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Haywood County sheriff defends vehicle upgrades as residents question costs
Summary
Sheriff Bill Wilkie told the Haywood County Board of Commissioners that pursuit-rated bumpers, tinted windows and other vehicle upfits are safety investments after a public question about high outfit costs; commissioners and staff discussed procurement, recent pursuit tactics and crime statistics.
Sheriff Bill Wilkie defended planned equipment upgrades for county patrol vehicles before the Haywood County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 14, saying the purchases are necessary for deputy safety and operational effectiveness.
Wilkie, who delivered an earlier invocation, told commissioners that upfitting costs have risen ‘‘almost doubled’’ because of market factors and tariffs and said he will ‘‘not advocate for anything less than the best safety equipment for our deputies.’’ He described pursuit-rated ‘‘pit bumpers’’ as a life‑saving tool, explained risks associated with stop sticks and said tinted windows protect both officer safety and sensitive computer…
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