BOARDMAN — Township trustees have approved the purchase of a new armored police vehicle. The new vehicle is a demo model and costs $225,000, Boardman police Chief Todd Werth, said.

“We will be able to get this vehicle in a couple months,” Werth said. “A new (ordered) vehicle would cost $70,000 more and would take a year to get delivered.”

Boardman police are using a 1998 Brinks armored truck that has been modified for police work. While it serves the purpose, Werth said it is not an efficient vehicle.

The new truck has been purchased from Lenco Armored Vehicles, and is designed for the road, and to protect officers and the public. Werth said it can be used in raids, to evacuate citizens and to ensure the safety of officers.

“Our officers go on certain missions where a vehicle with this type of rating would provide protection,” Werth said.

The full price of the vehicle will be coming from the Boardman Police Department’s Narcotics Enforcement Unit. The funds are all seized assets involved in drug raids and illegal activity.

“We can only use these funds to buy certain police equipment,” Werth said.

Boardman fiscal officer William Leicht told Werth at a recent meeting “to keep making crime pay.”

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