PATCH ANSWERS: How Much Would It Have Cost Chelmsford Police to Buy Sedans Instead of SUVs?
You asked, now Chelmsford Patch answers.
Last week, the Lowell Sun reported on Chelmsford's new SUVs, and that lead one Patch reader to wonder how much it might have cost to get sedans instead, like the old Crown Victorias that have been discontinued.
We checked and the difference wasn't that significant.
Chelmsford purchases vehicles as part of a pooled contractual agreement with the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department along with dozens of other police departments across the Commonwealth.
In that contract, the cost for the SUVs prior to a la carte additional items was $26,725, and the cost for the sedans were $24,575.
Under the Town Manager's level service funded recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2014, the town would allocate $142,000 to police vehicle replacement, up from $130,000 in Fiscal Year 2013 due to the Crown Victoria discontinuation.
The town replaces several police vehicles each year due to continual use and wear and tear making replacement cheaper than continued maintenance.
Jennifer
7:04 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
In an emergency during inclement weather I prefer there to be an suv available for the police to safely make their way to a call. Cost in the case of 1 or 2 suvs is irrelevant. It isn't like the whole force has one.
Phil stanway
7:05 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
With all the ice storms and downed trees in the past few years SUV's make more sense. I have a truck and a car and only the truck could make it out after those killer storms. They are not needed 90% of the time... but when they are is when they are need most.
Iron Mike
8:18 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
I've had an SUV for 28 years - will NEVER go back. This was a smart investment in our Police being able to respond. Now buy chains for the front tires - just for that once-in-5-years ice storm.
Tom Gilroy
8:40 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
The Sadans were no longer available, the SUV is the only way to go for emergency response in all kinds weather. This was a great investment and in the long run, will prove to be the most economical.
Ken Wooster
10:31 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
Please, this is their "office" for hours on end. Cost should not be the factor in getting the job done in a safe, comfortable and practical vehicle. Police are not simply traveling the main streets. All weather and road condition vehicles should be used.
Anna Bucciarelli
2:27 pm on Monday, February 4, 2013
Ditto to all above comments.
John Doe
6:00 pm on Monday, February 4, 2013
The SUVs were a necessity. As we're the diamond studded headlights and the the gold rims.
They are especially necessary is a town with so few police calls that the union had to negotiate having the police go to every 9-1-1 call in order to justify having an absurd number of officers all making over $100k.
Awesome!
Anna Bucciarelli
6:48 pm on Monday, February 4, 2013
Ah, John ... your sarcasm is noted and not agreed to. Anytime you need them, the police are there, at least that's been my experience, and pronto too. These are the good guys and driving safe vehicles in our climate really is a necessity.
Donna Reed
10:53 am on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Please check your facts before speaking Mr. "Doe". While we do have SOME officers making over $100,000 per year, as was recently published in the newspaper, certainly not ALL 60+ officers are making that kind of money. As a taxpayer, the salary figures of our officers, firefighters, teachers and Administrators are readily available (with a little leg work) to all of us for confirmation.... And, those officers making over $100,000. per year are EARNING it. We ALSO have a number of police officers who volunteer a lot of their time to our town, it's youth and our citizens. I think we should be counting ourselves lucky.