Heat prompts police to pop hoods on patrol cars

CEDAR RAPIDS – The sweltering heat Tuesday prompted Cedar Rapids police to take precautions with their patrol cars.

Two police cruisers had their hoods popped as they blocked traffic after an accident at the Highway 100 and Interstate 380 interchange Tuesday morning, as temperatures crept toward 90 degrees. At first glance, it looked like they were broken down, but police said it's common practice when it gets this hot.

“If they're running, and when it's this hot, they'll put their hoods up just to get a little more air through there,” Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said.

Hamblin said patrol cars that block traffic often are kept running because of the drain that emergency lights and in-car computers have on the car battery.

“It's not just because officers want to get into a cool car,” Hamblin said.