$5.1 million loan will buy new police, fire vehicles

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The Mobile City Council approved millions of dollars in funding for new public service and safety equipment at their regular meeting on Tuesday.

It’s money Police Chief Micheal T. Williams said is needed to fix squad cars that are in bad shape. The MPD said many of the cars have more than 100,000 miles on them and some have more than 200,000.

"The chief said in pre-council that we had some cars dating back to 1997 with more than 200,000 miles,” said councilman Fred Richardson. “If I was a criminal, I would want that car chasing me."

To help solve the problem, the Mobile City Council approved spending $5.1 million to replace old police, fire and other city vehicles.

The money will be divided among several different departments with police and fire getting the bulk of the dollars.

Chief Williams said the new cars will benefit the public as well.

"We want to be able to respond effectively and quickly to calls for service. With this money that is allocated to us, we will be able to buy 70 new vehicles," said Chief Williams. "But that is still a long way from where we should be."

The fire department will be able to purchase two new ladder trucks. Public works will buy new garbage trucks, too.

Richardson said without the tax increase passed in earlier 2012, the city would not be able to finance such purchases.

Funding for the new equipment will come from a loan.

Council woman Bess Rich said the loan is for five years, but the positive impact from the equipment purchased will last longer.