Little Rock will spend about $1.5 million to buy 33 new police patrol vehicles in an effort to replace its outdated fleet.
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The city Board of Directors gave approval for the unbudgeted purchase with a unanimous vote Tuesday night. City Manager Bruce Moore said higher-than-expected sales-tax revenue is supplying the one-time funds for the new vehicles.
The new vehicles will be Ford Police Interceptor sedans and sport utility vehicles. The city had previously been purchasing Dodge Chargers, but officials said police officers have experienced a long list of maintenance issues with those vehicles and that's why they've decided to go with Fords.
There are 404 vehicles in the Little Rock Police Department -- 367 of them marked and unmarked patrol vehicles. The purchase of 33 additional vehicles likely won't change the overall number as the city plans to retire as many vehicles as it gains.
Older Ford Crown Victorias will be retired first. Of the city's patrol vehicles, 142 are Crown Victorias. Also included are 101 Chevrolet Impalas, 64 Dodge Chargers, 16 Ford Interceptor sedans, 14 Ford Interceptor sport utility vehicles, 12 motorcycles, nine Chevrolet Tahoes and nine Toyota Camrys.
The new Ford Police Interceptors purchased will each cost $26,482 from the dealer. Another $19,000 per vehicle will be spent to outfit the rides for patrol use. That includes adding lights, sirens, prisoner containment systems, vehicle wrapping, computers, modems and camera surveillance equipment.
The vehicles are expected to be delivered by the end of the year. It takes about two months to upfit them. The city plans to have them ready for police use by March 1.
Metro on 10/21/2015