The City of Palm Springs, California, is celebrating the addition of two new Pierce Quantum fire engines and a new sustainable compressed natural gas (CNG) police patrol car to its public safety fleets.

   The new CNG patrol car comes equipped with state-of-the-art crime fighting technology, according to Police Chief David Dominguez. The new vehicle is equipped with four automated license plate reading cameras to assist in finding stolen cars and people whose licenses have been suspended as a result of a DUI conviction. It will be operated seven days a week by four different police officers.

   “We're the only police department in Riverside County currently testing a black and white CNG patrol car,” said Dominguez who noted that the new vehicle gets 100 miles more per tank of gasoline.

   The new CNG patrol car is part of a pilot program, according to Dominguez. The Chief said he hopes his department's use of the progressive new vehicle will “serve notice to other communities that crime can be fought with the environment in mind.”