City Council approves purchase
of three Tahoe SUVs for SPPD
October 09, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Purchasing three Chevrolet SUVs for the Santa Paula Police was approved but questioned at the October 5 City Council meeting.
Police Chief Steve McLean told the council that the department needs three new Sport Utility Vehicles that will be assigned to the department’s two K9 handlers as well as to the on-duty Watch Commander.
The SPPD is short on vehicles with those in the fleet experiencing mechanical difficulties and high mileage.
As an example, “The vehicle I drive has 191,000 miles, a 2000 Crown Victoria,” noted McLean.
“Tahoes have a great reputation,” are roomy enough to carry the dogs and all equipment and are arguably “more compatible with our streets and terrain...”
Councilwoman Ginger Gherardi noted she had been asked why the SPPD was not purchasing the vehicles locally.
“We went to Santa Paula Chevrolet first,” said McLean but the SPPD was able to “piggyback on the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office order,” for new vehicles, a joint purchase that would save the city $15,000.
“We gave them the opportunity but they couldn’t match it,” noted McLean, “but we will be purchasing a vehicle from Santa Paula Chevrolet,” in the future.
Councilwoman Jenny Crosswhite asked what mileage the department’s SUVs presently have and was told the three Tahoes used by the K9 handlers and Watch Commander have mileage ranging from more than 90,000 miles to one that has 61,000 miles.
“At what mileage are the vehicles usually transitioned out?” she asked. “Sixty-one thousand miles doesn’t sound like high mileage...”
“Keep in mind those cars are driven 24/7,” said McLean. “We’re not getting rid of these cars. The K9 cars will be used as backup and eventually one of the Chevy Tahoes will be repainted. I’ll keep that one...”
The $106,783.50 purchase will be funded by the SPPD budget with $87,000 and $88,800 from the Limoneira police grant. The balance of the funds will be used to add needed equipment and accessories.
The full council approved the expenditure.
