Council okays new patrol cars, used vehicles for administration, detectives

December 05, 2001
Santa Paula News

Two police officers will be patrolling in new cars with administration and investigations driving two used vehicles after the City Council approved the expenditures at the Nov. 19 meeting.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesTwo police officers will be patrolling in new cars with administration and investigations driving two used vehicles after the City Council approved the expenditures at the Nov. 19 meeting.During a November 2001-2002 budget study session, the recommended budget included the purchase of two previously owned vehicles to be assigned to administration and investigations, according to a report by Chief Bob Gonzales.“In the recent past, staff cars have been purchased new (as needed) through the state purchasing system,” concurrent with the acquisition of black and white patrol cruisers. Over the years, department has also purchased low-mileage, previously owned vehicles from local and outside sources.The last such purchase was of a 1999 Ford Taurus and 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass, the latter from Santa Paula Chevrolet.“The advantages of buying vehicles from companies such as these is the large selection, excellent maintenance and good pricing,” Chief Gonzales noted.
The cost of two used vehicles will not exceed $30,000.That price will be doubled to about $60,000 for two 2002 Ford Crown Victoria vehicles, Chief Gonzales reported.The new vehicles - the Crown Victoria seems to be the police patrol cruiser of choice - will be acquired through the state’s cooperative purchasing program, which offered the lowest bid for the vehicles.The contract for special service vehicles was again awarded to Downtown Ford of Sacramento, which specializes in providing law enforcement vehicles.Upon purchase the vehicles will be retrofitted for police duty and equipment converted; the customizing of the vehicles is included in the projected purchase price, noted Chief Gonzales.The cost of the new vehicles is also coming out of the 2001-2002 budget cycle.



Site Search

E-Subscribe

Subscribe

E-SUBSCRIBE
Call 805 525 1890 to receive the entire paper early. $50.00 for one year.

webmaster