DPS acquires 20 new patrol cars

Twenty new patrol cars are now roaming around the streets of Saipan after the Office of Budget and Management gave the Department of Public Safety funding for the immediate purchase of the Cherokee vehicles.

The acquisition of the new fleet of vehicles will result in a $500,000 savings for DPS in three-year period, according to Clyde Norita, assistant chief of the Office for Special Services.

For the past 10 years, DPS has been leasing its vehicles which was criticized by legislators as being too costly for the government in the long run. With the austerity measures implemented by the government, DPS was given funding for the purchase of at least 20 vehicles.

Sixteen more patrol cars are expected to be acquired for Fiscal Year 2001 budget with the $14.3 million appropriation for DPS to complete the fleet of vehicles needed by the department.

“We are hoping the Legislature will provide us the same funding to cover the cost of the vehicles in the Fiscal Year 2001 budget,” Mr. Norita said.

The Cherokee vehicles were especially designed by Chrysler for police use in the US mainland. The vehicles were bought through the General Services Administration of the federal government which helped in lowering the cost of the patrol cars.

Triple J Motors will maintain the patrol cars for DPS since the company has the spare parts needed for this type of vehicles. At the same time, DPS used to lease its patrol cars from the company.

Each vehicle cost DPS $21,200. The light and sirens on top of the patrol car cost $1,200, the pushbar attached infront of the vehicle to protect the patrol car from collision cost $170 and the especially designed graphics from a company in the US mainland cost $200 for each vehicle.

Both sides of the patrol car is emblazoned with the blue graphic design Northern Marianas Police. The words “public service” are written in Chamorro and Carolinian language.

DPS burns approximately $13,000 worth of fuel every month. Maintenance of patrol cars alone cost $50,000 a year.

With the increase in burglary incidents on the island, DPS needs to acquire more police cars to patrol the villages of Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Currently, patrol cars are running 13 to 16 hours rotation which takes toll on the vehicles.

DPS has also acquired motor bikes which will be used soon to complement the fleet of patrol cars. Mr. Norita said DPS plans to put more policemen in villages to help deter crimes since they would be working directly with members of the community.

DPS would be hiring additional personnel if the plan to establish a fire station in Kagman and Marpi areas would push through.