Vehicle supply issues hamper Moorcroft Police Department

Moorcroft's police department head, Bill Bryant, requested a new cruiser several months ago to replace the 2012 Dodge Durango that has been suffering progressively worsening maintenance issues.

"That's why," said Mayor Ben Glenn, "we chose to trade it." This new acquisition was paid for by funds specifically set aside for this purpose.

The new vehicle was ordered in November, but the dealership warned at the time that it could be around 180 days before delivery. The mayor anticipates delivery of the new cruiser around the latter part of May or the first weeks of June.

If the town did not order then, the dealer told them, "It was possibly going to be 2023 before we received the opportunity to get the next one."

While the department is waiting for the new automobile, the 2015 Durango has been experiencing problems – in the electrical system, according to the dealership to which the vehicle was returned for repair.

The town has been billed $2196.84 for this diagnosis and repair, however, "Turns out, maybe it was the factory fuse block," said Glenn, which is a fix covered under warranty, so the council removed the invoice at last week's meeting.

"That's a discussion that is ongoing – who's going to take care of that because it was under warranty. That's why we held the bill out of the bill list."

The electrical system on which the dealership mechanics worked is not under warranty.

The chief is still operating his vehicle and, with the 2015 down, the one remaining cruiser is in use by the officers on duty.