CALGARY – If you experience an approaching police vehicle in the near future and notice your coffee shaking in the cup holder or your hands pulsating on the steering wheel, don’t worry, it’s not an earthquake.
Calgary police have new cars hitting the streets over the next few years featuring a technological device that ensures officers are not only seen and heard, but felt.
“The howler” is a low frequency, bass tone siren that emits vibrations, capable of traveling up to 60 metres.
This siren is secured at the front of the car, tucked underneath the push bumper, which allows it to be heard at full decibels.
Police are hoping that even if you’re blasting the radio or miss the flashing lights, there’s no chance you won’t notice your entire vehicle beginning to lightly vibrate. They say this will help them travel through traffic more efficiently when responding to a call, and hopefully keep everyone safer.
As of September 2015, there were 90 new police cars on the road that also include multiple cameras, a radar system that records speeds of vehicles both approaching and moving away from police, and a computer-aided dispatch (CAD).
The CAD acts as an on-the-go administrative system for officers, allowing them to stay connected to their colleagues and work on their paperwork throughout the day.
Since the traditional police car of choice in Calgary, the Crown Victoria, was discontinued in 2011, the new tools for police are wrapped up inside the Ford Police Interceptor.