ASHTABULA — The budget-conscious Ashtabula Police Department is grateful for two local businessmen who have donated their time and supplies to maintain the city’s crime-fighting fleet.
Skufca’s Body Works on State Road and E&J; Glass on Main Avenue helped keep two vehicles in service: the surplus armored personnel carrier, now known as APD emergency response vehicle, and a Chevrolet Impala, which is used as an undercover vehicle.
“We are very pleased and grateful for their help. They did the work pro bono,” said Chief Robert Stell. “The repairs would have cost us a lot of money.”
Steven Bartone, owner of Skufca’s Body Works, performed some body work on three vehicles and replaced wheels on a sport utility vehicle for the department.
“The city wasn’t looking for the work to be done for free,” Bartone said. “I just wanted to give back to the community. (The police officers) are the guys who should get all the credit.”
The owner of E&J; Glass, Doug Andes, replaced the periscopes on the emergency response vehicle.
“They were a challenge,” Andes said. “It’s not like we do these every day.”
Sgt. John Koski said the old periscopes were damaged by the sun. When the time comes for the officers to use the vehicle, it will most likely be in a “buttoned-up mode” with someone shooting at them, he said. “It’s crucial to see where we’re going.”
Andes said he was glad to do it.
Since it arrived in 2004, the vehicle hasn’t been used in a single shooting incident, but Koski said officers drive it at least a couple of times a month “for fun and to make sure it’s running.”
The city of Ashtabula obtained the vehicle at no cost through a government program that puts decommissioned military hardware into the hands of local safety departments and organizations. Donations helped paint the vehicle and affix lettering to it.
Koski said the armored vehicle can be used a number of ways to protect officers and citizens from a shooter. He says he’s glad the department has it.
Conneaut was the first police department to obtain an armored personnel carrier for police use in 2003. Since then, Ashtabula and Andover acquired similar vehicles. Last year, Conneaut decided it no longer wanted its vehicle because of the cost of insurance.
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