There is no doubt a Corvette draws looks, admiration and crowds, so what better way to get the community’s attention than with an eye-catching Corvette C5. The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office could not let the opportunity pass by when, over a year ago, they confiscated a 1999 C5 after a hot pursuit that reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour.

According to the Citrus County Chronicle, the driver and owner, Bryan Leonard Stevens, forfeited the car to the sheriff’s office after his arrest on charges of fleeing deputies, possessing drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. The sheriff’s office then invested approximately $10,000 repairing and modifying the Corvette with recycled emergency lights and other equipment.

Originally red, the Corvette is now white and decorated with decals. Among the most prominent is the “Confiscated Vehicle” decal on the hood. It’s new purpose: Fighting Crime and bringing awareness to the Citrus County Sheriff’s FOCUS Program which stands for “Filtering Out Crime United with Students,” and the “Teen Driver Challenge” in high school.

Teen Driver Challenge Program

Since the FOCUS program began in 2000, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office has used popular and attractive cars to reach students and talk about the dangers and consequences of drugs and crime.

Sgt. Ron Frink, on an interview with the Citrus County Chronicle, stated, “It gets our programs out there. It gets us involved with the kids, and it gets us involved with the parents.”

Sgt. Frink, who supervises school resource officers, said that the sports car is a great way to display all the school programs they offer. It helps to start a dialogue between the kids and the officers about the consequences of drugs and crime.

Stevens, who remains on probation for his charges, stated that while he tries to forget what he did over a year ago, he is glad his former Corvette is being used for such a good cause. “Anything the police can do to make children more aware of bad situations, I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Stevens stated.