Miramar PD & Ford Hybrid Patrol Will Pull Over Fuel-Wise Drivers and 'Cite' Them with Free Gas

WHAT: The Miramar Police Department is teaming up with the "Ford Hybrid Patrol" to pull over fuel-efficient drivers at random in a customized Mercury Mariner Hybrid patrol SUV (complete with flashers and bullhorn). Drivers will be rewarded free gas cards.

It's part of Ford Motor Company's South Florida effort to promote fuel efficiency and explain the myths and realities of hybrid technology. Gil Portalatin, Ford Hybrid engineer, will accompany the officers and briefly give drivers tips about maximizing fuel economy. Portalatin will also give a fuel- economy clinic for Miramar PD officers at roll call and then conduct a head- to-head fuel-economy challenge with the officers.

The purpose is to help officers improve their mpg in patrol cars, and give them insights into hybrid innovation as more governmental agencies in the U.S. are giving the fuel-saving hybrids a closer look.

  WHERE&
  WHEN:    Miramar Police Headquarters/Town Center
           2300 Civic Center Place
           Miramar, FL 33025

  Thursday, December 8
  *  6 a.m. - Fuel Economy Clinic
  *  6:30 a.m. - Officers' fuel-economy challenge
  *  7:45 a.m. - Fuel Economy Clinic
  *  8:15 a.m. - Officers' fuel-economy challenge
  *  9 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Hybrid Patrol's $25 BP gas gift card distribution to
                       random drivers in the city.
  *  5 p.m. - Fuel Economy Clinic

ALSO: The officer earning the best fuel economy driving a Ford Escape Hybrid or Mercury Mariner Hybrid will be entered to win a brand-new Mariner Hybrid for his/her department against other police agencies across the country.

Ford will donate $2,500 to the Miramar PAL, an organization that provides mentoring, tutoring and coaching opportunities in both competitive and non- competitive settings to over 1,200 youth.

The mission of the Miramar PAL is to provide educational, athletic, civic and crime prevention activities for youth in a safe environment through a cooperative partnership between the police and the community.

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid debuted at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year. Along with the Ford Escape Hybrid, it is one of two hybrids currently manufactured by Ford in the USA, which together are the world's first hybrid SUVs. Demonstrating its commitment to hybrid innovation, more than half of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products will have hybrid capability by 2010.

Please contact Susan Pollack via cell at +1-313-434-6912 or spollack@pcgcampbell.com to schedule one-on-one interviews/test drives with Gil Portalatin or to cover the hybrid patrol.

PRNewswire -- Dec. 6