{"id":1030,"date":"2016-02-23T13:36:50","date_gmt":"2016-02-23T19:36:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/truthinaddison.com\/?page_id=1030"},"modified":"2016-02-23T13:36:50","modified_gmt":"2016-02-23T19:36:50","slug":"addisons-council-considers-bmw-audi-or-volvo-police-patrol-vehicles","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/truthinaddison.com\/?page_id=1030","title":{"rendered":"Addison\u2019s Council Considers BMW, Audi or Volvo Police Patrol Vehicles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Addison\u2019s Council Considers BMW, Audi or Volvo Police Patrol Vehicles
\n<\/strong>(What Are These People Thinking???)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

At tomorrow\u2019s council work session (February 23, 2016 at 6 P.M.), Addison\u2019s City Council will receive a report from the staff \u2013 ordered by the Mayor<\/u> \u2013 to regarding whether Addison can purchase exotic vehicles such as Porsche, Audi, Tesla and Volvo for police patrol units, rather than vehicles that are specifically designed, manufactured and tested to operate dependably as patrol vehicles. The suggestion is that these expensive vehicles might enhance the Town\u2019s branding and image. \u00a0While this issue has been mentioned in the agenda and in the newsletter written by Meier each week, both Meier and his cadre have been careful not to mention the specific vehicles being considered.<\/p>\n

All this at a time when our taxes have risen almost 30%, we have had significant<\/em> budget over runs, and Meier led this council to pay $6.5 million to the Sam\u2019s redevelopment, with no idea where that money is coming from.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

While they may appear to be similar to the cars we drive, police units are actually designed a little differently, with the goal of withstanding the rigors of police work. Exotic and expensive foreign cars do not have the same features, would be much more expensive to purchase and operate and would create the image of a community that does not make responsible use of tax dollars.<\/p>\n

This is beyond foolish.\u00a0 For one thing, this is not the highest and best use of the time of Addison\u2019s employees.\u00a0 Further, before we buy them BMW\u2019s, why don\u2019t we ensure that our police officers receive better and more equitable pay, cost of living increases and appropriate benefits?<\/p>\n

Police cars are not rolling billboards. They are working offices for our police officers as they perform their duties.\u00a0 The council should be concerned with providing our officers the safest and most dependable vehicles, not putting on a show for the rest of the Metroplex.<\/p>\n

It is very hard to find an ounce of responsible budgeting with this group.<\/p>\n

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