Published: July 07, 2009 12:07 pm      

Three new cars added to Monticello Police Dept. fleet

Monticello — Three new police cars were recently added to the fleet at the Monticello

Police Department, thanks to a USDA grant which provided 55 percent of the

funding for the purchase. Local officials recently took delivery of the

three Dodge Chargers at Drake Chevrolet, where they were purchased.

"We are all very, very pleased with the new cars," said Monticello

Police Chief Ralph Miniard. "This puts our fleet in pretty good shape...In

fact, it's probably in better shape now than it has ever been."

Monticello Mayor Kenneth Catron said these are the first brand new

vehicles purchased by the police department in at least two decades. Most

police cars purchased by the city in recent years were used.

Catron said these three new cars will replace some of the older patrol

cars that have been in need of frequent repairs.

Two of the vehicles will be used for patrol, while the third will be for

administrative use, according to Miniard. The city provided a 45 percent

match for the grant funding.