State Grant Helps Brewster Buy New Police Cruiser

BREWSTER, NY — The Brewster Police Department bought a new patrol vehicle, using a $50,000 state grant to help cover costs.

The new 2020 Dodge Charger police car was ordered a while ago, but because of production issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting supply chain limitations, it was not delivered to Brewster until earlier this year.

“This new police vehicle meets the department’s needs and is more fuel efficient than most similar models, a real win-win situation,” said State Senator Pete Harckham, who secured the grant. “And being able to secure funding for the vehicle will alleviate some of the tax burden on residents.”

The Dodge Charger Police car is the best-selling law enforcement sedan, and for the 2020 model, vehicles were manufactured with a new, fuel-efficient eight-speed transmission.

“For public safety and law enforcement professionals, it is vital for them to have updated equipment to do their jobs,” said Brewster Police Chief John Del Gardo. “This new police car is, in terms of performance and technology, a big upgrade from our older vehicles, and we’re grateful to Senator Harckham for providing grant funding to help us with the purchase.”

Also, for 2020, the Charger Police car comes with a no-cost Officer Protection Package that includes rear vision and enhanced officer safety when parked and working inside their vehicle. When activated, the rear-facing camera and sensors detect movement behind the vehicle, automatically sending images to the vehicle’s interactive touchscreen.

Safety and space improvements include a 12.1-inch video display on the front dash, which integrates law enforcement systems and innovative technology. In addition to the pursuit-rated hardware that includes a V8 engine with 370 horsepower, the vehicle offers the segment’s most advanced all-wheel-drive (AWD) system for maximum tactical performance, all-weather traction and fuel efficiency. The vehicle’s top speed is 149 mph and jumps from zero to 160 mph in less than six seconds.

The awarded grant funding was secured within the State and Municipal Facilities Program (SAM), which is among the grant programs administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) to support community and economic development.