Village council debates police cruiser purchases amid budget concerns

Police cruisers were the focus of a lengthy discussion at the village’s Sept. 25 council meeting.

Council Member Sal Deluca said the finance committee had considered whether to purchase three new cruisers for $195,000 or two used ones “and increasing the appropriations in the general fund for that equipment.” He explained the $75,000 amount would be used for transferring equipment such as radios and everything needed for the vehicles.

When Deluca made his motion, Council Member John Vermillion asked if the purchase would be this year, and Deluca said it was. Vermillion then questioned why the police department would need a Tahoe.

Police Chief Ryan McCann replied that he needed the space in the back for his equipment. McCann said they would eventually get rid of some vehicles and noted the department had just spent $1,200 on one cruiser they planned to dispose of but had to keep on the job for now.

When Vermillion asked if the finance committee knew which vehicles would be disposed of, Deluca said they did not. It was explained that maintenance repairs had been reviewed to determine if replacements were needed. Clerk Treasurer Rachel Morrison added the village had spent $20,000 on cruisers so far this year. Deluca said the committee had been discussing moving out higher-mileage cruisers to hold down repair costs.

“I mean, I’m still trying to justify the other $55,000 when if you only spent twenty this year and you spend twenty next year … you’re talking three more years before you get to what you’re trying to spend now,” Vermillion said. “And on average our police department buys cruisers every two years.”

McCann said the department was not going to buy new and hadn’t bought a new one since 2018. He said they try to keep everyone’s equipment in all the cars, but added, “If that’s the way it is then why allow officers to take their vehicles home? That’s why I don’t understand what the big deal is. Give me the money to let me buy something. Because it doesn’t matter what I want, you don’t give it to me … I’ve never had one say in anything that I’ve got, it’s always about what you guys want me to have.”

McCann said they could go in any direction council wanted but added he had been looking at Tahoes because of their space and because their Explorers were having more problems. He complained about repeatedly being asked for price estimates.

“It’s getting old,” McCann said, asking why he couldn’t have the money in the police budget so he knew what he was dealing with.

When he was accused of going through his budget “like it’s yours,” McCann became upset.

“What do I blow through my budget with? Because I don’t get anything except for what the guys need and that’s very slim,” McCann shot back.

McCann said the department has a good team. “So, it’s not about me and it’s not about me having a new car, they want me to have a new car because they tear them up,” he said.

He continued: “Why not let me have the new car because I wouldn’t drive it that much except for parades and other exercises besides usual police work. I want something to be proud of.”

Vermillion countered, saying McCann already had that. McCann admitted his current vehicle “runs good” but added it has dents throughout “because they’re buying used. Our cars are getting beat up on our streets.”

Vermillion reminded McCann he had said during a summer meeting that raises were given to officers and predicted it wouldn’t last before another request came. “And we didn’t make it a month,” he said.

McCann replied that discussions had been ongoing for months. Vermillion argued there was nothing wrong with the cruisers. McCann countered that “thousands have been spent on repairs.”

The discussion eventually calmed down. Vermillion made a motion to purchase a 2018 cruiser with an equipment swap for $27,000, but council members could not agree on details and agreed to revisit the issue later.