McCollum Seeks $1.6M For Boats, Hybrid Cars For Washington Co. Sheriff

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MN — The Washington County Sheriff’s Office could soon purchase a slew of new hybrid patrol cars and river boats with federal funding.

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum recently submitted a request for the sheriff’s office to get $1.6 million to buy 20 Ford Interceptor hybrid squad cars and two new river patrol boats.

Adding 20 hybrid vehicles to the sheriff’s fleet would “help reduce the fuel consumption and the impact the fleet has on the environment,” McCollum said. Washington County deputies would use the new vehicles to patrol local roads and highways, she said.

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If granted, part of the funding would be used to buy two new boats for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to use for patrols on the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers.

“The size of the vessels that operate on these waterways and the large geographical area that they cover require a robust and safe watercraft to perform the necessary public safety services,” McCollum said.

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The new boats would be “regional assets” that can be used for patrols, search and rescue missions, infrastructure protection and emergency response, she said.

Members of Congress can request funding for up to 15 specific projects in their districts that "serve the public good" as part of the appropriations process.

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