Earle police cruiser still sitting idle

Earle police cruiser still sitting idle

City weighing options for costly repair

news@theeveningtimes.com

Earle officials will mull over an estimate for a new engine for one of its police cars.

Councilman Kenneth Cross told the city council that the city can purchase a 2015 engine with less than 1,000 miles on it with a six month warranty on parts only for $3,265, or with a one year warranty which covers parts and labor for $4,035.

“If they put it in and something goes wrong on a year, they will take it out, get another engine and put it back in,” Cross said. “And it won’t cost us a dime because they will warranty their parts and labor. But if we do six months, it will be just parts. If anything goes wrong in six months, we would be responsible for parts and labor. So we can get a year if we spend a few more hundred dollars.”

The city’s 2014 Dodge Charger police car blew an engine rod because it was low on oil and hadn’t been properly maintained.

Faced with a possible $7,000 repair bill, officials tried to save money and had a local mechanic put in a 2004 motor for $1,100.

The engine was not compatible, however, and wouldn’t accelerate properly or function well.

According to the Dodge dealership, the car will only run with a 2013 or newer engine.

Cross said Geter’s Pro Tire & Automotive in West Memphis will install the engine for $595.

“These are the people who do work for the Sheriff,” Cross said. “So I figure if it is good enough for the sheriff, it’s probably good enough for the City of Earle Police Department.”

Councilwoman Jimmie Barham expressed dismay that the city went ahead and put the wrong motor in the car.

“We said here that night and said to get a price and come back,” Barham said.

“No one came back and they did it. That was irresponsible. We never voted on that. That was a big mistake what we did. We were trying to save money.”

Barham apologized for her earlier remarks criticizing the local mechanic, Beggs Auto Supply, who did the work.

“The gentleman who put that in told me one of our councilmembers came in and begged him to do it,” Barham said. “I lost a very good friend in the people who did it because they are holding me completely responsible for what I said about putting an engine in an automobile that wouldn’t work. I was altogether wrong. We never voted on that. I lost two very good friends . They won’t even speak to me. I went down and apologized four times.

I made the mistake. But it was irresponsible (of the council) that happened.”

Cross asked who it was who told them to do the work.

“You said that person went and begged,” Cross said.

“Who gave them that authority?”

“It just happened,” Barham said.

Councilman Robert Malone said the city needs to start making sure their vehicles and equipment are properly taken from now on and to start holding people accountable when things get damaged.

In addition to the police car, the city’s bush hog, which is less than two years old, is also damaged, as well as its tractor.

“Somebody has to be accountable for this stuff,” Malone said. “If you take care of stuff, it will last.

That car was misused.

We’ve got to take care of our stuff. We can sit here

and talk all we want. But if they don’t take care of those cars, they aren’t

going to last. We need to have somebody accountable

for this.”

By Mark Randall