Some of North Branford’s patrol vehicles are not as safe as they should be, according to the police union.
Union president Tony DeLuise said three front-line patrol cars each have at least 100,000 miles on them and nine more detective vehicles have the same mileage. He said new cars will allow officers to safely do their jobs.
On Tuesday, the union went in front of the town council to ask for new patrol cars, something they said they were promised.
Union officials said $87,000 was budgeted for new vehicles, but that money was instead reallocated to the fire department for new gear. Town officials said that was where the need was more immediate.
“They haven’t had turnout gear,” Deputy Mayor Mike Doody said. “Some of their turnout gear is valid for 10 years and then it expires and is no longer safe to go into house fires with it.”
Doody, a former deputy police chief, has filed a lawsuit against the department. He brushed off criticism and said the suit had nothing to do with the funding decision.
“This town has been generous with every department,” he said.
So instead of replacing an aging fleet, the town will opt to repair and maintain what they already have – something town mechanics told the council is safe.
Town manager Richard Branigan said this is not a closed issue, by any means.
He said, for now, there is a temporary hold on capital spending, but if the cars were unsafe, they wouldn’t be allowed on the roads.
