ELYRIA — The Lorain County Deputies Association issued a sharply worded press release late Wednesday night alleging that the Lorain County Commissioners have defaulted on a vehicle fleet loan, placing dozens of police cruisers at risk of repossession.
According to the association, the county failed to pay more than $57,000 in lease payments owed to Enterprise Fleet Management as part of an existing contract. As a result, the association claims that 41 police cruisers are scheduled to be repossessed as early as Monday.
The release states that deputies have already begun removing gear, equipment and personal items from their assigned vehicles in preparation for turning them over to the leasing company.
“How is the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office expected to respond to calls with no cruisers?” the release asks, warning that the situation could directly impact public safety and emergency response times throughout the county.
The statement criticizes the commissioners’ decision to default on the agreement, calling it a failure of fiscal stewardship and questioning how deputies are expected to carry out their duties without adequate equipment.
“We want the equipment necessary to do our job and an administration that has our backs,” the release reads. “The commissioners’ ineptitude has cost us our equipment, and your safety.”
The press release is signed by Matthew Lawson, secretary of the Lorain County Deputies Association, and includes a postscript referencing the possibility of deputies needing alternative transportation to respond to calls.
Due to the late hour the statement was released, the commissioners had not been contacted for comment prior to publication. This story will be updated if a response is provided.
