Police Department Getting 5 New Cars

Supporting a request from Police Chief David S. Barr, the City Council has approved the purchase of five new cars for police use. Barr said the replacements are for three marked and two unmarked sedans.

The total cost of the vehicles, including police light fixtures and markings, will be $103,500. The money for the cars is included in the current fiscal year’s budget.

“Several years ago, the Police Department, at the direction of the City Council, established a rotation-replacement system for all vehicles assigned to the department,” Barr said in a memo to the council.

“All marked vehicles assigned to patrol are rotated every two years,” he said, “and all unmarked vehicles assigned to administration and detectives are rotated every five years, provided their condition warranted said rotation.”

Barr said the city will buy the new cars as part of a large purchase being made by Los Angeles County. By piggy-backing on a large transaction, La Palma can get a substantial discount on the vehicles, said Capt. Vincent J. Giampa, spokesman for the Police Department.