Police support local car dealers

The money to buy the cars is coming from funds seized from drug dealers.

STAFF REPORT

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

“We had a need for plainclothes 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 of 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.

The cars being replaced will be either auctioned off or if mileage is low, converted to marked cars.

Captain Jack Nichols, police fleet mechanic Mike Carkido and Berarducci worked with the dealers in selecting the vehicles that best suited the department’s needs and represented the best values. Carkido inspected the vehicles to insure their condition and reliability.

The cars and dealerships:

UChevrolet Tahoe, 2006, 46,000 miles , $17,730 from Sweeney Chevrolet.

UTwo Dodge Avengers, 2008, 16,310 and 17,600 miles, $12,500 each from Frederick Dodge.

UMercury Grand Marquis, 2007, 18,099 miles, $12,023 from Stadium Chevrolet Buick Pontiac GMC.

UDodge Charger, 2008, 28,425 miles, $13,998; and Ford Crown Victoria, 2008, 10,533 miles, both from Donnell Ford.

“My goal is to give our officers the tools they need to do their jobs and at a reasonable price,” Berarducci said.