Saturday, April 20, 2024 | St. Lawrence County, NY
The New York State Troopers Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association has filed a public safety complaint over what they say are unsafe high-mileage patrol vehicles. The PBA filed a Public Employee Safety …
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The New York State Troopers Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association has filed a public safety complaint over what they say are unsafe high-mileage patrol vehicles.
The PBA filed a Public Employee Safety & Health (PESH) complaint over unsafe working conditions they say are created by high-mileage State Police patrol vehicles.
“Of the approximately 1,300 New York State Police patrol vehicles in use statewide, 45 percent of those vehicles have in excess of 100,000 miles on them. Of those, 29 percent have in excess of 125,000 miles on them,” a release from the agency says. “There have been significant breakdowns of patrol vehicles, including instances of bearing failure and axle shaft fracture while the vehicles were being driven.”
Troopers say the vehicles they use can’t be fairly compared to family vehicles.
“While we appreciate the significant progress made over time in terms of automotive engineering, you’re comparing apples to oranges when looking at a family vehicle with 125,000 miles on it and a patrol car with 125,000 miles on it,” said PBA President Thomas H. Mungeer.
“Patrol vehicles are driven in severe conditions – including weather, speed, and different types of terrain – and the extremely high mileage on the vehicles adds another layer of adversity to an already difficult situation.”
PBA President Thomas H. Mungeer testified twice in front of the New York State Legislature this year – in February at hearings regarding the 2015-2016 Executive Budget and in March at the Joint Committee Hearing representing the Committees of Codes, Crime Victims and Corrections, Investigations and Government Operations and Civil Service and Pensions regarding Police Safety and Public Protection – about this dangerous issue.
“Since timely action has not been taken to replace the aging fleet of marked patrol vehicles, the PBA believed it was urgent to file the formal safety complaint before tragedy strikes,” the release says.
More than 6,500 active and retired, uniformed members of the New York State Police from the rank of Trooper through the rank of Major are represented by the State Troopers PBA.
