WeHa Council OKs Additions To Police Fleet

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Local leaders were able to, partially at least, help the West Hartford Police Department update its vehicle fleet by agreeing to purchase three new ones this week.

The West Hartford Town Council on Tuesday, Feb. 13, unanimously voted 8-0 to approve a $183,333 appropriation to purchase three new WHPD cruisers.

It was approved during a special council meeting that was moved to virtual status due to Tuesday's snowstorm, which fell on the council's regular meeting date.

But in purchasing three new Ford hybrid police interceptor utility cruisers, the town is still two short of the amount it still needs — at least as far as what it wanted to purchase in 2021 is concerned.

According to town officials, West Hartford committed to purchasing five such cruisers in October 2021.

But that was when supply chain issues following the pandemic, issues that still have yet to be fully ironed out, made such a purchase impossible.

As a result, in September 2022 the order was canceled because the vendor couldn't fill the request, according to West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith.

"This order was, subsequently canceled, by the vendor, due to supply chain issues in the fall of 2022," Ledwith told the council.

Recently, the town was notified of the availability of three new vehicles to WHPD specifications, according to local leaders and the town had to act to get them.

The funds for the three new police vehicles will come from the town's capital non-recurring account fund balance, which is specifically designed for such purchases.

Council members supported the measure wholeheartedly.

"I think the consensus of the finance committee was this was deemed a good deal and appreciative of efforts to make this happen," said West Hartford Deputy Mayor Ben Wenograd, who heads the council's finance subcommittee.

Councilperson Carol Blanks, who heads the council's public safety committee, agreed.

"I strongly support this purchase. We know that our police department needs these vehicles in order to perform their job each and every single day," Blanks said.

"And with the growing threats that surround our town, this is essential in order for them to do their job."

For the minutes of the Feb. 13 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.

For more information on the resolution to approve the new WHPD vehicles, click on this link and scroll to Page 54.