THOUSAND OAKS : Talking Car Drives Home Safety Lessons

When Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy Linda Weber goes out to talk safety with youngsters at elementary schools and preschools, she talks to her patrol car. The surprising thing is, the black-and-white vehicle talks back.

A new and flashier “Gabby,” the talking police car, has arrived. Capable of talking to audiences, Gabby also appears to start its own engine, run the lights and siren, work the power windows and lock the doors.

The voice coming out of the car radio is supplied by Deputy Lee Morris, who hides during the performance and speaks into a hand-held radio, while Weber works the mechanical tricks with a remote control device.

“It’s quite exciting to see the looks on the kids’ faces, especially when it gets personal and Gabby says, ‘Hey, you in the blue shirt, in the front row, would you come scratch my tire?’ ” Weber said.

The first Gabby broke down a few years ago and never was fixed because the car and equipment were old and outdated, Morris said.

Thousand Oaks city officials this year decided to buy a new electronics system to outfit an existing car already used by the officers teaching drug education at area middle schools, Morris said. The equipment cost $2,500, he said.

“I think this makes a big impression on the kids,” Morris said.

The officers talk to the children about safety issues, such as the “no, go-and-tell” method of reacting to strangers who approach, Morris said. The youngsters are told to say “no” to strangers and then to go and tell a trusted adult, he said.

Morris said Gabby also is meant to teach children that they don’t have to be afraid of police officers.

“We’re killing a lot of birds with just this one Gabby show,” Morris said.

After talking to the children about safety, Gabby tells Weber that he’s ready to go, she said.

“Gabby can say, ‘I’d like to go home now and if you’re not going to take me home, I’ll do it myself.’ Then, the engine starts up,” Weber said.

After the show, the children are allowed to get inside the car, Morris said. To schedule a free Gabby appearance at any community event, call 494-8256 or 494-8267.