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Police need new cars
THELMA GRIMES
News-Sun
Like other city sectors, the Benson Police Department recently weighed in on their needs for the coming year.
During a half-day work session, Benson Police Commander Paul Moncada said the department plans to replace three patrol cars this fiscal year.
Moncada said purchasing the cars is possible through a lease/purchase program, which allows the department to acquire three patrol cars at once and pay them off over a period of three or four years.
The vehicles being replaced include a 1993 Crown Victoria that has accumulated 95,000 miles, a 1995 Ford Taurus with 102,000 miles and a 1995 Ford Taurus with 90,000 miles.
Moncada said the vehicles would be replaced with three 2005 Chevrolet Impalas for $57,991.95 or $19,330.65 each. However, Moncada said the figure does not include the cost of replacing the equipment needed to go inside the vehicles.
Police Chief Glenn Nichols said he is still working on getting the best interest rates for the lease program, but said the new vehicles should be in the city's possession some time in February.
Along with the need for city vehicles, Moncada again stressed the need for more officers. Moncada said one more officer per shift is needed, which would mean the addition of four police officers as well as another sergeant and detective.
To be fully staffed, the department should have 14 officers, Nichols said. There are currently 10 patrol officers, along with Det. Tim Behr, Moncada and Nichols.
Moncada said the city needs at least one detective who would handle only narcotic-related incidents. Moncada said Behr is the only detective currently on staff.
"As growth happens, we are going to have more crime," Nichols said. "Right now we try to work on those drug issues, but we have one detective handling all cases. I would like to have a person on hand to handle drug crimes full time."
Nichols said like every other city department that provides a community service, he is concerned about the incoming growth and the increased crime rate that will come with it.
"Once all that development goes in on State Route 90, we are going to need more officers," Nichols said. "If we have one patrolman in town, our response times to get up there could become a problem."
In other issues brought to the City Council's attention, Moncada said the department is also concerned about implementing a program to replace outdated equipment and keep ongoing training for procedures and state requirements.
News-Sun
Like other city sectors, the Benson Police Department recently weighed in on their needs for the coming year.
During a half-day work session, Benson Police Commander Paul Moncada said the department plans to replace three patrol cars this fiscal year.
Moncada said purchasing the cars is possible through a lease/purchase program, which allows the department to acquire three patrol cars at once and pay them off over a period of three or four years.
The vehicles being replaced include a 1993 Crown Victoria that has accumulated 95,000 miles, a 1995 Ford Taurus with 102,000 miles and a 1995 Ford Taurus with 90,000 miles.
Moncada said the vehicles would be replaced with three 2005 Chevrolet Impalas for $57,991.95 or $19,330.65 each. However, Moncada said the figure does not include the cost of replacing the equipment needed to go inside the vehicles.
Police Chief Glenn Nichols said he is still working on getting the best interest rates for the lease program, but said the new vehicles should be in the city's possession some time in February.
Along with the need for city vehicles, Moncada again stressed the need for more officers. Moncada said one more officer per shift is needed, which would mean the addition of four police officers as well as another sergeant and detective.
To be fully staffed, the department should have 14 officers, Nichols said. There are currently 10 patrol officers, along with Det. Tim Behr, Moncada and Nichols.
Moncada said the city needs at least one detective who would handle only narcotic-related incidents. Moncada said Behr is the only detective currently on staff.
"As growth happens, we are going to have more crime," Nichols said. "Right now we try to work on those drug issues, but we have one detective handling all cases. I would like to have a person on hand to handle drug crimes full time."
Nichols said like every other city department that provides a community service, he is concerned about the incoming growth and the increased crime rate that will come with it.
"Once all that development goes in on State Route 90, we are going to need more officers," Nichols said. "If we have one patrolman in town, our response times to get up there could become a problem."
In other issues brought to the City Council's attention, Moncada said the department is also concerned about implementing a program to replace outdated equipment and keep ongoing training for procedures and state requirements.
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