Freeport police unveil new vehicles with automatic license plate readers

Freeport police unveiled a new fleet of law enforcement cars Friday, equipped for superior-velocity pursuits and with computerized license plate readers to place stolen automobiles and suspended licenses.

The department is incorporating eight 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe law enforcement autos to its fleet to change about a third of older cars that are at minimum 15 several years aged, police mentioned. The older motor vehicles will be retired or repurposed, law enforcement claimed.

Freeport Village officials acquired a $525,000 point out grant to buy the vehicles, each about $50,000, just after funding was secured by Point out Sen. John Brooks (D-Seaford) and Assemb. Judy Griffin (D-Rockville Centre).

Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy explained the new automobiles will be used by extra than 30 further officers right after the law enforcement power increased from 72 to 107 sworn officers. Kennedy explained the village has diminished criminal offense by 56% over the previous 5 years.

“Added staffing will have to have budgeting for uniforms, positive aspects, coverage, retirement, Tasers and human body cameras,” Kennedy reported. “These 8 comprehensive geared up automobiles will safeguard our citizens and assist in the financial stability of the village of Freeport.”

Kennedy explained the black Tahoes nevertheless need to have to be retrofitted for law enforcement patrols, like introducing white police decals, lights and sirens. The again seats will be eradicated to incorporate partitions and plastic bucket seats to transportation inmates soon after arrests.

The vehicles are law enforcement-pursuit rated, powered by a 5.3-liter V-8 motor able of achieving upward of 120 mph, which is standard on all law enforcement motor vehicles.

Each vehicle will also have license plate visitors that can notify police of an illegal vehicle or needed driver inside of seconds, Kennedy reported.

The village is also introducing a parking enforcement motor vehicle, a truck to transport motor vehicle scales to Albany for inspections and a new Dodge Durango for detectives.

“Absolutely nothing tends to make a veteran officer happier than new law enforcement motor vehicles,” Freeport Assistant Police Main Carl Hetzel reported. “This current fleet will let us greater serve our neighborhood.”

Brooks mentioned it was important to properly fund the village law enforcement division, which was also one of the initially on Extensive Island to equip its officers with system cameras.

“Irrespective of the rhetoric, we are doing the job with each other to give law enforcement the equipment they need to have to do their employment and defend communities,” Brooks reported.

Griffin mentioned the village needs the new automobiles for their patrols as 1 of the most significant villages in Nassau County.

“We funded Freeport with important devices,” Griffin mentioned. “It is essential to fund the police with training, products and assets.”