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Motorists passing through Caddo Valley may have noticed something a bit different — that is, if they have seen the city’s new police cars.
The Caddo Valley Police Department received two 2010 Dodge Chargers on Friday, half of the fleet that a six-month 1-cent sales tax funded. A third car arrived today, and the fourth and final patrol unit is expected to arrive by Monday, according to Police Chief David Thomason.
The citizens of Caddo Valley passed the tax in 2008 after Mayor Alan Dillavou lobbied for the vehicles. Dillavou cited that the old fleet was too old, and mechanical problems caused a financial burden and a safety problem for police officers.
The city began collecting the tax in April, and ended collecting in September. The total collected was about $104,000 — a figure that was more than Dillavou projected.
After being equipped for police use and striped to the city’s expectations, the V-8 patrol units cost $24,900 apiece.
Thomason said the cars are capable of converting to run on four cylinders once the vehicle reaches 70 miles per hour while using cruise control. They are also equipped with a variety of tools for police and emergency use, including push bumpers, refurbished radar units, body separators (cages), bar lights (with the exception of the chief’s car), and a “bio bag,” which stores sanitary gloves, masks and other first-aid devices for emergencies.
The cars also came with a three-year, bumper-to-bumper warranty as well as a 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty.
“Everybody in Caddo Valley appreciates the passage of the tax,” Dillavou said.
Thomason added, “It makes police officers’ jobs a lot easier to work when they’ve got good equipment to work with.”
Dillavou and Thomason also thanked Batson Sign Company, which designed the stripes and decor for the fleet.
As for the city’s 2002 Ford Crown Victorias, Dillavou said the city will try to sell them to other cities. The funds from the sale will be reimbursed to the police department’s budget, he said.
Motorists passing through Caddo Valley may have noticed something a bit different — that is, if they have seen the city’s new police cars.
The Caddo Valley Police Department received two 2010 Dodge Chargers on Friday, half of the fleet that a six-month 1-cent sales tax funded. A third car arrived today, and the fourth and final patrol unit is expected to arrive by Monday, according to Police Chief David Thomason.
The citizens of Caddo Valley passed the tax in 2008 after Mayor Alan Dillavou lobbied for the vehicles. Dillavou cited that the old fleet was too old, and mechanical problems caused a financial burden and a safety problem for police officers.
The city began collecting the tax in April, and ended collecting in September. The total collected was about $104,000 — a figure that was more than Dillavou projected.
After being equipped for police use and striped to the city’s expectations, the V-8 patrol units cost $24,900 apiece.
Thomason said the cars are capable of converting to run on four cylinders once the vehicle reaches 70 miles per hour while using cruise control. They are also equipped with a variety of tools for police and emergency use, including push bumpers, refurbished radar units, body separators (cages), bar lights (with the exception of the chief’s car), and a “bio bag,” which stores sanitary gloves, masks and other first-aid devices for emergencies.
The cars also came with a three-year, bumper-to-bumper warranty as well as a 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty.
“Everybody in Caddo Valley appreciates the passage of the tax,” Dillavou said.
Thomason added, “It makes police officers’ jobs a lot easier to work when they’ve got good equipment to work with.”
Dillavou and Thomason also thanked Batson Sign Company, which designed the stripes and decor for the fleet.
As for the city’s 2002 Ford Crown Victorias, Dillavou said the city will try to sell them to other cities. The funds from the sale will be reimbursed to the police department’s budget, he said.
