New police vehicles hit the road in Bethalto

Bethalto police recently took delivery of nine new Ford police package SUVs to upgrade an aging fleet of police cars. The Ford police package SUVs have become very popular with police departments across the country as the replacement for the Ford Crown Victoria police package, which Ford no longer makes. less Bethalto police recently took delivery of nine new Ford police package SUVs to upgrade an aging fleet of police cars. The Ford police package SUVs have become very popular with police departments across the ... more Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close New police vehicles hit the road in Bethalto 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

BETHALTO — The Bethalto Police Department last week ushered in the new year with a new fleet of vehicles.

The department acquired nine, brand-new sport utility vehicles, the majority of which went into service last Tuesday morning, Jan. 3.

“We have been in the same cars for some time now, making them last as long as we could to save the village money,” said Bethalto Police Chief Gregory Smock. “We know the guys appreciate the new vehicles and the bigger space. It really was all about safety, for the officers and the citizens. We stretched the squad cars to their limits.”

All nine of the 2017 Ford Explorer SUVs were on the streets by Monday morning.

The eight older squad cars will be traded-in, along with two previously department-seized vehicles. Smock described the older squad cars dating back to 2004, 2006, and one at 2007, which he stated are “old for most police cars — most getting replaced about every four years.”

Smock explained that the vehicles were purchased on a state bid, priced at about $28,000 for each vehicle. Smock said funds were provided by the village, though the total cost of the purchase was not yet known as of Monday afternoon.

Reach reporter Brittany Johnson at 618-208-6460, Ext. 1396.