Pubdate: Fri, 31 Jan 2003
Source: Item, The (SC)
Copyright: 2000 The Item
Contact:  http://www.theitem.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1105
Author: Luke Reynolds, Item Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)

A DRUG CAR REFORMED

Sumter Sheriff's Office To ADD Seized Vehicles To Fleet

A car once used to mule drugs through Sumter County is now prowling the 
streets on the other side of the law. A black 1994 Acura Legend - decked 
out with shiny rims, leather interior, wooden console and sunroof - is the 
newest addition to the patrol car fleet of the Sumter County Sheriff's 
Office. The car was seized during a cocaine bust several years ago. 
Officials say the outfitting a drug car is a first for the department, and 
shows how local agencies are getting creative in the face of a continuing 
budget crunch. "The county has been real good about providing vehicles for 
us, but we figured this year they'd be making some cuts," said Chief Deputy 
Anthony Dennis. The state is facing a budget shortfall of about $340,000, 
and county officials are already warning that funds will be tighter than 
ever this year. The sheriff's office will likely request that council 
increase wages for starting deputies. Officials say they are losing 
manpower to neighboring law enforcement agencies, including the Sumter 
Police Department, because of salaries several thousand dollars below what 
other agencies offer.

With money scarce, the sheriff's office is positioning itself for this 
year's budgeting process. A new Crown Victoria equipped as a patrol car 
costs the county about $27,000, Dennis said. Repainting the seized Acura 
and installing radar, strobe lights and other devices cost about $4,000, he 
said. "That saves us about $20,000 by putting this car on the road. 
Hopefully it shows council that we're working with them," he said. This 
fiscal year, Sumter County Council added 10 new cars to the sheriff's fleet 
of 120 vehicles. The annual addition of new cars allows the older vehicles 
to be put to rest, Dennis said. Some patrol cars currently have between 
130,000 and 140,000 miles on them, and "with the budget cuts, it looks like 
they'll get even more than that," predicted Capt. David Florence. 
Incorporating seized vehicles could become regular practice. The sheriff's 
office seizes as many as 20 vehicles a year in drug busts. By law, a 
vehicle's ownership is conferred to the county if it is shown to have 
facilitated drug trafficking or was acquired with drug money. The seized 
vehicles are sometimes used in undercover operations, but have never been 
remodeled into regular patrol cars. They are normally sold off in public 
auctions, and "we really don't get their worth," Dennis said. The Acura 
will be assigned to the traffic division, used to patrol school crossing 
areas and track down speeders. Keeping patrol cars on the streets plays a 
vital role in curbing drunken driving and traffic and pedestrian 
fatalities, Florence said. Sumter County is among the worst in the state in 
all of those categories. "These cars ought to try and decrease some of that 
stuff," Florence said. Next to the high-powered 2001 Chevy Camaro patrol 
car assigned to Cpl. Alex Dukes, the new Acura might be the most 
sought-after car on the force. The Camaro is equipped with high-performance 
tires and a souped-up engine, and can top 160 mph. Dukes, who has been 
assigned a Camaro for the past four years, said he isn't ready yet to 
change cars. "But the Acura is a nice car," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager