The Allegheny County sheriff's department has a new tool in its arsenal to "Mini-mize" crime.

The sheriff's department has unveiled the first-ever Mini Cooper law enforcement patrol car in the country, aptly named the "MINI COPPER."

	Annie O'Neill, Post-Gazette The Allegheny County sheriff's department's newest patrol car is a Mini Cooper. The car will be used to promote various city and county events as well as in conjunction with crime-prevention activities. Click photo for larger image.

MINI of Pittsburgh, located in Shadyside, donated the car to the department for six months to a year to promote various city and county events. It will also be used in conjunction with crime prevention activities, such as child identification and protection from strangers programs.

Sheriff Pete DeFazio said the car is expected to appear in well over 100 parades throughout the county, and also will be on display at area malls, community festivals and special events. The MINI COPPER will headline the annual Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix in Schenley Park later this month.

Wednesday night, the MINI and DeFazio appeared in the Crafton Celebrates parade. The little car was a big hit.

"It's an eye-catcher and a real conversation piece," DeFazio said. "Kids came up and wanted to take pictures with it. It seems to be really popular with the kids."

Fiscal watchdogs can breathe a sigh of relief. The vehicle and all its accessories were donated. While MINI of Pittsburgh provided the vehicle, Christopher and Vince Longo Sr., of VLA Communications, created the concept, Antolik's Graphics Studio provided the sheriff decals and B&D Electronics custom-made the siren and emergency lighting system.

"It's a win-win for everybody," Bill Schmitt, manager of MINI of Pittsburgh, said. "It's good exposure for the sheriff's department and for us."

The car will appear at the Galleria mall in Mt. Lebanon today and tomorrow from 1 to 3 p.m. Sheriff's deputies will be on hand to offer safety tips and crime prevention information.