NYPD Green: Patrol Cars Could Get Striped Makeover

NEW YORK CITY — The classic blue-and-white NYPD patrol car soon could go green, literally.

Commissioner Keechant Sewell unveiled a potential redesign Wednesday for the city's police vehicles that includes green stripes to evoke the department's flag.

The new paint job is highlighted in a video released by the NYPD's Twitter account. An accompanying tweet uncontroversially describes the NYPD patrol car "iconic" before dipping in to potential controversy.

"Sometimes, even icons need an update," the tweet states.

The NYPD patrol car is iconic. From the streets of NYC to Hollywood, and TV, the look of our vehicle is a decades-long staple of policing. Sometimes, even icons need an update. The NYPD is currently exploring updated vehicle designs as we #StepForward into 2023 pic.twitter.com/VhyN84JUx3
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 25, 2023

The potential redesign came amid Sewell's "State of the NYPD" address, during which she outlined a strategic plan for 2023.

The plan dubbed "Step Forward" includes four planks: strengthening the NYPD's workforce, transforming policing through continuous improvement and innovation, community engagement and promoting public safety and respect though neighborhood policing.

But the yet-to-be-finalized redesign likely would be the most visible result from the plan for New Yorkers.

Sewell also said the cars also will have 360-degree cameras that can constantly monitor streets, as well as a QR code linking to the department's websites, the New York Daily News first reported.

"With a new look outside and a more comfortable feel inside — this potential new design for our fleet encompasses input from our members while representing the traditions of the police department," Sewell said in a tweet.

Not all New Yorkers were as optimistic about the change.

"I can't really get a sense of the new design," tweeted The Bike Mafia. "Can you park it in a #bikeNYC lane so it's more realistic?"