LPD now has a golf cart in its fleet

Linton Police Chief Troy Jerrell is shown in his department's newest vehicle -- a golf cart. The black and white colored police cart is to be used for a variety of duties -- including patrolling during some annual park related events. The 2002 used cart was purchased from revenue collected to license golf carts in the city. (Greene County Daily World/Nick Schneider) [Order this photo]

It's a golf cart, but don't expect LPD officers to be wheeling around on the golf course.

The new black and white police cart is to be used on a variety of duties -- including patrolling during some annual park-related events like the Linton Freedom Festival and parade, the Linton Music Festival, and National Night Out. In addition, it will be used to patrol during the city wide yard sales and in running errands for the police department, according to police chief Troy Jerrell.

"There are quite a few ways we plan on using it. One of the biggest things is out at the park," Jerrell said. "We think it will be extremely handy, especially during the Fourth of July (Freedom Festival) to do the park patrols."

In the past, the LPD had to borrow golf carts or "mule" type vehicles from area vendors when the crowded events at the park took place.

The chief does not anticipate the golf cart to be utilized on any kind of regular police patrols.

"I think the citizens pay tax dollars for a vehicle to be able to get across town a little faster than a golf cart," Jerrell noted.

The chief also anticipates setting up a closed course in the future and use the cart in some anti-alcohol educational demonstrations utilizing "drunk goggles" to show the effects of drunk driving.

"That will bring an eye-opener to a lot of people and when they are intoxicated they don't realize it so much," Jerrell pointed out.

The cart was paid for from revenue generated by the $50 licensing fees that the city started collecting from golf cart owners April 1.

The city has licensed 75 golf carts since the new golf cart ordinance was enacted.

The used 2002 Yamaha gasoline-powered golf cart was purchased for about $2,700 from Markle's Carts, a division of Markle Music in downtown Linton. It has a lot of extras, like a siren and lights, lift kit, new tires and wheels, customized paint job, a beefed-up transmission and complete refurbishing.

Markle and mechanic Curt Hewitt donated their labor and spent about 60 hours stripping the customized cart down and refurbishing it for the LPD.

The cart has about 400 hours on it, but after being customized and refurbished, Markle estimated it will serve the LPD for years.

"We totally did it over for them," Markle added.

Jerrell is very pleased with the way it turned out. He's appreciative for the work that was donated by Markle and his staff.

"He (Markle) did it all at cost," the chief stressed. "We would not have done it had we not got a deal on it. It (the purchase) didn't come out of tax base or the budget so to speak."

Jerrell said the licensing procedure started by the city is working out well with few problems.

"It's going pretty smooth," Jerrell said. "I think I have only had to turn one or two away to so some extra things."

Appointments for golf cart registration/inspections can be made by calling the LPD at 847-4411.

Cart owners are asked to have the following with them at the time of the inspection:

* Indiana driver's license.

* Copy of current insurance policy through March 31, 2011.

* Golf cart ownership documentation.

* Check, cash or money order in the amount of $50 to the City of Linton.

The golf cart equipment checklist is available at the Linton City Hall, Markle Music, Strong Automotive, and the Linton Police Department.