Boardman buys American

BOARDMAN — The latest additions to the township’s police fleet come from four township car dealerships.

“We had a need for plain clothes cars, not old police cruisers,” said Chief Patrick Berarducci. “The trustees wanted to help our dealers stay profitable in these uncertain times, so we worked together over the last four days and saved a lot of money. This is not a gift, it is good business.”

The police department bought low mileage cars at less than half what they would have cost new just a year ago, and the vehicles all come with warranties, he said.

The $83,250 cost of the cars, which will be driven by detectives and administration, is coming from money seized from drug dealers.

“I want the cars to reflect the community,” Berarducci said referring to the types of cars.

The cars used by detectives previously were either Dodge Intrepids or Ford Crown Victorias. That made surveillance difficult because the cars were easy to spot, he said.

Read more in Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com