Youngstown: Ortt secures $20,000 for purchase of new police cruiser

State Sen. Rob Ortt today delivered a check in the amount of $20,000 to help the Youngstown Police Department better protect residents and operate more effectively. Ortt secured the state funding to assist the department with the purchase of one new, state-of-the-art police cruiser.

"Protecting our communities is a paramount priority for me," Ortt said. "Without the proper tools, police officers aren't able to do their jobs to the best of their abilities. During this past legislative session, I fought for additional funding that would further benefit the department, as well as all of the individuals the officers serve. A new, reliable patrol car will replace the old, outdated one, and will allow Youngstown Police officers to operate more efficiently while keeping us safe."

Two of the Youngstown Police Department's patrol cars are 10 years old and approaching 100,000 miles.

"Not only is it important to protect our community members from harm, it's equally as important to keep our officers safe," Youngstown Police Chief Michael Schuey said. "It seemed as though we were continuously pumping money into our old squad car for repairs. We were in desperate need of a new vehicle, but when you're operating under a small budget, it's just not feasible. We're extremely grateful to Sen. Ortt for this funding and for recognizing how vital this piece of equipment is to the department and the citizens we protect."

The funds will be distributed through the Department of Criminal Justice Services.