Girard police to get six new cruisers

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

Officers will get to drive the new vehicles to and from work.

GIRARD — It has been more than 12 years since new cruisers hit the streets of the city, but officials have ordered six new ones, and those mobile tools of justice should be delivered in the near future.

Safety Service Director Jerry Lambert said the purchase order for the vehicles has recently been issued but he is unsure of the exact date of delivery. The six Chevrolet Impala police cars were bought through the state purchasing program from Greenwood Chevrolet.

According to Lambert, the cars will cost $19,600 each. He said the cost of outfitting each car with the necessary police equipment is estimated at about $5,000.

“Basically this is what council had in mind when they appropriated the $150,000. They figured the cars would cost about $20,000 and another $5,000 for accessories,” he said.

There had been much debate over what color the new vehicles should be. Some wanted a two-tone color similar to the black and white on the city’s current cruisers, but city officials went with a bluish-black.

“We wanted it to be a unique-looking car and stand out as the Girard Police Department,” he said. “We are going to use new decals on the cars, but the color combination and style have not been decided.”

Members of the police department had appealed to city officials to buy police cruiser models made by Ford or Dodge. Lambert said city officials found the Impala to be on par with models made by the other two manufacturers.

Members of the department charged with researching the cars before the purchase have said the other models are more durable and have more room for police work. Police Chief Frank Bigowsky said he is not happy with the choice of vehicle, but said any new cruisers are definitely appreciated.

“I am not happy with the Impalas, but if that is what the mayor says we are going to get, then that is what we are going to get,” he said. “The six cars will get us started. We needed to replace the whole fleet, but we will make do with six.”

Bigowsky said he will take a look at which cars in the department’s current fleet of 14 cars are in the worst shape. Those cars will be removed from service and replaced with the new cars.

The city will continue its take-home car policy for police officers. Bigowsky said the practice has been beneficial to the department and community.

“These will be take-home cars. I am not doing away with the take-home program. It’s much more practical. From the time that officer leaves his driveway until he pulls in he is in service, and if he is needed in an emergency he does not have to come to the police station to get his equipment,” he said.

jgoodwin@vindy.com