The Stuart City Council met Monday night.
The Council met with Police Chief David Reha to discuss purchasing a new police vehicle.
Currently, the three officer department operates on a three vehicle rotation, where each vehicle is intended to stay in service for nine years, before being traded in for a new one.
The Police Department’s oldest vehicle, a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria, has been out of service for three years, according to Reha, and currently sits in a field behind the fire station. Before it was taken out of service, the vehicle was in a constant state of disrepair and featured a steering wheel that would shake vigorously at highway speeds.
Reha brought up several issues with the current nine-year vehicle rotation.
Because the department purchases each vehicle loaded with law enforcement equipment, such as computers, lights, radar and other systems, some of the gear officers use is up to nine years old, which Reha says makes it outdated and obsolete, in a public safety job where quality, reliable equipment can make a life or death difference.
Additionally, he adds, because the Crown Victoria has been out of service for three years, the other two vehicles, a Chevy Trailblazer and Chevy Tahoe, have amassed miles and engine hours at twice the usual rate.
Due to on-setting mechanical issues, Reha believes the Trailblazer may need to be removed from service in the next year.
Reha is recommending the City sell all of the police vehicles and begin a three or five year vehicle rotation. He details the benefits of doing so as both financial, and allowing officers to use state of the art equipment.
One notable financial benefit of a shorter use plan is trade-in value of different-aged used police vehicles. According to Reha, due to a low state bid purchase price, the City can get most of their money back in trade-in from a well-maintained and warrantied three or five year-old vehicle, whereas a nine-year old vehicle is used up and essentially worthless.
The City Council decided to review the financials of the proposal and address the topic at their next meeting.