CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) — Officials in northwestern Indiana's Lake County are holding off buying 22 new police cruisers amid questions about where the money will come from to outfit them for duty.
The county's commissioners delayed purchasing the new cruisers Wednesday until Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. can explain how the county can cover the full cost of getting the vehicles ready for the road.
The Post-Tribune reports that the expected total cost for the 22 cars is $545,326, and that doesn't include the cost of outfitting them for road duty.
The anticipated cost of outfitting the cruisers is $200,000 to $225,000. Radios for the cars would be another addition to the costs.
Commissioner Michael Repay asked Martinez if he would consider buying fewer cars so the outfitting costs would be covered.