Potomac News Online | Police departments raise $28,000 for Special Olympics
Prince William, Loudoun and Fairfax county police departments raised $28,000 for the Special Olympics by smashing up their cruisers in last week’s demolition derby.
The departments used retired cruisers, solicited sponsorships and removed the cars’ windows before the derby started on Thursday at the Prince William County Fair.
Officer Steve Bailey, driver for the Prince William team, said he’d never driven in a demolition derby, but was excited about using a 1996 Crown Victoria Interceptor to back into his opponents.
“We get to do all the things we can’t do on the streets” in the derby, he said. “And there’s no reports to fill out afterwards.”
He said they removed his car’s air bags, windows, exhaust and anything else that could fall off the car.
They added a five-point racing seat belt to protect Bailey.
Loudoun County Police Department’s cruiser was the last running and won the police heat of the derby.
— Lillian Kafka