DANVILLE (WSLS 10) - The Danville Police Department announced on Monday that it has discontinued the practice of raising the hood on patrol vehicles due to concerns from citizens that raising the hoods prevented the in-car camera from recording a police/citizen interaction.
The department said the practice of raising hoods was a temporary remedy for heat damage to electronic components in police cars that occurred during extreme heat. The hoods were raised when the vehicles were idling for extended periods of time.
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In an effort to build community trust and be more transparent, the Danville police has used in-car video equipment for more than a decade and officers have worn cameras for more than four years.
In August, police say they began raising hoods on vehicles as a temporary remedy to ongoing issues with heat damage to electronic components and in the last six months, the Danville Police Department spent $16,263.85 for heat related repairs on patrol vehicles.
Several steps were taken to alleviate the heat related damage. Cooling louvers were added to the vehicle hoods. An additive was used in the engine coolant system and hoods were raised to further vent the engine compartment.
The police department will continue to seek other remedies for the heat related damage.
Police Chief Philip Broadfoot said, "The Danville Police Department understands the community's concerns and is committed to transparency in interactions with the public."