The Athens County commissioners may need to allocate more money to the Sheriff's Department's maintenance fund until the county can afford to replace several of its aging cruisers.
We didn't think we'd have the income to (replace any cruisers this year)
said County Commissioner Mark Sullivan.
The department is allowed $50,000 each year to maintain its vehicles.
The fund is almost depleted Sullivan said.
The county commissioners recently asked the sheriff to create a plan for the cruisers' replacement.
Our cruisers are in bad shape said Pat Kelly, Athens County sheriff, adding that many of the cruisers have 150,000 miles or more on them. It's an office for the deputies every day
he said.
Cruisers typically include a radio system, sirens, laptops and equipment, such as weapons and police vests.
Outfitted cruisers cost about $30,000 and the sheriff's office currently owns about 34 cruisers, Kelly said.
The sheriff's office makes due with what it is allotted, he said.
They could double my budget
and it probably would not be (enough) to do what we do
Kelly said.
Typically, the county purchases several new cruisers each year.
The county bought a couple cruisers last year and hopes to buy as many as five new cruisers next year, Sullivan said.
It would be nice if we could get into a rotation where we replace five a year
he said.
Kelly agreed that such a rotation would be ideal.
I think that would be nice
but I think they need to do it
Kelly said. It is just hollow dialogue if the commissioners do not follow through on a replacement plan, he said.
Last month, Athens City Council approved the purchase of one new cruiser for the Athens Police Department this year. The cruiser will cost about $33,000.
cb119506@ohiou.edu
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