|
Friday, 21 March 2008 |
SO moves to Dodge for new cruisers
By KAREN CAMPBELL
Staff Writer
The Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office is going to try adding a new type of cruiser to its fleet and see how the change goes, the sheriff says.
Sheriff Al Solomon this week decided to accept bids for two 2008 Dodge Chargers as part of the office’s annual replacement of two cruisers.
St. Marys Chrysler submitted the lowest bid of three received earlier this month for the new cruisers. They were the only company submitting bids for a car that was not a Ford Crown Victoria, which is the model the office currently uses in its fleet.
The Dodge Chargers, at a cost of $18,130 each including trade-in of existing cruisers, are approximately $1,250 more than a regular 2008 Dodge Charger.
The Dodge Chargers being purchased have special police packages and Hemi engines, additions Solomon said are necessary for them to compare with the current fleet.
“The Sheriff’s Office
was pleased with all bids, but decided to go with St. Marys Chrysler this year as they were the lowest,” Solomon said. “We anticipate a good relationship with St. Marys Chrysler and look forward to working with them.”
Solomon declined to comment further on the decision to try a different type of car in the fleet. The new cruisers are replacing 2005 Crown Victorias.
Bids on new Crown Victorias were received from Clark Sales of Wapakoneta for $18,470 each with trade-in, and Statewide Ford of Van Wert for $19,300 each with trade-in.
The Sheriff’s Office had a mixed fleet until approximately 2003, when the fleet was all Dodge Intrepids, Solomon said. Since then, the office has replaced two cruisers a year to get to its full Ford Crown Victoria fleet.
When bids were received, Solomon said history would play an important part in deciding which cars to buy.
“We have to look at everything, suspension, the weight of the vehicle, maintenance costs, how it compares to prior vehicles,” Solomon said. “We put a lot of mileage on our cars. They get put through the mill. They have to be sturdy, durable and dependable.”
No delivery date has been set for the new cruisers. |
|
Last Updated ( Friday, 21 March 2008 )
|
