HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 11-09 Maplewood police get Saabs THE REVIEW Maplewood
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by Anne Skinner arm and nose suffered in the accident.
Schaller said,"The accident damaged the
' Maplewood residents may be a bit front end but it stopped there. Things
surprised to see two of the city's squad could have been a lot worse had it not
cars a bit smaller and more rotund than been as solid a car."
the force's traditional Plymouths. The Schaller said the mileage was a big
city recently agreed to lease two Saab factor in the force's enthusiasm to try the
99's for one year through a local Swedish cars. "On a given day we figure
dealership. we can consume about 150 gallons of gas.
"We were offered a very, very fair If we can cut that figure by a third, it
deal,"Police Chief Dick Schaller related. could mean quite a savings."
The offer is$75 a month per car including He added, "We really couldn't even
maintenance."We figure it costs us about specify in a bid situation that the car be
$75 over the average month to maintain a American made,"in response to concern
car," Schaller added. by a number of residents that the city
The cars have more than doubled the lease only American cars.
Plymouths' 10-11 miles per gallon Schaller said the city did not let bids
average in the nearly three weeks they've because the offer was"so fair,we thought
been on the road. The police chief said no one could give a deal like that." The
those on patrol are satisfied with the car's city will determine after the one year trial
engine performance as well. period whether it will choose to continue
One Saab was put out of commission under a standard lease agreement.
two weeks ago Saturday when Sgt. "The patrolmen are very enthusiastic
Kenneth Collins was hit by another car. about it so far, and we're just elated as
He is currently recovering from a broken they are," he said.