(Image Source: The Burlington Free Press)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

Some Vermont police cruisers were gettin’ piggy with it thanks to prison inmates -- the police just didn’t know it. KATU reports on what inmates at a prison print shop did to decals that went on police cars.

“This is what the cow is supposed to look like on the decal, but notice the difference on the new decal. One of the cow’s spots is actually a pig -- a derogatory term for police.”

But the decals might not be so new -- KPTV has details on how long it took police to notice the pig shape.

“A trooper just noticed the problem -- nearly four years after the inmates printed them off.”

The decals made it onto 30 cars. KTTV anchors had a good laugh -- and a bit of a debate, over the decals.

(laughter)
“It’s in the shape of a pig.”
“That’s what they get!”
“It took a sharp-eyed officer.”
“He should get a promotion.”
“I thought they should’ve made donuts instead.”
“That’s not right.”

But The Burlington Free Press spoke with Vermont Corrections Commissioner Andy Palito and Major William Sheets -- executive officer for the Vermont State Police. Neither of them are laughing.

“While some people might find humor in the news story, Sheets and Pallito said, it comes at the expense of Vermont taxpayers. Pallito said each decal costs $13. He believes 60 defective decals were manufactured.”

For those of you reaching for your calculators -- that’s $780.