in the 1980s to be used for traffic patrol.
Next time you pull up to a stoplight, be sure to look closely at your opponent before you throw it in neutral—it just might be an officer. This new fleet of pony cars has no identifying factor aside from a discrete set of red and blue flashing lights hidden within the cabin. The cars don’t even have antennas!
As disguised as they are, you’ll be sure to see them if one of these squad cars catches you speeding around 465.
The unmarked vehicles aren’t intended to drastically change the ISP’s current system, as the plan is to use them as a supplement to traffic enforcement. According to Myers, only one Mustang will be used in each ISP district, similar to how motorcycles are used to enforce traffic.
Of course, a Ford Mustang handles a bit differently than a Crown Victoria. So earlier this week, the department held somewhat of a track day at O’Reilly Raceway Park to get a feel for their new S197s. The officers were able to practice basic skills on inside and outside tracks.
According to ISP Sergeant Shannon Kennedy in an interview with FlyerGroup, the Mustangs will be used primarily on two-lane highways and roads where fatalities are most common. Major interstates are not a focal point.
Get pulled over by a faster, newer Stang? What do you think? Talk about it in the
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[Source] FlyerGroup.com