News
FH Police Move To Hybrid Vehicles
By Ryan Fennell
FAIR HAVEN - The Borough of Fair Haven has introduced three newly acquired hybrid vehicles for use by the Fair Haven Police Department and the Borough's Department of Public Works.
The Borough purchased two Ford Escape Hybrids and one Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The Ford Escape Hybrids were acquired in November 2008 and one was introduced into service immediately for the Public Works. The previous vehicle being used by Public Works was a retired Crown Victoria handed down by the Police Department. Crown Victorias generally average 10 miles per gallon and, according to Borough Administrator Mary Howell, the Crown Victoria that was replaced was averaging less than the 10 miles per gallon. The Ford Escape Hybrid vehicles average 20 miles per gallon.
The Escape Hybrid acquired for Public Works use cost the Borough $30,000 while the Escape acquired for the Police Department cost $34,000 fully equipped with law enforcement equipment. The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is a four-year lease costing $6,700 per year and will be used by Chief Breckenridge as an administrative vehicle. At the end of the lease the vehicle can be purchased for $1 according to Howell.
The vehicle chief Breckenridge had previously been using as an administrative vehicle will be returned to service for the Police Department. Howell said that vehicle, a Crown Victoria, has accumulated approximately 60,000 miles.
The Borough is eligible to receive a $4,000 rebate for each vehicle as part of a Clean Energy rebate program offered by the State.
The funds to purchase these vehicles were raised through the Borough's 2008 Budget and are represented in the 2009 Budget.
The Hybrids will be the second police patrol vehicles utilized by New Jersey Police Depar tments. The first municipality to use Escape Hybrid police vehicles was Westwood, Howell said. Breckenridge traveled to Westwood and test-drove the vehicles prior to Fair Haven's acquisition of the Escape Hybrids and was "extremely satisfied" Howell said.
