Ferndale has a long history of using mini police cars to highlight safety initiatives. Such mini cars, with Police livery, have been a highlight of bike safety events, vehicle safety events, and parades since at least the late 1950s.

 

THE FIFTIES & SIXTIES

In the late 1950s and early 1960s mini Ford Thunderbirds and Chevrolet Corvettes were used during “Vehicle Safety Day” events to attract youth Interest.

These events were held in June at two locations: Pinecrest at West Saratoga & Hilton at University. The photos below show Boy Scouts enjoying what must have been a highlight of their youth! We have yet to document who owned these fun cars, what happened to them, or any of the people, but the search continues (if you know please share)!

 

Cruising duo during 1959 safety program (Museum Archive)

 

Unknown driver & onlooker during 1960 program (Museum Archive)

 

 

Pair of ‘vettes during 1960 program (Museum Archive)

 

 

Boy Scouts and many others enjoying safety day in 1960 (Museum Archive)

 

 

THE SEVENTIES

Later, in 1977, the Police procured a safety van and again used mini Police cars with the bicentennial graphics package to attract youth for the safety program. An August 27, 1977 Tribune article notes:

“The two model police cars built over a go-cart chassis are the joint contribution of Christy Industries of Ferndale, The Dodge Division- Chrysler Corp., in Highland Park, and Gage Oldsmobile. The models can only be used for promotional purposes. Although they do have engines, they've been deemed too hazardous for small children to drive.”

 

Community engagement is important to the Police and this appears to have been a fun, friendly way to engage with Ferndale's youth! Although it does seem ironic that the mini police cars were deemed unsafe for the safety event!

If children had their bicycle inspected, and purchased their bike license,
they could get their picture take sitting in the mini police car. We have several photos identifying some lucky children.....

 

Officer Rich Bottrell (“Botchy”) and Officer Robert (“Whammy”) Brenberger
Celebrating Safety Circa 1977 (Police Dept Photo)

 

Alan Keener, age 13, at 1977 event
(Tribune Photo from Museum Archives)

 

Officer Brenberger take Polaroid Photo of John Valuet
(Tribune Photo from Museum Archives)

 

Educational Van (Note Ear) used in parades with mini Police Cars
(Museum Archive)

 

 

 

THE EIGHTIES

In 1986 Ferndale Police received an 80-pound robot police car via a $3,500 grant from Ed Schmid Ford. The car was made by Robotronics, which offers many safety promotional items and repair parts to this day (link HERE). The car featured remote controlled blinking eyes, a siren, flashing lights, and audio speakers. Office Bob Brenberger was the car's hidden voice.

 

An October 30, 1986 Free Press article, notes that“P.C. the Police Car, a pint-sized police car that talks, soon will be bringing safety messages from the Ferndale Police to students in nine elementary schools.” It was also used in at least one Memorial Day parade that we can confirm. Bob is quoted saying:
“We'll pick kids out of the audience to talk to the car. Unless you have a gimmick they fall asleep. Whatever that car says to the child, the child will remember for the rest of his life.”

P.C. and Safety Panda - Believe to be 1987 Memorial Day
(Museum Archive)

 

The car was discovered by Police Chief Patrick Sullivan at the 1985 Police Chief's convention in Houston Texas. It was demonstrated to City Council at their October 27, 1986 meeting. During the meeting Ed Schmid officially presented the car to the city and expressed his pleasure on being a 25-year business in the city. Mayor Gertley thanked Ed Schmid and his associates on behalf of the Council and all citizens for his most generous gift.

 

Office Bob Brenberger runs P.C. through its paces
for City Council (Tribune Photo)

 

In 2021 the Ferndale Police Department donated the car to Ferndale's Historical Society and it now resides in the museum. P.C. is showing her age and is missing her remote control and battery (expensive to replace) but fun to see!

P.C. Retired at the Museum (Museum Photo)

 

 

 

A FEW MORE THOUGHTS

The museum also has a collection of “Very Mini Police Cars”. A 1:24 scale Ferndale police car, issued in late 2005 by the UK's “Motor Max” company, is part of their law enforcement lineup and sports a patriotic paint scheme. It was donated to the museum in 2007 by David Lungu.

Motor Max 1:24 Scale Police Cruiser (Museum Collection & Photo)

Two other very mini cars from Road Champs in California are in the collection. A police cruiser and a police hot rod were donated to the museum in 2002 by Robert Baker. The paint schemes do not seem to match our local police designs. Online chatter says they more closely resemble a Ferndale Washington police vehicle.

Very Mini Police Cars (Museum Collection & Photo)

 

Lastly, a pair of rubber police cruiser keychains (handed out at the 2018 Dream Cruise) round out the collection.

Dream Cruise Rubber Keychain Handouts (Museum Collection & Photo)

 

We cannot discuss mini police cars without acknowledging the contributions to safety made by Ferndale's Police Youth Officer, Robert (Bob) Brenberger. He joined Ferndale's police force in 1969 and retired in 1994 (passing away in October 2010). As a young man he was the victim of a vehicle collision in Detroit resulting in the injury of 6 school children (4 of whom were safety guards). Perhaps this encouraged Bob's commitment throughout his career to the safety of children.

If you have memories or photos about these or other Ferndale mini police cars please share with the museum!