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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Springfield Police Department has a new vehicle in its fleet – not a cruiser, not a motorcycle – an ice cream truck. The mission of SPD’s ‘Cold Patrol’? To protect and serve frozen treats. Modeled after similar projects launched by police departments in St. Louis and Boston, SPD officers will use the Cold Patrol to connect to and engage with citizens, especially children, as part of department’s community policing philosophy.

The Springfield Police Foundation awarded a truck to the Department which, fully outfitted, is valued at $16,500. The Walmart Foundation donated $10,000 directly toward the purchase of the truck which was purchased locally at Wheeler Auto. Wheeler Auto outfitted the box truck with the equipment needed to convert it to a working ice cream truck as an in-kind donation to the Foundation and the SPD. Hiland Dairy has committed to providing up to $2,000 worth of ice cream for the officers to “serve” annually.

“We are grateful to the Springfield Police Foundation and the generous donors who are making this all possible,” said Police Chief Paul Williams. “This fun and unique tool will give our officers the opportunity to interact with people, especially kids, without the chaos of a crisis that usually draws a police presence.”

The Cold Patrol will visit neighborhoods unannounced like the successful foot patrol program that the Department began in northwest Springfield in 2016.

“We want families to see their local police officers as approachable people who are here to help whenever needed,” said Williams. “We look at this as one more way to help us bridge any gaps

that may exist between officers and the citizens we serve and protect every day.”

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The Cold Patrol will be parked directly north of Historic City Hall at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 16, just prior to the City Council meeting. Media is welcome.

About the Springfield Police Foundation | The Springfield Police Foundation was established in 2015 in Springfield, Missouri. Our mission is to provide critical resources for innovative programs that support the mission of the Springfield Police Department and enhance our community. The vision of the foundation is to foster public safety through community building, education and outreach. The Springfield Police Foundation is a broad-based community non-profit that provides resources to support the needs of the Springfield Police Department.

About Philanthropy at Walmart  |  By using our strengths to help others, Walmart and the Walmart Foundationcreate opportunities for people to live better every day. Walmart has stores in 28 countries, employing more than 2.4 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. Our philanthropy helps people live better by supporting upward job mobility and economic development for the retail workforce; addressing hunger and making healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality; and building strong communities where Walmart operates and inspiring our associates to give back. Whether it is helping to lead the fight against hunger in the United States with $2 billion in cash and in-kind donations or supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment through a series of grants totaling $10 million to the Women in Factories training program in Bangladesh, China, India and Central America, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are not only working to tackle key social issues, we are also collaborating with others to inspire solutions for long-lasting systemic change.

Hiland Dairy  |  For more than 75 years, Hiland Dairy has been delivering fresh, wholesome dairy products to the Midwest. Hiland is proud to be farmer-owned producing dairy products with milk from local dairy farms, most located within 100 miles of our 11 Hiland Dairy plants in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. As a full-service dairy, Hiland’s quality products include milk, buttermilk, egg nog, ice cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream and dips, half and half, whipping cream, butter and cheese. Hiland also produces fresh orange and apple juice, lemonade and fruit punch. In addition, Hiland Dairy produces and distributes Red Diamond Tea, Health Wise Probiotic Yogurt and YoPhoria Smoothies. The company serves customers in several states, including Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming and Texas. Hiland Dairy remains committed to delivering wholesome dairy products from milk that is naturally delicious and full of important nutrients – with no artificial growth hormones. We care deeply about preserving our water, land and natural resources for future generations. To that end, we also reduce waste, reuse resources and recycle what we can so that those same future generations will be able to enjoy the same high quality milk you enjoy today.

Wheeler Auto  |  Wheeler Auto was founded in May 2000 by Kirk Wheeler, a former new car and new boat dealer in Springfield, Missouri. It is located at 1610 E. St. Louis in Springfield. Wheeler has received national recognition for customer service and customer satisfaction from American Honda Motor Company, General Motors and Mazda.


Media Contact: Lisa Cox, Public Affairs Officer
417-864-1786
LCox@springfieldmo.gov
Release authorized by: Chief Paul Williams