WARREN POLICE City officials try to crunch numbers to get equipment in detective's cars

The auditor is not sure how much it will cost to install the lights and sirens on the detectives' vehicles.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- While the law director is in the middle of writing an opinion on the city's purchasing practices, officials are trying to find a way to legally install radios, sirens and lights for four unmarked detective cars.
Auditor David Griffing said he has been conferring with Law Director Greg Hicks about how he can pay for the needed equipment installation for the vehicles without exceeding $15,000.
State law prohibits government entities from spending more than $15,000 without seeking competitive bids.
"Greg is still working on his opinion, which will help us know when we need to go out to bid on items," Griffing said. "I have been talking to him and trying to sort out the problem with the unmarked vehicles. I don't want to do anything that is going to violate the law."
Griffing and Hicks said the police department recently bought four used cars from area dealerships. The cars are being driven by detectives.
Looking at costs
Each car cost less than $15,000, Griffing said. The cars cost $10,100, $11,600, $11,900 and $12,000, respectively, city records show.
"The problem is that once you add in the equipment installation you may be over the $15,000 mark," Hicks said.
Griffing noted that the radio equipment installation runs about $1,200 per car. He was not sure how much it will cost to install the lights and sirens.
"It would have been easier if the police department came to us before they bought the cars, because then we could have decided if we needed to go out to bid," Hicks said. "I'm trying to write out an opinion that will help department heads and city officials understand the purchasing laws so they can make a policy. Department heads and city officials should remember that when in doubt they should ask first."
Police Chief John Mandopoulos said he did ask the city administration for permission to buy the vehicles.
"The purchase orders to buy the cars went through the administration," the chief said. "I don't understand why we can't get the equipment installed. We took the equipment off the old cars; we just need it installed."
The chief said he is not sure how much it will cost to install the lights and sirens, but he believes it won't be more than $500 per vehicle.
'A safety issue'
"It's a safety issue for the detectives," Mandopoulos said. "They need the equipment so they can do their jobs. Should we take all the pens, pencils and paper away from the city auditor's office and tell them to do their jobs?"
Griffing noted that the detectives do have portable radios and cellular telephones.
"The portable radios and cell phones don't work from all areas of the city," the chief said. "They really need the radio equipment in the car."
sinkovich@vindy.com