Girard stalls on matter of cruisers

Council may vote on the matter at its next meeting.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

GIRARD — A special meeting of Girard council ended with more frustration than solutions.

Council members met Monday evening to discuss and possibly act on legislation to buy six new police cars. Council previously set aside $150,000 to buy and outfit new cruisers.

The city last bought a fleet of police cars in 1996. At that time, 18 were purchased. One of those vehicles was destroyed in an accident, three are now being used for spare parts, and 14 are still patrolling city streets.

Capt. John Villecco, who has been researching the proposed purchase, told council a police car model by Dodge is most suitable for the city’s needs and likely the safest vehicle.

“My personal preference would be the Dodge. Everyone is familiar with Daimler Benz, the parent company, and they are ahead of everyone else as far as safety. This is by far the safest vehicle,” he said.

Council has received bid prices of $19,400, $21,900 and $23,500 for Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge police car models, respectively, but those figures could change depending on what options the city decides to get in the cars and the total cost of putting light bars and other necessities on them.

Villecco said some options had been deleted to bring the cost of the Dodge cars down, but Safety-Service Director Jerry Lambert said those changes had not been discussed with city administration.

Council said there still has been no decision on painting options with the cars, which could increase the cost, no comparison of decal cost among different companies, and no exact figure for lighting and other things the cars will need.

Council Joseph Shelby said council could not possibly decide to buy the cars with the information provided.

“I requested this meeting for the purpose of information and discussion before we go to a vote. I can’t vote for this measure until we have more information,” he said.

Councilman Brian Kren, hearing how little information was available, asked members of council why the special meeting was necessary. He said the details still left open should have been settled in a committee meeting before council met to decide the issue.

Council Mike Costarella asked Lambert and Villecco to come up with some specifications for the cars and a dollar amount for the cars and additional equipment by council’s meeting next Monday.

Police Chief Frank Bigowsky promised council that the numbers would be ready by council’s regular meeting so a vote could be taken on the legislation to buy the cars. The legislation should go to a third a final reading at that session.

jgoodwin@vindy.com