One of HPD’s new “ghost” cars

What’s that in the rear-view mirror?

Is it a new sports car? Why is it flashing its lights? I thought it was just a sports car.

Well, it’s actually both, according to Harris County Constable Ron Hickman, who has deployed the first ghost patrol vehicle on the Harris County tollway system. This clandestine vehicle has no top emergency lights and effortlessly blends in with other traffic on the roadways.

“Deputies assigned to the vehicle have reported a 38 percent increase in violations observed,” Assistant Chief Mark Herman stated in a press release. “Deputies are able to hide in plain sight.”

That is an understatement.

All emergency lights are located inside the front and rear windows and on the front bumper area.

What’s more, high-tech graphics seamlessly blend the decals into the vehicle, making it all but invisible – not good news for speed demons and drunk drivers.

It needs to be good, but not too good, at fooling motorists the press release states.

“One of our objectives is to make sure the public recognizes the ghost patrol vehicle as a legitimate police car. With our main objective being to ensure public safety by keeping our roadways safe,” according to the release.

“Deputies have no problem blending in with regular traffic, but there is no mistaking that the ghost car is a police vehicle,” the release states.

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Neighbors have seen some of these ghost cars on Highway 288 already. Apparently, Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputies also have ghost cars in their fleet.

Article courtesy of the Houston Chronicle and Silvercreek Tribune