Ohio County To Have 41 Police Cars Repossessed
LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO — Dozens of Lorain County sheriff’s cruisers are scheduled to be repossessed early next week, according to the Lorain County Deputies Association.
In a Facebook post, the association said Lorain County commissioners have defaulted on vehicle lease payments with Enterprise Fleet Management. The post stated that $57,000 in payments required under the contract have not been made.
As a result, 41 police cruisers are expected to be repossessed on Monday. Deputies have begun removing gear, equipment, and personal belongings from their vehicles in preparation for turning them over to Enterprise.
The situation unfolds as Lorain County continues to implement significant budget reductions across multiple departments.
Recent cuts have already forced the closure of the county’s only emergency, short-term shelter for youth, Turning Point in Elyria, which is set to shut its doors no later than March 1. The Lorain County Auditor’s Office has also reduced operations and will now be closed on Fridays due to financial constraints.
County commissioners have acknowledged the impact these reductions are having on local services.
“We’ve put all the agencies in a difficult position,” Commissioner Marty Gallagher said last week. “Unfortunately, we had to make those tough decisions. We all have to hunker down. We have to budget our money better. Unfortunately, some of the services have to be cut.”
The Lorain County Deputies Association said its members remain committed to performing their duties safely and professionally, but warned that these decisions could put county residents at risk.
