It appears the Hoosier state is one of the first law enforcement agencys to once again use the Mustang in large numbers. We've seen undercover Mustangs here and there, but the Indiana State Police ordered up 18 Mustangs, one for each post. Read the full release from the ISP for more details.
The Indiana State Police Department have issued 18 New Hi Performance Patrol Vehicles to one trooper in each of the eighteen state police posts throughout Indiana. The vehicles are '08 Mustang GT's, with automatic transmissions, various colors, ultra plain, and designed to blend in with normal traffic. They are equipped with interior emergency lighting, multi-directional radar, the electronic violator ticketing system, and all equipment is operated by a touch pad system.
The mission statement of this program is to reduce the number and severity of crashes on high risk rural roadways in each state police district, through public education and strict traffic enforcement. The Indiana State Police has identified several "Primary Causation Factors" related to motor vehicle crashes and they are: Speed, Operating While Intoxicated, Disregarding a Traffic Control Device, Improper Passing, Following too Closely, Unsafe Lane Movement and Failure to Yield. This program is uniquely designed to combat such driving behaviors.
Senior Trooper Jason Owen, an 11-year veteran, was selected for this position by the Indiana State Police Operational Support Division through a recommendation by the command staff at the Terre Haute Post.Trooper Owen is a Vigo County native having graduated from West Vigo High School and Indiana State University. He is married with three children and the family resides in rural Vigo County.
The Indiana State Police first utilized Ford Mustangs in 1988 as an alternative approach to traffic enforcement. Since that time, Chevrolet Camaros and now Harley Davidson motorcycles have all been used for covert traffic enforcement.
Lieutenant Mike Eslinger, Commander of the Terre Haute District, stated, "Traffic safety has always been paramount to our district and the department. This program is just another tool in our aggressive approach to reduce crashes and save lives".