FROM: Chief of Police, M.A. Harl
REF: Purchasing New Vehicles
I have requested once again to purchase five police cruisers. As you may or may not know, our fleet is quickly becoming antiquated.
We currently have one 1994 Caprice, which has been issued to the Ordinance Officer. This vehicle has over 200,000 miles, and will soon fall apart.
We have four 1995 ford's with over 130,000, and we have four 1996 ford's that have over 150,000 miles.
These vehicles, because of their age, and mileage, require high maintenance, and it is costing more and more to keep these vehicles on the street.
Safety is of the up most importance, and we should do everything possible to make sure the officers are operating equipment that will not get them or someone else hurt.
Anytime an officer is dispatched on a run, especially on a run requiring a quick response, it is important that the officers arrives, and arrives safely, lives depend on it, and with some of our older vehicles it is becoming less likely that the officer will arrive. These vehicles are breaking down almost everyday.
If we cannot replace these vehicles soon there may be a public safety issue. To some degree, I believe we have an issue,(NOW).
Any time an officer is called upon to respond quickly, or if the officer must operate the vehicles at a high rate of speed, the officer is in danger, as well as the public. This danger is a direct result of the high mileage, and age of the vehicle, and the fact that we have not been allowed to purchase new vehicles for two years. Knowing that these vehicles need replaced, and the failure to do so will likely result in a lawsuit.
Because of the reasons stated, I am requesting the City Council to purchase the five vehicles. We need to make sure that this does not occur, and we need to make sure we avoid any lawsuits resulting form an accident caused by an unsafe vehicle.
note; I was allowed to purchase two vehicles that we had grants for, however, because it took so long to get cleared to make the purchase, we can no longer get the 2006 vehicles. We will have to wait until the 2007 vehicles are on the market.
Sincerely,
Chief M.A. Harl
Footnote: This information was obtained thru I.C. 5-14-3-1
Freedom Of Speech would like to ask Chief Harl:
1. What is New Albany's policy on high speed chases?
2. Are you trying to convince us taxpayers that our local Chevy Dealer would not sell you 2006 Lumina cars?
Freedom Of Speech not only supports the New Albany Police Dept, but we also support the N.A. Fire Dept. as well.
But...Chief Harl where we have a problem was back in 2004. The take home car issue was brought to yours and Mayor Garners attention. (And of course nothing was resolved.)
We feel that if you don't live in New Albany you should not get a take home car.
If your department had kept a log maybe last year you would have noticed about all the wear and tear and mileage on these vehicles. We checked out a financial statement earlier this year and we noticed 60 tires were purchased. I'll bet if you would check the cars that leave the city those are the ones who has the higher mileage.
The city is in a financial crisis and we feel if the police department is not willing to compromise then they should park the police cars at the parking garage.
We do not feel you nor any elected official should try to use fear tatics to intimidate taxpayers. No one ever wants to see an officer shot or injuried.
Is the Mayor willing to give up the 6% raise which he is requesting to help pay for your new police cars?
