APD switchs out three older cruisers for SUVs

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

Township police will have three new marked cars on the road after outfitting them.

Austintown Police Chief Robert Gavalier said three sport utility vehicles are replacing three Crown Victorias each with more than 100,000 miles on them.

“Police cars, some of them are running 24 hours a day. They do a lot of idling. A lot of wear and tear,” Gavalier said.

The Crown Victorias will be sold at a township auction. Each SUV was about $25,000 with an additional $7,000 to $9,000 to equip them, Gavalier said.

Austintown Trustee Ken Carano said the state has moved to SUVs because more things can fit into them. Austintown purchases vehicles through the state purchasing program.

The three vehicles will be on the road once they are outfitted with police accessories, such as the overhead lights. The department now has 12 cruisers.

Earlier this year, the department received $14,440 through a federal Justice Assistance Grant to buy four desktop computers and 10 stun weapons.