The City Council voted two weeks ago to use a $100,000 donation from International Matex-Tank Terminal/Bayonne, coupled with more than $90,000 from the Hudson County Law Enforcement Trust Fund, to acquire five new Chevrolet Impalas to replace part of the rapidly aging patrol fleet.
They authorized the purchase of five vehicles instead of the expected 10, but agreed to revisit the issue at their April 18 meeting.
Police Chief Robert Kubert said the Police Department fleet is eight short already with two additional vehicles well beyond their useful life plan.
Council members were concerned about buying 10 cars when the city is sending out layoff notices and cutting other services.
Councilman Anthony Chiappone also wants the city to explore more fuel efficient hybrid vehicles.
Questions remain about the reliability and performance of hybrid vehicles, especially when police vehicles are often required to pursue suspects in fast or stolen vehicles.
Kubert and several other city officials do not believe that hybrid cars will meet those standards.
Before getting additional cars, Council President Vincent Lo Re Jr. and Chiappone said they’d explore using hybrids.
Councilman John Halecky offered a compromise, suggesting that the council authorize the purchase of five regular police vehicles now and look into other options.
In the interim, there was an incident in which a police car swerved out of control and onto a sidewalk, making the case that some vehicles are simply too worn down to be trusted.
Irrelevant, he says
“I brought up the idea of purchasing hybrids a couple of years ago,” said Councilman Ted Connolly recently. “While I feel badly about the police car that went out of control, I
“Representing the people, we have a certain responsibility to use energy efficiently.” – Councilman Ted Connolly
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He said he realizes that this is not city taxpayer money being used, and appreciates the donation from IMTT, but the city needs to set an example of fiscal austerity.
“The council must make a decision on this,” he said. “Representing the people, we have a certain responsibility to use energy efficiently.”
He said at a time when the city is asking people to give up their jobs and closing its libraries, the council must examine everything it does, even if the savings amounts to pennies.
The money for the police cars – combined with funds generated through the Urban Enterprise Zone, Municipal Utility Authority, and criminal forfeitures – will be used to bring the fleet up nearly to its minimum necessary number.
“The last time we were authorized to buy new vehicles was 2004,” said Police Chief Robert Kubert. “We’re short about 10 vehicles.” He said the force was down more than 10 vehicles due to wear and tear on the fleet, and that the additions are extremely necessary since the existing fleet has logged more miles than in the past.
While some of the newer vehicles were purchased in 2006, most are much older.
Nearly half the police fleet has mileage exceeding 100,000 miles, and many of the cars have 80,000 miles or more, Kubert said.
“These vehicles run 24 hours a day,” he said.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.