SPRINGDALE -- The Police Department could soon be getting replacement squad cars.
The City Council Committee unanimously recommended on Monday the council approve the Police Department using $56,510 to buy two squad cars.
Police Chief Mike Peters sent a letter to Mayor Doug Sprouse last week requesting a transfer of money to increase the department's vehicle account to purchase the vehicles.
Peters asked $14,875 accumulated from auctioning older police vehicles as well as $41,635 in insurance settlement money be used to buy the vehicles.
"We've had some car wrecks throughout the year, and when we get insurance settlements from those wrecks the money goes into the city revenue, and I have to go back and ask for it," Peters said before the meeting. "Every year we ask for our insurance settlement money and auction money to purchase new vehicles."
The department has auctioned six vehicles this year, including a 1999 model, 2002 model, 2007 model and three 2008 models. One of the vehicles was used for traffic safety, three were marked squad cars and two were unmarked vehicles, Peters said.
The department buys the vehicles through the state, which has deals set up with manufacturers.
"We get good prices on vehicles," Peters said.
The two vehicles will go to the department's Detective Division, which had vehicles auctioned. The vehicles will lack most of the equipment standard squad cars have, but would have radios to communicate with dispatchers and fellow officers, Peters said.
NW News on 08/29/2017