ROCHESTER, NY– Having already eliminated more than 30 take-home cars, the City of Rochester now is looking at 80 more — a move that would hit the police department hardest, taking back cars assigned to undercover officers, homicide detectives and others, according to www.DemocratandChronicle.com.
These vehicles are provided around the clock at taxpayers’ expense, intended for those who can be called out at any time, whether to a crime scene or a water main break. Government officials argue that the take-home cars are necessary. But some of them arguably are perks, built up over the years and cemented by tradition or labor contracts.
Mayor Robert Duffy began reducing the city fleet last year to cut costs. He rescinded six take-home cars and focused more on pool vehicles, but he left police alone. This year, however, with labor negotiations under way with police and fire, the focus is on take-home vehicles. Duffy wants to cut the take-home fleet by 73 percent citywide, from 153 to 41.
Thirteen take-home city vehicles recalled this year are being sold at auction, promising a $290,000 annual savings in capital and operating costs, the report said. The remaining 80 vehicles that might be recalled across all departments are tied up in labor contracts.
Police stand to lose 68 of 90 take-home vehicles. The city so far has cut seven from the 700-plus officer force. In addition, but separate from these cuts, the city has cancelled 20 police take-home cars, largely as vacancies occurred.
"I keep going back to fuel consumption and maintenance costs," Moore said. "And I do think we need to find a way to cut back, and this is one area where we can cut back and find some savings for the city."
One option is to have an on-call car for major crimes, officials said, but that also would need to be negotiated.
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