By LORETTA BOOTY, The Era Leader

Following a recent trend in law enforcement, the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office is now the proud owner of four brand-new Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicles.

Because most of the cost for the Tahoes came from a federal grant, the Sheriff's Office actually had to fork out very little, noted Sheriff Bobby Crowe.

The vehicles will be used by the four shift lieutenants, Crowe said, and the Sheriff's Office plans to also get more of the Tahoes.

WPSO Grant Administrator Harry Hoppen wrote the grant application that got the vehicles.  Hoppen said the four Tahoe's had a total price of $96,164, and of that, the Sheriff's Office only had to pay $12,829, or $3,207, per vehicle.  In addition, the latest technology in lights and emergency equipment was purchased for the Tahoes at a total cost of $18,197, but once again a grant was applied for and the Sheriff's Office didn't have to spend anything.
Hoppen said people will see more and more law enforcement Tahoes on the road.  The Franlkinton Police Department bought four of them last year, and Hoppen said the Louisiana State Police are starting to gradually replace some of their Ford Crown Victorias with Tahoes.

"A deputy can pull a vehcile from a ditch with this," he commented.  "He can drive through water, he can take a K-9 dog, and he has much better visibility than with a lower police sedan."

Crowe said the Tahoes come equipped with the latest and most up-to-date equipment, which will make the job more efficient for his shift lieutenants.