By Thomas Edwards
Chicago Daily Herald
The Round Lake Park Police Department has found a way to benefit from federal stimulus funding — going hybrid.
The village is one of 38 municipalities statewide to receive a large grant for the purchase of a hybrid police vehicle. Nearly 400 communities applied for the grant.
Police Chief George Filenko expects a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid to hit the streets within the next three weeks.
“Our intention is to use it as a command vehicle, responding to emergencies, transporting equipment and setting up a command post in the field,” Filenko said. “At a time when most local governments are struggling with budgets, we are now looking at substantial fuel savings.”
The $24,596 provided by the Illinois Criminal Justice Assistance Grant will cover 75 percent of the cost, leaving the village’s expense at $8,400 for the new vehicle.
Programs like the justice assistance grant expose communities to hybrid technology and help to create a demand for mechanics and parts especially tailored to hybrid car technology.
“It will take a year to get a good understanding what kind of issues will come up and what savings we are going to see,” Filenko said. “We’re always out there looking for stimulus money aimed at law enforcement.”
Although the Ford Escape Hybrid’s estimated gas mileage halves that of the Chevy Tahoe it will replace, Filenko mentions higher maintenance costs and an increased turnaround time for repairs as possible downsides to the new acquisition.
“One of our concerns is that hybrids are so new to public safety that there is not a lot of stock equipment or hybrid-trained technicians,” he said. “Any repairs will involve custom work. We don’t know what the cost is and we don’t know about the durability of the vehicle either.”
Mayor Jean McCue stressed the importance of applying for financial assistance at every possible opportunity.
“We are very frugal – we have little choice in our town,” McCue said. “Because of our low sales tax base, we make an effort not to depend on our taxpayers too much.”
Copyright 2009 Paddock Publications, Inc.