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Politics & Government

This is NOT a Drug Education Vehicle!

Newtown Township Police Chief's proposal to use $110,000 of Opioid Settlement funds for a police pursuit vehicle is inappropriate.

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This is the vehicle proposed to be purchased. See a summary of all the police gear included with the truck: https://rebrand.ly/Truck_Proposal
This is the vehicle proposed to be purchased. See a summary of all the police gear included with the truck: https://rebrand.ly/Truck_Proposal (Image by John Mack - Truck as it appears in the proposal)

Newtown Township currently holds $133,989.50 in opioid settlement funds—money received as part of Pennsylvania's statewide agreement with major pharmaceutical companies. These dollars are restricted and must be used only for initiatives that address the causes and impacts of the opioid crisis.

A Proposal

A proposal from the Newtown Township Police Department to utilize funds from the Opioid Settlement Trust for the acquisition and outfitting of a dedicated "community outreach vehicle" will come up for approval by the Board of Supervisors (BOS) at its November 25, 2025, public meeting.

UPDATE (11/25/25): Approximately, 1 hour before the meeting, BOS Chairperson Elen Snyder notified supervisors that this item - "Authorization to purchase Drug Education Vehicle and upfitting in the amount of $110,000 through CoStars using opioid settlement funds" - will be removed from the agenda and she added: “We will revisit this in January.” Of course, I will no longer be supervisor in January and Ms. Snyder will undoubtedly have the support for this from the newly elected supervisors. Nevertheless, I am providing the following information and will continue to oppose this use of opioid settlement funds.

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The core mission of this initiative is to proactively deliver education, prevention, and recovery promotion services concerning substance use disorders directly to communities, particularly those lacking established treatment or recovery centers.

The total estimated cost for the fully equipped vehicle is $110,000.00, as outlined in a funding request by Chief of Police John L. Hearn. This comprehensive figure covers the purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado PPV, extensive emergency and operational upfitting, an advanced in-car camera system, and a county-compatible mobile police radio.

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Emergency and Operational Upfitting

The proposal includes the following Key Upfitting Components:

  • Lighting & Siren: 54" Low Profile Lightbar, Cencom Core Siren, various T-Series and Micron surface mount lights, and a push bumper with integrated lights.
  • Interior Console: A wide console with housing for a printer, computer mounts, dual USB ports, and magnetic microphone holders.
  • Storage Solutions: An under-seat storage box with sections for electrical equipment and long guns, a DECKED drawer system, and a Cargoglide slide system.
  • Security: A 1.8 cubic foot fireproof depository drop safe bolted to the cargo slide.

This Is An Inappropriate Use of Opioid Funds

It would also include an Axon Fleet 3 ALPR (Automated License Plate Reader) license and real-time location, alerts, and live streaming capabilities none of which is needed for drug educational purposes!

Top Reasons This Is NOT a Community-Based Drug Education Vehicle

  1. Police Pursuit Vehicle (9C1) with surveillance-mode lights
  2. Prisoner-transport rear doors/windows
  3. Full emergency lights, siren, and push bumper
  4. Long-gun storage
  5. Secure evidence-grade safe
  6. Tactical encrypted radio system
  7. Axon Fleet 3 with ALPR & real-time surveillance
  8. Police command-center interior
  9. Sourced entirely through police vendors
  10. Built to integrate into enforcement fleet, not public health outreach

More details here...

Read the transcript....

As one resident said:
"This proposed expenditure doesn't reflect the spirit or requirements of the opioid settlement, and in fact, this type of expenditure is EXPLICITLY PROHIBITED. Simply stating that the new vehicle is a "Community Outreach Vehicle" doesn't make it true. This giant pickup truck outfitted with forty five thousand dollars worth of additional police gear is a prohibited use of these funds which should be used as they were originally intended to benefit the community."

What Should the Money Be Used For?

Funds may be used for:

  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs (e.g., Suboxone, methadone, naltrexone)
  • Expansion of outpatient treatment services
  • Peer recovery support
  • Case management & recovery navigators
  • Residential treatment (particularly for underserved populations)
  • Transportation to treatment or recovery programs

✔ Good for supporting local nonprofits, county treatment programs, or CRN/EMS partnerships

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