Joplin considers expanding police take-home car program

JOPLIN, Mo. — Joplin city leaders are weighing a big investment when it comes to police transportation—one that would actually expand what's already in use at JPD.

"The city council, a number of years ago, adopted six goals, and one of those goals was to improve public safety," said Nick Edwards, Joplin city manager.

And now, city council members are considering a program to allow more police officers to use take-home cars.

"Currently, certain staff are able to take their vehicles home, but the proposal that's currently being evaluated is to provide all officers."

Joplin considers expanding police take-home car program

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A discussion at Monday night's city council meeting had council members debating who exactly would qualify. Factors could include being on the job five years, or three years, or shortly after being hired. It could also be based on where they live, for example, if they are within a 25-mile radius of the Joplin Justice Center.

"Take-home cars could be a benefit for officers as their workplace, and so, having a workplace that's dedicated for them would certainly be a benefit. I would think it would help with retention and recruiting," said Edwards.

Council members are also taking a closer look at how they would pay for the investment.

"There's a one-time cost. The highest amount that we've been able to estimate is around two point seven million dollars, but there's an ongoing cost for the fuel and the eventual replacement of that vehicle. All that has to be factored into our existing revenue stream."

Preliminary discussion has included possibly tying the program to a future renewal of the Proposition B sales tax, also debating options like phasing it in over one, two, or three years. The city council will take a closer look at the proposal at a work session in the coming weeks.