The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The City of La Harpe has received its new police car - a 2004 Dodge Intrepid Squad Car. A grant of $20,000 was received from the State of Illinois' Block Grant program to put toward its purchase with the balance to be paid by the City of La Harpe.
Chief of Police Jake Snelson stands beside the new vehicle which is painted silver with a red, white, and blue Eagle graphic on its side. He picked up the car last Friday at Orland Park and put it into service Monday, September 8th, 2003.
Officer Snelson was told that 600 squad cars were being ordered for police departments at the time of his order. The dealership fully equips the squad cars inside and out.
It has the standard police equipment, and according to Snelson, is souped up compared to the early police cars. The speedometer registers at 150 mph.
La Harpe also has an older squad car, a 2000 Ford Explorer which is still in use as they provide 24-hour police protection to the residents.
Deputies Larry Finch and Justin Livingston of La Harpe help Police Chief Jake Snelson provide 24 hour police patrol. Those who need to talk to the police or need assistance can do so by calling 911 or by phoning La Harpe Police Dept. 217-659-7725. Police are notified by a Radio Dispatcher or by telelphone.
Snelson commended the work of Larry and Debbie Finch, who applied for the grant. "It was their efforts that made this happen in a short time," he said. "Normally it takes two or three years. Their persistant letter writing explaining the 24-hour job, one overused squad car and 3 officers got attention in less than a year." They plan to apply for another grant to replace their high mileage Explorer in the spring.