Three things to know about Belmont Police Department's police taxi

A repurposed Belmont Police Department car is part of a special mission, according to police.

The car

The car, which is partially painted so that the back of a car resembles a yellow taxi, is part of a campaign urging people not to drink and drive, Capt. Matt Sherrill said. 

It is often displayed at events in Belmont.

"In a nutshell, it's just a message to not drink and drive. That's plain and simple," Sherrill said. 

Where'd it come from?

Sheriff Chad Hawkins, formerly the Belmont police chief, came up with the idea for the car in 2018, Sherrill said. 

"We had a car that was old, and he just wanted to keep it to use for that purpose," Sherrill said. 

Hawkins could not immediately be reached for comment.

The concept

The car is meant as a conversation starter, or a mobile billboard that reminds people not to drive if they've been drinking alcohol. The car is not used for official police business.

It's "to kind of get you thinking, if you're drinking, choose wisely. Take an Uber, take a taxi, don't drink and drive."