NATCHEZ — The Natchez Police Department will soon have shiny new crime-fighting machines on the streets in the form of five Dodge Chargers.

Natchez Interim Police Chief Danny White said he ordered the new cars, which cost $21,500 each, from a state-contracted dealership in Gulfport Wednesday.

The cars were financed on a two-year lease and are paid for through the police department’s budget.

The cars are expected to arrive in March, White said, and will replace four cars with high mileage and one other car that was totaled in November when it was hit by another car while parked.

White said the older cars have a lot of wear-and-tear on them and are frequently in the repair shop. He said it is more cost effective to replace the cars.

Four of the cars, White said, will be patrol cars, and one will be an unmarked car for the criminal investigation division.

Lights will be installed on the top of the patrol cars and cages in the interior once the cars arrive in March. White said the new cars could be on the street by April.

The new cars, White said, will help the police department better serve the community. He said having reliable and up-to-date equipment allows officers to be more efficient when responding to calls.

“We also have more visibility on the streets,” White said. “A lot more people recognize the (new) cars more than the old ones.”