Mobile Police Station Converted to Rolling Billboard

Police Department - Sept. 19, 2007

Watch a video of the wrapping process "Bus Wrap" (new window)

Tapping into the latest trend in vehicle advertising, the Police Department’s recruiting section has converted the department’s mobile police station into a rolling recruiting billboard.

Earlier this month, Specialty Graphics Inc. of Greensboro "wrapped" the bus-size vehicle in colorful vinyl sheets that cover everything but the lights and the windshield. Sgt. Danny Watts, the head of the recruiting section, says that wrapping the vehicle offers advantages over the billboards and radio advertisements the department has used before.

"This gives us a great deal more flexibility," Watts said. "When we have a high-profile event, such as the Davis Cup or the NCAA basketball tournament, we can park it outside the coliseum. And it will give us a great presence when we go to recruiting fairs out of town." The vehicle will be on display during the 2007 Dixie Classic Fair, Sept. 28 - Oct. 2, and Oct. 5-7, Watts said.

The mobile police station is used as a satellite office at major crime scenes and special events. The left side of the vehicle features an oversized image of a police car and police badge. The right side has a series of photos of police officers on the job. Both sides include the department Internet address and the phone number for the recruiting section. The back of the bus extends an invitation to join the Police Department.

For more information or to apply, call (877) 777-WSPD or go to www.wspd.org.

UPDATE November 2007

The mobile police station graphics placed third in a national competition for vehicle graphics sponsored by Signs of the Times magazine, a national trade publication of the sign industry. The graphics were designed by the city’s Marketing and Communications Department.

Watch a video showing the process of wrapping the mobile police statio [new window].