Family launches online petition to make Verona police cars more identifiable

Zachary Rutherford loves police and plans to get into law enforcement when he gets older.

“They can help people, and it’s like a cool job,” said Zachary, 11.

It is because of that admiration and respect that he wants people to know when officers, or at least their vehicles, are in the area.

He and his mother, Kat Hoguet, just moved to Oakmont after years of living in Verona. Verona recently put in service a new 2020 black Ford Explorer with “ghost graphics” — decals that are barely visible during the day but are reflective at night.

Police departments use such lettering on their vehicles to make them less conspicuous.

“I don’t like that you can’t see them,” Zachary said. “If someone needs help on the side of the road and can’t tell that (there is) a police car they (may not) yell (for help).”

He also believes students would feel safer at schools seeing a better marked police vehicle outside at arrival and dismissal time.

The family launched an online petition through change.org to gain support for brighter and bolder graphics.

It garnered 39 out of the 100-signature goal as of Thursday evening.

“He has a very big heart,” said Hoguet, a 1998 Riverview High School graduate. “If he can do things that might help people think about making a change, I think that’s a good thing. He’s always been a very big observer, and when big things come up he has good input.”

Verona Police Chief Ron McLemore declined to comment on the petition or his department’s vehicles.

The SUV was purchased from McCandless Ford to replace a 2012 Crown Victoria. It was outfitted in related law enforcement equipment by Ibis Tek in Butler. Total cost was about $42,400.

Verona Mayor David Ricupero said he supports Zachary’s efforts, and said he was never in favor of the new car’s aesthetics.

“Are you ashamed to put Verona police on there so people can see?” Ricupero said. “I’m not. I want people to see ‘Verona Police’ in bold letters.”

The mayor vented his frustrations about the SUV, as well as a Chevy Tahoe that was purchased a couple of years ago with similar lettering, at a council meeting last month.

He said he was not involved in the purchase of the vehicles.

His comments begin shortly before the 55-minute mark of the meeting video posted to YouTube.

Zachary plans to give his pitch on changing the decals to council at Tuesday night’s meeting.

So far, he has support from at least one member.

“I’m very proud of Zachary for speaking out on his desire to see a more prominent visible logo on our police cars,” said recently appointed Councilwoman Trish Hredzak-Showalter. “We often don’t hear from our youngest citizens, but Zachary is exceptional. I have had the pleasure of knowing him, along with his family for several years, and they are a courageous family that is always true to their convictions.

“We are all very grateful for our officers and want them to have the recognition they should have.”

Council Vice President Dave Matlin said he is open to the idea of new police decals.

“I think it’s an idea worth checking out if it’s reasonable in cost,” Matlin said. “We should entertain it, if that’s what a lot of people feel would help make the police cars more visible to the community. I’d like to get more information about the cost and what it would look like.”

Matlin said the Ford Explorer was purchased by borough administrators and not brought up for a council vote.

It might cost between $300 and $500 for new decals, according to the petition.

Zachary, a former student council vice president at Verner Elementary, also plans to stay involved in student government now that he is enrolled at Tenth Street Elementary in Oakmont.

He is proud to be involved in Riverview School District communities.

“It helps the school to get ideas to possibly make the school better,” he said. “I’m not an average 11-year-old that plays with Legos. I like doing stuff that 11-year-olds don’t do.”

Hoguet said the family loves the district, and hopes community members spread the word about her son’s efforts.

“Because it’s a small community, it’s a tight-knit community,” Hoguet said. “Everybody knows everybody, if you want to know everybody. The people up in Verona that we lived next to became family and not friends.

“You’re not going to find this type of family-oriented safe neighborhood hardly anywhere.”