ATLANTA - American cities could soon receive donated police cars in exchange for placing advertisements on them.

Cities buffeted by the recession and a post-9/11 travel lull are jumping at the deal. Advertisement

Since May, some 20 cities have signed contracts for the cars, and some 200 others are interested.

Dr Gary Kritz, an advertising professor at Seton Hall University, sees potential conflicts in putting advertisements on police cars.

Police might look the other way on matters involving local patrons, or advertisers might 'do something to get the cop cars in motion'.

'I think it's a little short-sighted,' says Ms Kelly Edmiston, assistant economics professor at Georgia State University. 'The economy is going to turn around, but they're taking die-hard measures.'

Public entities and advertisers have cozied up for years. But now, the pitching extends everywhere.

San Diego is considering letting General Motors put advertisements on lifeguard towers in exchange for 35 free cars.

Mr Sam Slay, police chief of Springfield, Florida, said: 'Sometimes you have to set your preferences aside for the principle, and we need these cars.' Springfield, a suburb of less than 10,000, is hoping for 15 Ford Crown Victorias worth about US$24,000 (S$43,000) each. --USA Today

-- Anonymous, November 03, 2002