Police buy newUTVwith local donations
PHOENIXVILLE» The Phoenixville Police Department got something on their wish list just in time for Christmas.
A new department utility vehicle, or UTV, will make its debut Friday thanks to generous donations from area organizations. The Phoenixville VFW Post 1564 and the Phoenixville Jaycees, together donated $16,000 to the Phoenixville Police Department for the purchase of the vehicle.
The sleek new 2018 Can Am Commander XT utility vehicle was ordered from Sports Turf of Pottstown. The police package UTV is available only to lawenforcement agencies andwas the first police UTV sold by the local business, police said.
“It is reassuring to know that the police department has the support of local or- ganizations like VFW Post 1564 and the Jaycees and that these groups are committed to the betterment of our community through their generous donations,” said Sjostrom.
The vehicle is designed to transport people and equipment to difficult areas that a patrol car would be unable to reach. The vehicle will come in particularly handy for the department during such occasions as the Dogwood Festival, 4th of July celebrations and the annual Firebird Festival. In addition, the department will be able to use it for more common occurrences such as navigating the many trails and parks in the area as well as things like criminal apprehension, search and rescue missions and patrols.
“It’s been on our wish list for a while,” said Sjostrom. “The VFW kindly got on board with the program and when they made the donation they kind of knew that this is where it was going to go.”
Sjostrom said the department is in the process of developing a policy for the vehicle and that officer trainings will be taking place with the new equipment in the coming months.
In the meantime, Sjostrom will have the honor of showing off the new vehicle during the Phoenixville Christmas Parade Friday evening as it makes its way down Bridge Street.