JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Some of the old Crown Victorias are on their last legs. They all have between 100,000 and 500,000 miles on them. Sheriff Tyrone Lewis says that's why it's the right time to begin replacing them.
The Department rolled in three new Dodge Chargers Wednesday, equipped for law enforcement. Seven more cars are expected by the end of the month.
The cruisers cost about $24,000 each, as part of a package deal.
"A lease purchase plan over a six year period that we can replace our fleet every year for ten new vehicles. This is the start today," Sheriff Lewis says.
Captain Joseph Daughtry shows us some of the new features. They have V6 engines, which will be more gas efficient than the V8 Crown Victorias. Directional lights are affixed on top so deputies can direct traffic to the left or right. Push bumpers attached to the front can push inoperable cars off the roadways.
Deputy John Sanders tells us what else a push bumper is good for.
"On county roads we run into a lot of deer running out in the middle of the road. That will help with that aspect of it," he says.
Sanders joins Deputies West and Wells in getting the first three new cruisers. Those Deputies have the best accident track records.
"The number of accidents was a determining factor, and how they care for their vehicles over the period they had them," Lewis says.
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