Elkhart re-examining use of police take home cars

by Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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Take home police squad cars in Elkhart

Elkhart is conducting a six-month study to look into the use of take home police squad cars. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jul 11, 2008 at 4:13 PM EST

Story Updated: Jul 16, 2008 at 10:16 PM EST

ELKHART — Fort Wayne is trying to offset the rising cost of gas by charging police officers a fee for using take home cars. They would pay $25 every two weeks unless they promise not to use the cars for personal use.

Elkhart is also reviewing its policy for take home cars. Currently Elkhart police officers can use their squad cars while off duty with limited restrictions. The rest of the time they are to remain parked.

“I think having the take home cars is good,” said Elkhart Police Capt. Tom Love. “Our patrol guys that live in the city, they take their cars home — there are several in my neighborhood."

“The idea is to have more police presence on the streets,” explained Mayor Dick Moore. “We believe that is a deterrent to crime and we do expect our officers not exactly to drive from home to point A to point B."

Currently the city is conducting a six-month study to look into the use of take home squad cars. They are weighing the pros and cons of gas usage versus the effects of having cars at officers’ homes and in their neighborhoods.

Results from the first two months of the study are in. In May and June, off duty officers with take home cars generated 35 different cases.

“The comment was made how the constituents appreciate the fact that squad cars, even when officers are off duty, are patrolling and being seen in the neighborhoods,” said City Councilman Ron Troyer. “This may be a utilization of gas; but it’s very worth it to them.”

The city will not decide on how to handle take home cars until the study in completed.

“So it’s going to be ongoing here for a time yet, until we get the facts and figures in, to be sure we're getting the results that we're paying for,” Moore said.

Elkhart officers are conserving gas where they can. On calls, they are asked to shut off their squad cars when possible. Some park them and walk their beats.

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