NEW POLICE PATROL CARS BEING TESTED IN THESE URBAN AREAS SHOW HOW COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY CAN IMPROVE AND MAKE POLICE PATROL SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT. WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, THE OFFICER IS HELPED IN MANY WAYS BECAUSE COMMUNICATION WITH THE COMMAND CENTER IS MUCH FASTER. THE POLICE CAR HAS A COMPUTER KEYBOARD AND SCREEN IN THE DASHBOARD, A PRINTER BETWEEN THE TWO FRONT SEATS FOR EASY ACCESS, AND A CASSETTE TAPE WHICH PROVIDES A PROGRAMMING UNIT FOR EACH CAR. THE CAR'S TERMINAL HAS DIRECT ACCESS TO THE MAIN POLICE COMPUTER, SO THAT THE OFFICER CAN MAKE A QUICK RECORD CHECK OR DETERMINE IF A CAR IS STOLEN. RISING GASOLINE PRICES AND OTHER MAINTENANCE COSTS HAVE NECESSITATED THE TESTING OF OTHER INNOVATIONS IN THE AUTOMOBILES. THEY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH EFFICIENT VARIABLE CYLINDER ENGINES WHICH PROVIDE ACCEPTABLE POWER LEVELS AS WELL AS GOOD FUEL ECONOMY. THIS PROTOTYPE CAR HAS ANTILOCK BRAKES TO INCREASE THE STOPPING POWER ON WET ROADS. THE COMPUTER TERMINAL IN THE CAR CONTROLS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS, FLASHING INDICATOR LIGHTS WHEN SOMETHING IS WRONG, SUCH AS LOW FLUIDS OR A HOT ENGINE. THE COMPUTER ALSO TELLS WHEN THE CAR NEEDS A TUNEUP. AN AUTOMATIC VEHICLE LOCATER IN THESE CARS SIGNALS SO THAT HELP CAN COME QUICKLY WHEN THE OFFICER PUSHES A BUTTON. EACH OFFICER HAS A HAND-HELD COMMUNICATOR WHICH IS TIED IN WITH THE COMMAND CENTER. WITH THIS NEW PATROL CAR, ROUTINE FUNCTIONS ARE MADE EASIER, MAKING POLICE PATROL SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT. (BAC)