Cape Coral police purchase new patrol cars

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CAPE CORAL, Fla.- The Cape Coral Police Department spent more than $1 million to buy new SUVs.

Police say the vehicles they drive are more than just transportation.

“We’ve always acknowledged that for these guys that are hard working out on the streets, twelve hours a day, it’s not just about transportation getting from point A to point B. It’s not just a tool, it’s also their office,” said Captain Mike Torregrossa.

WINK News took a ride in one of the new, fully-equipped $42,000 Ford Explorers. The cars were paid for when the city refinanced some bonds earlier this year.

“With the new one, I’m sitting up a lot higher and I have a 180-degree view of everything,” said Officer Mike Masiero.

Masiero retired from the Fort Myers Police Department as a narcotics detective. Then, he began anew with Cape Coral police three years ago.

He says he loves being back on patrol and loves that he got to trade in his deteriorating Ford Crown Victoria with 145,000 miles for a brand new SUV.

From gas mileage to transporting people who have been placed under arrest, police say the new vehicle is the most effective and efficient to use.

Masiero tells WINK News the new SUVs are twice as fuel efficient as the old cars.

Cape Coral police say they plan on buying another 27 vehicles this year. They are using money freed up after courts allowed the city to spend the controversial fire assessment fee.

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