Edgeworth police will be adding a new vehicle to its fleet this spring.

Borough council voted 5-0 on Jan. 20 to approve the purchase of a 2026 Ford Explorer Interceptor.

Council members Dan Wilson and Rebecca Cartus were absent.

The estimated purchase cost is about $52,000. That includes $45,000 for the vehicle and about $7,000 to transition equipment from the department’s 2021 Ford Explorer.

Both vehicles were obtained from Tri-Star Ford and bought through COSTARS, the state’s purchasing program that helps municipalities get the best price on goods and services.

Police Chief John Burlett said the wear-and-tear and repairs were adding up on the older model, including a projected $3,000 exhaust system replacement.

“It’s starting to nickel-and-dime us,” the chief said. “The idle time that they get, the different speeds that they go and the stop-and-go traffic. They take a beating. They really do. That’s why we stay with the Ford because they’ve been very good to us, very dependable.”

The department has three vehicles and seven full-time officers, including the chief. There are no part-timers.

Police department reports indicate officers drove the vehicles about 45,330 miles and answered 1,541 calls last year.

The borough is only 1.5 square miles.

Edgeworth budgets for a new police vehicle purchase every three to five years. The chief thanked council for its support.

“They treat us right (and) they treat us fair,” Burlett said. “I never had to want equipment-wise or anything like that. We have a great council and they support us 100%.”

Council Vice President Ivan Hofmann said there are continual conversations with the chief to ensure the department has whatever it needs to protect and serve residents.

“We are very, very attuned to public safety,” Hoffman said on Jan. 21. “We give the policemen every single thing they need to ensure they have the tools to do that job. All our policemen have body cameras. All our policemen have Tasers so that we can use nonlethal force if necessary. … We take care of our police.”

Burlett said the old SUV does not have the in-car licence plate readers like the other vehicles. The new one will have the device installed.

Edgeworth purchased two license plate readers in 2024. The purchase was made possible by a donation from a resident who wished to remain anonymous.

Burlett said the equipment makes it easier for officers to identify stolen, expired or suspended license plates and automatically populate information into police computers.

“They’re just a great, valuable tool that the guys are able to use,” Burlett said. “It’s safer than having to punch plates in while you’re driving and getting the plate back. It automatically does it.”

Other equipment news

Council also voted Jan. 20 to approve the purchase of a new Hustler gas-powered riding mower for public works.

Borough officials said the machine has a better turning radius than other mowers the department was evaluating, and it has an estimated 20-year service life. The estimated cost was about $24,200.

The goal is to have it ready for service in the summer.