The Kemah Police Department in Texas has received a donated Tesla Cybertruck for testing as a patrol vehicle, sparking widespread mockery from residents on social media. The electric pickup, provided free by Enterprise Leasing, will be evaluated for daily operations without using taxpayer funds. Public comments highlight doubts about its practicality in pursuits and flooding scenarios.
Authorities in Kemah, a small city southeast of Houston, have incorporated a Tesla Cybertruck into their police fleet. Donated by Enterprise Leasing, the vehicle features standard design with added police livery and will undergo testing to determine its suitability for patrol duties. Officials emphasized that no public money was spent on the acquisition.
The announcement on the department's Facebook page elicited a wave of humorous and skeptical responses from locals. One commenter quipped, “Lmaooo imagine the battery dying tryna chase someone,” while another stated, “Y’all ain’t catching anyone in that.” Comparisons to household appliances were common, with a user joking, “Hey guys, if anyone’s missing their refrigerator I found it, it’s having an identity crisis and is now trying to identify as a cop car.” Flooding concerns also surfaced, as one post noted, “Flood waters, here we don’t come!” A particularly vivid remark captured the sentiment: “If that thing is chasing me, ain’t no way I’m stopping for a garbage can.”
This addition follows a trend of U.S. police departments experimenting with Cybertrucks. For instance, officers in Las Vegas recently acquired ten modified versions from Unplugged Performance. While specifics on the Kemah model's variant remain undisclosed, its performance and safety features could prove advantageous for law enforcement. However, challenges like battery range and charging infrastructure in a region accustomed to gas-powered vehicles raise questions about long-term viability.