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Council approves two Durangos for police fleet and additional training for K9 Zeke
Summary
Chesterton council approved buying two 2026 Dodge Durango police SUVs at $39,000 each, authorized upfitting costs, and approved additional apprehension and fugitive-tracking training for K9 Zeke and handler Sergeant Eric Lasaskki.
Chesterton’s Town Council voted to purchase two 2026 Dodge Durango heavy V8 police SUVs at $39,000 each and approved funding for their upfitting, and separately authorized additional training for the department’s patrol K9, Zeke.
The police presenter told the council the vehicles represent a favorable dealer offer and that the department will trade two aging units (a 2017 and a 2018) for about $5,000 in trade value. He said kitting and exterior equipment typically run between $10,000 and $15,000 per vehicle. “We’ll be getting these brand new Durangos at $39,000 a piece,” the presenter said, noting the cost is below current mid‑50s-thousand-dollar prices for comparable police SUVs.
Council members discussed fleet age and the need to support patrol operations; after a motion and second, the council approved the purchase by voice vote. The minutes show members signified approval by saying “I.”
On a separate motion, council authorized additional apprehension and fugitive‑tracking training for K9 Zeke and his handler, Sergeant Eric Lasaskki, citing a recent uptick in regional violence. The police presenter framed the training as a public‑safety and officer‑safety measure; that request also passed by voice vote.
What’s next: staff will accept delivery and begin upfitting the new vehicles and schedule the K9 training. The council did not specify a dollar appropriation line for the purchases in the meeting record presented.
