COP CAR COPYCAT
‘Everyone (is) always thinking I’m a police officer,’ says New Waterford man who bought former police vehicle
New Waterford man says driving former police vehicle is a great conversation piece.
Everyone might not know John LeMoine but it appears his 2014 Dodge Durango is another story.
The New Waterford man purchased the former police vehicle by auction through the Cape Breton Regional Municipality a year ago because, he said, “It was cheap and a good vehicle.”
However, he has also learned it’s a great conversation piece.
“I hear people say they thought it was a police vehicle behind them, every day I’m out.”
LeMoine said many people go a little bit over the speed limit so they panic when they see a police car. This is a reaction he gets to witness often.
“People put on the brakes and slow down when they see me,” he said.
“Or they pull out about to pass and then see my vehicle, quickly change their mind and pull back in. It’s hilarious. It’s a real good conversation piece — everyone (is) always thinking I’m a police officer.”
Although he has lots of fun with it, he’s also one happy man over the purchase.
“It’s a really great vehicle, I love it.”
Anyone else who wants a piece of the police fleet now has a chance. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is now accepting tenders for 11 surplus police vehicles in Sydney.
On Tuesday, the CBRM had the day open for viewing the vehicles and LeMoine was on hand confirming he is possibly going to buy another former police car.
LeMoine admits he wonders about the history of his Durango, where it has been and who has been in it. Although he doesn’t know what unit formerly used his vehicle, he does know the vehicle’s name.
“I was speaking to one of the officers and he said he thought this one was Bernadette,” he added laughing.
Lawrence Digou, inventory supervisor for the CBRM, said tenders are usually called for police vehicles no longer in service once a year.
“If none of the departments can find a use for it — it’s too old, or too many miles, or whatever reason — we’ll put them up for auction.”
The vehicles are taken by the CBRM mechanical department and stripped of any police gear.
There are currently 11 vehicles up for tender — 10 Chevrolet Impalas and a Dodge Charger — that were either patrol cars or unmarked cars.
“The unmarked cars could have been used by the drug unit or any of the units where they use them.”
Prices the vehicles have sold for have varied over the years but people have nabbed deals over between $2,000 and $5,000.
“We get a lot of repeat people, a lot of the same people every year who like to come,” Digou said.
“Top price in sealed bids gets
the vehicle. They always all go.”
Digou said the vehicles are well used but also well maintained.
“People understand what they are buying, they understand they are used police vehicles.”
Money from the sales go back into the police budget to purchase more cars.
The vehicles up for tender would have already been replaced through the year.
Although the viewing was held Tuesday at the CBRM public
works property at 15 Massey Dr. in Sydney, Digou said people can still drop by and they’ll show them the vehicles. The deadline for bids is Sept. 20 at 3 p.m.