Earle police car still not fixed

Earle police car still not fixed

news@theeveningtimes.com

Earle is going to keep shopping for another motor for its 2014 Dodge Charger Police car in the hopes that their finances improve and they can get a cheaper deal. Nemi Matthews presented the city council with two estimates for a brand new motor from Steve Jones Dodge in Wynne for $8,543 and $7,470 from Fletcher Dodge in Jonesboro.

The council decided to put it off another month however, after having to spend $2,600 to fix the air conditioning on the Revenue Office and $8,000 to pay for fire runs.

“I think by tabling it this will buy us a little more time,” said Councilman Donnie Cheers. “I’m just looking at the funds that we don’t have.”

The police car blew an engine rod because of low oil and improper maintenance.

The vehicle only had 34,000 miles on it at the time it broke down.

Councilwoman Jimmie Barham opposed putting off fixing the vehicle, pointing out that the car was obtained using federal Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) money and that the city is responsible for keeping it on the road.

“I would hate to see us get in deeper with that group in Little Rock because we didn’t do it right,” Barham said. “We’ve already been punished for two years with not getting a police car.”

The city was banned for two years from applying for JAG grants because Mayor Carolyn Jones used the car as her personal vehicle when she first took office.

The city recently bought three used patrol cars from the state Highway Police for $3,600 apiece.

Barham said the city still needs to get the car fixed.

“This has been going on since May,” Barham said.

“It has been on our agenda and we have put it off. I know that now that we have those three that we got for a good price on it is not as crucial. But if somebody were to call them and say that it has been sitting there for over four months, we’d be in big trouble.”

Cheers said he would also like to see the car get fixed, but reiterated that the city doesn’t have the money right now.

The city may be able to find another motor for less, he said.

“Where are we going to get the money?” Cheers asked. “I’d like to table it to next month.”

“We’ll get the money,” Barham responded.

Barham asked Matthews about a cheaper quote from LKQ which Councilman Kenneth Cross had brought to the council which was for about $5,000.

“I just remember it was a lot less,” Barham said.

According to Matthews, LKQ does not have a compatible engine.

The vehicle needs a police interceptor motor, he said.

“If it was just a regular passenger car we would be fine,” Matthews said. “But these cars have a HEMI in them with the police interceptors. There is a difference in the motor between a regular car.”

Matthews said he would continue to get more quotes for a new engine.

“Since you are going to table this I will still be looking and I will bring you another report,” Matthews said.

By Mark Randall