The Kingston Police Department in Kingston, N.Y., is gearing up for a significant upgrade with the potential purchase of new fully electric vehicles for its Detective Division. The Common Council is set to vote in September on the budget transfer that would allow for the purchase of Chevrolet Equinox EUV SUV models to replace the aging gas fleet currently used by the division.
The decision to move towards electric vehicles comes after the Common Council’s Finance and Audit Committee unanimously voted in favor of the budget transfer on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Kingston Police Chief Egidio Tinti expressed the need for this upgrade, citing the high maintenance costs and fuel usage associated with the current fleet. Tinti emphasized that the department has been pouring a significant amount of money into maintaining the aging vehicles, and the time has come for a more sustainable and cost-effective solution.
The new electric vehicles are expected to have an approximate 300-mile range, making them suitable for the Detective Division’s needs. Tinti mentioned that the division is currently working on setting up the necessary charging infrastructure to support the electric vehicles. The plan is to rotate the vehicles through the charging ports to ensure they remain operational at all times.
One of the key points raised during the discussion was the cost of the new vehicles and the additional charging stations needed at the police headquarters on Garraghan Drive. The estimated cost of $450,000 does not include the expenses associated with installing the charging stations. City Comptroller John Tuey explained that funding the vehicles in this manner would prevent a potential 3% tax increase next year, as the city would have to find the $450,000 through other means if not approved now.
The decision to purchase new vehicles for the Detective Division was met with some questions from council members, particularly regarding the timing of the purchase. Michael Tierney, D-Ward 2, inquired about the necessity of acquiring the vehicles now rather than including them in next year’s budget. However, Tuey clarified that using the fund balance to pay for equipment with a short lifespan, such as police vehicles, is a more financially prudent approach.
Overall, the move towards electric vehicles for the Kingston Police Department’s Detective Division represents a significant step towards sustainability and cost-efficiency. Chief Tinti expressed his excitement about the potential upgrade, noting that this would be the first time in his 32 years with the department that new cars are being allocated to the detective division. With the support of the Common Council and the Finance and Audit Committee, the Kingston Police Department is poised to make a positive change that will benefit both the department and the community it serves.