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UP-CLOSE Police Management I Budget and Cost Control Tips Some departments are successful in aggressively pursuing at-fault drivers and insurance companies for damage to city vehicles and/or property. as it makes very little sense to install a $4,000 engine in a fve-year-old police sedan, which would have a resale value of maybe $1,500. Many agencies are looking at lowering transportation costs by looking into alternative vehicles, such as increased bicycle and motorcycle patrols. Having the offcers stop periodically and conduct foot patrols is another way of reducing wear on the vehicles and keeping fuel costs down. Some agencies are looking at using alternative types of vehicles, such as fex-fuel, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), hybrid, or pure electric vehicles for administrative, detective, or undercover applications. California State University, Long Beach Police Department has looked at various alternative patrol methods. Aside from the "traditional" black-andwhite Ford CVPI, they revived their bicycle patrol program, supplemented with offcers on foot and Segways. Chief Solorzano is looking toward adding at least one motorcycle—an electric Zero, which should be more than adequate in patrolling the 300-plus-acre campus and the surrounding community. This would reduce fuel costs and maintain the "green" image. Mark Compton and Mike Hogan, feet managers for the City of La Habra, Calif., found a cost-effective way to replace some high-mileage patrol vehicles in the police department's feet. Being a relatively small department, and on a limited budget, luckily they came across a nearby dealer who had a backlog of unsold Ford CVPIs. While these cars were 58 LAW and ORDER I October 2013 In many situations, to save money, departments allow reserve officers to assist sworn officers. Some situations, however, simply require active duty, sworn officers. Photo by Mark C. Ide four years old, they were brand-new cars, with the factory warranties, which would commence the day the vehicles entered service. La Habra submitted a bid for these vehicles, which was accepted by the dealer, who was happy to get rid of their unsold Fords. Some fleet managers often source low-mileage used vehicles for administrative and undercover use from dealer auctions, or rental feet returns. This practice is far cheaper than buying new vehicles, saving the cost of depreciation. Additionally, some returned rental vehicles often come with their own warranty from the rental company. These types of vehicles would be ideal for undercover applications as they appear as "stock" vehicles without the "plain-wrapper" appearance. Another advantage is these vehicles can easily be rotated—or resold, if a variety of vehicles are required. Vinyl Wraps and Seats Instead of ordering custom paint combinations, some law enforcement feet operators are ordering solid-color vehicles and utilize a vinyl wrap on the doors, fenders, and/or roof to make a two-color vehicle. This practice aids during resale as using a heat gun will quickly remove the wrap, reverting the vehicle back to a solid color. This saves the cost of ordering custom paint and the cost and environmental concerns of repainting the vehicle for resale. Most automakers offer vinyl wraps on their NextGen vehicles. The Los Angeles Police Department