Binghamton to accept $202,000 federal grant to buy two police vehicles

BINGHAMTON — The City Council work session on Jan. 27 heard an overview of a $202,000 Bureau of Justice Assistance grant to buy two police vehicles, a presenter said.

Captain Bidwell, who presented the item in municipal and public affairs, told council members the grant is “100% reimbursable” and would fund two new vehicles: a 12–15 passenger Econovan for transporting personnel and a light truck to carry equipment for emergency situations. Bidwell said the vehicles would be brand new and are not replacements. “We currently don’t have them at all,” he said.

Council members pressed for details. A request for an inventory of the department’s fleet drew a reply that the traffic division or the chief would maintain records if council wanted a formal count. Bidwell said the grant opportunity arises in part because state program staff sometimes notify police departments about available funding and ask whether the city has a need that matches the money being offered.

Bidwell described operational uses for the transport van: multi‑officer training trips, travel to distant training sites and large public events such as parade days when the department moves many officers at once. He said the van would reduce the number of patrol vehicles used to transport officers to the same location.

No formal vote on the grant acceptance was recorded during the work session. Council members asked for follow‑up materials including a fleet inventory so they can understand how the new vehicles fit current resources.

The grant and vehicle specifications will be on a future agenda item for formal acceptance and appropriation if council chooses to proceed.