Hazlet Purchases Nine New Vehicles for Police, OEM

Hazlet Township's governing body agreed to spend about $222,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund for nine brand new vehicles.

The Police Department will get 8 new 2013 Ford Interceptors and the Office of Emergency Management will get 1 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe.

The first Interceptors rolled off Chicago's assembly line in January, with features especially designed for the police vehicle market. They are engineered to pass 75-mph rear-end crash testing and have multiple side curtain airbags to protect front and rear passengers from impact. Radar sensors in the rear detect vehicles in surrounding lanes. Rear view cameras and audible sensors alert the driver to certain objects up to six feet behind the vehicle. The seats backs are built with anti stab plates.

Township Administrator Brian Valentino said Hazlet also likes the new Interceptor because they are properly designed to be outfitted with each department's particular technology. The old Crown Victoria's were not as easily customizable. "For the first time, Ford has purposely built law enforcement vehicles," said Valentino.

Most of the vehicles will replace older Crown Vics in the township fleet, some of which are a decade old, said Valentino. The OEM director's vehicle is 12 years old. Those retired vehicles will be sold at public auction.

Valentino said the township has not spent money on capital purchases in about four or five years, and elected officials have recommitted to a regular plan to spend money on roads and vehicles.

The township will purchase two of the 2013 Ford Police Interceptors SUVs at a base price of $24,747 each. Hazlet will pay a base price of $23,754 for the six 2013 Ford Interceptor sedans. The 2013 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 will cost Hazlet a base price of $27,117.

The base price is the contract price, before any options are added. Valentino said Hazlet expects to pay about $3,000 for any needed options, such as larger tires for the heavier trucks, or wiring harnesses for the department's technology.