SALISBURY, Md. - The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office is adding some serious horsepower to its fleet with the addition of five new Ford Mustang GT patrol vehicles.
Officials announced Thursday that the Mustangs are aimed at boosting speed enforcement and improving roadway safety across the county. According to the sheriff’s office, the high-performance vehicles will be used for targeted enforcement operations and to safely pursue drivers who violate Maryland traffic laws.
Sheriff Mike Lewis says the move comes in response to growing concerns from residents about speeding in neighborhoods and along major roadways.
“We receive a significant number of requests from residents across Wicomico County asking for increased speed enforcement,” Sheriff Lewis said. “These vehicles give our deputies the capability to respond effectively and safely.”
Officials also emphasized cost as a factor. The sheriff’s office says the Mustang GTs are less expensive than traditional police pursuit vehicles like Chevy Tahoes, allowing the department to expand enforcement while remaining mindful of taxpayer dollars.
Along with the new vehicles, deputies will undergo specialized training. The Maryland Police Training Commission, working with the sheriff’s office, is reportedly developing a high-performance driving course specifically for the Mustang platform. The course is the first of its kind in the state, according to the sheriff’s office.
The training will focus on advanced vehicle handling, pursuit safety, and controlled high-speed operations. Deputies assigned to the Mustangs will be required to complete the program before using them on patrol.
The sheriff’s office says the vehicles are just one part of a larger mission to address dangerous driving, alongside education and community partnerships.
“These Mustangs are a tool, just one part of a broader strategy to keep our roadways safer ” Sheriff Lewis said. “We will continue to combine education, enforcement, and community partnership to address speeding and reckless driving throughout the county.”