GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (CNBNews)(December 21, 2022)--Last week Cleary's Notebook published an article, "Car 54 Where Are You?" in which the question was asked, where are the 22 police cars which seem to be lost? Since that time, it was revealed through the city council meeting minutes, resolutions, and ordinances that in December, 2022 the city bought one new Ford vehicle for the fire department and two new Chevy SUVs from Mall Chevrolet for the police. This resolution was passed on the first reading.
Does that mean the police department has 36 vehicles instead of the 34 previously reported by the city's administration? There was no evidence in the council meeting documentation that any vehicles were traded for the new ones or sold. Again, where are they? If these 24 vehicles were to be purchased new it would cost the city more than $1,080,000. We don't know the actual value because we don't know the age and condition of the vehicles - because - we can't find them!
It takes quite some time to go through three sets of documentations for each month and even more time to go back to January, 2021. How many cars were purchased that year? The answer is unknown for the time being, but it is known that some vehicles were purchased.
As was promised last week an OPRA (Open Public Records Act) request was submitted to document where these cars are. It was denied the same day as it was submitted. It seems OPRA only covers documents, not information, per Cindy Di Domenico. Come again? Okay, maybe there is no list of where the cars are, but shouldn't there be? Maybe this is the time to make such a list. Who would do this? The Police Chief or the City Administrator? Wait a minute, that's the same person.
Everyone has heard the saying "We can do this the easy way or the hard way." Which way is up to you, Gloucester City.
EDITOR'S NOTE: If you see a police car parked on your street, please take a photo of it and send it along with the location to [email protected]. Your name will not be published.