By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council last Wednesday voted to approve the purchase of a mobile command vehicle.
The city will acquire a 2003 Freightliner from Farber Specialty Vehicles for $125,000. The money for the vehicle comes from the city’s confiscated fund, Trussville City Council President Buddy Choat said. The 35-foot mobile command vehicle will be used as a mobile dispatch unit for the Trussville Police Department. It can be used remotely as a secondary dispatch or be used in the case of emergency or natural disaster. It could also be used as a backup should Trussville City Hall be affected, City Clerk Lynn Porter said.
The mobile command vehicle
photo by Gary Lloyd
In September 2013, the Trussville Police Department added a mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle to its fleet, a vehicle designed to help protect military troops from mines and improvised explosive devices.
Lt. Jeff Bridges said at the time that the armored vehicle will be used for tactical operations, with officer safety being the main objective. The 2007 vehicle has accumulated nearly 5,000 miles and will likely eventually be painted black with Trussville Police Department lettering and logos, Bridges said.
The vehicle weighs 37,000 pounds, about 1,000 less pounds than it did when it had a gun turret mounted to its top.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
