Free Ride: Dealer Donates SUV to Police

Some may say you can't get something for nothing, but the Wyckoff Police Department may be one to disagree.

The police recently were the recipients of a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV donated by Hawthorne Chevrolet. The police vehicle came fully outfitted, at no expense to the township.

"We like to give back to the community," said dealership owner Steve Barna, a Wyckoff resident.

The Tahoe would be worth about $37,000 if the township had to purchase it from a dealer, and the equipment—lights, sirens, interior cage, etc.—carries an approximate $8,000 cost, Barna said.

The roughly $45,000 gift is Hawthorne Chevrolet's latest effort to aid the communities it serves. Barna explained that the dealership, which straddles Hawthorne and Wyckoff at 1180 Goffle Road, sponsors youth sports teams and is always looking for new ways to make a difference in the community.

"People support us, so we give back," Barna said.

The dealership owner said he began thinking about making a donation to a local police or fire department about six months ago and felt that he should focus his efforts on Wyckoff, as his business is the most local car dealership.

His decision became easier when he was approached by police Patrolman Andrew Poremba, who explained that Wyckoff could get great use out of the vehicle. The department employs a Dodge Durango that has seen better days, Lt. Charles Van Dyk said. Furthermore, the township had decided to put off the planned purchase of a new cruiser, given budgetary constraints.

"It was good timing on everyone's part," Barna said. "It's a big help in our budget," Mayor Rudy Boonstra said last week.

Barna was able to locate and purchase a display vehicle that Chevrolet had used to attract the interest of police agencies. With virtually no miles logged, and fully  outfitted to police specifications, the Tahoe merely needed "Wyckoff Police" lettering for use by the township officers.

"We were fortunate to find one fully equipped," Barna said. "It kind of fell in our lap."

Police Chief Benjamin Fox expressed his "sincere thanks" to Hawthorne Chevy for an SUV that is "much needed in our fleet of vehicles."

"It's a very generous gesture," Boonstra said.

The mayor also said such partnerships are especially important as municipalities such as Wyckoff deal with tighter and tighter budgets.

"This could be used as a template for many other organizations to participate in this age of budgetary crisis," he said.

Committeeman Kevin Rooney pointed out that the donation wasn't merely a case of a business helping out: "It's a resident giving back to his community."

Barna agreed that being able to help his hometown is meaningful. The needs of the police "hit home" as a Wyckoff resident, he said.