AndreaGail
27th October 2012, 06:29 PM
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2012/1027/20121027__denver-police-lowrider~p1.jpg
Denver police roll out new lowrider designed by students
It has everything a traditional squad car does, but it's the details that make it pop — or drop.
The Denver Police Department unveiled its new lowrider car Saturday morning. The premier came two years after the department proposed a contest among all Denver public high schools to see which could create the best lowrider design.
In the end it was a senior class at Montbello High School that submitted the winning design. As a reward, the entire senior class was given a free day pass to Elitch Gardens, where the car was revealed.
"It was a design of simple elegance, that kept the ambiance of the police department," said Tech. Reyes Trujillo. Trujillo is vice president of the Colorado State Chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, one of several organizations that donated time and funds to help build the lowrider car.
A lowrider is a car that hugs the road. Hydraulic or air-pump lifts are installed to allow the driver to raise or lower the chassis.
"This car, it's a total collaboration between the department and the community," Trujillo said. "We want to use it to bring kids in to talk to us, let them know that we are here for you."
The car, which is completely street legal and street safe, will be used at community events, including recruitment fairs and car shows. It's next stop is at a cadet training academy Halloween party on Wednesday.
The car is the department's second lowrider, surpassing its predecessor's hydraulic lifts with state-of-the-art air pumps.
Before its transformation, the lowrider was a retired patrol car on its way to auction, said Lt. Ken Chavez, who is also on the board of the National Latino Peace Officers Association.
In the two years it took to revive the 2002 Ford Crown Victoria, the lowrider sat in the Denver police garage. Mechanics — who donated their time and often worked on the lowrider during furlough days — gradually put it together from donated parts and decals.
"Look at that beautiful blue paint job — simple elegance," Chavez said.
The lowrider has a standard police radio, along with a custom sound system including two subwoofers in the trunk. The pearl blue paint job is topped off with the department's logo — a crisp silver badge almost as sleek as the 18-inch chrome rims. A familiar light bar sits on top of the lowrider, accompanied by a surprising blue and red light bar along the undercarriage.
Denver Manager of Safety Alex Martinez said the lowrider is just another way the police department can continue to create a relationship with the community.
Mechanics also built a custom engine cover, complete with a picture of the Denver Police Department's memorial, which includes all the names of officers killed in the line of duty.
"I think we're safe to say it's the newest and finest lowrider police car in the nation," Chavez said. "I'd put the car up against any other department any day."
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794, jsteffen@denverpost.com or twitter.com/jsteffendp
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_21869897/denver-police-roll-out-new-lowrider-designed-by?utm_medium=facebook
Denver police roll out new lowrider designed by students
It has everything a traditional squad car does, but it's the details that make it pop — or drop.
The Denver Police Department unveiled its new lowrider car Saturday morning. The premier came two years after the department proposed a contest among all Denver public high schools to see which could create the best lowrider design.
In the end it was a senior class at Montbello High School that submitted the winning design. As a reward, the entire senior class was given a free day pass to Elitch Gardens, where the car was revealed.
"It was a design of simple elegance, that kept the ambiance of the police department," said Tech. Reyes Trujillo. Trujillo is vice president of the Colorado State Chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, one of several organizations that donated time and funds to help build the lowrider car.
A lowrider is a car that hugs the road. Hydraulic or air-pump lifts are installed to allow the driver to raise or lower the chassis.
"This car, it's a total collaboration between the department and the community," Trujillo said. "We want to use it to bring kids in to talk to us, let them know that we are here for you."
The car, which is completely street legal and street safe, will be used at community events, including recruitment fairs and car shows. It's next stop is at a cadet training academy Halloween party on Wednesday.
The car is the department's second lowrider, surpassing its predecessor's hydraulic lifts with state-of-the-art air pumps.
Before its transformation, the lowrider was a retired patrol car on its way to auction, said Lt. Ken Chavez, who is also on the board of the National Latino Peace Officers Association.
In the two years it took to revive the 2002 Ford Crown Victoria, the lowrider sat in the Denver police garage. Mechanics — who donated their time and often worked on the lowrider during furlough days — gradually put it together from donated parts and decals.
"Look at that beautiful blue paint job — simple elegance," Chavez said.
The lowrider has a standard police radio, along with a custom sound system including two subwoofers in the trunk. The pearl blue paint job is topped off with the department's logo — a crisp silver badge almost as sleek as the 18-inch chrome rims. A familiar light bar sits on top of the lowrider, accompanied by a surprising blue and red light bar along the undercarriage.
Denver Manager of Safety Alex Martinez said the lowrider is just another way the police department can continue to create a relationship with the community.
Mechanics also built a custom engine cover, complete with a picture of the Denver Police Department's memorial, which includes all the names of officers killed in the line of duty.
"I think we're safe to say it's the newest and finest lowrider police car in the nation," Chavez said. "I'd put the car up against any other department any day."
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794, jsteffen@denverpost.com or twitter.com/jsteffendp
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_21869897/denver-police-roll-out-new-lowrider-designed-by?utm_medium=facebook