FORT SMITH, AR – A proposal by Crawford County’s new sheriff to purchase five new patrol pickups was rejected on Jan. 3 by the Arkansas county’s Quorum Court, according to the Times Record newspaper.

Mike Allen, who recently began his first term as sheriff, had sought to purchase five of the $21,000 pickups because Crown Victoria police cars cannot be purchased in Arkansas by government agencies. Several justices of the peace said they had concerns about Allen’s proposal.

Allen said the vehicles would replace five other vehicles, each of which has at least 100,000 miles. One vehicle has more than 213,000 miles. He also said there are safety concerns about putting officers into vehicles with a substantial amount of mileage.

All 12 of the justices of the peace later voted to approve the purchase of three pickups. Allen said after the meeting that he was disappointed in the justices of the peace's decision not to allow the purchase of all five vehicles.