THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2008

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4 New Police Vehicles On The Way

Elk Grove Village trustees approved the purchase of four new police vehicles at their meeting on Tuesday, Mar. 11.

Two bids for the new cars were awarded for two new Chevrolet Impalas to be used as unmarked patrol cars, one Chevrolet Tahoe to be used as a patrol vehicle and one new Ford E-350 extended cargo van to be used as a prisoner transport van.

The bids were awarded to Packey Webb Ford for the van. The cost includes outfitting the van with an interior cage or "prisoner container."

Police Chief Stephen Schmidt said the current van is 10 years old and expects this new van to last a similar period.

The bid for the other three vehicles was awarded to Miles Chevrolet in Decatur Ill. as part of a joint state contract.

Though all four of the vehicles are being replaced as part of a rotation schedule, the Tahoe is replacing a Ford Crown Victoria as part of an experiment to use the Tahoe as a patrol vehicle.

Schmidt said police supervisors currently use larger SUV's and patrol cars are filled with ever increasing amounts of equipment.

The cars come wired for lights, radios and other electronics.

Lights and radios would be cannibalized from old cars for the new ones.

Schmidt said the only expense for the two new marked cars would be $300 per car for graphics.

The old cars will be added to the general village fleet.