Sheriff To Lead Northview Parade In New Tahoe; Crown Victorias On The Way Out

September 30, 2009

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The days of seeing deputies on the roads in North Escambia in Ford Crown Victorias are coming to an end, with Ford phasing out the car and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department purchasing a fleet of new Chevrolet Tahoes.

Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan will make the North Escambia debut of the new ESCO Tahoe this Friday as he leads the first annual Northview High School Homecoming Parade.

The last Ford Crown Vic will roll off the assembly line in 2010, forcing law enforcement agencies across the nation to find another vehicle for their men and women on the streets. Some are choosing the Dodge Charger, currently used on a limited basis in our area by the Florida Highway Patrol.

But for the Escambia Sheriff’s Department, the higher price of the Charger — and tires that $185 each — the Tahoe SUV was a better fit.

The base price of a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe is $23,146, but nicely equipped with all the needed police options — like a handling package that puts it two inches closer to the ground than the standard model — the out-the-door price for the sheriff’s office Tahoes is $38,957 each.  That’s less than an extra $250 over the Crown Vic with a police package.

There will be a slight gas savings on the Chevy Tahoe, at 15 city miles to the gallon compared to 14 for the Ford Crown Victoria.

The  52 police-equipped Chevrolet Tahoes will cost the sheriff’s department $1.9 million of local option sales tax money. Most will go to patrol and K-9 officers, phasing out older Crown Victories, some of which have well over 100,000 miles on the odometer.

The Northview High School Homecoming Parade will be held on Highway 4 at 12:30 Friday from Bratt Elementary School to Northview. There is still plenty of time to enter the parade, call the school at (850) 327-6681 ext. 254. There is no charge to enter, but all entries must be approved by the sponsoring Northview DCT class.

Pictured above and below: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Ted Roy shows up new ESCO Chevrolet Tahoe. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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Comments

11 Responses to “Sheriff To Lead Northview Parade In New Tahoe; Crown Victorias On The Way Out”

  1. JW on September 30th, 2009 9:07 pm

    There are not going to be painted that ugly green color are they? That looks horrible.

  2. Local Resident on September 30th, 2009 6:12 pm

    Keep in mind that sheriff’s deputy cars are ragged out and driven to the max sometimes to protect you and your families. Replacing them is an ordinary expense that is going to be budgeted and going to happen. Do you want an old car with 175,000 miles racing to stop a burglar breaking into your home while your child is home? Think not.

    You can’t take $1.9 million from law enforcement and give it to education. It just does not work that way.

    The story here, as northescambia reported, is the interesting fact they are switching to the Tahoes. I’m pround to see them getting new cars, I just hope some of the deputies up here get one. Tahoes would be way more practical than cruisers on our dirt roads in the north end.

    I think the big issue here is — how am I suppose to know a deputy is coming and slow down? There are not too many crown vics on the road but there are sure a lot of Tahoes.

  3. why on September 30th, 2009 5:57 pm

    This is crazy !!!!! Education constantly getting cut . I am sooooo ready to move on over to another state.

  4. bleh on September 30th, 2009 3:56 pm

    1.9 million is beyond crazy, I could see buying a few , but 1.9 million of your tax dollars went to this.

    Why not put that towards so many other things we need! If more people had jobs, they would be less likely to turn to crime and drugs.

    maybe a 1.9 million dollar investment in education would be better, and save our teachers instead of trying to fill our jails

  5. Cynical on September 30th, 2009 11:15 am

    “Utility” is the operative word.

    This Sheriff is no dummy. He knows that the “multi-use” capabilities of the Tahoe will come well into play during hurricane and natural disaster emergencies, as well as an endless variety of routine tasks that deputies face every day.

    “…a handling package that puts it two inches closer to the ground than the standard model…” means minimal rollover risk, and the heavier frame and stiffer suspension means safer LEO in the event of a crash.

    As for speed — No matter what, the bad guys cannot outrun a radio or a bullet.

    Good fiscal responsibility – Sheriff.

    The Chargers will fall apart quicker.

  6. William on September 30th, 2009 10:25 am

    MM — They have a few 2009 models on the streets now, and I’ve been told they are pleased.with the performance.

  7. MM on September 30th, 2009 10:24 am

    Maybe they should try a couple of them first, before getting an entire fleet. The officers might find the Tahoe too slow, or inclined to roll over. Will the old Crown Vics go to auction?

  8. Darryl on September 30th, 2009 8:58 am

    bleh, have you thought about the physical wear and tear the policing agencies do to their vehicles? The run them constantly and put them in abusive situations. The vehicles just wear out faster than a vehicle in the hands of a private citizen.

  9. more things to consider on September 30th, 2009 7:15 am

    they wear out

  10. guest on September 30th, 2009 6:38 am

    Ford is not making Police Package Crown Victorias anymore.

  11. bleh on September 30th, 2009 3:01 am

    $1.9 million!!!! Insane!! what was wrong with the previous cars??