New Police, Fire SUVs Come Courtesy City Council Budget Move

OAK FOREST, IL — Thanks to adjustments to the current fiscal year's budget, the Oak Forest Police and Fire departments will be able replace older vehicles in their fleets without raising taxes or borrowing money. The City Council unanimously approved last week moving money already set aside for other capital projects in order to buy the squad cars and SUVs.

The city will spend nearly $55,000 to buy two 2018 Ford Explorers for the department, according to city documents. The Interceptors also will be outfitted with more than $31,000 in added police equipment, including in-car camera systems for both vehicles worth $12,890.

The fire department also will be receiving two 2018 Ford Utility Interceptors. The cost for both those vehicles will total $69,112, city documents stated.

Oak Forest aldermen's budget moves will outfit the public works department with new equipment, too. A new dump truck and a 2019 F350 pickup truck will be added to the fleet, according to city records. The total for both trucks will be around $180,000.

Along with the trucks, the department will be installing eight new hanging heaters at its garage, and Lake Emily will see the addtion of new aerators.

Photo via Patch archive