Poland Twp police donate cruiser

WASHINGTONVILLE -- Village police now have two cruisers on patrol, thanks to a donation from Poland Township police.
Chief J.R. Blakeman said Poland donated a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria.
Although the cruiser has about 100,000 miles on it, it is in excellent shape, Blakeman said.
He commended the Poland Township force for its care of the vehicle and careful record keeping of the vehicle's maintenance.
He said Washingtonville has had just one cruiser for about six months because the second vehicle's age made it unsafe. He said he likes to keep two cruisers available for patrols to save wear and tear on the newer vehicle, a 2001 Crown Victoria. "We have to be careful, because with our budget it will be a while before we can buy another new one," he said.
Blakeman said the donation was the result of a casual conversation with Mahoning County Commissioner Dave Ludt. Blakeman said he and Ludt were at a seminar recently, and Blakeman related the usual budget woes of a small department, noting a used cruiser was needed.
"He said he'd see what he could do, and it didn't take long," Blakeman said.
After Ludt made some inquires, Poland Township Chief Carl Massullo got the OK from trustees to donate the vehicle. The township department recently bought new cruisers.
"I'm sure they could have sold it, but they decided to give it to us," Blakeman said. "I can't say enough thanks to everyone."
Blakeman is the department's only full-time officer on the six-person force.