Connecticut's Crumbling Cruisers

PROVIDENCE JOURNAL

New Haven's decrepit police cruisers are driving officers crazy
The police union has complained to the state of Connecticut over problems with the aging fleet, including holes in the floorboards, metal that sticks out of torn seats, malfunctioning radio equipment and breakdowns on the road.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Holes in the floorboards. Cracks in fenders and bumpers. Metal that sticks out of torn seats and rips uniforms. Gas gauges that don't work. Radio equipment that malfunctions. Occasional breakdowns. Peeling paint.

And then there's the time a detective heading to a call took a turn and the steering wheel came off. He managed to avoid an accident, and no one was hurt.

These are New Haven's police cruisers.

"It's embarrassing," said Officer Craig Miller, president of the local police union. "It's unsafe for our patrol officers and unsafe for the community."