Mineola, NY-Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) and fellow majority members today approved $4.6 M for the purchase of 160 urgently needed police vehicles. The Police Department has been operating 180 police cars with over 100,000 miles on them, causing safety concerns for the officers. These 180 cars represent half of the entire marked patrol fleet.

"Many of these cars are being operated beyond their reasonable life expectancy," said Jacobs. "Nassau County's police officers require certain tool to do their jobs, and a safe, well-maintained squad car is one of those tools."

The funds for the new cars will come from a surplus identified by the County Comptroller due to a bill proposed by the New York State Comptroller and passed by the State Legislature, which reduces the amount of retirement contribution costs mandated by the state by $25 million for FY 2003.

According to the Police Department, by 2003 another 120 vehicles will join the 100,000-mile club. In addition, the high-mileage cars have been incurring ever-increasing costs in maintenance and repair.

"There comes a time when a vehicle becomes a financial burden and also raises considerable safety concerns," said Jacobs. "I am very pleased that we have found a way to finance such an important purchase for our police officers."