LAKEPORT — The Lake County Board of Supervisors authorized the purchase of new police vehicles Tuesday waiving the formal bidding process. The vehicles will be purchased from Lake County dealer, Holder Ford.
The sheriff”s department received authorization on a 5-0 vote for the purchase of nine 2010 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors. Authorized expense is $201,017.79.
“These cars are essentially the same vehicles we”ve been purchasing for years,” Sheriff Rodney K. Mitchell said, “which allow us to use the same (equipment) from the previous cars.”
District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing said she received correspondence questioning the safety of the Crown Victoria. Sheriff Mitchell said, to his knowledge, there are no safety concerns with the vehicle; however, he could not speak for Ford.
District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith said that the concern may have been related to a previous recall some years past, in which rear impact problems were identified. He said those problems have been addressed.
Sheriff Mitchell said that the majority of law enforcement agencies throughout the state use the Crown Victoria. “We are equipped with the best vehicle for our purpose,” he said “These are pretty rugged vehicles. These are effective cars for Lake County.”
In other business concerning the sheriff”s department, the board voted to stand by a previously authorized contract for services with Sierra Air Helicopters, Inc. The item brought before the board on Tuesday requested a $25 per hour rate increase for services due to minor changes made to the contract. Services are for use in marijuana reconnaissance and eradication on public and private lands.
Sheriff Mitchell said the purpose of establishing service contracts with multiple providers is to provide alternatives with respect for aircraft availability. He said that while Sierra Air Helicopters, Inc. represents the highest rate for services, the aircrafts available through the company are not the ideal helicopters preferred by the eradication team and will probably be utilized the least.
The board said it would honor the previous contract authorized but would not submit to the $25 rate increase.
Sheriff Mitchell also provided the board with a brief report pertaining to utilization of grant money received through the Bryne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The funding will support a special victims/vulnerable persons investigator.
“The Lake County Sheriff Department investigates dozens, even hundreds of crimes involving children and elders,” Sheriff Mitchell said. “We are excited to be able to have (this funding) and we wanted your board to be aware of it.”
Sheriff Mitchell, along with members of the board, indicated that public conception is that the special unit investigating child and elder crimes has been disbanded. Sheriff Mitchell said he would like to ensure the public, that concept is untrue.
Sheriff Mitchell invited Investigator Mike Curran to join him in his presentation. He said Curran”s tenure as a special investigator is the longest in the state and that his service in dealing with victims of child and elder abuse is remarkable.
Prior to taking up his scheduled items of business, Sheriff Mitchell along with other members of the department accepted a proclamation designating May 7 as California Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 9 through 15 as National Police Week in Lake County.
A proclamation designating the week of May 22 through 26 as National Safe Boating Week in Lake County was also presented.
Members of Flotilla No. 88 Lake County were present to accept the proclamation.
