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Sarasota News Leader September 28, 2012 more than the older one, is safer and expected to last longer. The new vehicles also will feature a rede- signed instrument console between the front seats. Police officers now take laptop comput- ers along with them, as they need to be able to use them in their cars. One of the officers designed a laptop stand that Karr says "is very user-friendly for one- and two-man cars." He said the officer is offering the design to a manufacturer so it can be used nationwide. Among the new cars are 18 Chevrolet Impalas and two Ford Interceptors. "We're coming to a crossroads," said Karr. "Chevrolet is closing out the Impala line and Page 45 going to the Caprice. So we may need to look at Fords and Dodges in the future." The department buys new cars no more often than every two years, so the 20-car purchase represents a two-year buy. However, purchas- es in the future will be pared because the de- partment shifted $150,000 from the fund for new cruisers to the fund for new radios earlier this year. "All of our handhelds and car radios were no longer supported by the manufacturer, Mo- torola," Karr said. "We needed the radios more than a couple of new cars." You'll also see the new decal design on the department's command vehicle, which is often parked on the west side of the headquarters A new panel for radios and other gear lies between the seats, while the newly designed laptop stand is an added feature. Photo courtesy Sarasota Police Department