The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) in Florida reacted humorously to a prank after discovering a “For Sale” sign placed on one of their patrol cars over the weekend.
The patrol car, a white Ford, became the centerpiece of attention when a photo of it sporting the sign was shared on the CCSO’s Facebook page this Monday, March 18.
The vehicle was parked in the grass median of a local road in Englewood, a small town about 85 miles south of Tampa, giving the appearance of being ready for a new owner.
“Despite its high mileage and idling hours, this baby has lots of life left and plenty of stories to tell,” the CCSO posted.
The post highlighted the car’s resilience and history with the force, albeit joking about the comfort of its accommodations.
“Sure, the leg room in the back is minimal and the rear seats aren’t all that comfortable, but real friends sit up front anyway!” the post added.
While clarifying that the vehicle was not actually up for sale, the Sheriff’s Office expressed amusement over the prank but also gently reminded the public of the seriousness of respecting law enforcement resources.
The vehicle had been parked with the intent of deterring speeders in the area, a mission somewhat foiled by the playful advertisement.
The community response to the CCSO’s post was overwhelmingly positive, with hundreds of comments praising the department’s lighthearted reaction.
“I was waiting for this post! Glad to see people still have a sense of humor, on both ends! ?❣️ PS whoever is in charge of these posts needs a raise!! ?,” commented one Facebook user.
Another community member appreciated the friendly approach.
“I’m so glad y’all took this with a light heart! I love our ‘small’ town!”
The prank, while simple, seemed to remind the local community of their shared values and the importance of humor, even in law enforcement interactions.
The CCSO later clarified to McClatchy News that while placing signs on vehicles is not inherently illegal, akin to placing a flyer under windshield wipers, they advise against tampering with law enforcement vehicles.
They also reiterated the importance of these vehicles’ roles in community safety and advised the public to keep them undisturbed.
