Pittsburg OKs donated-funded Polaris UTV for police to improve response to remote sites

The Pittsburg City Commission on Jan. 28 approved the purchase of a Polaris Northstar Crew Ultimate utility terrain vehicle (UTV) for the police department, funded by a private donation and the department's asset forfeiture account.

Lieutenant Chris Moore described instances in which officers had difficulty accessing remote areas in the city, including an October response to the bike trails near 23rd Street where a resident needed medical transport from the trail. The department said it requested mutual aid from the Frontenac Fire Department that day, which supplied a UTV to assist with transport.

The commission approved a motion to purchase one 2025 Polaris Northstar Crew Ultimate UTV from Jay Hatfield Motorsports of Frontenac, Kansas, at a cost of $36,136.97. The purchase will use a $30,000 private donation from community member Kaye Spencer and $6,136.97 from the police department's drug asset forfeiture account. The department asked the commission to waive the standard bid process for this purchase; commissioners approved the request. The motion was moved by Doc and seconded by Stu and passed by voice vote.

Donor background and use: Lt. Moore said the Spencer family donated $30,000 toward the purchase. Meeting discussion noted that the UTV does not include a trailer; public works staff told commissioners the department can use an available city trailer if it needs to transport the vehicle outside city limits.

Operational notes: Lt. Moore said the vehicle would allow officers to reach remote parts of the city more quickly for incidents and medical transports; the department plans to house and operate the UTV from the police department and to coordinate logistics with public works as needed.

Next steps: Staff will complete procurement documentation and take delivery of the vehicle from the vendor.