Government Acquisitions offers police cars to cities for $1. The catch is the company can put ads on the cars and Government Acquisitions keeps the revenue.
"Our message on our public service vehicles has to be very clear, concise: police, fire and public safety," City Manager Russell Allen said. "I can't imagine cluttering that up with other advertisements. I just don't see that being an appropriate venue at all."
Allen also said advertising on police cars and fire trucks is a bust. State officials said he would have to study the use of ads before making a decision.
"My response would be that we need to study it, think about it very carefully, look at the pros and cons as well and then make an informed decision," said Gwynn Swinson, secretary of the state Department of Administration, which oversees all of North Carolina's vehicle purchases.
Raleigh city buses also have ads on them, but Mayor Charles Meeker said they are an eyesore and they do not bring in much revenue. As the city buys more buses next year, Meeker said the bus ads will begin to disappear.
Officials with the Government Acquistions said they have signed contracts with 20 departments nationwide and 200 more departments are interested.
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
