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FLORENCE: Police Department keeps fleet fresh

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   FLORENCE — The Township Council unanimously introduced on Sept. 19 the first reading of a bond ordinance to purchase police Chevrolet Tahoes.
   ”Experience has shown that in order to keep the fleet fairly current and to reduce maintenance costs, it is best to rotate two cars into the fleet each year,” said Township Administrator Richard Brook on Sept. 21.
   According to Mr. Brook, there are eight Tahoes in the fleet and 22 sworn officers in the Florence Township Police Department.
   The township has also used Crown Vics in the past and still has some operational within the police fleet.
   ”Failing to maintain the fleet will result in an unsafe environment for the police officers,” Mr. Brook said. “We have found that not keeping the police fleet current leads to higher maintenance costs. Further, safety can be compromised and this is an unacceptable practice.”
   Throughout New Jersey, being a police officer often equates to long hours on the road patrolling.
   ”Remember, police officers patrol the community 24 hours a day — 7 days a week,” Mr. Brook stated.
   Thus, the continual public service of officers on duty patrolling the streets leads to — rather suddenly or over time — immense wear and tear of law enforcement vehicles.
   ”This is true from the standpoint of mileage, use and even idling time while (officers) address calls,” Mr. Brook said.
   Thus, municipalities throughout the Garden State typically authorize the replacement of police vehicles as needed.
   ”When two cars are rotated into the fleet, two older vehicles come out of the fleet,” Mr. Brook said. “Chief (Alvin Scully) and his staff track mileage, and maintenance repairs and costs on every police vehicle. They rotate the use of vehicles to spread out and prolong the life of vehicles.”
   ”What we try and do is rotate officers with the vehicle so that an officer is not going to use a car back-to-back,” said Acting Captain Brian Boldizar, of the Florence Township Police Department, “because then you are just putting extended mileage on it.”
   Further, “They rotate through shifts,” Capt. Boldizar explained to the Register-News on Sept. 24. “We don’t put a lot of wear and tear on one (particular vehicle).”
   Upon final approval, the township will purchase the new police vehicles under a state contract, which offers the municipality cost saving benefits.
   And according to Mr. Brook, the ordinance is fully funded.
   ”This means it is a cash ordinance,” Mr. Brook said. “No new debt will be incurred for the Tahoes.”
   Noteworthy, “The cost of a new police Tahoe under state contract is approximately $36,993,” Mr. Brook said. “The state is able to obtain a very competitive price and this allows municipalities to save money by using state contract pricing. The state contract price is for all townships. It is a positive cost effective program run by the state.”