By Kristin Rover
Sun staff
Amelia Village Council members approved the purchase of two new emergency vehicles for the village during their Oct. 8 meeting.
Amelia Police Chief David Friend said both of the vehicles are 2014 Ford Explorers that will eventually become police cruisers.
“We had to appropriate funds,” Friend said about the process. He said that funds for one of the vehicles came from the emergency services fund.
Friend said one of the vehicles will become a police cruiser right away, and the other will serve as a safety services vehicle until next year.
He said they received both vehicles were purchased through the state bidding process. He said they cost $51,888 total, about $25,000 for each.
“They are $7,500 each to equip,” Friend said. “We will equip one now and one later.”
Friend said graphics for the vehicles is approximately $500 each.
He said they have been in need of new cruisers for quite some time.
“We have four cruisers right now,” Friend said.
Friend said they looked at purchasing Crown Vic police cars, but the Explorers ended up being a better deal.
He said the Explorers will also be beneficial because they are all wheel drive.
Friend said they are hoping to have both vehicles operating next year.