Milford Studies Specs For New Police Car
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
MILFORD - Quotes for a new Milford police car ranged from $16,725 to $20,300.
The Milford Town Council discussed its options for more than two hours Monday before deciding to table a decision until obtaining more information on the vehicles. The council wants to know what comes in the package with each of the vehicles from each of the Ford and Chevrolet dealers.
Due to economic uncertainties, the council also decided not to go with three police cars for the police department at this time.
Quotes included: McCormack Chevrolet Motors, Nappanee, 2003 Impala, with trade-in, $16,725; Burnsworth Zollars Chevy Oldsmobile Pontiac, Ligonier, 2003 Chevy Impala, $17,095.08, or a 2003 Crown Victoria, $19,229.25; Truex Auto Sales, Wakarusa, 2004 Dodge Intrepid, $18,800 with trade-in; Rice Ford Lincoln Mercury, Warsaw, 2003 Crown Victoria, $19,180 with trade-in; state bid system, Bloomington Ford Inc., 2003 Ford, $18,990, or Valley Chevrolet, 2003 Chevy Impala, $17,335.
Part of the discussion centered on which was better - a Ford or Chevrolet. The council decided not to consider the Dodge vehicle.
"Item for item," said councilman Robert Phillips, "I think Ford is bigger."
Room-wise, town marshal Dave Hobbs said there's a dramatic difference between Ford and Chevy. "Basically, this all comes down to our department .... we would prefer the Ford over the Chevy." He said the Chevy doesn't ride compatible with the Ford. "The Ford drives a lot better."
Councilman Douglas Ruch asked Hobbs how many times do Milford officers transfer people to jail. Hobbs said it wasn't an every day occurrence but if there's a traffic accident and the weather is poor, they need to sit people in the squad car.
Ruch then asked if the council got a new car, will the officers use it or was Hobbs going to give the officers his old car and use the new car for himself. Hobbs said they could talk about that later. Right now, they just had to choose a car.
One reason the town needs to replace one of their vehicles is because of the "high repair costs" associated with it, Hobbs said.
John Lehman, town council chairman, said Fort Wayne has 400 police cars and in 2000, started buying Chevys for their fleet and now half their fleet is Chevy. The police chief, Lehman said, said the Chevy is better. Other cities, like Columbia City, also are starting to go to Chevys.
"My idea is that we need a town car, not what we're going to drive on the toll road with," said Ruch.
Hobbs said he agreed but has heard mixed opinions about Chevy. Plus, if they go to a Chevy, not all their equipment will transfer from their Ford vehicle.
As for having a third car for the department, Ruch said, "My opinion is that I don't think we can justify a third car at this time."
Lehman agreed saying the economy is in limbo. Gas prices are high. And there is no knowing what tomorrow will bring.
Money for the police car, clerk-treasurer Charlotte Siegfried told the council, will come out of the cumulative capital improvement fund.
Members of the town council are Douglas Ruch, John Lehman and Robert Phillips. Their regular meeting is at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of every month. [[In-content Ad]]
MILFORD - Quotes for a new Milford police car ranged from $16,725 to $20,300.
The Milford Town Council discussed its options for more than two hours Monday before deciding to table a decision until obtaining more information on the vehicles. The council wants to know what comes in the package with each of the vehicles from each of the Ford and Chevrolet dealers.
Due to economic uncertainties, the council also decided not to go with three police cars for the police department at this time.
Quotes included: McCormack Chevrolet Motors, Nappanee, 2003 Impala, with trade-in, $16,725; Burnsworth Zollars Chevy Oldsmobile Pontiac, Ligonier, 2003 Chevy Impala, $17,095.08, or a 2003 Crown Victoria, $19,229.25; Truex Auto Sales, Wakarusa, 2004 Dodge Intrepid, $18,800 with trade-in; Rice Ford Lincoln Mercury, Warsaw, 2003 Crown Victoria, $19,180 with trade-in; state bid system, Bloomington Ford Inc., 2003 Ford, $18,990, or Valley Chevrolet, 2003 Chevy Impala, $17,335.
Part of the discussion centered on which was better - a Ford or Chevrolet. The council decided not to consider the Dodge vehicle.
"Item for item," said councilman Robert Phillips, "I think Ford is bigger."
Room-wise, town marshal Dave Hobbs said there's a dramatic difference between Ford and Chevy. "Basically, this all comes down to our department .... we would prefer the Ford over the Chevy." He said the Chevy doesn't ride compatible with the Ford. "The Ford drives a lot better."
Councilman Douglas Ruch asked Hobbs how many times do Milford officers transfer people to jail. Hobbs said it wasn't an every day occurrence but if there's a traffic accident and the weather is poor, they need to sit people in the squad car.
Ruch then asked if the council got a new car, will the officers use it or was Hobbs going to give the officers his old car and use the new car for himself. Hobbs said they could talk about that later. Right now, they just had to choose a car.
One reason the town needs to replace one of their vehicles is because of the "high repair costs" associated with it, Hobbs said.
John Lehman, town council chairman, said Fort Wayne has 400 police cars and in 2000, started buying Chevys for their fleet and now half their fleet is Chevy. The police chief, Lehman said, said the Chevy is better. Other cities, like Columbia City, also are starting to go to Chevys.
"My idea is that we need a town car, not what we're going to drive on the toll road with," said Ruch.
Hobbs said he agreed but has heard mixed opinions about Chevy. Plus, if they go to a Chevy, not all their equipment will transfer from their Ford vehicle.
As for having a third car for the department, Ruch said, "My opinion is that I don't think we can justify a third car at this time."
Lehman agreed saying the economy is in limbo. Gas prices are high. And there is no knowing what tomorrow will bring.
Money for the police car, clerk-treasurer Charlotte Siegfried told the council, will come out of the cumulative capital improvement fund.
Members of the town council are Douglas Ruch, John Lehman and Robert Phillips. Their regular meeting is at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of every month. [[In-content Ad]]