New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced today that the Town of Yorktown Police Department (YPD) has added a new squad car and three patrol motorcycles to its fleet, all made possible by $170,000 he secured in the form of two separate State Senate grants.
“Public safety is the number one responsibility of the government,” said Harckham. “Our law enforcement agencies must have the resources to acquire modern vehicles, equipment, and technology so they can effectively patrol and protect our communities. I am proud to be able to secure funding for this, which will ease the burden on local taxpayers.”
The new squad car is a Ford Police Interceptor hybrid, a vehicle specifically designed for law enforcement use. It will be deployed for standard patrol duties and speed enforcement, all aided by an high-definition forward-facing camera, touchscreen display, and a 200-gigabyte automotive-grade hard drive.
In addition, the YPD has acquired three new patrol motorcycles outfitted with radios and computer mounts. These motorcycles enhance operational efficiency by providing a nimble, highly maneuverable option in situations where traditional squad cars are less effective.
“The addition of this hybrid police vehicle to our fleet enhances our ability to provide timely and exemplary service to all in Yorktown, while also increasing police officer safety. Police vehicles are patrol officers ‘office space,’ so to speak,” said Yorktown Police Chief Robert Noble. “Maintaining a modern, technologically advanced, and robust vehicle fleet is essential to providing top notch service to the community, as well as demonstrating that the officer using the vehicle is valued and supported. We thank Senator Harckham for his continued support of the Yorktown Police Department.”
Noble added that trading in the older motorcycles for new Harley-Davidson police motorcycles was a “win-win,” for the department and community. Yorktown hosts many events annually that draw very large crowds. Police motorcycle operators can navigate through vehicular traffic in a manner that traditional vehicles cannot. The Motorcycle Unit is also utilized for traffic enforcement in areas that are traditionally difficult for traditional police vehicles to access.
The $170,000 investment is the latest in state funding delivered by Senator Harckham since taking office in 2019. To date, he has secured more than $35 million for municipalities, first responders, and nonprofit organizations, including $11 million dedicated to emergency first responders.
Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman said, “These vehicles are much appreciated, as they will help us maintain the high standard of public safety our town is known for. Our officers need the right equipment for the job and this helps us get there.”
The motorcycle purchase was funded through a $120,000 Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology (CREST) grant, while the squad car was purchased with $50,000 from the State Aid to Municipalities (SAM) program. Both programs are administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) to support local community and economic development.
